Supervisors approve steam trap replacement proposal and County Engineer contract, discuss pioneer cemeteries during trio of special, regular meetings

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in special session Wednesday, May 21, in regular session Tuesday, May 27 following the closure of the County Courthouse in observance of the Memorial Day holiday Monday, May 26, and in regular session Monday, June 2. Coverage of all three of those meetings is provided below.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21
Chairperson Dan Byrnes and Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark were present for a special meeting Wednesday, May 21 which included one agenda item relating to the discussion and consideration of steam trap proposals for the County Courthouse heating system. Clark made note of a conversation that took place earlier in the week with Service Manager Paul Kruckow from the La Crosse, WI location of Winona Heating and Ventilating, Inc. relating to a cost increase between the April 22 proposal and the May 14 proposal regarding the replacement of steam traps and control valves.

The Wednesday, May 21 special session was scheduled to address the April 22 proposal which was valid for 30 days. Clark advised that Kruckow indicated that since the creation of the April 22 proposal, labor costs have increased following union negotiations and that material costs have increased due to tariffs, with these factors resulting in the cost increase provided in the more recent May 14 proposal which now reflects $82,646 in total relating to steam trap and control valve replacements.

During discussion, it was noted that a three-percent discount would be provided if all steam traps and control valves were replaced rather than repaired. Following discussion, the Supervisors approved to accept the May 14 proposal to include the replacement of all steam traps and control valves not to exceed $82,646 minus a three-percent discount, with a possible negotiation to take place with Winona Heating and Ventilating due to the lower per steam trap price provided in the April 22 proposal which was still valid, according to original proposal terms.

TUESDAY, MAY 27
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Tuesday, May 27 with Chairperson Dan Byrnes and Supervisors Tom Clark and Dennis Keatley present. The meeting was held a day later than the board’s typical Monday meeting day due to the Memorial Day holiday.

During Public Comment, Roger Erickson asked about how pioneer cemeteries are established and recognized by the county. Erickson advised that he mows the Village Creek Cemetery which currently has a large tree that needs to be removed before it falls and potentially damages gravestones. 

County Auditor Denise Beyer provided some background on the Pioneer Cemetery Commission which was previously established at the county level with Byrnes recommending that the matter be added to the next meeting agenda to allow additional research on the relevant ordinance and possible official action.

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