Supervisors gather input from the public regarding changes in current ATV/UTV Ordinance that include usage on pair of County roads in Yellow River State Forest

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at the Waterville Community Center Monday, September 16 to address a full agenda of items including the discussion and acknowledgment of the Fiscal-Year 2019 Official Report of the County Engineer, discussion and consideration of changes to the Allamakee County ATV/UTV Ordinance proposed by the Allamakee County ATV/UTV Club and updates for the Waterville Public Library and City of Waterville.

During Public Comment, Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer provided a reminder for those wanting to run for city council, mayor or school board that candidate paperwork is due by 5 p.m. this Thursday, September 19 in the Auditor’s office at the Allamakee County Courthouse. Beyer advised that the combined city and school elections is new for this year in the state of Iowa.

Director Heather Bente of the Waterville Public Library discussed the one-year anniversary of the library’s relocation within the Waterville Community Center, the former Waterville Elementary School building. Bente indicated that the library collaborates with various community organizations, including 4-H and Park and Rec, with events and fundraisers being scheduled in the coming weeks and months. Bente thanked the Supervisors for the County’s support of the library, which has allowed for additional programming.

Library Board President Mary Techau expressed the library board’s appreciation for funding and said that the library will be trying additional programming throughout the year for various age groups. Techau encouraged use of both the library’s traditional books and digital library.

The Supervisors moved into Manure Management Plan updates for Martins Site and Krauskopf Family Ag with Supervisor Dan Byrnes indicating that both filed plans are updates without changes. The Manure Management Plan updates were accepted and placed on file.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour provided an overview of the Fiscal-Year 2019 Official Report of the County Highway Engineer. Ridenour provided a two-page summary of the report to the Supervisors and indicated that the full report is on file with the State of Iowa, Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Allamakee County Auditor. Ridenour discussed highlights of the report including a breakdown of expenditures and revenue for Fiscal-Year 2019. The Board of Supervisors acknowledged the report.

The Supervisors moved into the discussion and consideration of changes to the County’s ATV/UTV Ordinance proposed by the ATV/UTV Club, including the additional use of specific roads and expanding hours. Board of Supervisors Chairperson Larry Schellhammer discussed receiving feedback from the public on the matter with great arguments provided by those on both sides of the issue.

Dennis Blocker of Waukon provided some history on the ATV/UTV Club’s efforts with the current ATV/UTV Ordinance and discussed noise concerns that have been raised with ATV use and horses, indicating that ATVs are quieter than other vehicles and noise producers. Blocker provided a recent example of Amish buggies with horses that were not disturbed or frightened when he met them while driving an ATV.

Yellow River State Forest Park Ranger Rylan Retallick indicated that ATV/UTV use within Yellow River State Forest has not been allowed on a regular basis for safety reasons with visitors being a consideration. Retallick discussed the shared trail system with equestrian, hiking and mountain bike use with Donahue Road traveling next to equestrian campgrounds. Retallick indicated that horses used with Amish buggies may be accustomed to vehicle noise in contrast to horses owned by visitors to Yellow River State Forest who are traveling from elsewhere within the state or from out of state. Retallick reported that an estimated 40,000 visitors travel to Yellow River State Forest and that concerns have been raised by the National Audubon Society with globally significant bird species located here.

Kim Kregel, Dale Schutte and Rusty Perkins all provided information indicating that other vehicles including cars, trucks and motorcycles have not created issues in Yellow River State Forest and can be louder than ATVs. During the meeting, Kregel asked for a show of hands with a majority of those in attendance indicating their support in changing the existing ordinance to allow ATV/UTV use within Yellow River State Forest.

Kelli Boylen of the recently-established Friends of Yellow River State Forest group provided statistics and information relating to concerns in changing the current ATV/UTV Ordinance. Boylen discussed safety, noise, damage to a fragile ecosystem and that only a minority of residents would benefit with less than 14.5 percent of county households owning an ATV/UTV.

Sophia Landis of the Driftless Area Bird Conservation Initiative discussed noise concerns relating to ATV/UTV use, which she indicated will have a negative impact on the public’s enjoyment of the State Forest. Director Jon Stravers of that same organization expressed concerns relating to noise and safety issues relating to mixing ATV use with horses.

Other concerns were raised including the economic impact of the 40,000 visitors annually, many of which are from out of state, that are currently using the State Forest for hiking, camping and mountain biking. Changing the ordinance was discussed as an opportunity for disabled individuals to have greater access and enjoyment of the State Forest through ATV/UTV use.

Retallick stated that various ATV/UTV rides are already coordinated allowing their use on trails for specific events. Retallick indicated that there is a willingness to discuss further and to do more of these events.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick discussed concerns with ATV safety after dark and the need to have directional signals on such vehicles for greater safety in their operation.

In addition to expanded road usage, Blocker also provided a recommendation to allow ATV use from one hour before sunrise to 10 p.m. Waterville Mayor Dave Monserud agreed ATV use could be allowed past sunset with supper clubs closing at 9 or 10 p.m. and a change in the current ordinance benefiting the public and eating establishments.

Schellhammer reported receiving 38 emails relating to this matter with 12 in favor of allowing ATV/UTV use and 26 being opposed to changing the existing ordinance. Supervisor Dennis Koenig discussed feedback received from the City of Postville indicating that there has been a positive economic impact in allowing ATV use within that community.

Byrnes discussed a recent Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) meeting with this polarizing issue being a topic during a panel discussion. Byrnes indicated that he is not in favor of expanding ATV use. Schellhammer further indicated that the discussion of this matter should move forward in the spirit of finding a compromise with a panel discussion suggested as a possibility.

The Supervisors approved to continue the process of allowing further discussion and public input relating to a possible change to the ATV/UTV Ordinance. Koenig voted for the measure, Byrnes voted against and Schellhammer voted in favor of the measure indicating that in doing so it would be in an effort to further look at the ordinance for a possible change while expressing that his opinion leans more towards the opinion of Byrnes.

Mayor Dave Monserud then provided an update to the Supervisors on the City of Waterville and discussed the Waterville Community Center. Monserud indicated that the Park and Rec group has been very active with badminton and pickle ball leagues. Monserud discussed work done by the History Committee and Main Street Committee, which he indicated is not state affiliated. Monserud reported on use of the gym and dining area within the Community Center and that a new air conditioning and heating system will be installed. He indicated that the Waterville community has been tremendous in supporting fundraising projects and events.