By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Oct. 28 regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, City Clerk Kris Arrasmith asked the council to consider approving the city’s downtown TIF area for another five years. The council unanimously approved this.

The council set a public hearing on the Urban Renewal Plan Amendment for the Guthrie Center Urban Renewal Area. The public hearing will happen in conjunction with the regular city council meeting on Monday, Nov. 25.           

As part of the consent agenda, the council approved liquor licenses for Wine Time LLC and Incredi-Bowl.

Upcoming events mentioned included the Guthrie County Community Foundation fall reception on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Panora Community Center. There was also a mention of the Big Green Umbrella open house, 104 Industrial Road in Guthrie Center, on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 4-6:30 p.m.

Arrasmith pointed out that during the city’s Trick-or-Treat hours (6-8 p.m. on Oct. 31), National Honor Society students will also be going house-to-house collecting food items for the food pantry.

Arrasmith shared progress on construction at the Cameron Flats housing project.

“If you’ve driven down there, you’ve probably seen they’ve been moving dirt around,” Arrasmith said.

She added that a lot was recently sold, so the project is moving forward nicely.

Because of Veterans Day, the next regular meeting of the city council will be Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 5:45 p.m. The public is welcome.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular Oct. 29 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, the supervisors heard a request to appeal the zoning administrator’s decision for a building permit at 3276 268^th St. in Stuart.

The requestor, identified as Mr. Bagby, explained that he would like to build a small house and six cabins for the purpose of a nonprofit religious 501(c)3 community on the land. He said it would not be considered a church but a ministry.

Region XII Zoning Administrator Chris Whitaker explained that, unfortunately, there simply is not an appropriate and legal way to approve the request.

“The issue is the small cabins, the community or retreat center, and a number of other things that Mr. Bagby has proposed…none of which are permitted uses, accessory uses or conditional uses in the Ag district in the Guthrie County Zoning Ordinance,” Whitaker said.

Whitaker added that rezoning one particular parcel of land is generally not considered proper, and he cautioned the supervisors about doing so.

The supervisors voted unanimously to accept Whitaker’s recommendation.

A citizen mentioned there will be an open house, presented by Summit Carbon Solution, for the public to learn more about CO2 safety and transportation, Nov. 6 at Barnett Library in Guthrie Center from 5-7 p.m.

County Treasurer Brenda Campbell informed the supervisors about a request to suspend taxes for Parcel 0000996001. She explained that the homeowner is dealing with significant medical challenges, and there have been similar tax suspensions in the past for similar situations. She said if granted, the taxes would be suspended until the home is sold.

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong cautioned against making a snap decision and said she feels more information is needed about this entire process.

“I can make assumptions to get there, but I don’t think that’s fair to either party. I just want to be very mindful. I would make a motion to table this for now,” Armstrong said.

The supervisors voted to table the matter.

County Engineer Josh Sebern gave an update, including the annual review of the weed commissioner’s report. The supervisors approved reappointing Tim Masters as the county’s weed commissioner.

Supervisor Mike Dickson asked the supervisors to consider approving the county to work with Ahlers & Cooney to draft a Hazardous Pipeline Ordinance. Supervisor Brian Johnson said it seems clear that the Iowa Utility Commission has authority in this area, so any such ordinance by a county would likely be ineffective. Armstrong suggested seeking more clarification on whether the county has any leeway in this area.

The supervisors previously voted to cancel the Nov. 5 meeting due to Election Day. Therefore, the next regular meeting of the supervisors will be Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Oct. 28 meeting of the Panora City Council, councilmembers discussed a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Board to purchase a vending machine and place it at Michael Mills Park.

The recommendation stated that it is becoming difficult to staff the concession stand at the park, and a vending machine would produce income year-round. The suggested machine would cost $8,954 and would hold refrigerated foods and drinks.

Councilmembers voiced concerns about vandalism to such a machine and pointed out that the concession stand has been damaged at times due to theft attempts.

“It’s not a matter of if, it’s when,” Councilmember Roger Dorr said.

No formal action was taken on the recommendation.

City Administrator Lisa Grossman updated the councilmembers on the proposed health insurance premium for city employees. She explained it is a 12.14% increase from the previous year. The council approved the insurance renewal.

Public Works Director Ismael Galvan updated the council on the potential water project near the intersection of West Church and Southwest Second Street. He told of recent testing he did at homes in the immediate area and found no significant iron levels anywhere except in the actual filtration system of the one home that has been having concerns.

At Galvan’s suggestion, the council voted to upgrade the water lines in that neighborhood, likely sometime in 2025, since that area was in need of an upgrade anyway.

The council approved a payment of $86,000 for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project at 113 E. Main.

As part of the consent agenda, a five-day Class C retail alcohol license was approved for Winetime LLC (Lori Dailey) for an upcoming craft show.

The next regular meeting of the Panora City Council is set for Monday, Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome. Interested persons may attend in person or electronically by visiting the website https://meet.goto.com/cityofpanora or by phone 1-312-757-3121 (Access Code 295-099-701, Audio PIN 220#).

Special to the Times Vedette

Join members of the Panora Chamber of Commerce in decorating the town square with holiday spirit on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. 

This monster was safely chained up.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Main Street Guthrie Center organization held a haunted house fundraiser on the evenings of Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 at the Laughery Construction building, 302 Prairie St. Once inside, attendees/victims were subjected to an array of creepy sights and sounds, scary characters, and things that went “bump” in the night.

The event was a fundraiser to help pay for the lighting along the top of downtown buildings in Guthrie Center.

This year, even monsters are rooting for the ISU Cyclones.

A creepy hostess welcomes visitors to the haunted house.