Supervisors presented with petition, other concerns during public comment

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met Monday morning, March 21 for its regular meeting. Several members of the public were present for public comment.
Doug Mullen of Lansing addressed the Board regarding treatment of the ash trees on the Allamakee County Courthouse property for Emerald Ash Borer. He wanted to be sure the Board understood the insecticide is a long-lasting insecticide that could stay in the soil for a few years. He felt the Board would be better off to consider just removing all of the ash trees on the property and replacing them with “good trees.”
Mullen also stated that there is some concern that the insecticide being used could be killing honeybees. He further noted that ash trees produce pollen in the spring, being one of the first trees to produce pollen, and the bees would be attracted to that. “I absolutely do not believe that you should use it anywhere on County property,” Mullen said.
Next to speak was David Anderson of rural Waukon, who voiced concerns about the proposed ATV/UTV trail that the Supervisors have been discussing over the past few months. Anderson said he hoped the County would, prior to making any kind of decision on the matter, publish a map for County residents to see and also hold a public meeting on the matter. He also suggested that there are certain roads that ATVs should be prohibited from being on. Board Chairman Larry Schellhammer explained that the Supervisors have a scheduled item on next week’s agenda regarding the ATV trail proposal.
Gene Averhoff of Dorchester presented the Board with a petition, signed by 574 people, regarding the Driftless Education and Visitor Center in Lansing. The document, titled "Petition For Responsible Representation" and undersigned by "Concerned and Proud Citizens of Allamakee County," stated as follows:
"We are concerned that the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors is not, appropriately, representing the people of the county in regards to spending our tax dollars. In particular, the allocation of county funds to build and, eventually, support the Driftless Education and Visitor Center in Lansing.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer supported grant money and county public funds have, already, been spent here.  Many more are needed.  Countless thousands will be required to operate the Center in the years to come.  We have become aware that the Board is planning to divert $158,000 of our county’s road use tax dollars away from their intended use and, instead, use them at the Driftless Center project.  We strongly oppose this.  We urge and expect that our elected Board of Supervisors, our County Engineer and our County Conservation Board will seek out all further financial support for all additional funding for this project from other voluntarily given and private sector sources.  Our property tax dollars should be spent on services and projects that, more fairly and responsibly, serve the majority of the people of Allamakee County."
Averhoff noted that the citizens’ main concern is how tax dollars are going to be diverted for the Center. “We appreciate you thinking on it,” Averhoff said.
Kristi Hager was present representing the Republican Party of Allamakee County, and provided the Supervisors with a copy of the Allamakee County Republican Convention 2016 Approved Planks. The planks were approved at the March 12 Allamakee County Republican Convention.
Prior to wrapping up the public comments, Mullen spoke again, this time regarding concerns about water quality testing and wells in relation to the Alliant Energy plant ash pile. He said he felt the County should look into the matter and possibly have someone monitoring wells in the area, as the County would have issued the power plant a permit for the ash pile area.

CSS UPDATE
Moving on to the agenda items, Allamakee County Coordinator of Disability Services Kim Waters was present to update the Board on County Social Services (CSS). She explained that CSS has been working with Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick to set up telepsychiatry services for mental health services to help incarcerated individuals, as well as working on discharge planning and follow-up appointments. Waters said she also meets with clients face-to-face to help them feel more comfortable in talking with her and also to give clients a face to put with a name. Mellick explained that the intent of what they do is to get mental health services to the individuals that might need them and possibly help them to not re-offend, and when they are released they can hopefully continue the treatment.
Waters also stated that Medicaid Managed Care begins April 1. She noted that Mayo Health Systems will be contracting with one Managed Care Organization (MCO) and VMH will be contracting with all of the MCOs. She said the County will go through its contract with Gundersen one more time with the County Attorney before it is signed. She also said they want to verify which of the MCOs Gundersen will be using in order to be sure treatment would be covered by the client’s insurance.

BIDS/OTHER ITEMS
The Board approved a list of Family Farm Credits. The Board then moved on to the Postville Trail Property and the bid letting sale for that property. The bids must be sealed and the offers to buy must be received by 4 p.m. April 15, 2016. The resolution states that property will be awarded to the highest bidder and bids must exceed a minimum sale price of $4,000.
Sheriff Mellick addressed the Board on the review and consideration of quotes for the interior finish work for the Sheriff’s storage shed located at the former Makee Manor property. Three bids were received for the work: Tri-State InsulTec for $10,515; Brink Custom Services for $9,150; and West Side Waukon Lumber, LLC for $10,990 ($7,150 for materials and $3,840 for labor).
It was noted that the bid from West Side Waukon Lumber, LLC included all the finish work that would also be needed on the project, whereas the other two bids only included bids for insulation on the walls, ceiling and ceiling gables - the cost of additional finish work of covering the walls and a few other things were not included in those two bids. Mellick did inform the Board that the West Side bid provides that West Side would be the contractor on the project and would most likely subcontract to Fahey Construction, which Mellick advised is his brother-in-law. Due to the fact that the County would not have to pay for additional work after the insulation was installed, the Supervisors chose to go with the bid from West Side Waukon Lumber, LLC.
A public hearing on a proposed grading and paving project of about one mile of Makee Drive was set for 10 a.m. Monday, April 4, 2016. Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour was present and explained that about a year ago a petition was submitted to pave that portion of the road. While the road does not meet the 50 points required from the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), it could be funded through the five-year plan. The section of road that is proposed to be graded and paved begins at Highway 9 and travels easterly to Four Corners Road.

EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
The Board then discussed changes to the County’s employee handbook. Among the topics discussed were insurance or payout options for employees that retire or resign. Supervisor Dennis Koenig suggested that the County consider putting together a separation package in the future to be able to give to employees that are leaving that will contain information regarding benefits.
Another issue that garnered some discussion was the donation of time from one employee to another. Employees may donate vacation time to a co-worker, in the amount of 40 hours, if the co-worker has been stricken with a catastrophic illness or injury.
Also discussed was how vacation is earned or accrued in the various departments. In some cases, vacation is accrued a little bit each week, which would be beneficial should a new employee need to use a couple of days prior to being employed for a full year.
The Board also discussed having external board and commission members go through training on Civil Rights and Sexual Harassment, as some of the boards and commissions do some hiring for the County as well. Discussion on the handbook changes will continue this Thursday, March 24 when the Board is scheduled for a 9 a.m. meeting to discuss proposed handbook changes again.