The Guthrie Center City Council met in regular session Monday.

The meeting began with the Council taking no action on a professional services agreement with Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. for a culvert project as they are awaiting input from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Next, the Council decided not to hold Guthrie County State Bank accountable for $367 in sewer back charges owed, as the sewer expense was not included in their utility bill since the bank’s been at their current location. The Council also approved a health insurance renewal with Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, which includes a 12.12% increase for the 2020 calendar year.

They then approved the lowest of two bids to take out the meeting room of the old fire hall, which was struck by a dump truck last month. Harmann Excavating of Panora had the lower bid of $17,800, but the work is pending approval from a structural engineer. They then approved a bid from Randy Nickel to clean up the property at 701 North 5th Street at an amount not to exceed $1,250, and directed a request from Howey Hockenberry to construct a garage on North 6th Street Place to the Board of Adjustment. Finally, the Council approved to apply for a Community Catalyst Building Remediation grant for the Williams Building, and contacting Dorsey & Whitney, LLP to create a development agreement for the sale of five lots at the Cameron Flats housing development.