Supervisors discuss variety of items during pair of regular sessions this past week due to Fourth of July holiday
by Joe Moses
Due to the Fourth of July holiday falling on the usual Monday meeting day of the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors, Monday, July 4, the Board held a delayed regular session last week, resulting in two Board meetings within the past week's timeframe. Coverage of both meetings appears below.
TUESDAY, JULY 5
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in a holiday-delayed regular session Tuesday, July 5 due to the Fourth of July holiday falling on its usual Monday meeting day. A brief meeting agenda consisted of signing the engagement letter for the continuation of services with Hacker, Nelson & Co., P.C. and approving the fiscal year 2017 appropriation resolution.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Kristi Hager and Mary Keatley, organizers of local efforts for the 99 County Bible Reading Marathon, addressed the Board in regard to the Marathon. The first-ever event took place locally June 30 through July 3 on the lawn of the Allamakee County Courthouse with more than 200 volunteers reading the Bible in 15-minute time slots 24 hours a day during the multi-day event.
Hager and Keatley expressed that the event was very successful. The number of attendees varied throughout the event, but crowds of 12 to 15 people were in attendance at peak times. Hager commented that there were several local pastors who participated in the Bible reading. During her time at the event, Hager said she noticed the mural on the courthouse wall that contains religious symbolism. She also said she may be researching the history of this mural to learn more.
When the weather allowed, the podium was moved from under the tent that was used for the event out to the courthouse lawn. There were no protesters at the Allamakee County event. Hager and Keatley thanked the Board for its support of the Bible Reading Marathon.
As a routine budget measure, the fiscal year 2017 Appropriation Resolution was approved by the Supervisors. The liquor license renewal for the Knotty Pine Tavern in Dorchester was also approved.
Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer provided the quarterly report to the Supervisors. Beyer commented that due to changes in regulations regarding passports, cash is no longer accepted as payment and the checking account used for those cash payments and reimbursements has been closed. The Auditor's quarterly report was accepted and placed on file.
The audit engagement letter from Hacker, Nelson & Co., P.C. was signed. Hacker, Nelson & Co., P.C. has provided auditing services to the County and this continuation was approved.
During the department head update portion of the meeting, Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker advised the Board that the Northeast Iowa Response Group meeting will be held Thursday, July 7 in Waterloo. He also said he has received the invoice for the 2017 membership dues owed to that organization and will be taking care of that expense in August or September.
Snitker further advised that the kick-off meeting for the countywide Hazard Mitigation Plan will take place Thursday, July 7 at the City Council chambers in Waukon. Every five years this plan needs to be renewed and updated. Community Planner Michelle Barness with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission will be involved in these meetings as well. There will be four meetings yet this year involved in this planning process. The primary goal of this initial meeting is to provide an overview of the planning process and begin the selection of committee members that will be involved.
MONDAY, JULY 11
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 11 with a full agenda including a Watershed Inspection Report and contract and bond approval for bridge deck repair on Waterville Road (X32). There were no comments heard or read during the Public Comments portion of the meeting.
District Conservationist LuAnn Rolling with the Allamakee County Soil and Water Conservation District discussed the Watershed Inspection Report. Rolling commented that the English Bench Watershed was in the best condition she has seen it. She also advised that every site has some trees that need to be controlled. Rolling provided some specific examples of areas throughout the county that can be improved upon including fencing repair, cattle panels and additional rock placement. The Supervisors approved the Watershed Inspection Report and the recommendations that go along with it.
The Liquor License renewal for the Sportsmans Club in Rossville was approved. Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake presented a quarterly report to the Supervisors. Blake discussed that there were 40 building permits, seven applications for variances or conditional use and eight subdivision plats for the quarter. The Planning and Zoning quarterly report and the County Sheriff's Department quarterly report were both accepted and placed on file.
The fund transfer to the Emergency Medical Services fund was approved. This is an annual contribution in support of the County's emergency management departments including fire departments and ambulance services.
The Postville Trail Property adjacent landowner permission letter was discussed by the Supervisors. Supervisor Dan Byrnes said that something needs to be drawn up before the Supervisors proceed. Board Chairman Larry Schellhammer indicated that this item needs to be put in the meeting minutes or a formal letter must be created. After discussion on the topic, the Board agreed to have Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler create a letter and tabled the item without any further action at this time.
Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour discussed the contract and bond for bridge deck repair on Waterville Road (X32). Wicks Construction was the low bidder for this project, and the contract and bond were approved.
Ridenour also discussed the potential trade-in and purchase of two motor-graders and extending the warranty on a third motor-grater for his Secondary Roads Department. Ridenour mentioned that trading in all three would be preferable but his department has other equipment needs taking precedent while staying within budget. Ziegler Caterpillar provided the best quote, which Ridenour recommended, also saying that staying local for service and warranty provides advantages. Ridenour discussed that not purchasing front-wheel assist eliminates $30,000 from the individual cost of such a machine. The Supervisors approved the trade-in and purchase of two motor-graders.
John Hansen of Midwest Construction Consultants provided information about pay requests from the work being done at the Public Safety Center construction site. The pay requests were approved by the Supervisors. Hansen provided a project update on the Public Safety Center's progress, advising that the water main is in place and the sanitary sewer is connected. He said steel will be delivered to the site soon and progress will be very visible moving forward with steel and walls being put in place. Hansen explained that the project is in good shape and on schedule.
Hansen further discussed the need for a propane tank with a vaporizer at the Public Safety Center. An 18,000 gallon LP tank and vaporizer were discussed. Waukon Feed Ranch has a used tank and would be able to provide it sandblasted, primed and painted. The LP tank purchase was approved by the Board.
During the department head update portion of the meeting, Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker addressed the Board. He said the Northeast Iowa Response Group meeting was held Thursday, July 7 in Waterloo, with Buchanan County considering joining the organization.
Snitker also advised that the Hazard Mitigation Plan kick-off meeting, also held last Thursday, was a success with great participation. He said there were 18 people in attendance representing six Allamakee County cities and various organizations. Snitker indicated that there will be a year and a half of planning in this process. He said there will be public notices in The Standard before meetings to encourage public participation. Snitker will also be visiting companies and organizations to get them involved in this process.
Allamakee County Environmental Health Director Laurie Moody discussed wild parsnip and other problems relating to weeds. Ridenour provided an update for the Secondary Roads Department, advising that the bridge deck at Wexford has been poured but is not open for traffic as of yet. It will likely be open in two weeks with continued construction and the use of a pilot car. Ridenour said concrete overlay and culvert work will be started next week throughout the county, and he also advised that about 70% of the rock surfacing out of Wexford has been completed.
Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick indicated that interviews have been completed for the Dispatcher/Correctional Officer positions. Mellick will provide his recommendations for hiring at the next Board of Supervisors meeting.
