Supervisors approve tax suspension policy and e-cigarette ordinance, open bids for Green Valley Bridge project

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, February 12 to discuss a variety of matters, including the Canvass for the Postville Community School District special election, consideration of Green Valley Bridge bids and discussion of the language for the E-Cigarette Ordinance. Supervisor Dennis Koenig was not in attendance. There was no Public Comment.

The Supervisors convened as the Board of Canvassers to address the Canvass of the Postville Community School District special election held February 6. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer provided the election results with 100 No votes and 33 Yes votes for the Public Education and Recreation Levy (PERL). Based on those results, the Supervisors declared the public measure would not be adopted. The Supervisors adjourned as the Board of Canvassers and reconvened as the Board of Supervisors.

The language and application process for tax suspension and the policy to petition for tax suspension were discussed by the board. Beyer talked about the recent meeting she participated in with Allamakee County Treasurer Lori Hesse and Supervisor Dan Byrnes to review options and to provide a recommendation regarding this policy, Beyer noting that the consensus was to not establish a formal policy but rather follow Iowa Code on this matter with a form or application still needing to be agreed upon. Byrnes discussed the two sections of Iowa Code, with the first being section 427.9, involving recipients of federal supplemental income or state supplemental assistance - which are matters that do not come before the Board of Supervisors, and section 427.8, relating to individuals who are unable to contribute to taxes but do not receive state or federal assistance. Byrnes motioned that in the event or request for suspension of taxes that the Supervisors will follow Iowa Code Section 427.8, which was then approved.

The Supervisors moved into the consideration of bids for the Green Valley Bridge project with Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour discussing bid requirements that involve the Targeted Small Business (TSB) goal of three percent of the total contract for qualified bids and that a bid bond is necessary, with State and City review to take place. Jesse Delaney with Skyline Construction of Decorah, Ryan Uitermarkt with Iowa Bridge and Culvert LC of Washington and Terry Kraling with ICON Constructors, LLC of Mabel, MN introduced themselves to the Supervisors and those in attendance.

Byrnes opened and read aloud the sealed bids, with Brennan Construction of Lansing bidding $724,106.00, Icon Constructors, LLC bidding $934,882.00 and Skyline Construction bidding $597,917.09. The bid amount from Iowa Bridge and Culvert LC of Washington was not read aloud due to the bid being incomplete with the TSB form not included with the bid. Ridenour indicated that he will review the bids, which will also be provided to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the City of Waukon, and will provide a recommendation.

The language for the E-Cigarette Ordinance was discussed by the Supervisors with Byrnes indicating that this proposed ordinance is an extension of the State of Iowa's tobacco ordinance with the Story County ordinance being used as a model, which has been adapted by Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler to fit Allamakee County. Byrnes discussed that e-cigarettes would be banned in the same way cigarettes have been banned in public places with a $100 fine for the first offense and a $200 fine for the second offense.

Byrnes discussed the reasoning for the ordinance, which includes that e-cigarettes contain the same carcinogenic chemicals as cigarettes; instances of breakage on surfaces can expose individuals to possible nicotine poisoning; research has shown areas allowing e-cigarettes create an environment that normalizes smoking resulting in youth being seven times more likely to smoke conventional cigarettes in the next 12 months; e-cigarette use as a drug delivery system; and not being regulated by the FDA as a smoking cessation product. The Supervisors approved the language of the ordinance and set its Public Hearing for February 26 at 9:40 a.m.

Under Department Head Updates, Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick discussed that pledges have come in for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), otherwise known as a drone, with enough funds so far to cover the purchase of the basic drone kit. Mellick discussed FAA and licensing requirements that must be met before the drone is used within the County for search and rescue use. Mellick also discussed matters at the Public Safety Center, including a plumbing repair and concerns about the warranty relating to the heating system, which he recommends should be extended.

Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker discussed that the County's Hazard Mitigation Plan was submitted to Iowa's Homeland Security. Snitker also talked about an upcoming budget hearing and said that a recent Emergency Management tabletop exercise went well at the Lansing power plant. Snitker advised that an EMS presentation will take place at the Keystone facility in Elkader March 6.

Ridenour discussed a vacancy in the Secondary Roads Department for an equipment operator and truck driver, otherwise referred to as Maintenance Manager II, and that Union negotiations are ongoing. He noted that Monday, February 19 is Presidents' Day with the Secondary Roads Department being off. Beyer briefly discussed that in March, filing begins for those who wish to run for various County offices.