Supervisors hear variety of input on opening some roads in Yellow River State Forest to ATV/UTV use

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 22 to address a full agenda of items. Those items included discussion relating to the County’s ATV Ordinance and opening Donahue Road and State Forest Road to such vehicles, an update on the County Attorney Office’s collections process and budget status, and consideration of the contract and bond for concrete paving patching.

During the Public Comment portion of the meeting, Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) discussed the county’s promotional video, which premiered late last week, is available for viewing on the www.allamakeecounty.com website and has been shared through social media. Reinke indicated that she has received positive feedback on the 3-1/2 minute video. Allamakee County resident Jack Knight discussed some funding options being considered by the Fayette County Supervisors for road repaving.

Director Jon Stravers of the Driftless Area Bird Conservation Initiative discussed concerns with the proposal allowing ATVs/UTVs within the Yellow River State Forest, indicating that the additional noise would be an issue and a disturbance to the nature in the State Park. Stravers discussed Yellow River State Forest as an area being of national and global significance for high quality birding, and he indicated that allowing ATV/UTV use near horse riding is not advisable from a safety standpoint.

The Supervisors moved into the update on the collections process and budget process for the County Attorney’s Office. Allamakee County Attorney Tony Gericke indicated that his office has been converting to a paperless environment with digital storage providing easy access to evidence for law enforcement countywide while eliminating the need to burn evidence DVDs. Gericke indicated that he will be able to provide information at the end of the fiscal year relating to cost savings, due to the paperless conversion taking place earlier this calendar year.

Gericke also discussed renegotiating the LexusNexus and Westlaw research contract, which will result in approximately $24,000 in total savings over the next three years. Victim/Witness Coordinator Aleesa Baakko and Gericke discussed comparisons to other counties relating to amounts generated through the collections process with that department, with 70% of funds recovered going to the State of Iowa and the County’s remaining portion being used for training purposes. Baakko discussed working with individuals that have delinquent fines and developing payment plans, in turn avoiding a driver’s license suspension or allowing a vehicle registration or tag lift.

Dean Anderson with the Allamakee County ATV/UTV Club addressed the next agenda item involving the discussion of the ATV Ordinance and opening Donahue Road and State Forest Road for ATV use. Anderson indicated that both roads are scenic with travel at slow speeds, which fits ATV use. Anderson discussed objections relating to ATV noise, suggesting that all ATVs have mufflers and spark arresters lowering noise levels and making them quieter than other noise producers affecting the Yellow River State Forest, including motorcycles, snowmobiles, pick-up trucks, lawn mowers, a nearby saw mill and other Department of Natural Resources (DNR) equipment. Anderson indicated that ATVs would be used on roads and not on trails with little contact with those enjoying horseback riding. He also indicated that the ATV/UTV Club has 173 members and has demonstrated responsibility at various events and has positively contributed to the local economy.

Krystal Cahalan with the Allamakee County ATV/UTV Club read aloud a prepared statement from Allamakee County resident Sandy Libbey Lloyd indicating that she is in favor of allowing ATV/UTV use on both roads discussed. Lloyd provided an example of a person that recently needed to use their pick-up truck at the State Park instead of their “Gator” UTV, which, in turn, produced more noise. In her statement, she also said that it is a matter of following safety rules.

Beau Bennett discussed the petition in favor of allowing ATV/UTV use on roads within the Yellow River State Forest, indicating that 4,287 signatures have been received thus far. Bennett played sound recordings aloud illustrating that an ATV is quieter than a Dodge diesel pick-up truck.

Reinke briefly discussed that those on both sides of the issue are trying to do good and are supporting the big picture that everyone should be able to enjoy this State Park. She stated that it is unfortunate that this has become a polarizing issue.

Knight discussed that the ATV/UTV Club was able to accomplish most of its goals with the County’s ATV/UTV Ordinance, with Donahue Road and State Forest Road being one of the few areas not allowed for ATV riding while other County roads are being underutilized.

DNR State Forester Bruce Blair indicated that the spirit of the ATV restriction on both roads is in place to promote quiet sport activities, which he described as being an important concept and philosophy. Park Ranger Rylan Retallick discussed that there are places for ATVs, but the Yellow River State Forest is not one of them with busy roads and public safety being of concern. Alex Galema, Retallick and Ty Thomas discussed concerns relating to horses bucking off riders due to the presence and noise of ATVs.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour advised that many of these issues have been previously discussed and that a public hearing and approval by the Supervisors would be necessary to allow ATVs on these roads. Ridenour agreed with earlier comments relating to safety issues including the noise and presence of ATVs near horses being an issue.

Allamakee County Conservation Director Jim Janett expressed his personal opinions indicating that there is an intrinsic value to the natural resources of Yellow River State Forest and that one cannot quantify economic gain for utilizing this area for ATV use. He also said that enforcement issues relating to ATV use may be a concern.

Board Chairperson Larry Schellhammer and Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Dennis Koenig were in agreement that prior to making a decision it would be necessary to view the roads and areas of Yellow River State Forest Park that would be affected by this ordinance change.

The Allamakee County Treasurer’s Semi-Annual and Annual reports were accepted and placed on file. The liquor license renewal for the Sportsman’s Club in Rossville was also approved. Quarterly reports for the Allamakee County Relief Office and Allamakee County Planning and Zoning were accepted and placed on file. Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake indicated that it was a good quarter for building permits.

The Manure Management Plan update for Kent McCormick Site #1 was the next agenda item to be addressed. During review of the matter, a discrepancy was discovered leading the Supervisors to question whether this update was for Site #1 or Site #2. The matter was tabled for further clarification on that point and will be scheduled for review again at the next Supervisors meeting.

The Supervisors moved into plat requests for the Vicky L. Hanson Revocable Trust and Joyce M. Regan, which were individually reviewed. Blake indicated that the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Plat Review Board have recommended approval for each of the plat requests, which were then approved by the Supervisors.

Ridenour discussed the next agenda item involving the contract and bond for concrete pavement patching. He provided a recommendation to approve Skyline Construction, Inc. of Decorah with a low bid of $97,574.20, which the Supervisors reviewed and approved.

Ridenour and the Supervisors discussed the application for the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection Program funding. Ridenour indicated that he has selected four projects located throughout the county that, if approved, would involve funding of 25% from the County and 75% from Federal funding through this program. Byrnes advised that the Supervisors would view the proposed projects.

Under Department Head Updates, Ridenour indicated that a lot of rock is being applied to secondary roads and that Makee Drive and the A26 bridge are now open. Ridenour also advised that stream work near that A26 bridge will need to be done in the spring due to endangered species and that clean-up relating to storms over the weekend is ongoing. Schellhammer and Ridenour discussed matters relating to boat launches and destination signage that will be replaced.

Blake discussed an upcoming Board of Adjustment meeting with two communication tower applications from Northeast Iowa Telephone Company (NEIT) and variance and conditional use permits to be addressed. Blake discussed some matters relating to a construction project with setback and property line issues to be addressed. Blake also discussed the County’s burial ordinance and matters relating to burials on private property.

Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer discussed attending a training session in Burlington last week and that work continues on tax statement preparations. Beyer indicated she has been in contact with Jane Regan of Upper Iowa Insurance Services relating to her potential involvement in an upcoming Department Head meeting to address liability insurance coverage limitations relating to the use of personal vehicles in conducting County business.