Supervisors discuss several plat requests and City of Lansing request for ARPA funding, approve multiple personnel matters

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 19 to address a full agenda of matters including several plat requests, an update and funding request by the Riverview Center and the discussion and consideration of the City of Lansing’s request for allocation of ARPA funds for City water and sewer projects.

There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that agenda item. The meeting moved into the Riverview Center program update and Fiscal-Year 2024 (FY24) funding request with Associate Program Director Melody Kosobycki providing an overview of the organization’s services. Kosobycki discussed advocacy and therapy services provided relating to this non-profit agency’s commitment to individuals affected by sexual assault. She added that 948 hours of services were provided within Allamakee County to male, female and children survivors of sexual assault with half of those provided services involving children.

With transportation being a barrier, Kosobycki noted that mobility is necessary for advocates to provide services to clients at their home or at school, with services being provided at no cost to clients. She discussed other initiatives that provide winter coats to children, mattresses to families in need, in addition to clothing to sexual assault survivors at the hospital who have provided their clothing for evidence purposes.

Bilingual Sexual Assault Advocate Lupita Solis discussed the benefits of having an interpreter present for Spanish speaking clients. Kosobycki noted that a housing program for sexual assault survivors began this year which provides rent assistance for a period of six months to two years in an effort to provide stability to individuals and families. Board of Supervisors Chairperson Larry Schellhammer noted that the Riverview Center’s $3,500 funding request will be considered among other requests during the budget process in the new year.

Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Stephanie Runkle presented information relating to plat requests with the first of which, Donovan J. Drenth and Alison R. Cooperman, being approved by the Supervisors following its review. The second plat request, Sharon L. Peters, Linda L. Christofferson, Derrick Peters, Lynette R. Kansier and Luanne Simpson, was also reviewed and approved.

Discussion took place relating to the third plat request on the meeting agenda relating to the Richard A. Bennett Trust. Runkle noted that Allamakee County Planning and Zoning had tabled this matter originally to allow for an easement to be increased and later recommended approval. Supervisor Mark Reiser discussed the impact of small home clusters being established on areas of farmland.

Via Zoom web-conferencing, Heath Hartwigh advised that an update of zoning policies should take place to review a variety of matters from previous comprehensive planning including the creation of parks and community lands, the protection of bluff and scenic vistas, the preservation of farmland and the development of community areas. Hartwigh noted that he does not believe that the development of rural home clusters or subdivisions fits the County’s goals in preserving bluffland areas and that he recommends that the Supervisors consider this before approval of this plat request.

Hartwigh noted acceptable practices including families choosing to separate a parcel of land to build a new home or the development of non-bluffland or land not suitable for agricultural purposes. He discussed concerns relating to small subdivisions being placed on cropland far from emergency services, which he noted is a consideration. Hartwigh further discussed the negative impact rural home clusters or subdivisions have upon adjacent landowners, noting that he is a neighboring landowner with a 20-acre parcel purchased primarily for hunting purposes. Hartwigh further noted that the intended use of his 20-acre parcel would be restricted if this plat request is approved due to laws preventing the discharge of a firearm within 200 yards of a residence, among other concerns which he advised are on behalf of residents of the county.

Reiser further discussed concerns relating to the construction of housing on farmland advising that there are better locations for housing development within the county. Supervisor Dan Byrnes noted the public feedback on this matter received today and that he recommends tabling the matter for three weeks to allow for additional public feedback, with the Supervisors approving that recommendation.

The plat request from Mark E. and Kristine M. Darling was reviewed and approved. The Dale K. and Wendy J. Schutte plat request was also reviewed and approved.

The meeting moved into the discussion of the Allamakee County Courthouse Public Building Safety Plan with Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker advising that an updated draft of the plan is being reviewed by the Safety Committee. Snitker added that no major changes have been made with only one section remaining to be finalized by that committee before it will be brought before the Supervisors in early January for approval. Snitker and the Supervisors discussed that a short presentation will be made by Snitker relating to the County Courthouse Public Building Safety Plan.

Snitker also addressed the next item relating to the Security Camera Request for Proposal (RFP). He discussed the County Courthouse security camera upgrade and recommended that a Category 5 (CAT5) or Category 6 (CAT6) cable would allow for connection and power through one cord to each camera. Snitker further discussed that a potential courthouse upgrade to an IP phone system, enabling voice over internet protocol (VOIP) - which is the term used for phone calls made via the internet rather than traditional phone lines - would also require CAT6 cables with that phone system upgrade also affecting aspects of the security camera RFP. No action was taken relating to this update.

Snitker then discussed the Allamakee County Courthouse West Door Repair agenda item which he advised relates to the key fob repair or replacement. He noted that this expense would likely need to come out of the Courthouse budget with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding potentially being an option for this repair expense. Snitker advised that he will bring back repair estimates for the Supervisors to review.

The meeting moved into the discussion and consideration of the City of Lansing’s request for allocation of County ARPA funds for City water and sewer projects. Lansing City Council member Steve Murray provided an overview of the matter noting that this subject was previously discussed in July 2022. Murray explained that water and sewer related expenses not originally anticipated have been brought about by the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) mandated replacement of the Black Hawk Bridge. Murray noted a letter from IDOT Transportation Planner Krista Billhorn verifying projected costs of $240,992.40 in total for these associated water and sewer upgrades.

Murray discussed other issues including the area from North Front Street to the Allenstein Addition, a location with cabins currently on septic systems without City water or sewer hook-ups. He noted that engineering took place over a decade ago relating to this matter which did not progress beyond that initial planning, with the current Lansing City Council recognizing this project and need as a concern.

Murray further discussed the Black Hawk Bridge related water and sewer upgrades by requesting $80,997.47, one-third of the project cost, from Allamakee County with the City of Lansing and grant funding to each also provide one-third of the remaining funding. Schellhammer invited comment from the Supervisors with Byrnes advising that there will be meetings in the first two weeks of January to look at all of the ARPA funding requests. Byrnes noted his support in awarding the approximate $81,000 to Lansing in support of this project, adding that commerce from Wisconsin makes this a worthy project, this is an unforeseen circumstance and that he acknowledges there are other cities working on and planning projects with the County not contributing funding towards their water and sewer systems.

Reiser noted that he understands the situation the City of Lansing is in while also noting his reservations in funding this project, adding that the bridge replacement has been known for a few years with budgeting for this project to have been done by the City. Reiser discussed that the City of Lansing may need to look at some other funding sources, further questioning if the Supervisors can approve this funding request and deny a funding request from another city in the future. Following discussion, no action was taken by the Supervisors with Schellhammer noting that this funding request will be reviewed in the new year.

The meeting moved into the consideration of personnel matters with Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer providing a recommendation to hire Jackie Moody as real estate and tax accounting clerk in the County Auditor’s office at $22.50 per hour, effective December 19, 2022. Beyer’s recommendation was approved.

Beyer noted the resignation of Kelly Urell from her position with the County Auditor’s office, effective December 30, 2022. The Supervisors approved to accept Urell’s resignation.

Beyer discussed a request to allow Administrative Assistant Mandy O’Neill of the Allamakee County Environmental Health and Zoning office to work four to six hours weekly in the County Auditor’s office. Beyer noted that this would be temporary while the Auditor’s office is short-staffed and would take place following completion of her assigned work hours with Environmental Health and Zoning which end at 3 p.m. Beyer noted that O’Neill’s hours in the Auditor’s office would generally be 3-4 p.m. The Supervisors approved to have O’Neill work in the Auditor’s office at her regular hourly pay.

Recorder-elect Karen Mathis addressed the next agenda item relating to the consideration of personnel matters. Mathis noted that there has been a lot of interest in the Second Deputy Recorder position with the decision to hire Kelly Urell for this vacancy making sense due to her experience. Mathis noted working with Urell over the last few years relating to real estate descriptions and transfers due to her role in the County Auditor’s office. Mathis recommended hiring Urell as Second Deputy Recorder at 68 percent of the Recorder’s salary, effective January 1, 2023 with continuity of benefits and an additional one percent of the Recorder’s salary July 1, 2023 following the completion of a probation period. The Supervisors approved this recommendation.

Mathis next discussed a recommendation to move Second Deputy Recorder Michelle Huinker to First Deputy Recorder at 75 percent of the Recorder’s salary. The Supervisors approved this recommendation.

Mathis also noted that a celebration in honor of County Recorder Deb Winke’s retirement will be held Friday, December 30 from 4-6 p.m. at the Uptown Grill in Waukon.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick provided a recommendation to hire Jarrod Olson as Deputy Sheriff at 75 percent of the County Sheriff’s salary, effective December 25, 2022. Mellick added that a transfer of benefits from County Conservation to the Sheriff’s Department is yet to be determined under the Union agreement. Olson currently serves as Assistant Director with Allamakee County Conservation. The Supervisors approved the hire of Olson as recommended.

Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour noted that he was mainly present for the agenda item relating to the City of Lansing’s request for ARPA funding. Ridenour discussed Regional Planning Association (RPA) funding supporting a study of a variety of matters relating to the Black Hawk Bridge due its regional significance with this funding source typically supporting construction projects only. Ridenour noted that the bridge’s regional significance may be beneficial in qualifying for grant funding while also noting that Secondary Roads funds are not applicable to this situation.

Mellick noted that work continues in preparation for the holiday weekend. He provided a brief update relating to the water system upgrade at the Public Safety Center.

Snitker provided a weather forecast update noting the potential for some snow later that same day with a mid-week winter storm being likely. Snitker noted that sustained 25 mph winds with wind gusts over 35 mph are being predicted for Thursday through Saturday this week creating a bitter cold wind chill. He further noted that the addition of snow during this time can create blizzard-like conditions.

Allamakee County Environmental Health Director/Weed Commissioner Laurie Moody noted that Winneshiek County and Clayton County have offered to assist during her scheduled absence in late December and part of January. Moody noted that water samples from a few businesses and restaurants could be pushed back to late January while she is gone and still remain in compliance.

Beyer advised that the valuation report will be filed later that same day or the next day, Tuesday, December 20.

Prior to adjournment, Schellhammer noted that the next Supervisors meeting will be held Tuesday, December 27. Beyer further noted that the County Courthouse will be closed both Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26 in observance of the Christmas holiday.