Supervisors hear update on Mississippi River Bike Trail

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Monday, October 24, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met with County Engineer Brian Ridenour, who provided an update on the Mississippi River Bike Trail (MRT). Ridenour explained that a five million dollar federal earmark for the project requires a 20 percent state or local match, and that the County remains $318,000 short of that mark.
To date, $305,935.56 has been spent, $244,748.45 in federal funds and $62,187.11 in local funds. Ridenour said that two segments of the trail are currently nearing the construction phase, County Road X-52 from its intersection with X-42 to Power Plant Drive and X-52 from Harpers Ferry southwest to State Highway 76. Both segments involve widening of the shoulders on existing pavement, as was done on A-26 between Lansing and New Albin.
Ridenour told the Board that he would need either an additional $25,000 from the County to continue moving forward with the Lansing segment, or he could divert the necessary funds from Secondary Roads, which would be permissible since the project involves improvements to an existing roadway and the wider shoulders would make the road more safe.
The Board also met with Emergency Management Coordinator Chris Dahlstrom, who informed the Board of plans for a safety presentation for courthouse employees. He said that a poster-board presentation would be set up in the courthouse for employees to view and then complete a quiz and that several fire extinguisher training sessions would also be scheduled. While not mandatory, the Board agreed that the participation of department heads and employees is “highly recommended.” Dahlstrom also informed the Board that a state-mandated fire drill would be conducted at the courthouse some time this week.
In other business, the Board signed a service agreement with Nyhart Actuary for Government Accounting Standards Board services and accepted an acknowledgement of services with Hacker, Nelson and Company for auditing services. The Board approved certification of precinct redistricting and approved a community needs assessment submitted by Rachelle Howe of Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission. The Board also accepted and placed on file the Sheriff’s quarterly report.