Supervisors discuss relocation of street within Rossville, approve signing a letter for grant funding application for detection equipment

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 17 to address a full agenda of items including the approval and signing of the Solutions Annual Support Agreement and Information Technology (IT) Services Agreement for Fiscal-Year 2020, consideration of signing a letter in support of a grant application for the Sheriff’s Office and discussion of relocating a road in Rossville.

Without any members of the public in attendance during the Public Comment portion of the meeting, Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker discussed recent weather conditions and the current weather forecast. Allamakee County Conservation Director Jim Janett discussed river levels and that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) inspections will be taking place in areas damaged by flooding.

The Supervisors moved into the consideration of signing the Solutions Annual Support Agreement and IT Services Agreement for Fiscal-Year 2020. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer indicated that the agreement was reviewed and that no changes were recommended. The Supervisors approved to sign both the Solutions Annual Support Agreement and the IT Services Agreement for Fiscal-Year 2020.

Snitker provided an overview of the next agenda item involving the consideration of signing the Sheriff’s Office application for the Walmart Community Foundation Grant. Snitker advised that the grant through the Walmart Community Foundation would be used to purchase a piece of detection equipment that will assist in locating lost hikers. Snitker indicated that he has been working with Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick on this grant application.

Snitker explained that the Sheriff’s Office will be using the County’s tax identification number in the application and that without a 501(c) nonprofit designation for the Sheriff’s Office, a signed letter from the Board of Supervisors Chairperson will be required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Supervisors approved to have Chairperson Larry Schellhammer sign the letter in application for the Walmart Community Foundation Grant.

Janett discussed the request to transfer the County’s Dodge Grand Caravan to the Conservation Department. Janett indicated that a mini-van fits the work needs of Conservation Naturalist Ross Geerdes and that the vehicle would be made available to Beyer for use during election times, if needed. The Supervisors approved the transfer of the mini-van to the Conservation Department.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour addressed the next agenda item involving the consideration of a decision regarding a street relocation in Rossville. This matter was previously discussed at the May 28 Supervisors meeting involving the former Rossville Presbyterian Church property now owned by Kent Stock, who has requested that the County consider relocating the curve that infringes upon the property line. At the May 28 meeting, Stock expressed concerns that vehicles will continue to travel further on to the property while navigating that curve, presenting a liability issue and potentially damaging the septic drainage field following the removal of trees along the road.

At Monday’s meeting, Ridenour discussed the four options available to the County including doing nothing, vacating the road, moving the road or legal action relating to a prescriptive easement. Ridenour estimated the cost to move the road would be $3,000 involving rock and dirt work with utilities being a variable that may increase this cost. Schellhammer and Supervisor Dennis Koenig recommended that Stock should share in the cost of the project. Supervisor Dan Byrnes recommended that nothing be done relating to this proposed project. Following discussion with Ridenour, the Supervisors advised that Ridenour contact Stock to discuss a potential financial buy-in for this project, and utilities would also need to be contacted for location.

Under Department Head Updates, Ridenour discussed some matters relating to a watershed and that the next Six-County meeting is scheduled for Wednesday this week in Fredericksburg. Ridenour indicated that with weather permitting, the paving of Makee Drive will be completed this week with the road shoulders to be worked on next.

Schellhammer and Ridenour discussed frost boils and gravel road conditions. Ridenour indicated that spot rock application will continue to be implemented to address frost boils.

Snitker discussed the Big Four Fair, which took place over the weekend in Postville, and that he will be attending the Allamakee County Fair Board meeting to discuss planning for weather-related emergencies. Snitker also indicated that he is working on the Continuation of Operation Plan (COOP), which involves planning for disaster situations requiring alternate locations for various county offices.

Beyer discussed a recent training session that she attended and that the Supervisors will be meeting twice next week, Monday, June 24 and Thursday, June 27, with the second meeting involving end of fiscal-year claims.