Supervisors hear requests from several department heads

by Jason Meyer

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday morning, November 23, with a relatively short docket for the day. With no changes to the day’s agenda, the Board approved it along with the November 16, 2015 meeting minutes. There were no citizens present for public comment.
First before the Board was Kim Waters, Allamakee County Coordinator of Disability Services. She brought before the Board the upcoming agenda for the County Social Services (CSS) advisory and board meetings taking place Wednesday, November 25 in Cresco, with opportunities to tele- and web-conference. The public is highly encouraged to attend the meeting.
Waters noted this meeting will see the Justice Involved Services program presented to the CSS Board, the stated goal of which is “...to remove barriers to needed mental health treatment and support including involvement with the justice system.”
“It’s a good start, but we’re not all going to be there,” said Waters in relation to how each county in the consortium will implement resources available, and how they’ll secure other, needed resources.
Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick came before the Board to request the appointment of a Reserve/Transport Deputy. The Sheriff asked for the hiring of David Burrett, a certified and full-time police officer with the City of Waukon, for the position.
Having an on-call Reserve Deputy for transports should free up hours for regular Deputies to execute their duties, noted Mellick, including using the Reserve Deputy in the jail when scheduling conflicts arise. The Sheriff further noted that the appointment of Burrett would not affect the budget, as any wages for the position would be taken from an already-budgeted account for Reserve Deputies. The appointment of Burrett as a Reserve/Transport Deputy for the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department was unanimously approved.
Becky Hawes, Director of Allamakee County Relief Services, was also on hand to request additional staffing. She noted that during the holiday season the need for services, and thus the workload in her office, increases. Hawes asked for approval to hire Kathy Lensing for a one to one and-a-half day per week position through the end of the year at the rate of $12 per hour. The Board unanimously approved her request.
Connie Schneden, former County employee, was on hand to address the Board over concerns raised regarding the professional demeanor of the human resources consultant recently contracted by the County. Board Chairman Larry Schellhammer stated that those concerns have been addressed, and that the consultant’s task of performing a human resources audit and revising the County handbook were otherwise being completed satisfactorily.
Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Coordinator Jean Bossom came before the Board for the consideration of the Evaluator Sub-Contract for the Partnership for Success Grant utilized by her office. She noted that the grant is now in its second year, and as part of the budgeting process, the approval of the evaluator sub-contract was a component of routine business. The Supervisors approved the sub-contract unanimously.
In other business, the Supervisors approved an update to the Johanningmeier Farm Manure Management Plan, and approved updated plats for property owned by Larry and Sharon Snitker, and Lyle and Gilbert Kurth.
Following regular business, the Board heard from Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour regarding the recent snowfall where totals ranged from two to three inches in the northern portion of the county, to eight to nine in the south.
“It was predicted well, and we were prepared for it,” said Ridenour. “It was a tough snow to push, the bottom seemed sticky and wet, and once the top was scraped off it was like glass on the pavement.” Ridenour further stated that, fortunately, there were no major breakdowns or other incidents, and it was “good practice” for the crew. Ridenour also noted that the November snow should not interfere with any major projects currently underway or scheduled.
The Supervisors are scheduled to meet again in regular session Monday, November 30 at 9 a.m. in the Allamakee County Courthouse.