Supervisors address several matters in regard to Secondary Roads Dept.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 8 to address agenda items including the consideration of quotes regarding the purchase of a tractor backhoe for the Secondary Roads Department, the approval of Secondary Roads transfers and quarterly reports for Planning and Zoning and the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department. Chairperson Larry Schellhammer called the meeting to order with approval of the current agenda and October 1 minutes.

During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) discussed long-term transportation planning with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC), the upcoming Driftless Half Marathon, Waterville Holiday Craft Fair and the Postville Revitalization group. Reinke and the Supervisors discussed the October 15 Supervisors meeting which will take place at the Postville Public Library with potential business visits to take place following the meeting, with the Supervisors deciding upon Ziegler CAT, Hall Roberts’ Son Inc. and Norplex-Micarta. Reinke also discussed a free-standing brochure rack to take advantage of the foot traffic in the Allamakee County Courthouse with the Supervisors agreeing to add this matter to the next meeting agenda for discussion.

Maynard Johnson of Lansing discussed concerns relating to the September 24 Supervisors meeting and the Allamakee County Fiscal-Year 2019 budget amendment. Johnson indicated that his comment during the public hearing was omitted from the meeting minutes, which he noted is a violation of Iowa Code, as well as being omitted in the meeting coverage article written by The Standard. Schellhammer said Johnson’s concern would be looked into.

The Supervisors moved into the review of Secondary Roads transfers with Supervisor Dennis Koenig discussing the transfer of $61,345.42 from the General Fund to Secondary Roads and $717,078.68 from Rural Services to Secondary Roads. The Supervisors approved the transfers.

Manure Management Plan updates for W&M Ag, LLC, De Su Holsteins, Link #3, Highway 52 Site and Dalby Site were accepted and placed on file. Quarterly reports for Planning and Zoning and the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department were accepted and placed on file.

The Supervisors moved into the consideration of filing the end of fiscal-year financial statement of the First Judicial District Department of Correctional Services, which was accepted and placed on file.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour discussed quotes received regarding the purchase of a tractor backhoe for the Secondary Roads Department. Ridenour indicated that quotes were received from Martin Equipment of Dubuque and Ziegler Caterpillar of Postville providing a comparison of various models and factors including engine, weight, dig depth, reach, lift, trade-in values and warranty. Ridenour and Schellhammer discussed the benefits of the larger backhoes in handling heavy debris clean-up, with the higher purchase price discussed as a negative. Jared Bucksa with Ziegler CAT discussed advantages of the larger backhoe models including greater reach, dig depth gains and higher lift capacity and provided an overview of the Caterpillar tractor backhoes in comparison to similar John Deere models.

Ridenour provided a recommendation to purchase the John Deere 410 LXT based on purchase price and trade-in of a 2006 John Deere 410G tractor backhoe with 5,886 hours of operation. Supervisor Dan Byrnes discussed the advantages of staying with a similar machine due to the cost difference with limited additional benefit of the next larger model. The Supervisors approved the purchase of the John Deere 410 LXT tractor backhoe at $110,366, with a trade-in of $24,000 making for a net cost of $86,366.

Under Department Head Updates, Ridenour discussed Secondary Roads Department winter preparations including sand hauling. Ridenour also discussed road conditions and indicated that the Green Valley Bridge rails are currently being designed.

Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer indicated that absentee voting has begun and that auditors are on site this week. Beyer discussed quarterly reporting activities and that new laptops are being prepared for election purposes.