Supervisors approve patrol vehicle purchase and employment status change for Sheriff’s Office, make appointment to RPA-1 Transportation Enhancement Comm.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 7 to address a full agenda of matters including an appointment to the RPA-1 Transportation Enhancement Committee, approval of a Sheriff’s office patrol vehicle purchase and Quarterly Reports from Planning and Zoning and Environmental Health. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present.

There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that agenda item. Quarterly Reports for the Planning and Zoning Department and the Environmental Health Department were reviewed and were accepted and placed on file.

The meeting moved into the consideration of the appointment of Susan Snow, Superintendent of Effigy Mounds National Monument, to the Regional Planning Affiliation (RPA-1) Transportation Enhancement Committee. Allamakee County Conservation Director Ross Geerdes advised that Snow was asked to accept this appointment and that she has followed up with leadership within the National Park Service to determine any concerns or conflicts between her role with Effigy Mounds National Monument and the RPA-1 Transportation Enhancement Committee with no such issues being found.

Geerdes provided an overview of the individuals who were considered for this appointment, noting that this vacancy is the result of Executive Director Andy Kelleher of Main Street Lansing stepping down from his role in Lansing and choosing to not continue as part of this committee as he pursues completion of his college degree at the University of Iowa. Geerdes and the Supervisors discussed the role of the RPA-1 Transportation Enhancement Committee with Geerdes providing some background advising that this committee is involved in the delegating of funds for bike and walking trails through the Department of Transportation (DOT), among other transportation-related matters. Geerdes advised that Snow will be a good fit for this committee based on her professional experience with the National Park Service. Following discussion, the appointment of Snow was approved by the Supervisors.

The Manure Management Plan Updates for Gruber Livestock Holdings (GLH) Pork, Gruber Ridge and Deering Family Investment were reviewed and then accepted and placed on file.

The meeting moved into the discussion and consideration of a personnel matter relating to a change in employment status. Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick noted that Kourtney Stone of Waukon is employed as a part-time jailer/dispatcher at the Allamakee County Public Safety Center and that he is recommending that she be moved to full-time status. Mellick added that Stone has been working a schedule that is close to full-time hours with her change in status to assist in reducing overtime hours and improve staff rotation. From a budget standpoint, Mellick noted that this change to full-time status will be within budget, factoring in reduced overtime, with Mellick recommending the change to full-time status to take place immediately. Following discussion, the Supervisors approved that recommendation.

Mellick addressed the next matter relating to the discussion and consideration of purchasing a patrol vehicle for the County Sheriff’s office. Mellick advised that Karl Chevrolet has a Chevy Tahoe available for purchase as a patrol vehicle with two current Allamakee County patrol vehicles being recommended for trade-in including a 2016 Dodge RAM 1500 and a 2015 Ford Explorer.

Mellick advised that the Dodge RAM has some engine problems with the Ford Explorer having some steering, gear box and suspension issues making it currently unsafe to drive with repair not being recommended due to these costs being higher than the vehicle values. Mellick noted a total cost of $34,315 for the Chevy Tahoe with a trade-in value of $10,000 for the 2016 Dodge RAM 1500 and 2015 Ford Explorer through a partnered effort between Karl Chevrolet and R.W. Pladsen. Following discussion, the Supervisors approved the patrol vehicle purchase.

The meeting moved into the discussion and consideration of using the County credit card for the purchase of vehicle up-fitting parts not to exceed $200. Mellick indicated that work necessary in up-fitting patrol vehicles continues to be done in-house at the Public Safety Center as a cost-saving measure. Mellick presented the request to purchase miscellaneous hardware items, at a cost of $184.59, to have on hand for this purpose. Following discussion, the Supervisors approved the use of the County credit card not to exceed $200 for this purchase.

The Supervisors and Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer addressed the next matter relating to the discussion and consideration of setting a meeting date at the Allamakee County Veterans Museum, the former Vet’s Club location in Waukon. Beyer noted that the County Veterans Museum is being included in the schedule of alternate meeting locations to include public libraries within the county. Beyer noted the sidewalk replacement currently taking place at the County Veterans Museum prevented the August 7 Supervisors meeting from being held at that location.

Beyer and the Supervisors discussed several possible meeting dates for the County Veterans Museum location with their consensus being Tuesday, September 5, to follow the closure of the County Courthouse in observance of the Monday, September 4 Labor Day holiday. Byrnes noted that he would confirm that proposed meeting date with the Allamakee County Historical Society with this matter to be added to the Monday, August 14 Supervisors meeting agenda for official action.

Under Department Head Updates, Geerdes discussed follow-up taking place relating to a checklist of items provided by the County’s insurance provider including a fire suppression/sprinkler system inspection at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing, a boater education video that is being viewed by all Conservation staff, curb painting at the Driftless Center, among other items. The Supervisors, Beyer and Geerdes discussed an upcoming informational meeting required by the County’s insurance carrier for those who drive County vehicles.

Mellick made note of ongoing training sessions and further noted that the computer aided dispatch (CAD) software is operational. He advised that an E911 meeting is scheduled for Wednesday evening, August 9 with concerns from police departments within the county relating to the CAD software upgrade to be discussed in addition to planning relating to the future of the radio system used by law enforcement, fire departments and the Secondary Roads Department.

Beyer noted that work continues in finishing the verification of tax statements with a minor software issue to be fixed prior to the printing of samples and lastly, the printing of tax statements.

Prior to adjournment, Keatley requested that Beyer add an item to the next meeting agenda relating to the County Social Services (CSS) 28E agreement update. Keatley added that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mary McKinnell with CSS will be present for discussion at the Monday, August 14 Supervisors meeting and that Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke is reviewing this 28E agreement update. Reiser noted that he has spoken with a contractor relating to the construction of a wall in the server room within the County Courthouse.