Supervisors approve credit card policy, wage increase lower than had been recommended
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, January 29 to address a full agenda of items, including the Secondary Roads Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) Annual Report and funding requests from regional service providers. There was no Public Comment.
County Assistance Program Director David Boss and Executive Director Trisha Wilkins of Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) provided an overview of the organization's annual report and the Fiscal-Year 2019 funding request. Boss indicated that NEICAC has served 685 Allamakee County households with 1,801 individuals being served by the organization's programs, accounting for 12.9% of the county's population of 14,038.
Boss and Wilkins advised that NEICAC's programs including counseling, Head Start, weatherization, public transit, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and housing programs, among others. Boss discussed NEICAC's 2018 request of $53,875, which represents $29.91 per individual served. Boss and Wilkins discussed the importance of keeping Postville and Waukon offices open with services being available on a regular basis. Board Chairman Larry Schellhammer thanked the NEICAC representatives and stated that their funding request would be considered.
Regional Coordinator Kristie Wiltgen with Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) discussed the organization's Fiscal-Year 2019 funding request. Wiltgen indicated that NEI3A serves those 60 years of age and older, providing assistance in living independently with services including Meals on Wheels, the meal site at the Waukon Wellness Center, the Lifelong Links Call Center, counseling, respite care and other programs for the elderly. Wiltgen discussed that $138,720 worth of services were invested in Allamakee County last year with reduced budgets and staff. Wiltgen made a request for 2019 of $3,976 representing $1 per individual 60 years of age or older in Allamakee County. The Supervisors agreed to consider the request.
Jack Knight discussed the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Fiscal-Year 2019 funding request of $2,000, which the Supervisors agreed to consider. Allamakee County Commissioner Jane Regan discussed the Mississippi River Parkway Commission's Fiscal-Year 2019 funding request of $1,500, which the Supervisors also agreed to consider.
The Supervisors moved into discussion of the Secondary Roads Collective Bargaining Agreement with Teamsters Local 238 Business Agent Dan McDonald relaying concerns regarding language that has been removed from the Union contract which may be negative for workers. McDonald indicated that Allamakee County and the Teamsters have had a good relationship with workers understanding expectations.
Union Steward Mark Jones discussed that the language in the contract has served workers and the County for 30 years and that getting rid of collective bargaining rights will have a negative impact. Scott Willger of the Allamakee County Secondary Roads Department and representative of Local Union 238 discussed the required skillset of motor grader operators and the stress levels involved with winter road conditions and clearing roads on hills, with Secondary Roads employees doing a great job. Neil Galema with the Secondary Roads Department discussed that this is a thankless job with winter road conditions involving more ice than snow in recent years. Galema commented that, "if the contract isn't broken, why fix it?"
The Supervisors moved into closed session to discuss collective bargaining negotiations with the County Bargaining Representatives as authorized pursuant to Section 20.17(3) of the Code of Iowa, which is exempt from Chapter 21 requirements.
Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour discussed the revised location of the proposed two-way communications tower on the County Farm property, indicating that the new location will not result in the loss of any additional farm acreage and is not in a drainage area, which was a concern involved with the original proposed location. Ridenour discussed that soil testing would be the next step in this process. The Supervisors approved the revised location for the proposed tower.
The Supervisors discussed the process to allow a public utility to construct a tower on County property. Ridenour indicated that Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler has recommended that a public notice for a public hearing on this proposal will be necessary and that two lease agreements will be required, one for the land and the other a lease with Alliant Energy for the County antenna placed on the tower, with this being put in a resolution for approval by the Supervisors. Ridenour and the Supervisors discussed options for the existing tower, which was built in 1980, including salvage being a possibility.
Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake and the Supervisors discussed the amendment of the Flood Plain Management Ordinance and establishing a public hearing regarding the amendment. Blake indicated that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has mandated that changes be made to the language used in the County's ordinance including limiting accessory structures to 600 square feet in a flood plain. The Supervisors set the public hearing for February 19 at 9:40 a.m.
Blake also discussed the plat request from Michael J. and Marian K. Verdon, indicating that a signed agreement has not yet been received. This matter was previously discussed at the January 22 Supervisors meeting. As a result, Blake provided a conditional resolution for the Supervisors to consider, approving the subdivision plat providing the owners prepare, sign and record an agreement to not sever this lot from the adjoining lot contained within a parcel. The Supervisors approved the conditional resolution accepting the final subdivision plat.
Blake also discussed the Michael F. and Linda K., Michael J. and Mark J. Manning and Marri M. Williams plat request indicating that the Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the application due to it being incomplete. The Supervisors decided to take no action at this time, indicating that the subdivision plat will need to be resubmitted.
The Supervisors discussed the appointment of Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) Allamakee Board Member Mary Koopman to the UERPC Executive Committee, which was approved. The Family Farm Credit applications were approved as presented.
Coordinator Jean Bossom with Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) discussed the Iowa Partnership for Success Fiscal-Year 2018 Evaluation Services subcontract, indicating that services have continued in data collection provided to the State, recommending approval of the subcontract. The Supervisors approved.
The Supervisors moved into consideration of the resolution approving Fiscal-Year 2019 salaries for the Board of Supervisors. The Supervisors discussed the Compensation Board's recommendation of four percent, approving a resolution for a 2-1/2% increase.
The Supervisors discussed the Drainage District No. 1 levy for Fiscal-Year 2019, approving a $20,000 levy.
Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer and the Supervisors discussed County credit cards and the credit card policy. Beyer used the Hancock County, Iowa credit card policy as an example during the discussion. Supervisor Dan Byrnes advised that the policy should restrict credit card usage to ongoing or recurring expenses, with monthly software subscription expenses, like GoTo Meeting, being necessary for the County Courthouse and Public Safety Center, having already been discussed at a previous meeting. Beyer discussed the County's gas cards used for Sheriff's Department vehicles and other County vehicles, which will be included in the policy. The Supervisors discussed that the policy may need to be amended in the future. The Supervisors approved the County Credit Card Policy as presented and authorized the County Auditor to have a credit card issued.
Beyer discussed the request from Solutions regarding the signing of a letter relating to the security of Supervisor tablets. Beyer indicated that Solutions has expressed concern about the home license being used for the Supervisors' tablets, which is not included in their service agreement. The Supervisors approved to sign the letter.
The Quarterly Report from the County Auditor was accepted and placed on file. Manure Management Plan updates from Steve Weymiller, Manderfield Ag 1 and Manderfield Ag 2 were accepted and placed on file.
Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick discussed fundraising that is taking place for a drone to be used by the Sheriff's Department, Emergency Management and other first responders. Mellick also discussed the possibility of a point of sale system allowing payments or fines to be paid by credit card at the Public Safety Center.
Beyer discussed the use of the Supervisors Board Room in April by the U.S. Census Bureau and that the Public Education Recreation Levy (PERL) will be coming before voters February 6 in Postville.
