Supervisors discuss possibilities with the Vet’s Club and with EMT training funding, along with updating authorized County vehicle driver list

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 16 to address a full agenda of items including discussion of the Vet’s Club in Waukon, County funding for EMT (Emergency Medical Technican (EMT) training and updating the authorized driver list for County vehicles. Chairperson Pro-Tem Dennis Koenig called the meeting to order with Chairperson Larry Schellhammer not in attendance due to a scheduled absence.

During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) discussed the scheduled showings of “The Foursome” documentary film Tuesday, December 17 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Town Theater in Waukon. Reinke discussed the importance of showing support for local filmmaking with “The Foursome” showings and also discussed filmmaker Jack Meggers’ involvement with the Oneota Film Festival, with his work being instrumental in bringing the festival to Waukon February 15 with a variety of films shown in the afternoon and a feature film being shown in the evening. With the Oneota Film Festival being an attraction, Reinke discussed the increased traffic the event will bring to town and that businesses are being made aware of the event to potentially take advantage of this opportunity with extended hours that day.

Reinke reported that Randy Iverson with KMRV Radio will be broadcasting the “Our Town” segment Thursday, December 19 at 9 a.m. at Jet’s Meats in Waukon. Reinke also discussed an upcoming industry magazine article showcasing the welding program in Waukon with an Allamakee County advertisement promoting the balance of recreation, business and community, which is scheduled to be included within that same magazine.

The Supervisors moved into discussion of the Vet’s Club in Waukon with John Regan providing an overview of several matters. Regan discussed challenges relating to the operation of the Vet’s Club including costs associated with insurance and electricity and turnover with managers typically lasting a year.

Regan indicated that the Vet’s Club membership would be open to suggestions and discussed a potential arrangement with the County that would allow the Vet’s Club to be used for meetings with the upstairs and apartments to be taken over by the County. Tom Regan added that the current lease with the County ends in 2024 with the current manager’s contract ending January 19, 2020.

Tom Regan discussed that seeking volunteers to help bartend would not likely be a viable option and that letters are being sent out to the membership with the goal of reaching a consensus about the future of the Vet’s Club with a meeting to be scheduled. Supervisor Dan Byrnes recommended that the Supervisors review the lease agreement and that the matter be added to the December 30 meeting agenda to discuss options. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer said this matter will be added to that meeting agenda for 9:40 a.m. with Byrnes advising that 15 minutes be allowed for discussion of the matter.

Cheryl Livingston with the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Ambulance Service addressed the next agenda item relating to County funding for emergency medical technician (EMT) training. Livingston discussed challenges in recruiting EMTs and provided an overview of Northeast Iowa Community College’s (NICC) history with this training program relating to the previous use of on-campus and camera-based satellite training with a recent return to face-to-face training being offered locally, which Livingston indicated is preferred by trainees, who typically also work full-time jobs.

Livingston discussed that there is interest from potential candidates but funding or scholarships may not be available. Livingston further explained that the training cost may be prohibitive with EMT volunteers not earning enough to pay for their education, and she requested that the County consider the sponsorship of trainees with ambulance services being a vital service for the public.

Rural township trustee Tony Baxter discussed additional considerations relating to the cost of ambulance replacement, with this replacement accelerated due to additional mileage related to transfers. Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick discussed mental health transfers, often requiring extensive travel to destinations elsewhere in the state, recommending that options locally could be discussed in the future. Byrnes indicated that the County may be able to provide some tuition assistance for EMT training with Koenig recommending that Livingston schedule a time during budget meetings to present information and discuss the possibility of that option.

The Supervisors moved into discussion of the driver list for County vehicles and whether County Social Services (CSS) employees are to remain on that list. Beyer indicated that Jane Regan with Upper Iowa Insurance Services annually forwards on a list of County employees authorized to drive County vehicles to the County’s insurance provider. Koenig indicated that CSS has advised that CSS employees be removed from the authorized driver list for the County with CSS vehicles or personal vehicles to be used in work-related travel.

Under Department Head Updates, Sheriff Mellick provided an update on the Public Safety Center’s water system with work ongoing with Culligan relating to the flow meter and that chlorination testing continues to come back good. Beyer indicated that steps related to valuations continue and will be submitted to the State and that work is ongoing relating to budgets.

Beyer also discussed the scheduled Supervisors meetings to take place Mondays through the holiday season including December 23, December 30 and January 6, with Thursday, January 2 scheduled as an organizational meeting for the new calendar year.