Supervisors approve CAFO construction permit, hear funding requests and set public hearing for budget amendment to reflect flooding disaster declaration
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, January 30 to address various topics. Among the items discussed were a funding request from the Mississippi River Parkway Commission, the appointment of an alternate voter on behalf of the Supervisors for the Northeast Iowa Response Group, Plat Approvals and Manure Management Plan updates.
During the Public Comments portion of the meeting, David Weymiller of rural New Albin addressed the Board and discussed its resolution in support of suspending the issuance of Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) construction permits that was approved by the Board at its January 9, 2017 meeting. Weymiller advised that he was unhappy with the resolution and recommended that it should be rescinded. Weymiller discussed the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) Master Matrix, the scoring system used in the siting of CAFOs, and that 100 pages have been added to Chapter 65 of Iowa's administrative code, which address the issues covered in the resolution. Weymiller said that there is difficulty in finding a site to build a CAFO with the current regulations.
The Public Hearing regarding a Construction Permit Application for David Weymiller was discussed by Allamakee County Environmental Health Specialist Laurie Moody, who provided an overview of the Master Matrix score that Weymiller's proposed expansion plans for a hog confinement have received following an evaluation, which was a passing score of 445. A minimum score of 440 out of 880 points (50%) with a minimum 25% score in each sub-category of air, water and community impacts is required to qualify for construction approval.
Weymiller provided an overview of his family-owned and operated farrow to wean swine operation and the expansion plans that have been proposed. Sow Unit Manager Ross Weymiller advised that 10 full-time employees currently are working at the facility with five more full-time employees and a couple of part-time positions likely to be added with the expansion. The Public Hearing was closed and the construction permit application was approved by the Supervisors.
Domestic Abuse Advocate Victoria Stockman with Helping Services for Youth and Families provided an overview of the organization's services and the Fiscal-Year 2018 funding request. Stockman discussed that Helping Services covers seven Iowa counties with a 24-hour crisis line with live operators, safe houses, education and prevention programs, advocacy for children and adults, and D.A.R.T., the Domestic Abuse Response Team program.
Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake presented two plat approvals for George L. and Belva M. Ashbacher, which have been recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Supervisors reviewed the plans and approved both. The Manure Management Plan updates for Scott Sanness, Saffron and Crossroads Dairy were accepted and placed on file. The Quarterly Report for Environmental Health and the Treasurer's Semi-Annual Report were individually accepted and placed on file.
Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour and the Supervisors discussed setting a date and time for a Public Hearing for a Fiscal-Year 2017 Budget Amendment. Ridenour advised that due to two different federal disaster declarations from flooding events, a budget amendment is necessary. The Supervisors approved February 21, 2017 at 9:40 a.m. for the public hearing.
Consideration of appointing Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker as an alternate voter on behalf of the Board of Supervisors for the Northeast Iowa Response Group was discussed. Snitker advised that a motion from the Board is necessary to be recognized as the alternate voter. The Supervisors approved Snitker as alternate voter for the Northeast Iowa Response Group.
The Mississippi River Parkway Commission Fiscal-Year 2018 funding request was presented by Jane Regan, who provided an overview of the Great River Road and Mississippi River Parkway Commission's website usage, advertising and economic impact data. Regan provided statistics about Allamakee County and other Iowa counties along the Great River Road. Regan discussed the organization's request of $2,000 for Fiscal-Year 2018 and the positive impact created through marketing the Great River Road, interpretive centers and the driftless region.
Under Department Head Updates, Ridenour discussed the Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI®) that will be traveling through Allamakee County and the road inspections that will be taking place prior to the event. Ridenour and Snitker discussed that driving the route will be needed to determine any cracks, potholes and gravel shoulders that may need attention and that the route will need to be traveled by bicycle to determine necessary repairs not visible by driving the route.
