Supervisors hold pair of sessions within past week due to Memorial Day holiday, this week's held in New Albin; Road projects discussed at both

by Joe Moses

Due to the Memorial Day holiday falling on its typical Monday meeting day, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met on two occasions this past week, a holiday-delayed session Tuesday, May 30 and the board's regular session Monday, June 5. Coverage of both meetings appears below.

TUESDAY, MAY 30
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Tuesday, May 30 following the Memorial Day holiday Monday, May 29 to address a full agenda of items, including the adoption of the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) Ordinance LVI, consideration of a Joint Public Service Agreement with Winneshiek County for a bridge on the county line on Ferris Mill Road and the consideration of bids for asphalt pavement repairs. There were no Public Comments.

The Supervisors discussed the RAGBRAI Ordinance LVI, which was adopted as presented by unanimous vote. The public hearing for this ordinance with the first, second and third readings had been approved at the previous meeting May 22. The Supervisors briefly discussed enforcement of the ordinance and the publication requirements, which will be discussed with Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler.

Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake presented a plat approval for Gordon E. and Sandra Tangen. Blake advised that the Tangens are dividing off a parcel across the Upper Iowa River from their home site to sell to the adjoining property owner, the National Heritage Foundation. The plat request was approved by the Supervisors. The Manure Management Plan for the Gary Johnson Farm was discussed as being a new request and not previously being on file. The plan for the Johnson dairy farm was accepted and placed on file.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour discussed the asphalt pavement maintenance repair projects to include full-depth patching on X32 Waterville Road and overlay on W4B on Yellow River Drive on Highway 51 to Old Stage Road, as being bid separately and not tied together. Supervisor Dan Byrnes opened and read aloud the two bids that were received, which were both from River City Paving of Dubuque. The bids included $147,663.46 for X32 and $302,187.49 for W4B, which Ridenour indicated were close to his estimate and that he would review and provide a recommendation next week. Ridenour discussed that it is not unusual to receive only one bid for an asphalt project and that he had contacted three additional companies beyond the seven listed on the form provided to the Supervisors.

Ridenour also discussed the bids received for the paving of a portion of Breezy Corners Road and indicated that a minor correction had been made in the calculation of one of the bids received. Ridenour provided a recommendation for the low bidder, Croell and Subsidiary of New Hampton, Concrete Foundations Inc. at $223,803.87.

Ridenour and the Supervisors discussed the Joint Public Service Agreement with Winneshiek County for a bridge replacement on the county line on Ferris Mills Road. Ridenour indicated that each County will be responsible for 50% of the construction costs and that County Attorney Kistler has reviewed the agreement. Ridenour advised that the project will go out to bid and will be advertised in newspapers in Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, with bids to be received by 9 a.m. June 19 at the Winneshiek County Courthouse and bids to be opened there. The Supervisors approved the agreement.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick discussed the hiring of a new full-time dispatcher/correction officer, which has been factored into the Fiscal-Year 2018 budget, and said that the next step would be to advertise the position in the local newspaper. Mellick provided a brief update on the transition into the Public Safety Center, the jail inspection process and the grand opening which was well attended with an estimated 1,000 individuals touring the new facility May 20. Mellick discussed that contractors are finishing up and that the LP tank at the new facility has been painted.

Supervisor Dennis Koenig provided an update on the recent County Social Services (CSS) meeting and indicated that some concerns have been expressed due to misinformation regarding the evolution of mental health services. Koenig further discussed that the State's decision to regionalize these services has allowed CSS to put together programs that counties individually would not be able to offer.

Under Department Head Updates, Kistler advised that Victim/Witness Coordinator Mara Mathis has submitted her resignation, providing more than a two-week notice, after accepting a position elsewhere. Mellick discussed the closing of Wisconsin Highway 82 east of Lansing due to a washout. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer discussed the recent conference call with RAGBRAI's Alcohol and Beverage Division.

Zoning Administrator Blake talked about the recent County Zoning Conference in Davenport and that policies and legislation regarding fireworks were discussed. Blake advised that the Community Rating System (CRS) was discussed at the conference, which would lower insurance rates for flood plain development by up to 25%. Ridenour also advised that the rock contract with Bruening Rock Products is beginning as of today (Tuesday, May 30) and discussed plans to meet with Director Larry Weber with the Iowa Flood Center.

MONDAY, JUNE 5
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 5 at the New Albin Public Library as part of its commitment to hold meetings in all communities throughout Allamakee County during the year. The board addressed a full agenda of items, including the consideration of contract and bond for box culvert projects, the consideration of bids for asphalt pavement maintenance repairs and the signing of the Solutions Annual Support Agreement and IT Services Agreement for Fiscal-Year 2018.

During Public Comments, Tom Schofield of New Albin briefly discussed ATV safety and usage within the county. The Supervisors and those in attendance, including New Albin Public Library Board President Lisa Fruechte, Library Director Kris Curry and Mary Schofield, discussed the library's educational programming for children and adults and plans for the library to continue at its current site regardless of the New Albin Fire Department's move to a new facility or expansion at the municipal building, which also houses the library.

The Supervisors approved to reschedule the Public Hearing for amendments to the County's ATV Ordinance LV for Monday, June 12 at 9:40 a.m. The Supervisors also approved the signing of the Solutions Annual Support Agreement and IT Services Agreement for Fiscal-Year 2018.

Discussion took place in regard to the contract and bond for box culvert projects from Skyline Construction Inc. of Decorah. Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour reviewed the low bid for the two connected projects at $223,224.32, for projects at Four Mile Drive and Farm Drive. The Supervisors approved the signing of the contract and bond.

The Supervisors moved on to the consideration of bids for asphalt pavement maintenance repairs. Ridenour advised the first project involves patchwork on County Road X32 (Waterville Road) with a bid from River City Paving of $147,663.46 and the second project at County Road W4B (Yellow River Drive) received a low bid of $302,187.49, also from River City Paving. Ridenour indicated both bids were close to his initial estimate and the Supervisors approved.

Ridenour discussed the next agenda item involving the consideration of bids for concrete pavement full-depth patching on various roads within Allamakee County. Ridenour advised that this project was advertised and information was sent out to 12 potential bidders. Supervisor Dan Byrnes opened the bids individually and read aloud the amounts. Bids were received from Cedar Falls Construction Co., Rolling Hills Concrete Construction and Skyline Construction. Ridenour advised that he would review the bids and provide a recommendation at the next Board of Supervisors meeting.

Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer briefly discussed some changes involved in employees checking out a County vehicle for use. Ridenour also discussed maintenance projects and the recent hiring of two part-time employees, and that two additional part-time positions are being advertised.

There was also discussion in regard to the fourth floor courthouse area formerly used by the Allamakee County Sheriff's Department. Board of Supervisors Chairperson Schellhammer indicated that there is an upcoming meeting to discuss and evaluate how best to use the area for office space and storage.