Supervisors approve Allamakee County Facade Improvement Grant Program on split vote, sign Tobacco Awareness Week Proclamation

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 24 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of the Tobacco Awareness Week Proclamation, consideration of the language, contract and scoring criteria relating to the Allamakee County Facade Grant Program and the consideration of quotes for a new dump truck chassis for the Secondary Roads Department. There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that agenda item.

The Third Readings of Amendment #11 and #12 to Zoning Ordinance L were approved, with Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer and Zoning Administrator Stephanie Runkle both indicating that no written or verbal comments have been received. Additionally, both amendments were approved for adoption by Board Chairperson Larry Schellhammer and Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dan Byrnes.

The meeting moved into the review of plat requests from Robert L. and Gloria L. Hanson, the Collins Family Trust, and Stone House Farms, LLC. All three requests were individually approved.

Tobacco Prevention Coordinator Ashley Havenstrite and Prevention Specialist Jenny Rose, both of Helping Services for Youth & Families and members of the Allamakee Prevention Advisory Group, addressed the next agenda item relating to the consideration of the Tobacco Awareness Week Proclamation. Havenstrite noted that Tobacco Awareness Week is being designated as November 13-19, 2022 in Allamakee County as part of this proclamation.

She provided an overview of prevention programs including My Life My Quit, a free youth tobacco cessation program for those 13-17 years old, and Quitline Iowa, a free and confidential cessation program for those 18 years old and above. Havenstrite discussed working with area employers in distributing cessation materials with the number of nicotine-free businesses increasing by five in the last year.

Havenstrite advised that work is ongoing in integrating the My Life My Quit Program into the school districts with schools being encouraged to utilize the program for students that have been caught vaping. Havenstrite also noted the Hidden In Plain Sight Exhibit recently held in Postville providing an interactive resource for learning to spot drug use and the upcoming presentation “Youth Drug Trends: The New Look of Nicotine Addiction" to be held this Thursday, October 27 at 6 p.m. in-person at the Northeast Iowa Wellness & Recreation Center in Postville and virtually at https://bit.ly/youthnicotineuse.

Community and youth-focused education events were discussed, with Havenstrite then reading aloud the Tobacco Awareness Week Proclamation. The Supervisors approved November 13-19 as Tobacco Awareness Week in Allamakee County.

The Quarterly Report for Veterans Affairs was accepted and placed on file. The Fiscal-Year 2022 (FY22) First Judicial District Department of Correctional Services Financial Report was also accepted and placed on file.

The meeting moved into further discussion, consideration and reconsideration of the “Blessing Box”/food donation box name and location. Byrnes noted feedback received relating to the “Blessing Box” name following discussion at the two prior Supervisors meetings and approval of the placement of the “Blessing Box” at the southeast corner of the Allamakee County Courthouse’s west parking lot at the October 19 Supervisors meeting.

Byrnes noted feedback received following that approval relating to the religious connotation of the “Blessing Box” name for this metal food pantry intended to help individuals and families in times of food insecurity, with a more general and non-religious definition of the term “blessing” being the Supervisors’ initial interpretation. Byrnes further noted the request from the anonymous donor for signage to include the text “Blessing Box: Take What You Need; Give What You Can”.

Byrnes further discussed that Director Rebecca Hawes of the Allamakee County Relief Office has agreed to stock this food pantry and to accept food and monetary donations at the Relief Office for this purpose. A similar free library/food pantry box located at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church was discussed, with the Supervisors noting an alternate name, other than “Blessing Box”, for the food pantry box on County Courthouse property would be necessary. The Supervisors were in agreement that the anonymous donor will need to be contacted relating to the name change to determine their continued interest and that food donations will be made at the Relief Office. The Supervisors approved the food pantry name to be changed to “Goodwill Box,” which will be stocked by the Relief Office with signage to indicate these changes.

The meeting moved into the discussion and consideration of the Allamakee County Facade Grant Program language, contracts and scoring criteria. Executive Director Andy Kelleher of Main Street Lansing updated the Supervisors that Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke has advised that a three-year building ownership requirement for grant recipients would not be allowed per Iowa Code and that a clause requiring repayment of all or a portion of grant funds awarded would not be allowed or required in situations where a building is sold within that three-year timeframe. As a result, Kelleher noted that the three-year clause has been removed from the program language.

Kelleher advised that the countywide facade grant program would not be influenced by City investment financially, but that Cities would be allowed to award their own grant funding on top of the countywide facade program to recipients within their city limits for facade improvements beyond the $5,000 maximum in matching funds awarded by the County program. The Supervisors approved the program language, contract and scoring criteria for the Allamakee County Facade Improvement Grant Program by split vote, with Schellhammer and Byrnes voting in favor of the program and Reiser voting against.

No action was taken relating to the consideration of the Resolution to appoint Title VI and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinators for Allamakee County.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour addressed the next matter relating to the consideration of quotes for a new dump truck chassis for the Secondary Roads Department. Ridenour advised that a bid of $147,364 has been received from Truck Country of Decorah for a 2024 Western Star model dump truck intended for a variety of purposes including gravel hauling and snowplowing. He discussed manufacturing delays affecting this delivery date and the delivery of another dump truck on order. The Supervisors approved the bid and purchase of the Western Star dump truck.

Under Department Head Updates, Ridenour provided an update relating to several projects, including the Makee Drive Bridge, which he advised is close to being finished with a temporary railing in place until the permanent railing is received. Ridenour noted that sand hauling continues in preparation for the winter season and that an employment advertisement for an equipment operator vacancy will be advertised in the October 26 edition of The Standard.

Prior to adjournment, Beyer noted that in-office absentee voting began last Wednesday and that October 24 is the last date to request an absentee ballot to be sent by postal mail. Beyer added that poll worker training sessions took place last week and are also taking place this week. Beyer also discussed work relating to election preparations.