Supervisors hear most recent update on drone being considered for purchase by Allamakee County Sheriff's Department

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, February 19 to address a full agenda of items, including the Public Hearing for the Flood Plain Ordinance XXXIX amendment, discussion of a County Sheriff's Department employee resignation and discussion of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drone purchase. Chairperson Larry Schellhammer called the meeting to order.

During Public Comment, Lansing area resident Doug Mullen addressed the Supervisors with his concerns relating to chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the deer population and the potential of disease transmission to humans. Mullen expressed his opinion that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has not done enough to deter the consumption of CWD-infected deer meat and that with the amount of revenue generated through deer hunting, the DNR should establish a testing lab in Allamakee County to test every deer before consumption by humans. Mullen discussed ongoing research done in Canada involving macaque monkeys, a primate relative of humans, which has shown that CWD can be contracted by other species by eating meat from CWD-positive deer, which has created heightened concern that humans may be susceptible to CWD as well.

The Supervisors moved into the Public Hearing for the Flood Plain Ordinance XXXIX amendment, with Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake indicating that no correspondence from the public has been received regarding the matter. Blake indicated that changes to the ordinance are the result of a request from the DNR to update the language to remain compliant with federal directives. Blake discussed the changes as being minor and that definitions and procedures are further defined, with residential use accessory structures being exempt if no greater than 600 square feet, a structure size that was not previously specified in the ordinance.

Blake indicated that Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler will need to review the changes, with Blake recommending that the first and subsequent public readings not take place until Kistler has reviewed the amendment. The Supervisors agreed that Kistler will need to review the changes to the amendment and that another public hearing will not be necessary as long changes by the County Attorney are not substantive or a change in the scope of the ordinance.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick discussed an employee resignation at the Allamakee County Public Safety Center. Mellick has received a resignation letter from Dispatcher James Krueger, who has made the decision to accept a position elsewhere. The Supervisors accepted the resignation and approved to have Mellick hire a replacement.

Mellick discussed the purchase of a UAV, otherwise known as a drone, and that fundraising has resulted in approximately $11,750 in donations. Mellick talked about the purchase of the drone and related accessories including a thermal imaging camera, hard-case, stand, CrystalSky monitor, a 24-inch monitor, a small generator/power source and a 50-foot high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cable. Mellick recommended the purchase of a CrystalSky monitor as a better alternative than using an iPad in the piloting of the drone, with the limited internal battery life of iPads being an issue and the CrystalSky monitor allowing quick battery changes and recharging with a superior picture.

Mellick discussed the potential purchase of a low-priced drone for training purposes, which could potentially be used in conjunction with the main drone in covering a wider area faster. Mellick also discussed the licensing requirements and that a certificate of authorization from the Supervisors would be needed to authorize training and use within the County with a 28E agreement being needed for use outside of the Allamakee County Sheriff's Department's jurisdiction and to meet insurance coverage requirements.

Mellick suggested that additional donated funding received will assist in covering necessary training costs. Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker discussed potential grant opportunities to help cover future expenses and equipment replacement as needed. The Supervisors agreed that the drone purchase should move forward within the amount of donations received at the Sheriff's discretion. No action was necessary to be taken on this matter.

Under Department Head Updates, Mellick also discussed the current inmate population at the Public Safety Center, with 13 inmates over the weekend. Mellick and Schellhammer discussed literacy and education programs with the potential of general education diploma (GED) classes and vocational training.
Snitker discussed the weather forecast with freezing rain having a potential to impact travel in the county. Snitker also discussed the spring flood outlook, with the chance for flooding appearing to be below normal but with the frost line depth having the potential to create issues.

Allamakee County Conservation Director James Janett discussed the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center hours of operation with volunteers being pursued to assist with tours. Janett indicated that visitors at the Driftless Center have been consistent with eagle activity and viewing increasing. Janett advised that the capability to accept online donations by credit card still needs to be added to the facility's website.

Mellick and Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer discussed the possibility of using credit card machines in their respective offices to accept payments. Beyer advised that the budget was sent to the newspapers for publication with a public hearing set for March12.

Supervisor Dennis Koenig discussed the Allamakee County Courthouse's gun policy, active shooter scenarios, response times and gun-free zones. Mellick indicated that changes may occur at the State level allowing more Supervisor control at the courthouse level in areas not occupied by the judicial system. Koenig also discussed the importance of funding relating to mental health programs.