Supervisors set April 1 as public hearing date for establishing LOSST following special election, discuss use of courthouse parking lot during upcoming project
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, March 11 to address a full agenda of matters including the Canvass of the March 5 LOSST Special Election, discussion of the use of the Allamakee County Courthouse parking lot during the resurfacing of the municipal parking lot in Waukon and an overview of the County’s insurance policy renewal.
The meeting was called to order by Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisor Mark Reiser present. Supervisor Dennis Keatley was not present at the meeting due to a scheduled absence.
The meeting moved into Public Comment with Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) noting recent and upcoming events within the county. Reinke advised that the Allamakee Community Players held sold-out performances of “Murder in the Knife Room” at Empty Nest Winery over the weekend and that Friends of Pool 9’s celebration in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge was held Saturday, March 9 in Lansing.
Reinke also noted that discussions have taken place relating to the potential use of a ferry during the closure of the Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing while repairs are ongoing relating to a shift in the bridge deck and supporting piers on the east/Wisconsin side. She noted that Lansing’s Economic Vitality Committee will be meeting this week with business owners to discuss the impact of the Black Hawk Bridge closure.
Reinke noted that the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) Project Manager Clayton Burke and other project engineers will be present for the Thursday, March 14 “Let’s Talk Bridges” 5 p.m. meeting at the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library as part of the ongoing series of meetings held the second Thursday of the month relating to the Black Hawk Bridge replacement project. Reinke further noted that the Seven Rivers Alliance, a tri-state economic development council, will be meeting Monday, March 18 at a location in Wisconsin relating to the Black Hawk Bridge closure with representatives from Lansing, De Soto, WI and Ferryville, WI, among other communities to be present. In conclusion, Reinke noted that Waukon has a huge line-up of events planned in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day this coming weekend (see Page 15 in this week’s edition of The Standard).
The meeting moved into the Canvass of the March 5 Local Option Sales and Services (LOSST) Tax Election with Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer providing an overview of the LOSST special election results after the Board of Supervisors adjourned and reconvened as the Board of Canvassers.
Refer to the article on Page 1 of this week’s edition of the Standard for the full details of the results of this special election. Byrnes and Reiser provided signatures on the documentation to remain on file and to be submitted to the State of Iowa relating to the LOSST special election. The public measure was adopted, with the Board of Canvassers then adjourning and the Board of Supervisors reconvening.
The Supervisors next addressed setting a date/time for the public hearing regarding the ordinance establishing LOSST in Unincorporated areas of Allamakee County and in the cities of Waukon, New Albin, Waterville and Postville. Beyer noted that Assistant County Attorney Jill Kistler will be consulted relating to the language of the ordinance with Beyer providing a recommendation to set the public hearing for Monday, April 1 at 9:40 a.m. with the first reading of the ordinance to take place and the setting or waiving of the second and third readings to be determined at that time. The public hearing was set as recommended for April 1 at 9:40 a.m.
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