Board of Supervisors hears updates on continuing flood recovery issues at pair of sessions within this past week

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in a pair of sessions this past week. Coverage of both the Board's Thursday, September 22 special session and Monday, September 26 regular session appears below.

SEPTEMBER 22 SPECIAL SESSION
The Board of Supervisors met in a special session Thursday afternoon, September 22 to discuss a few specific issues, including the County's right to appeal the issuance of final construction permits pertaining to Regancrest Holsteins and to discuss the Big Slough flooding debris field on the Mississippi River. The meeting was called to order by Board Chairman Larry Schellhammer, and Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Dennis Koenig were also present.

After a short discussion, Byrnes motioned to approve signing the waiver of Allamakee County's right to appeal the issuance of the final construction permit for the confined animal feeding operation for Regancrest Holsteins. This was approved by the Supervisors. Similarly, the waiver itself was approved unanimously with a roll call vote by the Supervisors.

Schellhammer commented that this is the final step in the process for Regancrest and this measure waives the 14-day waiting period. Schellhammer also commented that public hearings would benefit from the presence of a representative of the organization in the application, as this would aid in the discussion of intent and allow questions from the public to be answered.
Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker was present to address the next agenda item relating to the Mississippi River's Big Slough flooding debris field just south of where the Upper Iowa River flows into the Mississippi. Snitker first provided an update on the weather situation that impacted much of northeast Iowa and beyond, explaining that eight counties have been impacted in an area covering northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin.

Snitker said the Upper Iowa River will be on flood watch until Monday, September 26 and that mudslides continue to be an issue with the saturated soil in the area. Snitker further advised that there was a train derailment near Ferryville, WI with some diesel fuel entering the Mississippi. He also said an LP tank in Lansing was knocked over due to a mudslide, but the tank emptied and is not a danger at this point.

Snitker discussed the Big Slough flooding debris field and provided a slideshow of photos of the area. The debris field in the Big Slough of the Mississippi River is the result of the flooding from a few weeks ago and consists of trees, round bales, man-made items and dead animals. Snitker advised that the clean-up is not the responsibility of Allamakee County. He said he has spoken with the Corps of Engineers and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fish and Wildlife Department and is working on scheduling a meeting with these groups and Friends of Pool 9, Northeast Iowa RC & D and other organizations that may be able to help with this project.

Snitker is viewing this as a project requiring a collaborative effort due to the size of the problem and financial cost of the clean-up process. He further advised that the Big Slough debris field is a health issue and an environmental issue that needs to be resolved.

Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development further explained that Lora Friest with RC & D would be a great contact regarding possible grant sources of funding for a clean-up project like Big Slough. Allamakee County Environmental Health Director Laurie Moody also provided an update on the number of wells that have been tested in light of the recent weather, but said there has been a delay with test results due to another round of recent flooding.

SEPTEMBER 26 REGULAR SESSION
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, September 26. There were no members of the public present during the Public Comment portion of the meeting.

The Certificate of Adjustment by the City of Postville was considered by the Supervisors, as a property that was deemed blight or uninhabitable has been acquired by the City of Postville.

The Supervisors approved this measure.

Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake was present to discuss several plat approvals. The plat for Gary and Karen Galema was tabled by the Supervisors with Blake's recommendation to do so, as more information is being requested and the plat will need to be re-submitted with an agriculture exemption.

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Old East and Old West Paint Creek submitted a subdivision plat request to allow an expansion of the church's parking lot and yard area, and this was approved. John and Melinda Severson requested to separate a five-acre section of property, and this was approved by the Board as well.

The Lease Extension Agreement for the Old Sidwell Drafts of Ownership was discussed by the Supervisors. Palmer Abstract, Inc. has paid the County ten dollars per month in the previous agreement for the use of the Old Sidwell Drafts of Ownership. Palmer Abstract had agreed to store these records as part of the previous agreement and benefited from their use in researching Allamakee County land records. The Supervisors discussed having Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler look into this agreement and provide a recommendation regarding the renewal. No action was taken at this time.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick and Jeremy Oden with Midwest Construction Consultants were present for the discussion and consideration of using concrete for the driveways and parking lot area of the Allamakee County Public Safety Center. Concrete had been previously discussed as being the best long-term option with asphalt as a secondary, lower-cost option. Asphalt being susceptible to damage from petroleum products and longevity issues were previously discussed as concerns for use of that material in the parking lot area. Concrete reinforced with rebar would provide the best, most durable option for the driveways and parking lot.

Olympic Builders General Contractors, Inc. had provided a base bid of $84,094.84 for the parking lot, $15,402.45 for the north entrance and $62,881.35 for the south entrance with a project total of $162,378.64. This bid is for six-inch concrete reinforced with rebar. The Supervisors approved concrete paving and drainage tile work to not exceed $175,000. Mellick also advised that the LP tank is likely to be delivered later this week to the Public Safety Center site.

Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour provided an update for the Secondary Roads Department, saying full crews are working on clean-up projects following the heavy rainfalls and that there are many ditches and culverts to be cleaned and much maintenance work to be done. Ridenour also advised that various projects continue, including paving and patching. He also suggested that a FEMA declaration is likely.

Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker discussed that the Mississippi River still has a flood warning in effect for the McGregor area, but that the Upper Iowa River warning has expired. Snitker said mudslides continue to be a concern due to the ground being saturated. Snitker further explained that individual aid for flood damage had been reinstated for Allamakee County following the flooding last week. This program is being administered by the Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC).