Board of Supervisors hears consultant's report on Makee Manor usage, boiler issues

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Monday, August 19 the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met with John Hansen of Midwest Construction Consultants, who presented his report on the feasibility of converting the recently closed Makee Manor facility to a public safety center and jail. Hansen said that in order to repurpose the building for use as a public safety center, the building would need to be brought up to current State codes, fire codes and State jail standards.
After examining the building's overall structure, fire sprinkler systems, emergency generator, heating and ventilation system and the overall functionality of the building, Hansen concluded that extensive renovations would be required to repurpose the building. He added that in order to meet requirements, a jail would have to be built as an addition to the existing structure, concluding the renovations required would cost as much or more than building a new facility.
Hansen recommended that the County consider a different use for the space or consider selling it to someone who might use it for a medical, residential or other purpose that would fit the design of the facility. Hansen said that his next step would be to evaluate the County's existing jail and courthouse in order to determine the needs for a new jail.
At the Board's request, Hansen also examined the current boiler at Makee Manor, which will need to be repaired or replaced before the coming heating season. The options he presented included adding a new high-efficiency boiler at an estimated cost of $28,000; converting the current diesel-powered boiler to propane, which Hansen said would result in higher fuel costs; replacing the boiler with a more efficient system at an estimated cost of $114,000; or repairing the existing boiler and adding an above-ground diesel tank for a cost of around $3,500. Hansen recommended repairing the existing boiler and the Board directed Head Custodian Mike Gallagher to pursue that option.
The Board also met with Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour for the opening of bids for LP gas for the County's Secondary Roads, Conservation and Solid Waste departments. Fauser Energy Resources and Postville Farmers Coop both submitted bids of $1.17 per gallon for 16,200 gallons delivered to eight different locations. Also submitting bids were AgVantage FS ($1.229 per gallon), Waukon Feed Ranch ($1.22 per gallon) and Welch Inc. ($1.26 per gallon). Ridenour said that he would review the bids and consult with the County Attorney about how to resolve the tie between Fauser and Postville Farmer's Coop.
Ridenour also presented the Board with plans for repairing Dug Road, which is the only County road that has remained closed since the flooding in late June. He said that 75% of the cost of the project would be funded by FEMA  and 10% by the State. The Board approved the plans and set Monday, September 3 at 9:30 a.m. as the date and time to open bids for the project.
Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick reported that Deputy Reed Kious has announced his intention to accept a position at the Marion County Sheriff's Office and would be submitting his resignation to be effective September 1. Mellick said that he would place an advertisement in the newspaper to find applicants to fill the position. Supervisor Sherry Strub noted that the County had a lot of money invested in Kious and asked Mellick if the County would be reimbursed for the cost of his training. Mellick said that the County does not currently contract with deputies as some other departments do, but he would look into doing so in the future.
In other business, the Board approved two tax abatements. One of the abatements was for the City of Postville for lots the City took possession of following the fire at the old bakery in Postville. Allamakee County Assessor Ann Burkhart said that the property is tax exempt since it is publicly owned and not used for any commercial purpose. The second abatement was for SHF Industries, LLC, owner of the AgriStar meat processing facility in Postville. Burkhart explained that the abatement is part of the recent property tax settlement and reflects the reduced assessed value of the property from $5,870,200 for both the 2011 and 2012 tax seasons, and from $4,719,000 in 2013, to $4,100,000.