Board of Supervisors hears update on Public Safety Center as project moves forward at Makee Manor site

by Bob Beach

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met twice over the past week as last week’s regular meeting was delayed until Tuesday, September 8 due to the Labor Day holiday the Monday before. The Board returned to regular session Monday, September 14.
The Board met last Tuesday, September 8 with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) Executive Director Rachelle Howe, who updated the Board on UERPC activities. Howe reminded the Board that UERPC had presented the County with a proposal to update the County’s comprehensive plan, saying that UERPC is ready to proceed with that whenever the Board is ready. Howe reported that UERPC has been assisting the City of Lansing with an ongoing sewer project and an issue with possible Indian burial mounds in the project area. Howe also reported that UERPC is assisting the Cities of Postville and New Albin with Community Development Block Grant applications for new wastewater treatment facilities.
In other business, the Board also agreed to hold its regular meeting Monday, September 28 at the Postville Public Library at 9:30 a.m.

During its regular meeting Monday, September 14, the Board met with Public Safety Center consultant John Hansen of Midwest Construction Consultants for an update on the project. Hansen reported that the topographic survey of the project area has been completed and presented the Board with a survey map that includes an overlay of the architect’s floor plan. He said that he would present the Board with construction documents for the Board’s approval sometime in October and the requests for proposals would be sent out sometime in November, adding that six different bid packages would be included to allow for contractors to bid on specific aspects of the project. Hansen said that construction should begin sometime next spring.
Hansen also presented the Board with a bid from Central Tank Coatings for repairs to the water tower at the project site for $36,125, which the Board approved. Hansen also reported that he had met with a representative from A-OK Well Service who suggested that a new well should be drilled at a new location for an estimated cost of $35,000 to $45,000, which is somewhat less than the estimated cost for the well included in the total estimated cost of the project.
Hansen further reported that the asbestos survey of the Makee Manor building has been completed and that requests for proposals for asbestos removal would be sent out soon and bids should be received by September 25.
The Board also met with Head Custodian John Roe, who presented the Board with two bids for the replacement of the boiler at the courthouse. Former Head Custodian Mike Gallagher said that the current boiler could be “nursed through another heating season” and that major leaks in the boiler system should be addressed. The Board agreed to look into hiring a consultant to deal with the leak issue before moving forward with replacing the boiler.
The Board also met with Allamakee County Conservation Director Jim Janett, who updated the Board on the Driftless Area Education Center project. He said that fundraising for the project is still ongoing and suggested a joint meeting with the Foundation Board and Conservation Commission to discuss the project. The Board agreed to a joint meeting Monday, October 5.
In other business, the Board agreed to allow the Board of Supervisors Room at the courthouse to be used as an alternate location for hearings and non-jury trials, excluding Mondays. The Board also reviewed the Secondary Roads annual report for fiscal year 2015 to be submitted to the Iowa Department of Transportation.