Supervisors hear update on Public Safety Center, discuss ordinance for ATVs/UTVs

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 10 to address a full agenda of items, including the discussion of amendments to the ATV/UTV ordinance, multiple Public Safety Center items and setting a public hearing date for vacating a dead end road off of Timber Road. There were no public comments.

Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer presented the Quarterly Reports for Planning and Zoning, and the Auditor and Recorder offices, which were all accepted and place on file by the Supervisors. Transfers to the Secondary Roads Department for $528,347.82 from Rural Services and $44,616.89 from the General Fund were approved. A manure management plan update from Red Ink Ranch was accepted and placed on file.

The contract renewal of Cost Advisory Services, Inc., a provider of cost allocation services, was discussed by Beyer and the Supervisors. Beyer explained that Cost Advisory Services recovers funds relating to Case Management and Human Services on a three-year contract basis, with the contract renewal being approved by the Supervisors. The plat approval for Stephen E., Michele M., Chase and Roger Matthew Pladsen was presented by Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake and approved by the Supervisors.

Allamakee County ATV Club President Chip Lamb and Dennis Blocker of Waukon were present for discussion of proposed amendments to the County's ATV/UTV ordinance. Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour provided an overview including the requirement for an annual review of the ordinance and discussed the two major changes that have been suggested, including making the ordinance year-round and the use of signage on designated trails or routes. Ridenour discussed that the current ordinance designates dawn to dusk for ATV/UTV operation on Secondary Roads and that extending ATV operation to 10:30 p.m., rather than sunset, has been suggested.

Supervisor Dennis Koenig suggested the need for continuity with neighboring counties' ordinances and the need for making Allamakee's ordinance compatible with the ordinances of the towns involved. Lamb discussed and displayed the signage samples that have been requested by the City of Postville, which Lamb suggested would also need to be discussed with Lansing and Waukon as they consider ordinances. The Supervisors agreed to show support for the cities involved to develop an ATV/UTV route for their community, which will then be added to the County's ATV/UTV ordinance.

Ridenour addressed the next agenda item involving quotes for painted pavement markings on Secondary Roads. Ridenour explained that multiple bids were received for this project with two close bids from contractors, one from Minnesota and the other from Iowa. After researching the matter and discussion with Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler, Ridenour provided a recommendation of Iowa Plains Signing of Waterloo for completing the work, a recommendation which was approved by the Supervisors.
A public hearing date for vacating a dead end road off of Timber Road was set for 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 24. Ron Berns, a landowner who has used this road, discussed that there are three landowners with access to this road, which is a dirt road that has never had gravel applied to it. Ridenour advised that a certified letter will be sent to all landowners that would be affected by this change.

Ridenour discussed the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) Federal Aid Agreement for Norfolk Creek Bridge, which is a standard agreement that is necessary for receiving a percentage of the total cost for this project, which was approved by the Supervisors.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick discussed the four furniture quotes received for the Public Safety Center that include office furniture, including desks, tables and chairs for administrative areas in the facility. Mellick advised that the purchase needs to be made soon with the grand opening in May. The Supervisors approved the purchase of office furniture not to exceed $28,000, with the $10,000 down payment coming out of a budget line item, not out of contingency.

Mellick also addressed the next item involving a personnel matter, the appointment of a part-time administrative assistant. Jacqueline Byrnes, who will continue duties as a transport officer in addition to the part-time administrative assistant position, was approved for hire at the Union contract hourly wage.

John Hansen and Jeremy Oden of Midwest Construction Consultants provided an update on the Public Safety Center construction project. Oden advised that 95% of the painting is completed with ceiling grids up and ceiling tiles being placed, and concrete sealing is 50-75% finished. Oden discussed that NOAH Detention Construction will be handling security sealings and locks later in the day (Monday) and Midwest Storage Solutions will be starting on high-density storage cabinets for evidence storage and other needs.

Hansen futher advised that a system test will be conducted before water is turned on in the Public Safety Center and that an E911 meeting will take place, with several entities involved in the process of switching over those services. Hansen discussed that he would like to see May 20 as the date for the open house and that preparations and planning continue.

Mellick discussed temporarily moving inmates from the current County Jail off-site to another facility to allow a tour of the current jail and also the Public Safety Center during the grand opening. Current invoices of $346,753.53 ending April 1 were approved for payment, with a total of $44,538.67 remaining in the contingency fund and 85% of the budget spent, with the project on track for completion in May. Hansen discussed that there are no change orders at this time and that he is comfortable with where they are at with contingency funding.

Under Department Head Updates, Auditor Beyer advised preparations are being made for class tours at the Allamakee County Courthouse and that two more school budgets are yet to be certified.