Supervisors discuss use of Hotel/Motel Tax for countywide facade grant program again; Last week’s approval remains
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, September 26 to address a full agenda of items including an appointment to the Civil Service Commission, discussion of the countywide building facade grant program and the consideration of hiring for the Victim/Witness Coordinator position in the County Attorney’s office.
During Public Comment, Lansing area resident Doug Mullen discussed that the Lansing Power Plant will be completely cleared from its site by the end of next year, which he indicated will have a negative financial impact upon the school district and county. Mullen next questioned the Supervisors about the proposed city-to-county conversion of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH). Mullen noted that VMH is proposing to become a county-owned hospital to allow for bonding and then questioned whether an appropriation from the County would be part of this conversion.
Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer clarified that the appropriation mentioned refers to a levy by VMH and does not involve an appropriation from the County’s budget. Mullen discussed concerns relating to an increase in assessed taxes, which he indicated may cost him $200-$300 per year. He further discussed that he believes many within the county do not utilize the services at VMH with only a few doctors on staff, with being airlifted elsewhere for serious matters being necessary.
Mullen recommended adding a half-hour of discussion to the Supervisors agenda in a few weeks to allow for his input and further discussion on this matter. Mullen advised that he will be attending the remaining public meetings relating to the VMH city-to-county conversion.
Eugene Herman and Jack Knight each provided comments in favor of supporting the city-to-county conversion of VMH. Both of them mentioned specific examples illustrating the need and importance of VMH’s emergency care and services.
John Gibbs discussed concerns relating to the County’s rural recycling and garbage pick-up area at New Albin. Gibbs noted that this area has become very muddy at times and requested the County consider paving this area. Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour advised that this location is near the County Shop in New Albin and that discussion with Allamakee County Solid Waste Manager Dave Mooney has taken place.
Ridenour noted that more than just the garbage/recycling site could be paved and improved upon and that he and Mooney both agree this project, although beneficial, may be cost prohibitive. Ridenour explained that earlier this year gravel was added to help stabilize this area. Supervisor Dan Byrnes noted that a Supervisors meeting in October will take place in New Albin which will also be an opportunity to visit this location.
Herman further suggested that he believes that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) should be paying property taxes at a higher level than it is currently for locations along the Mississippi River in addition to other locations, and he noted that the local DNR employees are doing a great job. Herman discussed the maintenance road near the Upper Iowa River which has been taken care of by the River Board and has not had road rock applied in quite some time. Board chairperson Larry Schellhammer advised that this could be another location to visit following the Supervisors meeting in New Albin to take place in October.
The meeting moved into the consideration of appointing a member of the Civil Service Commission. Beyer advised that Don Haler has reapplied for this appointment. Schellhammer, Byrnes and Supervisor Mark Reiser approved the appointment of Don Haler to a three-year term as a member of the Civil Service Commission.
The consideration of setting the date/time for the General Election Canvass was next addressed. Beyer provided a recommendation to set Tuesday, November 15 at 10 a.m. for the General Election Canvass with that recommendation then being approved.
Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Stephanie Runkle presented a plat request from Thomas and JoAnn Berns. Following review by the Supervisors, the final subdivision plat for Thomas and JoAnn Berns was approved.
The meeting moved into the consideration of setting a date and time for public hearing for two zoning changes:
• Amendment #11 to Zoning Ordinance L to change the Zoning District Boundaries and change the Zoning District of the official Zoning Map of Allamakee County for a portion of parcel legally described as: LOT 3 SE SW; LOT 1 SW SE of Section 4, Township 96 North, Range 3 West of 5th Prime Meridian of Allamakee County from R-1 Rural Residential District to R-2 Medium Residential District in order to have a one-acre requirement rather than a three-acre requirement for sale of a portion of the property. This property is located at 635 Donahue Road, Harpers Ferry.
• Amendment #12 to Zoning Ordinance L to change the Zoning District Boundaries and change the Zoning District of the official Zoning Map of Allamakee County for a portion of parcel legally described as: SW SE EX LOTS 1, 2 & 3 of Section 4, Township 96 North, Range 4 West of 5th Prime Meridian of Allamakee County from I-1, Limited Industrial District to I-2 General Industrial District in order to have a Salvage Yard and to sell Catalytic Converters. This property is located at 604 Old Sixteen Road, Waterville.
Runkle noted that the first Public Hearing relates to a change from R-1 Rural Residential District to R-2 Medium Residential District with the second Public Hearing relating to a change from I-1 Limited Industrial District to I-2 General Industrial District to allow for a salvage yard and the sale of catalytic converters, with a letter from the Zoning Administrator being a requirement to allow for this type of sales.
Runkle, and later Ridenour, both noted the need for trees or shrubs as a vegetative screen due to this location being on the Driftless Scenic Byway. The Supervisors approved the Public Hearing relating to these matters taking place Monday, October 10 at 9:40 a.m.
The meeting moved into discussion of the countywide building facade grant program and the consideration of rescinding the motion made at the September 19 Supervisors meeting relating to the use of hotel/motel tax dollars for the facade grant program due to a lack of information. Reiser discussed the addition of these agenda items, with the legality of the $50,000 one-time amount approved for the establishment of this program being in question. Reiser questioned whether there should be City contributions to the program which covers the entire County, including rural areas.
Executive Director Andy Kelleher of Main Street Lansing presented a draft of a document outlining the purpose, structure, eligibility requirements of applicants, eligible and ineligible activities and the application process for the Allamakee County Facade Improvement Grant Program, in addition to a copy of the application form to be used for this program. Kelleher discussed the development of Lansing’s Facade Grant Program with $15,000 of the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) funding potentially available as matching funds to be used for businesses within city limits and in addition to the County’s facade program.
Reiser noted that this information would have been preferred for review prior to the September 19 vote relating to the Allamakee County Facade Improvement Grant Program. Schellhammer provided additional background on this matter with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding originally discussed for this program but later discussion switching from that option to $50,000, approximately 50-percent, of the County’s hotel/motel tax revenue as a one-time amount allowing for the establishment of this program.
Reiser noted that a $2,500 maximum match, rather than a $5,000 maximum match, would allow for more than 10 businesses to benefit from this program. Kelleher noted that he expects some smaller match amounts and applications to be made with Lansing’s facade program and also being likely for the countywide program. An example provided by Kelleher related to a door replacement at $1,000, which could be partially covered by Lansing’s program with only a $500 match and $500 contribution by the business owner.
Following additional discussion, Reiser motioned to rescind the motion made September 19 relating to the use of hotel/motel tax revenue for the facade grant program. The motion died for lack of a second. Byrnes discussed his support of the program but agreed that more discussion should have taken place prior to approval of the program.
In addition, Byrnes provided clarification by adding that a motion cannot be rescinded after being passed and noting that a motion can be reconsidered through a motion made by a person on the prevailing side or that something previously adopted can be amended. Schellhammer further clarified that the Board of Supervisors has oversight of this program with approval by the Board of Supervisors being required.
Kelleher also discussed the role of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) in receiving applications and in presenting to the Supervisors for approval. Waukon City Manager Gary Boden discussed the three pages of criteria in the document presented by Kelleher, which he recommended be reviewed for approval by the Supervisors. Boden and the Supervisors discussed the potential contribution by cities, with Kelleher discussing a possible scenario allowing for a 50-percent match from the County, 25-percent match from the City, and a 25-percent contribution from the business owner as an added incentive for businesses located within city limits.
Kelleher noted that some larger projects could be made possible with separate applications being made to City and County facade programs, allowing for two $5,000 matching grants for eligible improvements with a $10,000 contribution from the business owner. Byrnes advised that review of the program documents will take place, with Schellhammer recommending that a month be given to allow the city councils within the county to review the program and consider participation.
Allamakee County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Coordinator Corey Snitker addressed the next matter relating to the consideration of signing a Contract for Services between Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) and Allamakee County/EMA Commission. Snitker advised that the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan is being updated with federal and state grants covering the cost of UERPC’s services provided for this project. The Supervisors approved to sign the contract for services.
Ridenour discussed the Local Road Safety Plan Pledge which he advised has been created by a Department of Transportation (DOT) consultant. Ridenour noted that the Supervisors approved a Resolution July 25 of this year relating to an application for federal funding for the Safe Streets and Roads for All Program (SS4A). Ridenour discussed a requirement for the local road safety plan to be brought up to date with a DOT consultant to perform this task at no cost to the County.
Ridenour read aloud the Local Road Safety Plan Pledge which notes Allamakee County’s support of the goals contained in Iowa’s 2019-2023 Strategic Highway Safety Plan including the overall vision of zero highway fatalities on Iowa’s public roadways, a commitment to the enhancement of existing programs and safety strategies to continue to drive down serious injuries and fatalities, and the overall goal of zero fatalities by 2040. Ridenour noted that the goal of zero highway fatalities is difficult to attain, but it is the goal of all counties and the DOT. The Supervisors approved to sign the pledge.
The Supervisors moved into the consideration of quit claim deeds within the Village of Waukon Junction with a motion to sign the quit claim deeds as presented being approved.
Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke addressed the next matter relating to the hiring for the Victim/Witness Coordinator position. Gericke provided a recommendation to hire Karmen Piggott at a salary of $38,250 with a start date of October 10. The Supervisors approved that recommendation.
Gericke also addressed the next matter relating to a request to use the County credit card for training/conference expenses. He provided an overview of upcoming trainings including an annual victim/witness training in October, a training course relating to interviewing victims of sexual abuse and the County Attorney annual meeting. Gericke noted that the training course relating to interviewing victims of sexual abuse covers some law enforcement continuing education credits. Gericke noted training/course costs in addition to projected hotel expenses. The Supervisors approved the use of the County credit card not to exceed $1,400.
Under Department Head Updates, Veterans Affairs Director Heather Homewood discussed a recent event with federal, state and county benefit information being provided to veterans. Homewood discussed a package received relating to Operation Green Light, which is a program assisting veterans in counties across the country who are having a difficult time connecting with benefits after serving their country.
Snitker discussed an upcoming Emergency Management Commission meeting and provided an overview of upcoming events including the Driftless Flyathon at Yellow River State Forest this weekend and the Driftless Half Marathon Saturday, October 8 between Harpers Ferry and Lansing. Snitker noted that a countywide fire drill is being planned for 9 a.m. October 11, coinciding with Fire Prevention Week October 9-15.
Beyer further discussed the proposed VMH city-to-county conversion. She noted the role of hospital trustees, which are elected and will be determining the amount levied for the hospital. Beyer also discussed the text relating to appropriations being used by VMH in describing the city-to-county conversion. She discussed public perception of that text, noting that the appropriation mentioned refers to the levy by VMH and that funding is not coming out of the County budget.
Beyer also advised that auditors Hacker, Nelson & Co. will be in the Auditor’s office next week. Beyer discussed the election challenge hearing results with 18 voters challenged and 17 being canceled and one voter confirmed as active. She also discussed a recent tabletop exercise relating to election incident response planning.
Beyer noted that absentee ballot requests continue to be received. She discussed a post-election audit that took place per the Iowa Secretary of State with one precinct being randomly selected each election, noting that only one precinct was involved in the Harpers Ferry hotel/motel tax special election. Beyer advised that a volunteer board hand counted the ballots confirming the results of 58 voting yes and eight voting no. Beyer also provided an update relating to ARPA funding.
Ridenour noted that preparations are being made for the audit by Hacker, Nelson & Co. Ridenour advised that the annual report has been submitted to the DOT for Fiscal-Year 2022 (FY22). He also discussed receiving a two-week notice from a Secondary Roads Department employee with that vacancy to be advertised. Ridenour also discussed the potential interdepartmental loan of employees on a short-term basis. He noted that Allamakee County Recycling/Solid Waste Department is short on employees, with a short-term transfer of an employee, as needed, being an option to be discussed with Solid Waste Manager Dave Mooney.
Following the business portion of the meeting and prior to adjournment, the Supervisors held a work session with Beyer and Ridenour to include discussion of Title VI and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator positions, duties and personnel issues relating to both.
