Supervisors discuss acquisition of Vet’s Club, address personnel items
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 15 to address a full agenda of items including the signing of a five-year software and information technology contract, discussion and consideration of the Vet’s Club purchase and the retirement of a County Recorder’s Office employee.
During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) provided an update relating to tourism information requests and the number of mailings being sent in response to those requests. Reinke discussed the Dairy Days Parade scheduled for Monday, June 15 and other Dairy Days associated events that are taking place.
Reinke reported that Waukon Music in the Park will begin Thursday, June 18 at 7 p.m. with music act Lil’ Dale and the Legends. Reinke also advised that concessions will not be available in the Waukon City Park for this event but take-out food from area restaurants is an option. Reinke discussed the importance of promoting retail shopping in conjunction with the Music in the Park events and softball and baseball schedules with people traveling to town for these events.
Reinke also advised that the New Albin Public Library has suggested August 31 as a Supervisors meeting date for a library visit. Reinke also provided an update relating to a recent legislative conference call and discussed tourist attractions within Allamakee County.
Board Chairperson Larry Schellhammer questioned Reinke about the Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh store grand opening. Reinke indicated that she was not aware of an opening date but indicated that information relating to employment opportunities is listed on their Facebook page.
Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake discussed vacancies on the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment.
The Supervisors moved into the consideration of signing the Solutions, Inc. contract. Solutions, Inc. is a Spencer-based company offering software and information technology services to county governments. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer indicated that a five-year contract has been offered and is an opportunity to lock in rates for the company’s services. The Supervisors approved to sign the five-year contract with Solutions, Inc.
Beyer discussed the next agenda item relating to the consideration of a Conflict of Interest Policy. Beyer indicated that the policy specifies that no employee, officer or agent of the County participating in the selection or administration of a contract will accept or solicit gratuities, favors or anything of a monetary value. The Supervisors approved the Conflict of Interest Policy.
The Supervisors moved into discussion and consideration of the Vet’s Club purchase. Supervisor Dan Byrnes reported that the land lease is being terminated with a quitclaim deed to turn over the building structure to the County. Byrnes advised that the 75-year land lease was set to expire in 2025 and will be terminated July 1, 2020. The Supervisors approved the land lease termination.
The Supervisors also reviewed the quitclaim deed, which will need to be signed by the grantor or representatives of the Vet’s Club. Byrnes discussed the history of this transaction and planning that has taken place with the Allamakee County Historical Society to use the Vet’s Club building for Vietnam era museum pieces and genealogy research.
Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker addressed the next agenda item relating to the carry over of vacation hours for Allamakee County Emergency Management. Snitker indicated that there is a limit of 120 hours of vacation time and that he is requesting that vacation hours not be lost over the remainder of the year similar to the vacation tracking approved for use by the County Sheriff’s Department. The Supervisors approved to extend accrued vacation over 120 hours for Emergency Management until the end of 2020.
Beyer provided an update relating to extra hours being needed for an employment law attorney in completing work relating to job classifications. Beyer reported that originally five hours was discussed for this task with additional hours being deemed as necessary. The Supervisors were in agreement to allow additional hours for this project with a final total to be presented for approval.
Allamakee County Recorder Deb Winke addressed the next agenda item relating to a personnel matter. Winke advised that First Deputy Recorder Laurie Welch is retiring after 42 years with the County with the last 22 years of which being in the County Recorder’s Office. The Supervisors accepted Welch’s resignation with a retirement date of July 31.
Moving into Department Head Updates, Winke also discussed record storage needs and the potential purchase or construction of shelving and a possible alternate storage location for old mortgage records.
Under COVID-19 related matters, Snitker discussed ongoing work taking place relating to the Allamakee County Fair and that Lansing Fish Days planning is moving forward. Snitker indicated that plans are still being discussed relating to Waukon Corn Days. Snitker also provided an update relating to the ordering of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the possible second wave of COVID-19 with an online meeting via Zoom for area nursing homes and Public Health being planned to discuss PPE related matters. Also relating to Department Head Updates, Snitker discussed upcoming scheduled meetings.
Prior to adjournment, Beyer advised that the Primary election has been wrapped up with a post-election audit being completed last week. Beyer also discussed the processing of claims through the end of the year.
