Supervisors hear update on Waukon Redemption Center, approve ARP funding for digitizing of some County records

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, March 14 at the Allamakee County Historical Society’s Veterans Museum in Waukon, as part of a schedule of meeting locations taking place away from the County Courthouse throughout the year. The board addressed a full agenda of items including an update relating to the Waukon Redemption Center, consideration of the Resolution to obligate American Rescue Plan funding to specific projects and discussion of the County’s March tornado drill and Alert Iowa.

Prior to the meeting being called to order, George Beardmore of the Allamakee County Historical Society provided a brief introduction and update relating to the Allamakee County Veterans Museum.

During Public Comment, Waukon Mayor Pat Stone discussed concerns relating to a lack of support from the Supervisors relating to the proposed Countywide Facade Grant Program. Stone advised that this program would provide a return on investment in economic activity and property values. Stone discussed another concern relating to a reduction in funding by the County in support of economic development and that this reduction in support sets a bad precedent for the County’s economic growth.

Supervisor Mark Reiser responded that there have been some changes relating to economic development’s funding which has seen an increase. Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) advised that ACED’s allocation from the County has been reduced by $10,000 with the Hotel/Motel Tax providing approximately $45,000 to ACED’s budget, which has essentially provided a net gain to the amount of support ACED is receiving.

Supervisor Dan Byrnes addressed Stone’s comments about the Countywide Facade Grant Program by noting that discussion has taken place relating to the American Rescue Plan (ARP), with the first half of that funding source already committed. Byrnes advised that discussion is to take place relating to the second half of that funding source and that other funding options may be available for the Countywide Facade Grant Program, including ARP funds provided to cities. Byrnes also briefly mentioned Board Chairperson Larry Schellhammer’s absence with Byrnes serving as Chairperson Pro-Tem at the March 14 meeting.

Reinke provided an overview of upcoming events within the County including Lansing Office Work’s Women’s Business Expo Event scheduled for later that same day, Monday, March 14. Reinke also noted that Lansing Main Street’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 16. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade held in Waukon Sunday, March 13 was also discussed by Reinke, which she said had a great crowd in attendance and was well planned and coordinated by all involved.

The meeting moved into an update relating to the Waukon Redemption Center with new co-owner Shannon Larkin. Larkin noted that limited services are available to bars and businesses at the Waukon Redemption Center, owned by Larkin and her husband, Ben Larkin. Droppett, a company based out of Des Moines, was discussed by Larkin with the Waukon Redemption Center potentially being part of their new recycling program with a soft opening currently being planned at the Waukon Redemption Center for March or April.

In regard to the new recycling program, Larkin advised that bags of cans will each have a label identifying the customer with bags of cans to be transported to Droppett’s Des Moines facility to be counted by an automated process, with the customer’s account to then be credited for the redemption. Larkin advised that in the meantime, can donations are being accepted in the metal kennel next to the Waukon Redemption Center’s location on West Main Street in Waukon with a portion of those funds to be distributed to individuals and organizations in need.

Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer and Allamakee County Recorder Deb Winke addressed the next matter relating to the consideration of a Resolution to obligate American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to specific projects. Winke and Beyer discussed the scanning, digitizing and online availability to be performed relating to records within both of their respective offices at a cost not to exceed $135,000 in total. The Supervisors approved the Resolution as presented. The Supervisors also approved to sign the contract for digitizing records with ARP funds.

The consideration of switching to LED lights in the Allamakee County Courthouse building was next discussed. Byrnes advised that an additional vendor has expressed interest in bidding on the project with the matter being tabled until next week as a result. At the March 7 Supervisors meeting, a presentation took place relating to the replacement of fluorescent lighting, upgrading to LED lighting and options available for different fixtures in locations throughout the County Courthouse with rebates to be pursued and cost savings to be achieved. At that March 7 meeting, Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke discussed the process of upgrading lighting within the courtroom, with two weeks in June being advisable due to judicial and attorney meetings leaving the courtroom idle and available for the lighting upgrade.

Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker discussed the next matter relating to the County’s March Tornado Drill and Alert Iowa service. Snitker advised that with the winter to spring weather changes, the focus on severe storms is increasing. Snitker noted that Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 21-25 with a statewide tornado drill planned for 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 23 with sirens to be activated in all six communities within the county as part of this drill and a tornado drill planned at the County Courthouse for this same date and time. Snitker also discussed the Alert Iowa service, noting that a group has been created for County employees to be contacted relating to weather warnings and other emergency situations by office phone and those participating by cell phone.

Allamakee County GIS Coordinator Jon Luchsinger introduced the next matter relating to discussion of multi-factor authentication (MFA), a process requiring additional pieces of evidence or security prior to making changes relating to web access. Jane Regan of Upper Iowa Insurance Services discussed the renewal of cyber liability coverage as part of the County’s insurance policy and requirements relating to a second level of verification or MFA.

Regan advised that this new level of verification was not in place prior to the policy renewal with an extension applied for through April 21 and an additional premium of $441.04 being required. Luchsinger discussed options available by service provider Solutions relating to MFA including the use of a YubiKey®, a verification thumbdrive necessary for onsite or remote network access, with a verification by phone app or by office phone as other options available allowing for a second verification. Luchsinger discussed these security measures to be used per access or periodically, depending upon the situation. Byrnes advised that this matter will be added to the next meeting agenda for discussion and consideration.

Under Department Head updates, Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick reported that the St. Patrick’s Day festivities went well over the weekend in Waukon and provided a brief update relating to traffic enforcement during the weekend with few jail intakes.
Winke provided feedback relating to the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) meetings that recently took place, including her attendance at the meetings.

Allamakee County Treasurer Jennifer O’Neill further discussed ISAC meetings and that there have been legislative updates affecting the Treasurer’s Office and the Board of Supervisors.

Snitker discussed that the avian influenza has had two small outbreaks, possibly a third, within the state of Iowa and is something to be aware of. He also discussed the flood outlook for the county with no concerns currently relating to the Mississippi and tributaries. Snitker advised that the Des Moines Register’s Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) announcement relating to pass-through towns has been delayed to March 27. He reported that an Emergency Preparedness tax holiday has been discussed as a possibility in August to allow for tax free purchases including generators, among other materials and equipment.

Beyer discussed ISAC meetings and that budgets are coming in from townships and cities. Byrnes discussed Schellhammer’s attendance at ISAC last week and his announcement to run for another term. Byrnes added that he also will be running for another term and will be submitting paperwork to do so.

Prior to adjournment, John Bauercamper of the Allamakee Historical Society briefly discussed exhibits being planned for the Veterans Museum relating to the USS Allamakee and “Harley Davidson Goes To War.”