Supervisors hear update on Upper Iowa River Drainage District flood repair, approve hourly arrangement for Human Resource consultant
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 19 to address a variety of topics including a loan for the Upper Iowa River Drainage District flood repair expenses, consideration of Human Resource consultant options and the establishment of snowmobile routes within Secondary Roads right of way. There were no comments made during the Public Comments portion of the meeting.
Upper Iowa Drainage District Clerk Lynn Reburn was present to address the agenda items relating to the Drainage District loan for flood repair expenses. Reburn presented a handout to the Supervisors that included figures relating to 2016 Flood Work invoices received as of 12/11/16 and the remaining work estimates for that same time period. A total of $231,949.77 has been invoiced for contractors that have been working on flood repair projects.
The fund currently has a balance of $17,395.79 with $77,263.20 in remaining work estimates. Reburn discussed the need for a loan or a line of credit to pay contractors. Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler discussed that bond counsel will need to be hired for the Drainage District loan. Kistler advised that the bond counsel will need to be contacted before a date for a public hearing can be set by the Supervisors.
Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer provided information regarding Human Resource consultant options. Beyer discussed options quoted by Paul Greufe, President of PJ Greufe & Associates, with different price levels and time commitments. Beyer provided information about similar services offered by Anderson, Wilmarth, Van Der Maaten, Belay, Fretheim, Gipp and Zahasky on an hourly rate, as well as services offered by Ahlers and Cooney.
Schellhammer discussed that he recently spoke with a Supervisor in Winneshiek County and they have utilized Zahasky's firm for their human resource needs. The Supervisors discussed the benefits of hourly versus a flat monthly fee concerning human resource consultants. Beyer advised that the County has utilized the services of Greufe on a month-to-month basis since June 2015 at a monthly rate.
After discussion, the Supervisors approved the use of Zahasky with an hourly rate of $200 per hour for the County's Human Resource needs. Supervisor Dennis Koenig complimented Paul Greufe for his work completed for the County, which Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Schellhammer agreed was beneficial in handling human resource matters. Greufe's services will end as of December 31.
Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour addressed the next agenda item involving the establishment of snowmobile routes within Secondary Roads right of way. Ridenour presented a map illustrating the proposed routes provided by the Allamakee Sno-Blazers. Ridenour discussed that the Supervisors would be approving sections of the trail that intersect with the County's right of way.
Ridenour further advised that today through May 1 would be the designated usage period for the trail, with approved hours of operation 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and twenty-four hours per day Friday and Saturday. The Supervisors approved the Resolution establishing snowmobile routes within Secondary Roads right of way.
Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Assessor Ann Burckart provided an update on issues relating to tax credits and levies. Engineer Ridenour discussed that the Secondary Roads Department has been dealing with three weekends of snow, advising that with this much snow, his Department is working to beat back drifting on roads and that the warm-up that has been forecasted will be helpful. Auditor Beyer discussed that December 22 is the deadline for applications and reapplications for positions on County Boards and Commissions and that the next two Board of Supervisors meetings will be held Tuesdays, December 27 and January 3, due to the Christmas and New Years holidays being observed on their respective following Mondays.
