Supervisors discuss further concerns with ATV Ordinance, hear updates on Tractorcade, assistance for Blumenthal employees and overtime changes
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 20 to discuss several items, including further details of the ATV Ordinance, approval of a bid for bridge deck repair and a rental agreement between Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission and Allamakee County.
During the public comments portion of the meeting, Ardie Kuhse with Allamakee County Economic Development addressed the Board about the Tractorcade event that took place the previous week within the county. She thanked everyone involved, including Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick and Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker, for their hard work in helping make the event a huge success.
Kuhse explained that most of the event's needs were met locally by businesses and vendors. Some lodging in Decorah, Marquette and Prairie du Chien, WI was necessary because of the number of participants. She said Stoney Creek Inn in Waukon went above and beyond with tractor-themed decorations in the hotel in honor of the Tractorcade and participants. Kuhse mentioned the many positive comments she has received from everyone involved in Tractorcade. She said the event was described as the "best Tractorcade thus far" in its 17-year history and that the communities and businesses were very welcoming.
Fern Rissman, WIA/IowaWORKS Operations Director, addressed the next agenda item involving the rental agreement for office space between Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission and Allamakee County. The two-year agreement between Upper Explorerland and Allamakee County and the sub-lease agreement between Upper Explorerland and Northeast Iowa Community Action for the office space were both approved.
Rissman also spoke about the services being directed to those employees being affected by the closure of the Blumenthal Lansing Company plant in Lansing. IowaWORKS representatives have regular office hours Tuesdays at the Lansing facility to answer questions and meet with individuals. Workshops will continue weekly until the facility's closure. A job fair that is open to the public will be held July 7 from 3-7 p.m. at Kee High School in Lansing.
Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer addressed the Board regarding the transfer of funds from the General Fund and Rural Services Fund to the Secondary Roads Fund. This is a routine funds transfer that involves a percentage quarterly moved into the Secondary Roads Fund. The funds transfer was approved.
The disallowance of the Military Exemption for Kenneth, Theodore and Elijah Chamberlain and the disallowance of the Homestead tax credit for Deborah Hager were approved. The Manure Management Plan update for Drew Deering was accepted and placed on file. The reappointment of Pat Cota as Veterans Affairs Commissioner and the reappointment of Dennis Koenig as Allamakee County Conservation Board member were also both approved.
Dennis Blocker of Waukon addressed the Supervisors concerning the ATV Ordinance. Blocker expressed that Lansing and Waterville are the only towns allowing ATV access with gravel roads leading into town. It was explained that paved roads are not open for ATV usage as the ordinance is written, but Blocker reasoned that, originally, he and others believed that limited ATV use on paved roads would be allowed to access the nearest gravel road. Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour explained that Waukon is served by State roads and ATV use is not permitted on a State road legally. The Supervisors discussed developing a route for safety and to keep the matter controllable, but were in agreement to wait until fall and evaluate what needs to change within the ordinance.
Ridenour discussed the bridge deck repair on a bridge on Waterville Road (County Road X32), stating that the Wicks Construction estimate for the project was 11.8% under the County's estimate. The Supervisors approved the Wicks bid. The contract and bond were also approved for Cedar Valley Corporation for the concrete overlay project on Cherry Valley Drive (County Road B38).
The final fiscal year 2016 meeting date and time were set for June 30 at 9:30 a.m. Beyer discussed the new overtime laws and how that will affect exempt and non-exempt County employees. She stated that the new requirements will start December 1 and will not affect elected officials. She also explained that the income level to be exempt is raising from $455 weekly to $913 weekly, with employees below that level qualifying for time-and-a-half compensation after 40 hours of work in a week's time.
During Department Head updates, Kim Waters, Coordinator of Disability Services, provided an update for Allamakee County Social Services. Waters will be attending the County Social Services 28E Governing Board Meeting in Fort Dodge Wednesday, June 28.
Ridenour also advised he will be attending the six-county meeting that Fayette County is hosting. He also advised that he posted a bridge down to a three-ton weight limit, as there is a crack in a concrete abutment on the bridge on Ferris Mills Road. The bridge structure is scheduled for replacement in fiscal year 2017.
