Board of Supervisors approves purchase of patrol vehicle for Sheriff’s Department among other matters

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 26 to address a full agenda of items including a personnel matter in the County Auditor’s Office, consideration of bids for a County Sheriff’s Department patrol vehicle and the semi-annual insurance update with claims review.

During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) discussed that the recent drive-in movie night at WW Homestead Dairy was well attended with approximately 70 cars and that the grand opening for the Portside Bar and Supper Club over the weekend in Harpers Ferry went well. Reinke reported that the Driftless Super Slough kayak trek that took place on the Mississippi River and the Back to School 5K Run/Walk held in New Albin both took place Saturday, August 24 with the 5K Run/Walk having approximately 45 participants.

Reinke also reported on the Music on the Porch event Friday, August 23 sponsored by the New Albin Improvement League (NAIL) as a fundraiser benefiting that community’s splash pad. Reinke discussed the upcoming housing tax credit presentation sponsored by Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) to be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, August 29 at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) in Calmar and that Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) is scheduled to meet that same date.

Supervisor Dan Byrnes discussed a recent Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) meeting involving a Flood Center of Iowa presentation with a panel discussion of the Upper Iowa Management Authority and that agency’s work with the Flood Center. Byrnes indicated there was discussion of proposed legislation relating to changes in the budget process and that a panel discussion took place relating to ATV/UTV ordinances with 50 counties in Iowa having ordinances relating to ATV/UTV use.

The Supervisors moved into the consideration of a tax abatement adjustment. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer provided an overview of the matter involving errors with two tax abatement matters. The Supervisors approved the adjusted tax abatements.

The Supervisors individually reviewed and approved plat requests for Larry and Sharon Snitker, David L. and Delpha M. Trappe, Thomas T. Guider Estate, Earl T. and Linda Schulte, Clinton R. and Kelly M. Welsh and the Family Trust for Roberta Keikbusch, Fred and Lisa Schroeder, Nancy Schroeder and Gary D. and Janelle L. Eckelberg.

Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake discussed a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission relating to a change in zoning district boundaries from A1 to R2 for Valle Vu Estates. Blake indicated that the change to R2 would allow low density residential to be adjacent or near established communities with A1 currently requiring a minimum three-acre lot. Blake and the Supervisors discussed setting a public hearing date for this matter with Monday, September 9 at 9:40 a.m. being approved.

Auditor Beyer discussed the next agenda item relating to personnel matters in the Auditor’s Office. Beyer provided a recommendation to move Janel Eglseder to First Deputy Auditor at 78% of the County Auditor’s salary following the June 1 resignation of the former First Deputy, with Kelly Ryan-Urell remaining at Second Deputy at 65% of the County Auditor’s salary. The Supervisors approved the appointment of Eglseder as First Deputy Auditor. Beyer also provided a recommendation to hire Karmen Piggott as Accounting Clerk starting September 3 at an hourly wage of $17.25, which was also approved by the board.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick addressed the next agenda item involving bids for a patrol vehicle. Mellick discussed the previously approved purchase of a patrol vehicle with a 2014 Dodge Charger to be used as a trade-in. Mellick reported that the 2014 Dodge Charger was totaled due to a deer hit before the vehicle purchase could be made and that with additional time required for delivery, he has looked at vehicles currently available at local car lots.

Mellick discussed suitable vehicles including a Chevrolet Silverado available at R.W. Pladsen in Waukon at $33,184 and two Dodge Rams available at Torkelson Motors in Waukon at $28,455 and $28,770. Mellick discussed that both brands of pick-up trucks have been reliable with Dodge currently offering a lower price. The Supervisors approved the purchase from Torkelson Motors of a Dodge Ram at $28,455, and if unavailable, the purchase of a Dodge Ram at $28,770.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour indicated that the Resolution to temporarily close part of Dorchester Drive for culvert repairs should be tabled. Ridenour discussed that some work will continue this week in that area but will not require the temporary road closure yet.

Ridenour and the Supervisors discussed options relating to temporarily fix the English Bench Watershed Site #9. Ridenour indicated that temporary and permanent options both have a significant cost. The Supervisors and Ridenour were in agreement that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will receive a letter from the Supervisors requesting assistance for a permanent repair to the watershed and in determining funding options available. The Supervisors agreed to table the matter and to discuss funding for this project at budget time.

Jane Regan with Upper Iowa Insurance Services provided an overview of the semi-annual insurance update and claims review. Regan discussed highlights of a printed handout given to the Supervisors providing information on the County’s business auto policy, inland marine coverage, claims paid this year, dividends to be issued and workers compensation, among other areas of coverage.

Beyer indicated that the next Supervisors meeting will take place Tuesday, September 3 due to observance of the Labor Day holiday taking place on the board’s usual Monday meeting day, September 2. Prior to adjournment, the Supervisors entered closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) regarding pending litigation.