Supervisors approve establishing fund for opioid litigation proceeds, signing of letter to cease earth moving work at English Bench Site #5

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 8 to address a full agenda of matters including the County Auditor’s Quarterly Report, the consideration of a Resolution for a new fund for Opioid Litigation Proceeds, and consideration of bids for concrete patching for paved Secondary Roads within the county.

During the Public Comment portion of the meeting, the Supervisors and Coordinator Jean Bossom with Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) discussed the requirements associated with the Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking (IBAT) Proclamation. IBAT is a statewide recognition and education program from the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office that empowers organizations, businesses and government to assist in fighting human trafficking. The Supervisors recommended that Bossom work with Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick in developing the educational and action plans associated with this program.

The meeting then moved into the County Auditor’s Quarterly Report. Board of Supervisors Chairperson Larry Schellhammer and Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Mark Reiser reviewed the report, with Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer briefly discussing revenue from passport applications listed in the report. The County Auditor’s Quarterly Report was accepted and placed on file.

Beyer addressed the next matter relating to the consideration of the Resolution establishing a new fund for Opioid Litigation Proceeds. Beyer and the Supervisors discussed that this fund is necessary for expense tracking relating to the use of proceeds from this litigation. It was further discussed that a formal resolution is not required and would be optional relating to the establishment of a fund specific to these proceeds paid to the County as the result of a statewide multi-year settlement involving several companies accused of contributing to the opioid addiction and overdose crisis nationally.

The Supervisors approved to establish a dedicated fund for the opioid litigation proceeds. In conjunction with the discussion of the opioid litigation proceeds, Bossom further discussed community education programs and the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day held in April of each year. Sheriff Mellick added that the Sheriff’s Department supports prescription drug take back efforts throughout the year.

Beyer presented information to the Supervisors relating to the consideration of the allowance and disallowance for Homestead and Military applications. Following review, the Supervisors approved the allowance and disallowance for Homestead and Military applications as presented.

The meeting moved into the discussion and consideration of moving forward with the Public Notice for bids relating to the domestic water supply and fire suppression at the Allamakee County Public Safety Center. Mellick advised that he has consulted with Fehr Graham Engineering relating to these changes and that he is waiting on a letter from Fehr Graham to engage in a contract for their services.

Mellick provided an overview of options associated with these changes to include a new water tank above or below ground, among other equipment, with Fehr Graham to provide recommendations per fire marshal requirements. No official action was taken following discussion.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour introduced the next matter relating to the consideration of bids for concrete pavement patching for Secondary Roads. Ridenour advised that information was sent to 15 different contractors in addition to the Notice to Bidders published in the July 27 edition of The Standard for this project involving concrete patching on paved roads throughout the county.

Byrnes opened and read aloud the three bids received including Skyline Construction Inc. of Decorah at $155,346.25, Bacon Concrete LLC of Postville at $151,835.00 and Cedar Falls Construction Inc. of Cedar Falls at $184,173.00. Ridenour advised that he would review the bids and provide a recommendation at the Monday, August 15 Supervisors meeting.

The meeting moved into the consideration of signing a letter to stop earth moving work on English Bench Site #5. Ridenour advised that District Conservationist LuAnn Rolling with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) was in attendance per his request for additional feedback on this matter.

Ridenour said that during an inspection at English Bench Site #5, address 2651 English Bench Road, Rolling viewed a bulldozer and long-reach excavator at this site.

Ridenour further discussed that he and Rolling spoke with property owner Cory Fritzler and requested that he stop excavation work, with watershed maintenance to only be performed by the County and NRCS. Ridenour noted that any excavation work must be planned by a licensed engineer and approved by the Board of Supervisors so that work performed does not affect the integrity of the structure. The Supervisors approved to sign the letter to Fritzler to stop earth moving work on English Bench Site #5.

Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Solid Waste Manager Dave Mooney discussed staffing at the County Waste and Recycling Center with a part-time position likely to be advertised.

Ridenour advised that a few Secondary Roads Department employees were out Sunday, August 7 removing trees and branches from roads following recent storm and wind damage. He also advised that new Secondary Roads Department employee Jamie Cahalan has started work as of August 8.

Prior to adjournment, Beyer noted that tax statements are ready with many of those statements arriving in mailboxes by the end of the week. She also discussed the special election to be held in Harpers Ferry September 13 relating to the Hotel/Motel Tax. Beyer added that the Monday, August 15 Supervisors meeting will be held in Harpers Ferry as part of the Supervisors’ annual schedule of library visits within the county.