The Guthrie Center City Council met in regular session Thursday.

The meeting began with the Council approving several fence and accessory building permits. Next, resident Todd Hambleton discussed whether he could lease his mother’s property at 109 South 4th Street as an apartment. Hambleton explained how he is trying to find a way to fill the space and earn money, as it formerly held a hair salon, and more recently a laundromat. Due to several cases of vandalism Hambleton closed the laundromat and has had the property listed for sale, with no success of finding a buyer. Mayor Dennis Kunkle and City Administrator Laura Wolfe said a first floor apartment would not be possible due to zoning regulations, and they gave Hambleton suggestions of businesses that could be interested in renting or purchasing the space.

Finally, the Council opened two submitted bids for an auditor of fiscal year 2020. The first bid came from the State of Iowa at $11,500, and the second from Cornwell, Frideres, Maher, and Associates of Fort Dodge at $6,400. The Council awarded the lesser bid.