Allamakee County Board of Supervisors hears variety of funding requests and insurance review, meets with Courthouse Building Committee for discussion
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met twice within a week’s time following the closure of the Allamakee County Courthouse Monday, January 15 for the observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday with regular session meetings taking place both Tuesday, January 16 and Monday, January 22 this past week. Coverage of both meetings appears below.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16
The Tuesday, January 16 meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present. There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that agenda item.
The meeting moved into the Riverview Center annual update and Fiscal-Year 2025 (FY25) funding request. Via Zoom web-conferencing, Director of Development and Public Relations Sam Blatt and Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Coordinator Sarah Wennes, both of the Riverview Center, provided an overview of the organization’s free and confidential services to those impacted by sexual violence.
Blatt noted that the Riverview Center has been providing counseling, therapy and advocacy services for 30 years and that in the last year, 12 children and 27 adults in Allamakee County have received services accounting for approximately 850 hours. She advised that the need is greater than indicated by those numbers, noting that statistically only two percent of such incidents are reported in rural areas. Blatt presented the Riverview Center’s request of $3,500 for FY25.
Wennes further discussed the role of and increased need for sexual assault advocates in addition to noting the financial impact faced by survivors. Wennes noted that the Riverview Center serves a 14-county region with staff in Decorah, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids and Waterloo offices within an hour of hospitals within this region. No action was taken with the Supervisors to review this with other funding requests.
Executive Director Paul Berland of Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) provided an annual update and Fiscal-Year 2025 (FY25) funding request. Berland thanked the Supervisors for the County’s previous support noting that each dollar of County support is leveraged back through the Northeast Iowa RC&D office as $20 in services and projects with other funding sources adding to that value or total benefit received by each county in the region.
Berland provided an overview of several specific projects, grants, and initiatives relating to conservation, recreation, energy, law enforcement, agriculture, marketing and economic development, among other areas. No action was taken with the Supervisors to review this with other funding requests.
Allamakee County Treasurer Jennifer O’Neill provided an overview of the Treasurer’s Semi-Annual Report. She advised that an abbreviated version of the report has been submitted for newspaper publication. Following review by the Supervisors, the Treasurer’s Semi-Annual Report was accepted and placed on file.
O’Neill also addressed the next agenda item relating to the Iowa Homeowner Assistance Fund (IHAF) Program. She noted that the Iowa Finance Authority had distributed information relating to the IHAF Program several months ago with some concern initially relayed by county treasurers across the state relating to the program agreement language. O’Neill further noted that most of these concerns have been addressed following updates to the agreement language, with Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke reviewing the updated agreement. O’Neill advised that she will be signing the agreement for the IHAF Program for property owners needing assistance with property taxes.
The Manure Management Plan update submitted by Scott Sanness was accepted and placed on file. Quarterly Reports for the Allamakee County Relief Office and Planning and Zoning were accepted and placed on file.
The meeting moved into the County insurance review and update with Jane Regan of Upper Iowa Insurance Services providing an overview of the matter. Regan advised that the County’s workers’ compensation dividend for the policy period ending March 1, 2023 is $27,344. She noted that workers’ compensation rates have decreased in Iowa with an increase in those working from home credited for this trend. Regan recommended that the addition of a fleet safety and driver safety program would be advisable in addition to Regan providing an overview of policy specifics relating to vehicle coverage, general liability, property coverage, among other matters. No action was taken relating to this informational matter.
Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour addressed the next matter relating to the consideration of a Secondary Road Department hire. Ridenour provided a recommendation to hire Adam Chase as Assistant Mechanic at $23.40 per hour with a start date of January 23. That recommendation was approved by the Supervisors.
Executive Director Andrew Boddicker with Main Street Lansing provided a Fiscal-Year 2025 funding request and annual update in which he provided an overview of several organizational highlights from the previous year. Boddicker noted increased private investment in the downtown, a robust social media and web presence, new programming including a non-profit grant writing program, a second year for the farmers market, eight facade improvements with three more planned, and five new businesses, among other specifics. Boddicker requested that the Board of Supervisors consider the organization’s funding request of $3,000. No action was taken with this request to be considered with other funding requests.
The meeting moved into the Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) Annual Program review and Fiscal-Year 2025 (FY25) funding request. CEO Trisha Wilkins of NEICAC provided an overview of the organization’s programming and discussed NEICAC’s mission to advance community development and improve social and economic conditions for individuals and families with limited resources. Wilkins noted the organization’s efforts relating to family services, advocacy and education with $647,251 of direct assistance provided to those in need residing in Allamakee County last year.
Wilkins further noted several NEICAC service-focused programs including Head Start, Public Transit, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Family Development and Self Sufficiency, Crisis Assistance and Food Pantries, Affordable Housing, among other programs in addition to the organization’s economic development impact for Allamakee County. She discussed the organization’s Fiscal Year 2025 funding request of $57,156. No action was taken with the Supervisors to consider this request with other budget requests.
Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick discussed the impact of recent winter weather conditions upon road safety. He provided an update relating to the Public Safety Center’s phone system switch and upgrade to fiber optic.
Ridenour noted that the new phone system is in place within the County Engineer’s office and Secondary Road Department Shop in Waukon. Mellick and Ridenour discussed the fleet safety policy and potential employee handbook updates. Ridenour noted that the next 6-County Meeting will be taking place Thursday, January 25. He advised that a motorgrader ordered a year ago has arrived with delivery anticipated soon.
Ridenour noted a request from Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) relating to the removal of snow piles from parking lots. He further noted that the City of Waukon had previously hauled away excess snow from VMH’s parking lots and with VMH’s conversion to a county hospital, a request of the County to do the same has been made. Ridenour advised that this matter is something for the Board of Supervisors to consider.
Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer noted that she attended the Election Assistance Commission Local Leadership Council meeting last week with a variety of topics covered including voter education and communication, promoting election integrity, among other matters addressed. Prior to adjournment, a budget work session was held with department heads with budget work sessions scheduled for later that week including Wednesday, January 17 and Friday, January 19.
MONDAY, JANUARY 22
The Monday, January 22 regular meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Mark Reiser present. There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that agenda item.
The meeting moved into the Quarterly Report for the County Sheriff’s office. Following review, the Quarterly Report was accepted and placed on file by the Supervisors.
The meeting then moved into the discussion and consideration of the one-year Mediacom contract. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer and the Supervisors discussed options available relating to phone and internet through Mediacom including a month-to-month agreement, one-year contract or three-year contract. During the discussion, it was noted that the one-year contract with locked-in pricing provided savings in comparison to the month-to-month agreement with potential rate increases as a variable. It was also noted that these services and options will be further reviewed prior to the end of the one-year contract period. The one-year contract with Mediacom was approved.
Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick addressed the next matter relating to the consideration of using the County credit card for purchasing water heater parts not to exceed $650. Mellick discussed this request to purchase two sets of water heater parts including flame sensors and other equipment to have on hand for the Allamakee County Public Safety Center. Mellick noted advantages of pre-purchasing these parts which often experience fulfillment and shipping delays, with onsite availability of replacement parts allowing for evening or weekend water heater repairs. The Supervisors approved the use of the County credit card not to exceed $650.
Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour addressed the next agenda item relating to the consideration of a hire for the Secondary Roads Department. Ridenour noted that an applicant has completed pre-employment drug testing as required with those results not yet received. Due to this delay, Ridenour advised that this matter would need to be tabled until the Monday, January 29 Supervisors meeting. No action was taken.
The meeting moved into the consideration of quotes for a new motorgrader with Ridenour providing an overview of this matter. Salespersons Shawn Ramler of Martin Equipment - John Deere of Dubuque and Jared Bucksa of Ziegler Caterpillar (CAT) of Postville were both present to provide feedback relating to their respective products.
Ridenour discussed the trade-in of a 2018 CAT motorgrader with 6,500 hours of use. Ridenour noted a good working relationship with both Ziegler CAT and Martin Equipment – John Deere with both providing good service and availability of parts. Ridenour compared the quotes noting his recommendation to move forward with the lower cost option as the all-wheel-drive CAT 140AWD motorgrader at a selling price of $433,400 less trade-in of $145,000 at a net difference of $288,400. Bucksa noted that delivery of the CAT 140AWD may take a year.
Per the 2024 Motor Grader Quotes sheet presented by Ridenour, comparable all-wheel-drive motorgraders were quoted as the John Deere 672GPAWD at a selling price of $403,250 less trade-in of $106,000 at a net difference of $297,250 and the John Deere 772GPAWD at a selling price of $422,000 less trade-in of $106,000 at a net difference of $316,000. It was noted that both brands include a 60-month/5,000-hour warranty, new snow wing, front lift group and fenders. The Supervisors approved the low quote for the CAT 140AWD at a cost of $288,400 based upon the $433,400 selling price less the $145,000 trade-in value.
Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker provided an update relating to the weather forecast for the remainder of the week. Snitker noted that the State of Iowa has contacted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) relating to a potential snow declaration. Snitker further noted the criteria necessary for this declaration with Allamakee County’s snow totals not meeting the required level but still contributing to statewide totals and potentially assisting other counties in qualifying for this declaration and assistance. Snitker also made note of upcoming safety meetings in addition to discussing drought conditions experienced statewide.
Ridenour discussed the motorgrader purchase approved earlier in the meeting in addition to making note of the 6-County Meeting scheduled for later in the week.
Prior to adjournment, Beyer advised that work continues relating to budget-related matters, audit follow-up and a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Beyer advised that Real Estate Clerk Kimberly Engrav with the Allamakee County Auditor’s office will be attending a real estate legal description training session through the Iowa State Association of Assessors (ISAA). Beyer noted that election preparations will be taking place including the hiring of poll workers and that township budgets have been mailed.
Later that same day, the Supervisors and the County Courthouse Building Committee met in the Third Floor Courtroom of the Allamakee County Courthouse for discussion of courthouse repairs, projects and improvements included in a building assessment and the potential use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley, Zoning Administrator Stephanie Runkle, County Treasurer Jennifer O’Neill, Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker, GIS Coordinator Jon Luchsinger, County Attorney Anthony Gericke, Auditor Denise Beyer and Breanna Sommer of the Clerk of Court office were present for discussion of these building-related matters. The Supervisors and the County Courthouse Building Committee discussed the planning, necessary quotes and installation of Category 6 (Cat 6) cables throughout the County Courthouse building in preparation for the installation of new security cameras and phone system upgrades.
