Supervisors hear from library representatives at holiday-delayed January 16 meeting, hear more funding requests at January 22 regular session

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in a pair of regular sessions within the past week due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday falling on the board's regular Monday meeting day. Coverage of both the holiday-delayed Tuesday, January 16 and Monday, January 22 regular sessions appears below.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in a delayed regular session Tuesday, January 16 following the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday falling on the board's usual Monday meeting day January 15. The board addressed a full agenda of items, including updates from libraries within the county, consideration of a tax abatement request and Secondary Roads transfers. There was no Public Comment.

The Supervisors moved into reviewing transfers to the Secondary Roads Fund from the General Fund at $4,942.93 and the Rural Fund at $56,523.57, which were then approved. The Supervisors discussed the appointment of the 2018 Weed Commissioner, approving Laurie Moody for the position. The Supervisors reviewed the Manure Management plan update for the Church Road Site and Scott Sannes, which was accepted and placed on file.

Allamakee County First Deputy Auditor Christine Gavin discussed the next agenda item involving a tax abatement request. Gavin indicated that the request involves a building that was a double assessment, being assessed on land and as a building on leased land. The Supervisors reviewed the information and approved the tax abatement request.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick discussed the Sheriff's Department quarterly report and revenue sources, including civil fees. The quarterly report was accepted and placed on file.

Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake discussed the plat request by Michael J. and Marian K. Verdon, indicating that the land division involves the creation of two lots on a single parcel. Blake indicated that the proposed second lot of this parcel does partially fall within a flood plain and that this division will aid in the insurance coverage for the business and building expansion on the first lot. Blake also indicated that Planning and Zoning has recommended that the two lots should not be severed. Blake explained that an agreement to not sever the lots will be recorded with the plat survey but he has not yet received a signed copy of the agreement. The Supervisors agreed that no action would be taken at this time.

The Supervisors moved into the County Librarian Updates with Director Cindy Berns of the Postville Public Library, Director Cate St. Clair of the Robey Memorial Library of Waukon, Director Derva Burke of the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library, Board Member Dorothy Delphey of the Dolores Tillinghast Memorial Library in Harpers Ferry and Director Heather Bente and Board Member Russ Hagen of the Waterville Public Library in attendance. Each of the library representatives thanked the Supervisors and the County for the financial support of their respective library.

Berns opened the discussion by mentioning that the Postville Public Library has approximately 1,300 visitors per month utilizing library resources. Berns discussed the assistance provided to library patrons, computer use and that a representative from Iowa Workforce Development is also available each Friday.

St. Clair discussed the early literacy programs taking place each week at Robey Memorial Library, the library use by TASC and Mosaic for day-hab activities and the adult reading club for seniors. St. Clair further discussed the library's use as a community space that continues to change and grow. St. Clair encouraged the Supervisors to consider a small yearly percentage increase to assist in budgeting.

Burke encouraged the Supervisors to consider a five-percent increase to assist in budget planning. Burke commented on the importance of funds from can redemption and encouraged the Supervisors to not be supportive of legislation that would end Iowa's can deposit program.

Bente discussed successful programs, use of the Waterville Library being important to families and that technology upgrades have been accomplished through grants and not budget dollars. Bente indicated that an addition to the library may be used for Waterville School memorabilia.

Delphey discussed fundraising projects associated with the library in Harpers Ferry. Hagen discussed the importance of county libraries as being valued by the aging rural population, as gathering places, being essential to education and social support and, beyond literacy, as a place for community.

Supervisors Larry Schellhammer, Dan Byrnes and Dennis Koenig thanked the library representatives for the updates and discussed setting dates for Supervisor meetings to take place at each of the county libraries later in the year with a schedule to be approved in the spring with meeting dates starting in May. Schellhammer indicated that an increase in funding will happen due to valuations going up, but did not provide a percentage. Byrnes indicated that he is looking forward to visiting each of the county libraries and Koenig further reiterated his appreciation for the county libraries and their services.

Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour discussed the Six-County Meeting to take place in St. Olaf Friday, January 19 and briefly discussed federal and state Department of Transportation (DOT) funding. Ridenour also discussed budget planning and health insurance rate increases.

Allamakee County E911 Coordinator Chris Fee discussed the use of GoToMeeting video conferencing for initial court hearings and with that the service's free trial ending, with a credit card needed for payment to continue the subscription service contract. Sheriff Mellick discussed the use of this service at the Public Safety Center.

Mellick and the Supervisors discussed the need for a County credit card for handling software subscriptions and monthly fees, with the Supervisors agreeing to add this to the next meeting agenda for discussion. Mellick suggested that a credit card reader may be beneficial for the payment of fees by inmates at the Public Safety Center, helping to reduce the need for petty cash to make change for these payments.

Mellick further advised that the Public Safety Center had 21 inmates last week and has 17 inmates this week. Mellick briefly discussed revenue items, including commissary items that are selling well and texting charges, and that he is working with Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler on court orders requiring individuals to be escorted to jail to serve mandatory jail time.

Mellick and the Supervisors also discussed the need to have the warranty extended on the Public Safety Center due to ongoing heating and ventilation issues not being resolved. Gavin discussed preparations for the upcoming special election to be held in Postville.

MONDAY, JANUARY 22
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, January 22 to address a full agenda of items, including a three-year agreement with Mediacom, discussion of the
County credit card policy and funding requests from Main Street Lansing and the Riverview Center. There was no Public Comment.

Quarterly reports from Environmental Health, County Relief and the Recorder were reviewed by the Supervisors and accepted and placed on file. The Supervisors reviewed the Manure Management Plan update from Crossroads Dairy, which was accepted and placed on file, and also reviewed the Semi-Annual Treasurer's report, which was accepted and placed on file.

Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake discussed the plat request by Michael J. and Marian K. Verdon, a matter that was previously discussed at the January 16 Supervisors meeting. Blake explained that he has still not received a signed copy of the agreement to not sever the two lots contained within a parcel and that he is recommending that the matter be tabled.

Blake then discussed the plat request from Michael F. and Linda K., Michael J. and Mark J. Manning and Marri M. Williams indicating that the Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended tabling the matter. Blake indicated that this land division requires an easement agreement with the second lot being created having an access, which was not in the original paper work but has since been included in an updated version. Blake indicated that Planning and Zoning needs to review the updated paperwork before any action can be made. Both of the plat approvals were tabled with no action at this time.

The Supervisors moved into consideration of the corrected Mediacom three-year agreement covering internet and phone services. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer discussed changes to the agreement involving internet upload and download speeds, and the addition of a toll-free number with a $13.65 increase to monthly charges in comparison to the previous agreement. The Supervisors approved the corrected three-year agreement with Mediacom.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour discussed the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) Federal Aid Agreement for a bridge replacement project on A26 (Iowa River Drive) across Irish Hollow Creek. Ridenour indicated that this agreement involves federal aid funds that go through the State to the County. Ridenour indicated that the estimated project total cost is $800,000 with 80% being federal, representing $640,000 of the project cost, which is included in the agreement. Ridenour discussed preliminary work involving permanent and temporary easements, environmental and endangered species requirements and that a late summer start date for construction is tentatively being planned for the project. The Supervisors approved the IDOT Federal Aid Agreement.

Executive Director Craig White with Main Street Lansing discussed the Main Street Matters Fiscal-Year 2019 funding request. White discussed the focus on Lansing's economic development primarily through tourism with last year's Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) visit to the county as an example with that effort representing follow-up opportunities for additional tourism. White discussed that Main Street Lansing must have a stable and strong financial base and that he is asking that Allamakee County consider a contribution of $3,000. White thanked the Supervisors for their consideration and support in advance and discussed the possibility of documenting the RAGBRAI route and making it available to bicycle enthusiasts through signage and in brochures. Chairperson Larry Schellhammer thanked White for the work being done with Main Street Lansing and that the funding request will be considered.

The Supervisors moved into discussion of the County credit card and credit card policy. Beyer indicated that she has researched credit card policies used by other counties and had three examples that she will forward on to the Supervisors. The need to have a credit card policy in place was discussed by the Supervisors with E911 Coordinator Chris Fee indicating the immediate need for monthly software subscription charges for GoToMeeting video conferencing, which currently cannot be used at the Courthouse or at the Public Safety Center. The Supervisors agreed to have this added to next week's agenda for consideration.

Sexual Assault Therapist Nikki Brevig discussed the Riverview Center's Fiscal-Year 2019 funding request. Brevig provided an overview of the Riverview Center's programs including counseling and therapy services for a wide spectrum of clients in 14 counties, including Allamakee County. Supervisor Dan Byrnes and Brevig discussed the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) information included with the Riverview Center's funding request illustrating the pervasiveness of this issue affecting 23% of the population, or 3,294 residents of Allamakee County, at some point over a lifetime. The Supervisors agreed to consider the funding request of $5,000.

Under Department Head Updates, Blake discussed the recent Board of Adjustment meeting involving conditional use permits for a cell tower southwest of New Albin and a variance request to reduce a residential lot size. Ridenour discussed recent weather and road conditions and that motor-graders and sanding trucks are out. Beyer discussed budget work and absentee voting for the Postville School special election.