The Guthrie Center City Council approved a contract for tree removal due to the derecho storm at their most recent meeting.

Public Works Director Bob Secoy presented an estimate from Kautzky Tree Care for $6,100 to address 10 properties. Secoy noted that a tree at 507 Prairie Street needs to come down immediately, but the others could possibly wait until winter. Secoy also mentioned that Kautzky inspected the trees in front of 305 Grand Street, which was listed as a separate agenda item for the last two Council meetings. Secoy said there was nothing visual for the trees to deem removable, so the Council took no action on removing those trees.

In other business, Secoy mentioned the need for a budget amendment concerning the manhole project currently underway, and discussed hiring someone to sandblast the water slides at the aquatic center, which would cost between $30-35,000 and would take four to five days to complete. City Administrator Laura Wolfe said the project would likely be funded by their local option sales tax dollars. The meeting also included a scheduled bid opening to purchase the City’s property at 701 North 5th Street, for which they received no bids.