Supervisors agree to enter mediation in Agristar unpaid property tax case

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Monday, April 1, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in closed session to discuss ongoing litigation regarding unpaid property taxes for the Agristar meat processing facility in Postville. Following the closed session, the Board voted to enter into mediation with Agristar’s attorneys to resolve the issue.
The Board also met with Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake, who presented the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation to change the zoning on a small parcel adjacent to Hennessy Towing on Highway 76. Blake explained that in 2008, zoning of the parcel was inadvertently changed to Agricultural, a zoning designation that does not allow the placement of the billboard owned by Olympus Media in that location. Blake said that changing the zoning of the parcel to Industrial, which is consistent with the zoning east of the parcel, would allow for the continued use of the parcel for a billboard. The Board set Monday, April 22 at 9:30 a.m. as the date and time for a public hearing on the proposed change.
Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick presented the Board with an amended contract with DuWayne Snitker of Waukon for dog pound services. Mellick said that Snitker had requested a change to guarantee income of $140 per month, and under the amended contract, Snitker would continue to be paid the current rate of $10 per day, per dog. The $140 each month would pay for two dogs held for seven days and additional dogs would be billed at the $10 per day rate. If fewer than two dogs are housed in a given month, Snitker will bill the County for the remainder of the $140 monthly guarantee. The Board approved the contract.
The Board also met with Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour, who presented the Board with bids for the paving of Bear Creek Drive. Croell and Subsidiary submitted the low bid of $2,123,694.39 for the project, approximately six miles of concrete pavement. The Board accepted the bid on Ridenour’s recommendation.
Ridenour also presented the Board with a preliminary five-year plan for Secondary Roads projects. Upcoming projects, in addition to the paving of Bear Creek Drive that will be completed this summer, include the paving and shoulder widening of Great River Road from Harpers Ferry south to Highway 76 (part of the Mississippi River Trail), paving of Ion Road, improvements to Dorchester Drive and several bridge replacements or improvements. The Board will review the plan and consider its approval during its regular meeting next week.
In other business, the Board approved Chris Gavin as First Deputy Auditor, Bev Larson-Needham as Elections Deputy and Kelly Ryan-Urell as the Auditor’s Clerk. The Board also appointed Dennis Koenig to the Upper Explorerland Regional Housing Authority Board and approved a fireworks permit for this summer's New Albin Days celebration.