Board of Supervisors sets public hearing to address "zoning process snafu" recently brought to light

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Monday, April 15, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met with Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake, who asked the Board to schedule a public hearing regarding the rezoning of a parcel owned by Reilly Construction near the intersection of Blackhawk Road and Highway 26.
Blake explained that the Planning and Zoning Commission sent its recommendation to the Board of Supervisors in November of 2010 to approve a change in zoning for the parcel from Agricultural (A1) to Industrial (I1) to allow for the construction of a railroad spur. That recommendation was never brought before the Board due to what Blake called a “zoning process snafu” and recently became an issue because of a proposal to use the site as a loading facility for frac sand.
Blake said that while Reilly’s initial application requested approval of a railroad spur and a freight terminal, the Planning and Zoning Commission only approved plans for the rail spur as no plans were submitted for a freight terminal at the site. The Board set Monday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. as the date and time for a public hearing on the matter.
Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick presented the Board with a contract with Allamakee Housing (Southcrest Assisted Living in Waukon) to provide meals for jail inmates. Mellick said that Allamakee Housing will provided two meals each day for jail inmates, one hot and one cold, at a cost of $3.75 per meal, the same price currently paid to Makee Manor for the meals. The Board approved the contract.
Case Management Administrator Kim Waters presented the Board with an adjusted projected cost report and the cost allocation report for fiscal year 2012. Waters said that the adjusted cost report shows the same total costs with an increase in the number of clients served and a decrease in the per-unit cost. She explained that the cost allocation report compiled by Cost Advisory services shows the calculation of indirect costs (such as courthouse utilities, building depreciation, insurance, etc.) for which the County will be reimbursed for providing office space for Case Management and the Department of Human Services. The Board accepted and placed on file the adjusted projected cost report and approved the cost allocation report.
The Board also met with Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler, who asked for and received the Board’s approval to hire Jill Meyer of New Albin as a part-time paralegal. While the Board questioned the starting salary of $18.50 per hour, Kistler said that as a department head, it is her prerogative to set the salaries of the employees in her department, adding that the starting wage offered to Meyer is less than the wage of the employee she is replacing. Kistler said that Meyer will work Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and may be offered a full-time position following a probationary period.
In other business, the Board appointed Dennis Koenig and Sherry Strub to serve as alternates on the Transportation Enhancement Committee. The Board also appointed Larry Schellhammer to serve on the Emergency Management Board with Strub as alternate. The Board also approved the contract and bond with Croell and Subsidiary for the Bear Creek paving project, expected to begin in mid-July.