Board of Supervisors hires bond counsel for fire station funding

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Tuesday, June 10 the Allamakee County Supervisors voted unanimously to enter into an agreement with Dorsey and Whitney LLP as the County's bond counsel to secure funding on behalf of the townships in the Waukon Area Fire Protection District for the construction of a new fire station in Waukon. The cost of the firm's assistance in obtaining $750,000 in bonds or loans for the project will not exceed $7,000 and will be passed on to the townships.
Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour recommended entering into an agreement with IIW Engineers for design services for a segment of the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) from Red Oak Drive to Lafayette Ridge Road. Ridenour said that the estimated cost of the project is $1.7 million, which includes the widening of the shoulders on both sides of County Road X52, adding that 80% of the funding for the project will come from the federal earmark for the MRT. The Board signed the consultant agreement for $232,040 on Ridenour's recommendation. Ridenour said that construction on the project is expected to begin next year.

The Board also met with Allamakee County Veterans Affairs Director Heather Homewood, who presented the Board with a contract with Greg Clark for veteran counseling services. Homewood said the contract, which was reviewed by the County Attorney, includes a 1.5% pay increase. The Board approved the contract.
During public comment time, Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Director Jean Bossom informed the Board that she would be posting a notice of five openings on the ASAP Advisory Board.
In other business, the Board set Tuesday, June 24 at 10 a.m. as the date and time for a public hearing on a request from Randy and Patty Troendle to rezone their property on Highway 9 west of Lansing from C-1 (commercial) to R-1 (residential).