Supervisors hold regular meeting at new Waterville Community Center in former school

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met Monday, September 17 in regular session at the Waterville Community Center, formerly the Waterville Elementary School, as part of the Supervisors’ annual tour of county libraries during its meeting sessions. The board addressed a full agenda of items, including the introduction of the new Main Street Lansing Director, the Canvass of the NICC Special Election and consideration of an amendment to the Sheriff’s Office Collective Bargaining Agreement.

During Public Comment, Waterville Mayor Dave Monserud welcomed everyone in attendance to the Waterville Community Center and discussed the holiday craft fair to be held October 13. Monserud discussed the facility as having a fully operational kitchen with a lunchroom area seating over 60 individuals, which can accommodate various community events. Monserud further discussed the school’s history room and that the trophy case will be used for the City’s history items.

Waterville Public Library Director Heather Bente advised that the Waterville Library has relocated to the Community Center and that the library is greatly involved with programming which will utilize space in the Community Center. Bente discussed the gymnasium as an attraction that will also encourage use of the library with hours that may change in the future to match more of the school history room’s hours of operation.

The Supervisors adjourned as the Board of Supervisors and reconvened as the Board of Canvassers with Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer for the Canvass of the NICC Special Election. Beyer provided an overview of the Allamakee County voting results with 339 voting “yes” and 59 voting “no”. The Supervisors approved the results and adjourned as the Board of Canvassers and reconvened as the Board of Supervisors.

Main Street Lansing Board President Bruce Palmborg introduced Andy Kelleher as the Main Street Lansing Director. Kelleher shared that he is excited to help Lansing grow from a business and economic development standpoint. Palmborg indicated that the Main Street Lansing office has recently relocated to a different downtown office space.

The Supervisors moved into the consideration of appointing Eastern Iowa Tourism Association representatives with Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) providing an overview of the organization and the requirements for hosting meetings. Reinke discussed budgeting for travel expenses to attend meetings with travel to and from taking place the same day. She advised that Allamakee County has two representatives, former Main Street Lansing Director Craig White with Reinke as an alternate. Following discussion, the Supervisors approved Kelleher as a representative with Reinke as an alternate.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick discussed meeting with Union representatives, with the $2 across the board increase discussed at last week’s Supervisors meeting being approved. The Supervisors reviewed and approved the amendment to the Sheriff’s Office 2018-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Allamakee County Conservation Director Jim Janett discussed the Conservation Board Trail Easement involving a trail near the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing. Janett indicated that the lease requires $1 per year and $1 at the execution of the lease. Janett indicated that a group of volunteers has helped create the 1.7 mile trail and that a shelter and picnic table may be built near the trail. The Supervisors approved the easement.

Janett also discussed the Conservation Board Land Donation agenda item involving a combined 1.36 acres of land, formerly part of Quandahl, IA, containing a house and three buildings, which will be torn down. Janett discussed that he is working with the County Attorney’s office regarding the land transfer to the Conservation Board. The Supervisors indicated that they will wait to approve this matter until the warranty deeds have been prepared. Janett suggested that a small shelter, parking area and information kiosk will be created recognizing the history of Quandahl at that location.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour presented the Secondary Roads Annual Report for Fiscal-Year 2018 and provided an overview of the financial sheet and receipts for the Secondary Road Fund. The Supervisors acknowledged the Secondary Roads Annual Report.

Kristie Teslow with Mobile Mamma, a Cresco-based non-profit organization, provided an overview of the group’s services including education for children to adults pertaining to various internet, texting and social media issues including cyber-bullying, harassment, social media addiction, sexting and the negative consequences involved with these and other related issues for children, teens and parents. Teslow presented a request for $5,000 in funding from Allamakee County with the Supervisors agreeing to review the request in December during budget planning. The Supervisors recommended that Teslow meet with area school superintendents, Keystone AEA and Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP), which may complement Mobile Mamma programming.

Under Department Head Updates, Mellick discussed that it was a quiet weekend in Allamakee County. Mellick briefly discussed the second degree murder verdict in the John Quanrude trial and that a Dispatcher/Jailer position has been advertised. Mellick also indicated that a meeting regarding courthouse security will be taking place in the near future.

Ridenour discussed the Green Valley Bridge project and paving which will require another two weeks before opening for traffic. Ridenour also advised of a culvert to be replaced on Pole Line Road, the removal of flood debris, pavement patching will continue and that the deck is ready to be poured on the Mays Prairie Road Bridge.

Beyer discussed preparations for the November 6 general election.

Mayor Monserud then provided a tour of the Waterville Community Center with Reinke providing additional details and suggestions for portions of the building, including multi-family housing. Prior to adjournment, the Supervisors also visited and toured the Kitchen Krafts facility near Waterville.