Supervisors approve creation of temporary business access during Green Valley Bridge replacement project, discuss other matters

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 30 to address a full agenda of items including a temporary access during the Green Valley Bridge project, designation of office space for a Magistrate/Judge chambers and the consideration of hiring a part-time employee for the Secondary Roads Department.

Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer indicated that there was a change to the agenda with the removal of the County Farm cropland rental agenda item. Beyer explained that the check for the County Farm rental has arrived and that there was no need to discuss the matter.

During Public Comment, Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker discussed that $500 in grant funding is available to assist in the purchase of an automated external defibrillator (AED), with the approximate $800 remaining to be taken out of the Safety budget. Snitker indicated that utilizing the grant funding is an opportunity to save the County $500 in purchasing a replacement AED necessary due to the age of one AED still in use in a County vehicle. Snitker also said that replacement would also then get the County’s AEDs down to two uniform models, which is preferable for necessary replacement equipment including batteries and pads.

Snitker then indicated that he would be leaving the meeting early to be part of a webinar.

The Supervisors moved into the consideration of the Green Valley Bridge project and temporary access, with Brian Sweeney of Green Valley Getaway in attendance. At the April 23 Supervisors meeting, Sweeney had discussed the need for a temporary access for the business during the Green Valley Bridge project and that a temporary access is vital to Green Valley Getaway’s operation during the bridge replacement project.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour discussed meeting with Sweeney recently at the site and that a 48” culvert is available to be used for the temporary access and would be returned following completion of the project. The Waukon City Council had approved the temporary culvert project at its April 16 meeting contingent upon a cost-share with Allamakee County at no more than $2,000. Supervisor Dan Byrnes motioned that the Secondary Roads Department would supply a 48” culvert to be returned following completion of the project with funding up to $2,000 for the temporary access, which was approved by the Supervisors.

The Supervisors discussed designating office space for the Magistrate/Judge chambers, with Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler indicating that this office area was previously used by probation officers and is next to the County Attorney’s office. Kistler explained that the office space has been requested for use by judges when not working at the bench. The Supervisors gave permission to use the office space for a Magistrate/Judge chambers.

The Supervisors discussed setting a date for watershed inspections with Byrnes recommending that District Project Coordinator LuAnn Rolling with the Allamakee County Soil, Water and Conservation District (SWCD) be contacted regarding a time likely in June that would work best. No date was set at this time.

The Supervisors discussed the reconsideration of payment for the temporary easements for the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) Sidewalk Improvement Project. The easements being discussed were previously approved at the March 26 Supervisors meeting and were to allow construction workers on a small section of property necessary for sidewalk replacement at the Allamakee County Historical Society Museum and the Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism Office, and the remaining two easements were for similar work at the Allamakee County Courthouse, allowing for a minimum $100 payment per easement to be accepted to cover any additional or unforeseen expenses associated with the sidewalk replacement.

Beyer indicated that she was contacted by the DOT and informed that the $100 minimum payment per easement would not be paid due to the involvement of two government entities in the project. The Supervisors acknowledged that the $100 per easement payment would not be accepted and approved to sign the easements again.
County Engineer Ridenour provided a recommendation to hire Carter Fuhrman as a temporary part-time laborer for the Secondary Roads Department, starting May 2 at $11 per hour with no benefits. Ridenour discussed that Fuhrman also filled this position last year. The Supervisors approved the hiring of Fuhrman.

Under Department Head Updates, Ridenour indicated that road embargoes will be lifted Tuesday and that a spray notice will be advertised in the newspaper for spraying brush towards the end of May, giving people the opportunity to register to not have their ditches sprayed and to mark their ditches with no spray signs. Ridenour discussed the importance of spraying ditches and doing manual brush cutting for safety reasons and improving visibility. Ridenour also discussed an upcoming meeting with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Beyer discussed that preparations for elections are ongoing and that training sessions for poll workers will be taking place with the laptop programs due to election law changes involving I.D.s She also said that Friday of this week, she and office staff member Janel Eglseder will be attending a continuing education session required for election certification in Cedar Rapids.

Supervisor Dennis Koenig provided an update from a recent County Social Services (CSS) meeting indicating that Kossuth County has indicated it has chosen to no longer provide financial support to the CSS quadrant, which all counties in the quadrant have agreed to do per 28E agreement. Koenig indicated Kossuth County may go into mediation regarding this matter.

Byrnes discussed that there were two opportunities last week to speak with eighth grade students with question and answer sessions that went well. Schellhammer discussed the upcoming Northeast Iowa Tourism meeting to take place this week at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing.