SUPERVISORS DISCUSS NEW HIRINGS; APPROVE ROAD CONTRACTS

Supervisors have been busy in past weeks with discussion ranging from a final approval of contracts and bonds for projects totaling over $900,000 to the proposed hiring of a new central point coordinator.
Initiating a recent meeting, however, was a request by some 50 residents near Harpers Ferry asking that the county implement a "no wake" zone, beginning at a point just south of Noble's Island and continuing south the extent of Cottage Road.
"There are about 50 of us who own cabins on this small island," commented Dave Stewart, who heads a committee of property owners along rural Harpers Ferry's Cottage Road. "We're merely concerned for safety, as well as the docks in this area, which are starting to look pretty battered, and the fact that banks are noticeably eroding from the wakes."
Stewart explained that a no wake zone has recently been implemented near Harpers Ferry, causing those with speed boats and jet skis to recreationalize in Harpers Slough Waterway along the Cottage Road boundaries.
Property owners, in their petition, attributed the deteriorating condition of docks and embankments to high speed boat traffic. They also pointed out that property owners along this stretch of water maintain the banks at their own expense , as well as concern for extreme siltation due to hydraulic wave action.
As a final argument for the buoys, property owners pointed out the effects of high speed boat traffic on the natural habitat of the area, stating the fact that ducks, geese and other wildlife raise their young along this portion of the river.
In order to put the request into motion, Stewart recently submitted to supervisors a petition containing the signatures of approximately 50 property owners in the area, 48 of whom were in favor of the no wake zone.
Supervisors seemed willing to cooperate with the request and stated that they would set a public hearing date in Harpers Ferry to further discuss the issue.
The petition specifically suggests that the no wake zone extend 200 ft. from the bank, and that buoys be spaced approximately 300 ft. apart, resulting in some 15 buoys to be installed. According to Stewart, the committee has asked that the county fund the project, anticipated to cost between $1,500 and $1,800 for the initial installation, then $400 per year in maintenance.
In other discussion, supervisors recently approved an integrated roadside vegetation management plan presented to the board by county engineer Brian Ridenour.
The plan recognizes that the prime purpose of rural corridors is to allow people to transport safely from one location to another, and that this primary need must be met before aesthetic, recreational or economic considerations can be addressed.
Goals of the plan include an attempt to maintain a clear zone recovery area, meet minimal sight distance requirements and provide for erosion control. Secondary roads crews will attempt to mow or otherwise control noxious weeds, while encouraging those plant communities native to the area to self-sustain through preservation and reestablishment whenever possible.
On another subject, Kenneth Johnson was hired as a civil engineering technician with the secondary roads department. Johnson will begin May 22 on a full-time basis at a rate of $13.21 per hour, a wage that will increase to $13.90 per hour once state-required certifications are achieved. Johnson will replace Matt Mettille, who resigned from the position late last year.
And finally, contracts and bonds for three secondary roads projects were approved. The first was for project LC-200 or paving of Mr. Olivet Road northwest of Waukon. The project will provide for a concrete overlay extending 1.1 miles from Hwy. 76 southwesterly to A50. The project was awarded to Flynn Company, Inc. of Dubuque at a cost of $235,746.98.
Project LC-300 will provide for similar paving on a one mile stretch of Green Valley Road. Specifically, the area for construction will begin at Hwy. 9 and continue northwesterly to A44. This project was also awarded to Flynn Company, Inc. of Dubuque at a cost of $231,550.12.
The final project is titled LMP-03(1) and includes full-depth concrete patching on various roads throughout the county. The bid was awarded to Midwest Contractors, Inc. of Cedar Falls at a cost of $426,432.80.
And finally, in an effort to replace Susie Myers, former central point coordinator for Allamakee County officially resigned at the end of April, supervisors have discussed a cooperative agreement with Winneshiek County. Specifically, Allamakee County hopes to co-contract Jan Heikes, C.P.C. in the neighboring county.
"It seems to make sense given the fact that philosophies and programs in the two counties are very similar," said supervisor Kathy Campbell. She added that Myers and Heikes were often required to attend the same meetings and work cooperatively on similar programs. Much of the redundancy could be eliminated by co-hiring one C.P.C. between the two counties.
Though salaries are still under discussion, supervisors did, after extensive discussion with Heikes and the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors, make a motion to contact a representative of the Winneshiek Board to formally propose an attorney draw up the necessary 28E agreement based on a 50/50 time and salary split.
Supervisors pointed out that the agreement would be subject to a six-month to one year trial period, at which time the boards and central point coordinator could reassess the contract and success of the agreement.