Supervisors hear variety of updates at session held at Robey Memorial Library

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 18 at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon as part of the board’s annual schedule of public library visits within the county. The Supervisors addressed a full agenda of items including discussion of a part-time dispatcher/jailer position, consideration of a traffic detour onto Secondary Roads due to the Waukon Holiday Parade and a City of Waukon planning update.

After the meeting was called to order, the agenda was modified with the removal of the County employee health insurance contribution matter. This item relates to the contribution amounts for spouses both employed by Allamakee County if enrolled in a family health insurance plan and if enrolled in a plan other than a family plan. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer advised that this matter will be addressed at a future meeting.

During Public Comment, Director Ardie Kuhse of Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) discussed the recent addition of two new businesses with two other new businesses currently being in the works with openings potentially taking place yet this fall. Kuhse said that work is ongoing with a large retail entity that is looking for a site. She updated the Supervisors about housing in Waukon with the Park Place development currently having one house under construction and another lot recently being sold. Kuhse also provided an update relating to the Candidate Forum to be held at 7 p.m. Monday, October 25 at Robey Memorial Library.

John Bauercamper of the Allamakee County Historical Society noted that a press release will be forthcoming relating to the Veterans Day program to be held in the program room of the museum the evening of Thursday, November 11 and repeated Saturday, November 13. He added that 10 videos have been acquired through the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum in Waterloo relating to interviews of veterans from Allamakee County with other videos to be available for viewing including a video about the Battleship Iowa. Bauercamper said that work continues on displays with the conversion of the former Vet’s Club structure into a museum taking longer than expected, with those displays now projected to be ready by Memorial Day with a formal grand opening being planned.

As part of her update, Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) discussed the Lansing area childcare survey with that process ongoing. Reinke provided an overview of the ACED annual meeting held Thursday, October 14 in Postville with Veterans Memorial Hospital receiving the Cloy Kuhse Positive Impact Award. Reinke discussed that grant opportunities have allowed for the hiring of a community developer in Postville. She also advised that a candidate forum has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 20 in Lansing.

The meeting moved into discussion of a dispatcher/jailer position with the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department. County Sheriff Clark Mellick referred to previous discussions that have taken place relating to staffing levels and scheduling challenges relating to the dispatcher/jailer position. He provided a recommendation to add a part-time dispatcher/jailer position to help alleviate some scheduling and staffing issues in addition to allowing for a smooth transition into a full-time position in the future. Mellick’s recommendation included that the starting pay rate would be $17.87 per hour at approximately 24 hours per week. The Supervisors were in agreement to have this matter added to a future agenda for formal action.

The Fiscal-Year 2021 (FY21) First Judicial District Department of Correctional Services Financial Report was next reviewed with the Supervisors approving to accept and place the report on file. The Quarterly Report for the County Relief Office was also accepted and placed on file.

The Supervisors moved into the next matter relating to scheduling the first-tier canvass for the City-School election. The Supervisors set 8 a.m. Tuesday, November 9 as the time and date for the first-tier canvass.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour provided an overview of the next matter relating to the request to detour traffic on to Secondary Roads due to the Waukon Holiday Parade. Ridenour advised that the parade is scheduled for December 6 with city and state-level approval of the detour route being granted. The Supervisors approved the request for the traffic detour.

Under Department Head/COVID-19 updates, Ridenour noted that a new employee is starting today and another starting next week due to retirements in the Secondary Roads Department. Ridenour noted that sand hauling will likely start next week in preparation for winter. Material shortages and supply chain issues were discussed by Ridenour in addition to recent feedback he has received from individuals relating to the Hotel/Motel tax and paving point criteria used in determining whether or not a gravel road should be paved.

Beyer advised that election preparation is ongoing with poll worker training to take place this week relating to the use of laptop computers with additional poll worker training scheduled for next week. She also discussed work taking place relating to a budget amendment. Schellhammer advised that a representative of County Social Services (CSS) will be present at the next Supervisors meeting with Beyer noting that a CSS Update will be added to the Monday, October 25 meeting agenda.

Waukon City Manager Gary Boden addressed the next agenda item relating to a City Planning update. Boden discussed the financing associated with the Wastewater Treatment Plant and that Aveka Nutra Processing has made an $800,000 investment in a system for pretreating its water discharges. Boden advised that the next step for the Wastewater Treatment Plant is to receive a NPDES permit through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). He discussed the timetable for applying for an NPDES permit with that final application to include operating agreements with industries relating to water discharge and detailing penalties and fines for non-compliance. Boden noted that a grand opening event at the Wastewater Treatment Plan will be planned with only some landscaping and driveway paving remaining on the project.

Boden also discussed the street paving project with 17 blocks being close to completion on the south side of Waukon. He indicated that the project has involved resurfacing and some curb and gutter in addition to some sub-base repair due to voids or holes under the existing street, which has contributed to six to seven weeks extra being required for this project. Boden advised that the City Council will review a recommendation to go to bid for 10 additional blocks for next year.

Boden further discussed street project financing and plans for financing a replacement Street Department garage. He noted that work continues with Veterans Memorial Hospital and ambulance services countywide in looking at EMS service delivery options and efficiencies.

Boden discussed the former JCPenney/Tierney building in downtown Waukon which is being transitioned into a steakhouse restaurant with funding from the Community Catalyst Building Remediation Grant through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), a contribution from the City of Waukon in addition to funding from investor Jose Velarde. Boden noted that the council has approved the sale of the property and that the City is utilizing the services of an architect in developing the layouts for work including plumbing and electrical and to ensure the east wall facing the Plaza is structurally sound with new glass windows yet to be installed.

Boden explained that the Plaza area will be used as an outdoor dining area and discussed plans for the interior lounge, dining and kitchen areas. He noted that interior sheetrock installation will likely begin in November in addition to other interior work, with the steakhouse restaurant projected to open in the spring. Boden further discussed that the steakhouse will be an anchor business for the downtown in addition to being a destination restaurant attracting many to Waukon. He advised that as a dining establishment open in the evening, parking availability in the downtown should not be an issue.

Boden also provided an update relating to the former McCabe property and the purchase of two parcels by Steve Pladsen, owner of R.W. Pladsen in Waukon. Boden provided an overview of plans in place related to these parcels and the infrastructure necessary for the development of this property located directly east of Second Street SW, between the Southcrest Assisted Living complex and the Waukon City Park. Boden advised that Pladsen’s car dealership will be relocated to the north side of a new 8th Avenue SW being planned for construction. He further advised that approximately 14 acres will be sold to the City with 10 acres to serve as an extension of the City Park and the remaining four acres to be sold by the City for the development of multiple family housing, such as apartment buildings. Boden discussed feedback from employers and other entities relating to the need for additional housing in Waukon.

In conclusion, Boden provided an update relating to potential stormwater mitigation projects that will be made possible with $850,000 of grant funding available as part of the Sponsored Project program through the State Revolving Fund (SRF).