Supervisors discuss an abundance of road matters, approve use of courthouse lawn for Memorial Day Program as contingency plan during summer street improvements

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, March 18 to address a full agenda of items, including the consideration of a contingency plan for the 2019 Memorial Day Program, coverage of Township Officials on County insurance and bids received for the Dorchester Drive (A16) culvert extensions.

During Public Comment, Jerry Halverson of Waukon discussed the condition of McCabe Drive and secondary roads in general within Allamakee County, which have been softened by weather conditions. Halverson also expressed concerns about the width of the North Fork Hollow Bridge near his home. Chairperson Larry Schellhammer and Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Dennis Koenig provided feedback concerning weather-related road conditions and that State pavements have been impacted as well with potholes being an issue.

Byrnes mentioned that the Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Board has sponsored the teenager’s bedroom traveling exhibit on display March 18 at the Waukon Middle School. The display is an educational tool for parents in spotting hidden evidence of substance abuse.

Tom Regan of the local American Legion and Allamakee County Veterans’ Affairs Director Heather Homewood discussed a contingency plan for the 2019 Memorial Day Program in Waukon. Homewood and Regan suggested that the County Courthouse lawn be used as an alternate location for the program if plans at the Oakland Cemetery need to change due to the 2019 Department of Transportation (DOT) Street Project in Waukon. Homewood clarified that plans are still in place for the program at the Oakland Cemetery but that a request to use the courthouse lawn as a backup plan is being made with electricity being necessary. The Supervisors approved the use of the courthouse lawn as a contingency plan for the Memorial Day Program to include the use of electricity.

The Supervisors moved into the consideration of Township Officials on County Insurance with Jane Regan of Upper Iowa Insurance Services providing an overview of the matter. Jane Regan explained that the cost to include Township Trustees and clerks under the blanket crime policy covering financial and property loss would be an additional $300 annually on top of the current $1,600 premium. The Supervisors approved the addition of Township Trustees and clerks to the County’s insurance policy.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour addressed the next agenda item involving the consideration of bids for the Dorchester Drive (A16) culvert extensions. Ridenour provided a bid summary for the project with an Engineer’s estimate of $319,691.00 with bids received from ICON Constructors at $747,890.00, JB Holland at $357,171.58, Skyline Construction at $415,066.33 and Tschiggfrie Construction at $686,380.50. Ridenour discussed the multiplication error that took place by Skyline Construction resulting in a slight increase to their bid. Ridenour advised that the low bid received by JB Holland includes higher estimated mobilization costs that account for some of the difference between the low bid and the Engineer’s estimate. Ridenour provided a recommendation of the low bid from JB Holland, which was then approved by the Supervisors.

Ridenour discussed the next matter involving an Embargo Resolution, indicating that the embargo would likely be posted Thursday of this week for several asphalt pavements at five tons per single axle and seven tons per tandem axle. The Supervisors approved the Embargo Resolution as presented.

The Supervisors moved into the consideration of setting a bid letting date for road rock resurfacing with Ridenour advising that 122,423 tons of rock will be needed, an increase of approximately 11,000 ton from the previous year. Ridenour discussed the application of rock due to damage caused by recent weather conditions with most areas receiving 1-1/2 and 2-inch rock but some spots receiving 3-inch rock. Ridenour further indicated that two weeks of hauling rock and blading gravel roads will be necessary to get ahead of recent damage. Ridenour also provided a recommendation to set Monday, April 8 at 10 a.m. as the bid letting date and time for road rock resurfacing, a date and which were then approved by the Supervisors.

Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker discussed recent weather conditions and river levels. Snitker indicated that he is working with area schools in communicating road closures to assist with bus routes and that a full-scale exercise is scheduled for next month in New Albin.

Ridenour further discussed the use of gravel roads with some businesses and farmers traveling during the morning hours while the ground and road are still frozen. Ridenour also indicated that the County’s Health Insurance Committee will be meeting later in the week.

Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer discussed receiving a letter detailing that the West Paint Creek Evangelical Lutheran Church and Cemetery have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places effective March 7. Beyer also provided an update on proposed legislation involving Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB), which would involve a different method of tracking absentee ballots through postal mail.