Supervisors hold meeting in New Albin, approve vacating road #231

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 18 at the New Albin Public Library as part of the board’s yearly tour of county libraries. The board addressed agenda items including Secondary Roads Department transfers, approval of the Knotty Pine liquor license renewal and a Public Hearing for vacating and closing old road #231 in Hanover township.

During Public Comment, New Albin Public Library Director Heather Abrahamzon discussed plans to automate the library’s system to utilize a scanner and bar codes for checking books in and out. Abrahamzon further explained that this step will help the library become accredited and qualify for additional State funding and will allow patrons to search for books using a computer and utilize the inter-library loan system.

Abrahamzon discussed story times for children taking place Tuesdays and Thursdays with some guest story readers and that plans are being made for a children’s farmers market, as part of an educational program, where children will be able to purchase food items using play money and learn about food preparation using items purchased to create salsa, smoothies and healthy snacks. Abrahamzon discussed the library’s programming which recently included mental health topics with May being Mental Health Awareness Month.

Supervisor Dan Byrnes and Abrahamzon discussed the display case within the library containing arrowheads donated by Edward Colsch. Abrahamzon expressed interest in having a guest lecturer speak about the Native American culture and that Ross Gerdes, Allamakee County Conservation Naturalist, would be conducting a story time July 17 with plans to bring along several animals for children to view.

Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) discussed New Albin area businesses including L & M Gas & Go, which she explained now has 24/7 gas pumps. Reinke indicated that the City Meat Market has increased its promotions with more advertising and that Pool 9 Pub & Grub is now under new management. Reinke also indicated that improvements are taking place at the Army Road Park.

The Supervisors moved into the Secondary Roads Department transfers that were previously discussed at the June 11 Supervisors meeting. The matter had been postponed due to discrepancies in the transfer amounts. Board of Supervisors chairperson Larry Schellhammer indicated that the amounts associated with these transfers have been corrected. Byrnes motioned to approve transfers from Rural Services to Secondary Roads in the amount of $351,149.42 and from the General Fund to Secondary Roads in the amount of $17,310.28, which were then approved by the Supervisors.

Prior to moving into the next agenda item, Reinke briefly discussed the tour of Trinity Fabricators Inc. scheduled to take place later in the meeting, which will include their expanded office area. Reinke indicated that Trinity Fabricators is seeking additional employees.

Reinke also discussed the value of job shadowing and internships and the importance of the Career Learning Link program through Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) in exposing high school students to high demand career opportunities. Reinke and Supervisor Dennis Koenig discussed how several employers are becoming “employers of choice” by making improvements and adding incentives to attract employees in Iowa’s current employment environment with low unemployment.

The Public Hearing for vacating and closing old road #231 in Hanover Township was opened with Jacob Hart, owner of High Point Realty and Auction of Decorah and Stewartville, MN, in attendance. Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour was part of the meeting by speakerphone from the Supervisors Board Room at the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon. Ridenour indicated that no members of the public were in attendance at the board room.

Hart discussed the purchase of the property and learning about the history of the gated public road, which he would like to improve. By phone, Ridenour explained that Hart would like to improve the road and either improve the wooden bridge or have it replaced with a culvert to allow the transport of heavy loads, with the road and bridge to become part of Hart’s property. Ridenour indicated that the public notice for this matter was published June 6 without any written or verbal comment received.

The public hearing was closed. The Supervisors then moved into the consideration of the resolution to vacate and close old road #231 in Hanover Township, which was approved as presented.

Under Department Head Updates, Ridenour indicated that the Green Valley Bridge has almost been completely removed, Bruening Rock Products is continuing with road rock resurfacing, the new John Deere motor grader will likely be arriving Tuesday, June 19 and regular road maintenance continues.

Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer discussed the election canvass and that tax statement preparation will be handled in July. Prior to adjournment, the Supervisors toured the Trinity Fabricators, Inc. facility in New Albin.