Supervisors discuss Medical Examiner items, approve Compensation Commission members

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, February 7 to address a short agenda of matters including discussion of Medical Examiner topics, consideration of appointing Compensation Commission members and the Quarterly Report for the County Auditor. There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that agenda item.

The meeting moved into discussion of Medical Examiner topics with Dr. Dave Schwartz addressing the matter. Schwartz discussed the current medical examiner program and relationship between Allamakee County and Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) recommending that this relationship may need to be better defined from a budgetary standpoint to aid in sustainability.

Schwartz further discussed sustainability of this program relating to an eventual successor and a preference to have a local physician perform this role when appropriate. Another scenario discussed related to a medical examiner serving a five- or six-county area, which would result in law enforcement being at the scene for longer durations.

Transportation to the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny relating to autopsies was also discussed with Schwartz discussing his role performing autopsies at the local level. Schwartz noted that the Iowa State Patrol typically requests that the State Medical Examiner perform autopsies relating to automobile accidents per their investigation requirements. He advised that six or seven autopsy transports to the State Medical Examiner would be average per year. He added that one psychiatric patient transport per week would typically be average.

Schwartz and the Supervisors discussed the potential of the County purchasing a vehicle designated for transportation needs relating to mental health and the deceased. Schwartz also discussed the availability of VMH staff for these type of transports, which would help prevent ambulances from being out of service or prevent delays in making other transportation arrangements.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick advised that local EMS and funeral homes have been providing transport from the scene as needed. Chairperson Larry Schellhammer suggested that discussion of transportation options will continue with VMH. No action was taken relating to this matter.

The Supervisors moved into the consideration of appointing Compensation Commission members. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer provided an overview of changes made to the list which was previously reviewed at the Monday, January 31 Supervisors meeting with the matter being tabled at that meeting to allow for additional time to confirm the involvement of a previous Compensation Commission member and potentially fill vacancies still remaining. The updated Allamakee County Compensation Commission membership for 2022 includes Agriculture Property Owners/Operators: Tom Weighner of Dorchester, Daryl Schultz of Postville, Dennis Nebendahl of Waterville, Dean Schellhammer of Lansing, Jeff Lange of Postville, and Tom Regan of Waukon; Licensed Real Estate Salespersons/Brokers: James Bieber of Waukon, Teresa Severson of Lansing, Jack Sweeney of Waukon, Daryl Hansmeier of Waukon, and Barb Smed of Harpers Ferry; City Property Owners: Brian Houlihan of Harpers Ferry, Dennis Blocker of Waukon, Jeff Mitchell of Waterville, and Jill Mathis of New Albin; and Bankers/Auctioneers: Paul Whalen of New Albin, Jim Kerndt of Lansing; Brian Mahoney of Waukon, and Jeff Sweeney of Waukon. The Compensation Commission membership list was approved as presented by Schellhammer and Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Mark Reiser.

Under Department Head Updates, Mellick thanked County employees and residents for their showing of support following the passing of Sheriff Deputy John Grampovnik. Mellick noted that an increase in traffic through the parking lot at the Public Safety Center has been noticeable as a result of Class A CDL requirement changes and additional driving tests taking place prior to February 7.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour advised that he will present quotes next Monday relating to traffic marking paint in addition to bids being received relating to two Makee Drive bridge projects. He provided an update relating to replacement tandem truck and pick-up truck pricing. Ridenour also updated the Supervisors about the Dorchester shop addition and discussed the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) route with the overnight towns having been announced and the mid-day and pass-through communities yet to be announced with that information usually being provided around this time of year.

Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker advised that Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has announced that the State’s Public Health Disaster Emergency Proclamation will be expiring at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Snitker said that with that expiration, the coronavirus.iowa.gov website and vaccinateiowa.gov website are both being decommissioned with COVID-19 related data to be available on the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) website moving forward after that date.

Snitker discussed the December 15, 2021 derecho wind damage experienced in Iowa with minimal damage being seen in Allamakee County in contrast to the bulk of damage experienced in western Iowa. He advised that Allamakee County is not eligible to be part of the federal disaster assistance being pursued. Snitker noted that the National Weather Service is beginning its spring hydrological outlook with Snitker advising that information will be provided relating to the spring melt and flood outlook through upcoming webinars. He noted that he has been requested to attend an upcoming city council meeting in Lansing to provide information relating to the Canadian Pacific (CP) Railroad and Kansas City Southern (KCS) Railroad merger.

Beyer discussed work taking place relating to the County budget with township budget work also ongoing. She also discussed ongoing work relating to inventory with updated information to be provided for the County’s insurance policy. Prior to adjournment, the Supervisors held a budget work session for Fiscal-Year 2023 (FY23).