Supervisors agree to review ATV Ordinance at January 16 meeting, reorganize during first meeting of the new year; Board approves resolution supporting suspension of issuing CAFO permits as part of awareness effort
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in a pair of regular sessions this past week due to the observance of the New Year holiday taking place on the Board's usual Monday meeting day. Coverage of the Board's Tuesday, January 3 and Monday, January 9 regular sessions appears below.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors held its first regular session of the new year Tuesday, January 3 to address a variety of topics, including appointing Chairperson and Chair Pro-Tem, the Proclamation of National Mentoring Month and the appointing of various County Boards and Commissions.
Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer called the meeting to order. Supervisor Larry Schellhammer was appointed Chairperson and Supervisor Dennis Koenig was appointed Chair Pro-Tem for 2017. Schellhammer then assumed the floor leading into regular business.
During Public Comments, Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development discussed the Effigy Mounds National Monument coin that is being produced depicting the Marching Bear group of mounds. Reinke indicated that February 6, a Public Forum will be held at Effigy Mounds and February 7 at 10 a.m., a ceremony will be held at the Waukon High School as part of the kick-off and introduction of this coin. Reinke indicated that area businesses and banks are being encouraged to promote the Effigy Mounds quarter and to tie-in any sales or promotions that can relate to the coin introduction.
The Supervisors discussed setting and continuing the Board meeting dates, start time and Public Comment time for 2017. Board meetings will continue with the 9:30 a.m. Monday schedule with ten minutes of Public Comment time. The appointment of Supervisors to various Boards, Committees and Commissions was also approved. The Supervisors approved the second and fourth Mondays for paying claims with payroll every other Friday. The Standard and The Herald were designated as official newspapers for Allamakee County. The mileage rate was set at 40 cents per mile and meal reimbursements were briefly discussed with no action at this time, as this is now covered in the County's employee handbook.
Bounties were set at $5 per coyote hide and 50 cents per pair of gopher paws turned in, a continuation of the 2016 bounties. The Resolution Authorizing the County Engineer to Execute the Certification of Final Completion of Work for all Farm-to-Market and Federal or State Aid Construction Projects was approved. The Discussion and Consideration of appointing members to the 2017 Compensation Commission pursuant to Iowa Code section 6B.4 was also approved.
Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick provided his recommendation of Cameron Schissel for the position of Dispatcher/Corrections Officer, which the Supervisors approved with a start date of Sunday, January 8. Mellick discussed staffing for the Public Safety Center and recommendations that have been made by the jail inspector including having two staff members on site at all times. Mellick advised that this double redundancy is necessary for safety and in taking and routing emergency calls.
The Supervisors approved appointees to the County Board of Health, Civil Service Commission, Conservation Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, Upper Explorerland Transportation Policy Enhancement Board, Eastern Iowa Tourism Board and the Waste Management Board. The appointment of Sheriff's deputies and Auditor's deputies and clerks was also approved.
Mentoring Coordinator Kathy Schwartzhoff with Helping Services for Youth and Families, Iowa Department of Public Health Youth Mentoring AmeriCorps member Colinne McCann and Luther College intern Hannah O'Polka addressed the Supervisors concerning the Proclamation for National Mentoring Month. The Supervisors each signed the Proclamation recognizing January as National Mentoring Month in Allamakee County.
The Manure Management Plan retention policy was discussed by the Supervisors with a one-year policy of keeping plans on file agreed upon. The RSVP Fiscal Year 2018 funding request was not discussed, as Kathy Barloon was not in attendance due to road and weather conditions.
Reinke further addressed the Supervisors concerning the request for the County to serve as fiscal agent for Allamakee County Economic Development's grant application to Allamakee County Community Foundation for a housing study. This request does not bind the County, except as a fiscal agent or sponsor accounting for funds for the organizations involved in the grant process. Reinke discussed that a housing study will be beneficial in attracting business and industry, benefit real estate and construction and further develop the housing needed for the County's growth, and that the study itself is necessary in applying for grants. The Supervisors approved the request to serve as fiscal agent.
The resolution for suspension of issuance of CAFO construction permits was briefly discussed with no action taken at this time. Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake presented a plat approval for Scott C., Karen K., Sigurd C. and Barbara A. Ness, who are requesting the creation of two lots from a single property. This plat request was previously denied due to the absence of an agriculture legend, which has since been added to the plat. With this change, the Supervisors approved the plat request.
Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour discussed the recent weather and road conditions. Ridenour advised that a full crew has been working on Secondary Roads and that he has been receiving applications for the advertised Crew Leader position with a recommendation likely for the next Supervisors meeting. Ridenour also discussed that the ATV Ordinance is due for review by the Board, with the February 1 ordinance start date coming up again. The Supervisors agreed that review of the ordinance will be added to the meeting agenda for January 16.
MONDAY, JANUARY 9
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, January 9 to address a variety of topics. Among those agenda items were the Fiscal Year 2018 Compensation Board recommendation, a resolution in support of suspending the issuance of Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) construction permits and the hiring of a Crew Leader for the Secondary Roads Department.
During the Public Comments portion of the meeting, county resident Joe Egan expressed his concerns regarding the Department of Natural Resource's (DNR) Master Matrix, a scoring system used in the siting of CAFOs. Egan discussed the resolution listed later in the agenda, regarding suspending the issuance of CAFO construction permits and the environmental impact such operations have on water quality and how they can have a negative impact on trails and tourism due to the manure smell. Board Chairman Larry Schellhammer advised that similar resolutions are taking place in other counties as part of a non-binding stance to open up discussion and review of the Master Matrix.
Housing Department Head Lori Brockway with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission and the Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund (NEIRHTF) was present to discuss the NEIRHTF Fiscal Year 2018 funding request. NEIRHTF assists individuals, organizations, nonprofit and for profit developers in rehabilitation, repair and creation of projects that improve or contribute to the development of rental and owner-occupied affordable housing in Allamakee, Clayton, Howard and Winneshiek Counties. Brockway discussed that $1,839,113.01 has been distributed in the form of grants and loans since 2010 with $464,970.47 as expenditures in Allamakee County alone. Brockway requested $10,000 for the Fiscal Year 2018 NEIRHTF application, which is the same as the County's previous contribution to the program.
Brockway discussed the potential 2018 merger of NEIRHTF with the Fayette County Local Housing Trust Fund, which would not affect the funds or expenditures for Allamakee County. Schellhammer discussed Allamakee County Economic Development's proposed housing study, which Brockway agrees will be beneficial in applying for grants and determining which communities are in need of housing rehabilitation.
Gil Hunstad was present to provide the Fiscal-Year 2018 Compensation Board recommendation of a three percent wage increase, with the Board not acting on that recommendation at this time. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer presented the 2016 Weed Commissioners Report to the Supervisors in Laurie Moody's absence, due to Moody being away taking water samples. The Supervisors approved the 2016 Weed Commissioners Report.
Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake presented a plat approval for Danny L. Cole, Sr. Blake advised that Cole is dividing off a wooded section of property to potentially sell. The Supervisors approved the plat request. The Supervisors also approved the disallowance of Homestead tax credits for two deceased property owners, Mary E. Reppe and Elizabeth Howe.
Schellhammer discussed the Resolution in support of suspending the issuance of CAFO construction permits. Schellhammer advised that he and Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler have worked on this resolution as a way to educate the public and to make legislators aware of the need to review the Master Matrix. Supervisor Dan Byrnes recommended adding "statewide" to the resolution's text, as these issues are not exclusive to Allamakee and other counties are being encouraged to join this discussion. Supervisor Dennis Koenig added that this resolution is a tool to make legislators aware of issues with the Master Matrix scoring process. The Supervisors approved the resolution with the insertion of "statewide" in its wording.
Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour discussed the hiring of a Crew Leader for the Secondary Roads Department. Ridenour advised that 13 applications were received for the position and that his recommendation is Nicholas J. Winter with a January 23 start date at $18.36 per hour. Ridenour discussed Winter's professional work experience and certifications including having a CDL, first aid/CPR and Herbicide Application for Secondary Roads. Ridenour advised that the Crew Leader will supervise three inmates and will assist on an as-needed basis driving sand and gravel trucks or other assignments. The Supervisors approved the hiring of Winter for the Crew Leader position.
Under Department Head Updates, Ridenour discussed that he is working on the departmental budget which he will submit soon and also discussed the budgeting and funding for the Mississippi River Trail construction and engineering expenses.
