Supervisors discuss relief services with Northeast Iowa Community Action

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Monday, April 30, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met with Mary Ann Humpal and David Boss of Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) regarding the upcoming retirement of Allamakee County Relief Director Linda Kruse. Humpal said that NEIAC “partners with counties whenever we can,” and that Allamakee County has the option to have NEICAC administer general relief programs.
Boss, who is currently the Relief Director for Fayette and Winneshiek Counties, said that contrary to comments made by Kruse at the Board’s regular meeting two weeks ago, NEICAC would be willing and able to administer the same programs that are currently available through the Allamakee County Relief Office, including Christmas and holiday programs, swim passes and school supplies. Boss added that he had spoken with NEICAC’s two full-time family service specialists in Allamakee County and that they had indicated that they would be willing and able to administer those programs.
Kruse expressed several concerns about turning the Relief Office over to an outside agency, such as the potential loss in outreach for donations, services over weekends and available office space for the Relief Office’s food stores.
“We are just presenting an option,” Boss said. “If Linda wasn’t retiring, we wouldn’t be here. I’ve never had any problems with Allamakee General Relief, nor have I heard of any.”
Supervisor Lennie Burke said, “I’d like to see an apples-to-apples comparison. I’m all for saving money, but sometimes when you save money, you lose a lot. We don’t want to lose services.”
Boss responded by saying, “You can try us for a year, and if you don’t like the job we do, you can try something else.” He said that he would prepare a more specific proposal for the Board’s consideration.
The Board also met with County Engineer Brian Ridenour, who was present for the opening of bids for resurfacing of the County’s gravel roads. Bruening Rock Products submitted the low bid of $6.877 per ton of gravel for four of the five divisions and $6.977 per ton for one of the divisions. Other bidders included Wiltgen Construction ($7.05 per ton for one division), Reilly Construction ($7.39 per ton for one division),  Kuhlman Construction (two divisions, $7.801 and $7.701 per ton), CJ Moyna and Sons ($7.90 per ton for one division) and Kraemer Company ($8.95 per ton for two divisions). Ridenour said that he would review the bids and return to the Board with a recommendation next week. The Board also approved the contract and bond with Riehm Construction for concrete pavement patching.
During public comment time, Stan Walkowicz of Lansing expressed concern about illegal dumping on property he owns on Bolder Road near Churchtown since the closure of the dump site at the County shed site near that location. Chairman Larry Schellhammer said that he would speak with the County Engineer and Solid Waste Director about having the illegally dumped items removed and the posting of a “no dumping” sign.
The Board also met with Jan Ellingson of Makee Manor and Jason Hackman, who has been working on roof repairs at the facility. The Board approved partial payment for the work done to date and to consider proposals for other repairs to another section of the roof. The Board also approved the County’s Title VI plan for compliance with federal non-discrimination laws.