Board of Supervisors accepts Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendation to impose 18-month moratorium on frac sand mining

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Wednesday, December 26 (delayed due to the Christmas holiday), the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors formally accepted the Planning and Zoning Commission to impose an 18-month moratorium on frac sand mining in the county. Zoning Administrator Tom Blake said that the next step in the process to impose the moratorium would be for the Board to schedule a public hearing on an ordinance to that effect. He added that he had received a draft of a proposed ordinance from Karl Knudson, the attorney for the Allamakee County Protectors citizen group. The Planning and Zoning Commission should have time to review the draft and recommend adoption to the Board prior to the public hearing date, Blake said. The Board will schedule a date and time for that public hearing during its next regular meeting, which will be Wednesday, January 2, delayed due to the New Year holiday.
The Board also met with Stephanie Kuhn and Melanie Schroeder, Judicial Mental Health Advocates for First Judicial District of Iowa. Both expressed concerns about current shortfalls in the state's mental health system, primarily stemming from a shortage of beds for mental health patients. They told the Board that they are on the "front lines" of the mental health system, they would like to be involved in future discussions of the ongoing redesign and regionalization of the state mental health system. The Board thanked them for their input and assured them that they would be kept "in the loop" going forward.
In a related matter, Deputy Clark Mellick, who will assume the office of Allamakee County Sheriff this week, asked for the Board's approval to hire a transport and a reserve officer, who could also assist the department with transportation. Mellick said the additional officers are needed to handle transportation of prisoners in order to avoid taking regular deputies away from their patrol duties. The Board approved the request.
In other business, the Board approved changes to "Form A" used in applying for land subdivision that allowed land owners to determine if the so-called "ag legend" would appear on their plat, restricting use of the land to agricultural purposes.
During public comment time, Chairman Larry Schellhammer thanked Supervisor Lennie Burke and Auditor Pam Benjegerdes for their years of service to the county.