Allamakee County Board of Supervisors takes no action on pair of requests
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, September 25 to address a full agenda of matters including the discussion of using the Department of Human Services (DHS) building for 24-hour placement of juveniles awaiting permanent placement, discussion and consideration of uses for tax dollars returned from the Iowa State University (ISU) Extension, and consideration of a certificate of adjustment. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present.
During Public Comment, Jim Hitchins of rural Lansing further addressed a matter he previously discussed during Public Comment at the September 18 Board of Supervisors meeting. At that September 18 meeting, Hitchins discussed a proposed driveway for increased safety and improved vehicle access to his property allowing a steep portion of a secondary county road off Mays Prairie Drive to be bypassed in addition to specifics relating to the steep incline and safety issues associated with this secondary road and his request to have the County assist with the driveway culvert cost.
At the September 25 meeting, Hitchins noted a recent conversation with Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour with Hitchins advising that it is his understanding that assistance from the County with the culvert cost would not be possible. Hitchins provided a recommendation that the County should consider reducing the slope of this portion of road for improved safety.
Byrnes noted that matters requiring discussion and consideration by the Supervisors would need to be added to a future meeting agenda and could not be addressed by the Supervisors during the Public Comment portion of the meeting. Byrnes further noted that Hitchins should work with Ridenour and Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer relating to setting up an agenda item for official consideration.
Beyer addressed the next matter relating to the consideration of approving a certificate of adjustment. Beyer noted that a family farm tax credit was removed in error during a change in partial interest relating to a parcel transfer. The Supervisors approved the certificate of adjustment.
The meeting moved into the consideration of the using the County credit card for a conference hotel expense. Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke advised that a county attorney conference is scheduled in November and that he is requesting use of the County credit card to book a three-night hotel stay for this conference not to exceed $500. The Supervisors approved the request to use the credit card for this purpose not to exceed $500.
Gericke also discussed the next matter relating to the use of the Department of Human Services (DHS) building at 12 1st Ave NW in Waukon for 24-hour placement of juveniles awaiting permanent placement. Gericke explained that he has discussed the matter with Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick relating to this office space being used on a periodic basis, approximately three to four times per year, for what is typically a five-to-six-hour window of time needed for juveniles waiting to be picked up by a grandparent or other family member. Gericke advised that this option would be less traumatic for children, with hospital or County Sheriff’s office waiting areas currently being used for this purpose, and would allow for a waiting area supervised by County Social Services (CSS) staff as an alternative to this five-to-six-hour time commitment by a County Sheriff’s Department deputy.
Gericke noted that some cleaning would need to be performed to the office space proposed for this waiting area with approximately $600 in purchases to include furniture, a TV, among other items, in addition to costs relating to the installation and monthly expense of a telephone landline for emergency call use after regular DHS office hours. The Supervisors and Gericke discussed that Head of Courthouse Maintenance John Roe should be consulted about the cleaning of this office space with Gericke to bring back a list of proposed items and costs for consideration.
The installation of keypad access for this waiting area was discussed as a courthouse services budget item. No action was taken, with expenses relating to this waiting area to be added for consideration at the Monday, October 2 Supervisors Meeting.
Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Stephanie Runkle provided an overview of two plat requests including the James P. McCormick Estate and Regan Sweeney/Regan LLC. Both requests were individually reviewed and approved by the Supervisors.
Byrnes addressed the next matter relating to the discussion and consideration of uses for tax dollars returned from Iowa State University (ISU) Extension. Byrnes noted that $32,000 of tax funds designated for ISU Extension were returned to the County, a unique situation not likely to occur again. At the August 14 Supervisors meeting, ISU Extension Regional Director Bruce Arendt advised that the Allamakee Extension District has returned funds per Iowa Code 176A Section 8 that were not used this year due to a combination of an unfilled position and a decision to stay in the current office space for now rather than renting or building a different location.
At that August 14 meeting, Arendt noted that Allamakee County could return that funding back to the organization per Iowa Code in the form of grants in support of projects and programming. At the September 25 meeting, Byrnes made note of three options, advising that funds could be returned and stay with the County, ISU Extension could receive this funding back through grants in support of additional programming, or this funding could be used for the childcare wage enhancement program.
At the September 11 Supervisors meeting, Regional Planner Michelle Barness of Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) and Director Kristy Turner of the Postville Childcare Center discussed a recommendation to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in support of a childcare wage enhancement program to retain skilled childcare workers by establishing a livable county wage for this industry. At that September 11 meeting, Barness outlined the funding necessary to make this program possible including funding from private sources for a 1:1 match from Health and Human Services (HHS) in addition to a contribution from Allamakee County to make the program viable; increasing 40 full-time childcare providers from $12-13 per hour to $16.28 per hour.
At the September 25 meeting, Gericke noted that a 28E Agreement, an agreement between governmental and public or private agencies, would need to be in place relating to the childcare wage enhancement program. Turner noted that just over $45,000 has been raised towards the $500,000 county-wide goal with $250,000 from private donors needing to be raised in total for the $250,000 HHS match under this program. Turner further noted that the Postville Childcare Center has a $330,000 deficit to reach the livable hourly wage for the 24 full-time childcare teachers and licensed hours of operation from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. She added that HHS matching funds will be made available as donations are received with pledge amounts to be submitted by October 30.
Keatley noted that he appreciates the points raised by Turner but that he has concerns relating to this being a short-term solution which sets precedent opening the door to charitable giving by the County. In response, Turner discussed childcare as an issue countywide with this matching program and proposal seeming abrupt due to its quick and recent introduction. Turner advised that this is a new solution with this program having worked well elsewhere within Iowa and is an opportunity to get ahead of this problem. Turner noted that the Postville Childcare Center and other providers may not be sustainable without this program and discussed the negative impact that this loss would have from a community and economic standpoint, noting the loss of workers staying home due to a lack of childcare options taking families from a two-income household to a single-income household.
Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development advised that in working with employers, housing and childcare have been identified as important pieces and infrastructure necessary in building their workforce. Reinke noted her recommendation that the Supervisors consider this program due to the impact childcare has from an industry and business standpoint.
Reiser noted his appreciation for the individuals and organizations working in childcare but that his concerns are similar to those raised by Keatley earlier in the meeting. Reiser noted that this funding support opens the door to a long list of charitable funding requests for the County and is not a long-term solution. Following discussion, no action was taken by the Supervisors.
Ridenour addressed the next matter relating to the consideration of the Resolution obligating ARPA funds to the new phone system at the Engineer’s office. Ridenour discussed phone system issues with this replacement to solve these matters and to be compatible with fiber optic and other upgrades that will be taking place. He clarified that this funding request would be the first ARPA-related funding for the Engineer’s office and County Shop. Ridenour noted that Beyer has put together the Resolution under consideration not to exceed $9,000 for this project. Following discussion, the Supervisors approved the Resolution.
Under Department Head Updates, Coordinator Jean Bossom of Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) provided an overview of recent activities including opioid-related training through classes and webinars, among other opioid addiction prevention projects. She noted a collaboration between the State of Iowa and Goldfinch Health in preventing opioid over-prescribing following surgeries at rural hospitals. Bossom noted planning and meetings with Assistant Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler relating to opioid addiction prevention with Linn County’s strategy and program providing background in establishing a similar program.
Bossom noted that Red Ribbon week planning is ongoing and that work continues with schools relating to planned activities. She discussed scheduled meetings including those with law enforcement relating to drug take-back. Bossom also noted work with Gericke relating to the Juvenile Court System (JCS) and having anti-vaping information available. She talked about information requests, referrals and related office traffic. Bossom further noted that a couple of school visits have taken place this school year and that she will be purchasing a conference recording at a total cost of $50 rather than attending in person, with that recording then available for ongoing use and sharing by ASAP.
Ridenour discussed the planned 6-County Meeting to take place in Chickasaw County October 11. He noted that full depth pavement patching is ongoing by Bacon Concrete on Lycurgus Road and that Strong Rock and Gravel has finished up with gravel application per contract. Ridenour noted a Union negotiation request with his recommendation to have Attorney John Anderson represent the County during this meeting.
Ridenour also updated the Supervisors about motorgrader trade-in negotiations and the positive results of those negotiations. Ridenour noted that the dirt hauling from the Strong farm is close to being done and discussed a few other matters relating to road maintenance associated with the decommissioning of the former Alliant Energy Power Plant near Lansing.
Beyer updated the Supervisors about the Clerk of Court being on a temporary phone system and their request to be connected to the phone system used by County offices. She noted that poll worker letters and emails will be sent out, updates relating to poll worker laptop computers will be made, among a variety of other election-related preparation to be performed. The Supervisors and Beyer discussed a potential work session to take place prior to an upcoming Monday morning Supervisors meeting.
Prior to adjournment and following the business portion of meeting, the Supervisors and Ridenour viewed several road projects throughout the county.
