By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council on May 28, City Clerk Kris Arrasmith updated the council regarding the turkey vulture situation in town. She explained that five turkey vultures will be shot and hung in effigy to hopefully get the remaining vultures to leave the city limits.
“I got a permit…now I have to reach out to Jeremy,” Arrasmith said.
She explained that DNR Officer Jeremy King will be the person approved to shoot the five vultures as allowed by the permit. She also said the city will use bottle rockets for approximately three days to attempt to scare vultures away. Because the birds are a federally protected species, this is the full extent of what the city can do about the problem.
Arrasmith discussed an unexpected additional cost of approximately $1,500 for the council to consider. She explained that one of the city’s emergency sirens did not work correctly during the recent tornado outbreak, because it needs a new radio transmitter to function as expected.
“Money is no object when it comes to that,” Councilmember Carolyn Masters said.
The council unanimously approved the purchase. The council also approved spending $3,061 with Panora Fiber for the three-year plan of computer virus coverage/repaid of the city’s electronic systems/records.
On behalf of the Guthrie County Arts Council, Phyllis Wakefield provided an update on the plans for having a mural painted on the side of the old fire station building. The council formally approved the plan, which is expected to be roughly 24 feet by 8 feet.
As part of the consent agenda, the council approved a tobacco permit for Sparky’s One Stop, a liquor license for the all-school reunion, and a fence permit for 1107 Main St. (Lacey).
The council’s next regular meeting is set for June 10 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.