Supervisors discuss creation of an official County Seal now required on election ballots, possible change in location of June 3 board meeting

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 13 to address a full agenda of items including discussion relating to the official County Seal, consideration of a temporary part-time Secondary Roads employee and setting the last meeting date of Fiscal-Year 2019 for paying claims.

There were no members of the public in attendance and no Public Comment. The Quarterly Report for Veterans Affairs was accepted and placed on file.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick discussed the next agenda item involving the consideration of using the County credit card for an online purchase of floor mats for a Sheriff’s Department vehicle. Mellick discussed the request to purchase floor mats for a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado at $34.45 with the Supervisors approving the purchase using the County credit card.

The Supervisors briefly discussed the possibility of authorizing the Sheriff’s Department to make purchases using the County credit card under a set limit. Following discussion, the board agreed to continue with the current policy with oversight by Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer and approval being required by the Board of Supervisors.

The Supervisors moved into the consideration of setting the last meeting date of Fiscal-Year 2019 for paying claims. Beyer and the Supervisors discussed possible dates and times with the Supervisors approving Thursday, June 27 at 9:30 a.m.

Beyer discussed the next item involving an alternate location for the June 3 Board of Supervisors meeting, explaining that the County Auditor’s Office would need to be temporarily relocated elsewhere within the County Courthouse due to new carpet installation in that office around that timeframe, with the Supervisors Board Room having been suggested as a possible location.

Supervisor Dan Byrnes suggested that the June 3 Supervisors meeting could be scheduled with an alternate location at either the New Albin Public Library or the Robey Memorial Library in Waukon, adjusting the schedule of county library visits for 2019. Beyer indicated that she will follow up with the libraries regarding the June 3 meeting date and with Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) relating to business and industry visits that will be scheduled in those communities following library visits.

Beyer provided an overview of new election ballot requirements involving an official County Seal being necessary at the top of ballots. Beyer indicated that to be compliant with new legislation, an official County Seal would need to be created with the County Auditor Seal or Board of Supervisors Seal not meeting this requirement. Beyer provided examples being used in other counties, including the Fayette County Seal. The Supervisors provided a recommendation for the County Seal design with Beyer agreeing to have a design created for their review and approval.

The Supervisors and Beyer discussed the resolution authorizing the assignment of Trustee Agent Agreements, Escrow Agent Agreements and/or Paying Agent and Registrar and Transfer Agent Agreements from Bankers Trust to UMB Bank. Beyer advised the board of UMB Bank’s acquisition of Bankers Trust’s corporate trust business, prompting the need to approve the updated assignment. The Supervisors approved the resolution.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour provided a recommendation to hire Miles Hansmeier as a temporary part-time scale operator with a start date of May 20 at $11 per hour without benefits. Ridenour indicated that Hansmeier will assist with maintenance and patching projects before assuming duties as scale operator. The Supervisors approved the hiring of Hansmeier.

Under Department Head Updates, Ridenour provided an update on the A26 bridge project with the deck likely being poured Wednesday or Thursday of this week. Ridenour also discussed upcoming meetings relating to flooding. Ridenour and Chairperson Larry Schellhammer discussed issues relating to commercial manure hauling and the condition of gravel roads. Ridenour indicated that the blading of gravel roads is ongoing with rock spot repairs also taking place.

Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker discussed the weather forecast for next week. Snitker provided an overview of the full-scale exercise that took place in multiple locations within the county Saturday, May 11, with a simulated railroad accident involving a fertilizer and chemical spill and a rollover accident both taking place in New Albin, as well as exercises at all four long-term care facilities within the county and a decontamination taking place at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Snitker indicated that Allamakee County was approved for the Federal disaster declaration for roads and county conservation, with that declaration and disaster period still being open. Snitker also advised that a traffic incident management training session is scheduled at the Waukon Fire Station Tuesday evening and that the Hazard Mitigation Program will be added to next week’s Supervisors meeting agenda.

Beyer indicated that two employees in the County Auditor’s Office will be attending training sessions in Ames this week and that carpet cleaning in the courthouse will be scheduled. Beyer indicated that the County vehicle policy meeting has been scheduled for May 15.