Supervisors agree to co-sign letter of support for expansion of City of Lansing's water, sewer services

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Monday, August 29, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met with Environmental Health Sanitarian Laurie Moody, who presented the Board with a letter of support for the expansion of the City of Lansing’s water and sanitary sewer services to the town’s northern boundary.
Moody said that she and Lansing Wastewater Superintendent John Rethwisch were recently asked to review the available land on a privately-owned lot in the Allenstein Addition within the Lansing city limits for the installation of a private septic system. While solutions were found to problems on the lot in question, Moody said that other residents in the area will face problems should they wish to sell their properties, as they would face “time of transfer” inspections of their septic systems, most of which she feels would fail.
The Board agreed to co-sign the letter of support with the Board of Health, encouraging the Lansing City Council “to begin the budgeting and securing of contracts to have this project completed as quickly as possible.”
During public comment time, Harold Lee asked the Board to pay for dust control on Ellingson Bridge Drive in front of his property due to the increase in traffic as a result of the road being used as a detour during the ongoing project on Bear Creek Drive. County Engineer Brian Ridenour said that the past practice of the County has been to pay for dust control only when a paved road is closed and a gravel road is used for a detour. The Board agreed to consider a change in policy at its next meeting, considering a possible 50-50 cost share for dust control in such situations.
Allamakee County Historical Society President Jim Garrett presented the Board with bids for painting at the Allamakee County Courthouse Museum. The Board approved the low bid from Brink's Painting Service of $4,825 for the project.
The Board also held a public hearing regarding the proposed vacation of Old Road #30 south of Seitz Drive. Hearing no objections, the Board approved the vacation of the road.
In other business, the Board approved the contract and bond with CJ Moyna and Sons for a safety project on X-52 north of Harpers Ferry. The Board also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iowa Department of Public Health for a $10,000 substance abuse prevention grant.