Supervisors not entirely in favor of using American Rescue Plan funding for proposed County Facade Program, agree to continue the discussion

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, February 28 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion of a proposed County Facade Program utilizing American Rescue Plan funding, the Public Hearing for the County FY23 Maximum Levy/Property Tax Dollars and the consideration of setting a date and time for the Public Hearing for the FY23 County Budget.

During Public Comment, Ron Strong of Strong Rock & Gravel provided an overview of purchase amounts made by Allamakee County during 2019-2021 for road rock supplied by his quarry. Strong provided a recommendation for the County to consider the use of smaller divisions to allow for small quarries to bid and create more competition and savings in this bidding process. Strong discussed a variety of matters relating to road rock testing performed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) with Dan Bechtel of Rainbow Quarry providing additional feedback relating to road rock sampling and testing.

George Beardmore and John Bauercamper of the Allamakee County Historical Society were present to provide an update relating to the Veterans Museum located in the former Vet’s Club location next to the Allamakee County Historical Society Museum in Waukon. Beardmore noted that the Veterans Museum will be open by Memorial Day and recommended that a tour with the Supervisors be scheduled prior to the official opening date.

Supervisor Dan Byrnes suggested that a Supervisors meeting could be held in the Veterans Museum, similar to the meetings scheduled each year at libraries within the county, away from the board room within the County Courthouse. Beardmore advised that an upcoming program relating to the U.S. Navy in World War II, patrol torpedo (PT) boats and submarine chasers will be open to the public in the Veterans Museum’s Program Room Saturday, March 19 at 10 a.m.

The Public Hearing for the County’s Fiscal-Year 2023 (FY23) Maximum Levy/Property Tax Dollars was opened. Beyer advised that no comments were received with the hearing being closed. The Resolution approving FY23 County Maximum Property Tax Dollars was then approved. The Supervisors approved Monday, March 21 at 9:40 a.m. as the date and time for the Public Hearing for the FY23 County Budget.

Allamakee County Environmental Health Director Laurie Moody presented information relating to five plat requests due to Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Stephanie Runkle’s scheduled absence. Each request was individually reviewed and approved by the Supervisors including Gregory J. Benjegerdes, David D. Vorwald, Randy J. and Melissa J. Wedo, Bernard J. Welsh Estate, and Robert A. and Kristi M. Hager.

Prior to moving into the next agenda item, Board Chairperson Larry Schellhammer noted that the County Social Services (CSS) mental health region has committed $200,000 towards the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Medical Clinic’s office renovation for the portion of its building to be used as a mental health clinic. At the Monday, February 21 Supervisors meeting, American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding was approved to be obligated in the amount not to exceed $380,000 for the VMH mental health clinic. At the February 28 meeting, Schellhammer said the mental health clinic project is fully funded with ARP and CSS funding and is moving forward.

The meeting moved into discussion of the proposed County Facade Program and ARP funds. Executive Director Andy Kelleher of Lansing Main Street provided an overview of the support received relating to this potential program including letters of support from Waukon, Lansing and New Albin following unanimously approved Resolutions of Support by the respective city councils of those communities. Kelleher further advised that letters of support have been provided by Postville Mayor Dennis Koenig, Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) and Lansing Office Works.

Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) further discussed the merits of this program in improving building facades countywide, in promoting business and tourism, and as an opportunity to utilize ARP funding. Reinke requested feedback from the Supervisors relating to in-person, phone and email communications received from the public relating to this proposed program.

Reiser claimed that he has only received phone calls from individuals against the program, with several phone calls taking place following Reinke’s recent radio interviews discussing the matter. Reiser also discussed a recent conversation with Executive Director Paul Berland of Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) with Berland advising that Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding is available for this type of program.

Reiser questioned why Berland has not been contacted or consulted by ACED relating to this program and funding source. Reinke responded that Waukon City Clerk Sarah Snitker is pursuing CDBG funding and is attempting to find enough businesses to meet the criteria necessary for that funding application. Schellhammer discussed feedback from Waukon Mayor Pat Stone, who advised that the City may be interested in partnering with the County on this program.

Waukon City Manager Gary Boden discussed Waukon’s use of $540,000 of ARP funding the City received to include sewers and underground infrastructure, in addition to the resurfacing of the airport runway, among other long delayed projects. Boden discussed the countywide facade program as a benefit to each community and for rural residents who utilize these businesses.

Reiser further discussed his opposition to County funding being used for private businesses while explaining that County priorities have been law enforcement, infrastructure, fire protection, schools, libraries, among other needs. Reiser said that he does not expect taxpayers to pick up the tab for this program.

Boden responded that this discussion relates to the entire county’s economic system which includes agriculture, business, rural residents and communities, in many ways integrated in their support of each other in the local rural economy. Kelleher added that the use of federal ARP funding for this program will benefit the county in increased economic activity, property taxes, sales tax, among other benefits.

Byrnes discussed feedback received, half in favor of the program and half against, and provided an overview of the ARP funding with the first disbursement having been obligated and the second disbursement to the County not yet obligated. Byrnes recommended that the facade program not be added immediately, with the conversation to be continued relating to the second half of ARP funding. Byrnes suggested that there are some questions to be answered relating to the eligibility of rural businesses and whether other funding, such as CDBG funding mentioned by Berland in his role as a consultant, could be used for this program.

Schellhammer added that there may be some other funding opportunities available, mentioning the Hotel/Motel tax as an example, to get this program started for the County. Reinke discussed Berland’s feedback and encouraged the increased involvement of ACED in these discussions in addition to the accountability of the Supervisors in recording and sharing public feedback relating to this proposed program. Byrnes added that communications with Berland have been part of public meetings and public record.

Kelleher further discussed the difficulties small communities have had in accessing CDBG funding individually and not being able to meet criteria relating to the required number of participants, a reluctance to be labeled a blight community and scale of projects too small to qualify. Kelleher recommended that the County Facade Program would provide local control and focus. Boden, Reinke and Kelleher also each noted the County Facade Program would require a 50/50 commitment from the business owner.

The meeting moved into the consideration of outstanding warrants to be voided, which were approved to be voided per the list provided.

Byrnes addressed the next matter relating to the consideration of setting dates to hold Supervisor meetings at City libraries. Byrnes discussed the recommendation made earlier in the meeting to hold a Supervisors meeting at the Veterans Museum in Waukon. The Supervisors were in agreement to add this meeting location to the schedule of meetings to be held at libraries in 2022 and for the matter to be added to the next meeting agenda for approval. No action taken.

The meeting moved into the consideration of the painted pavement marking contract and bond with Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour providing a recommendation to move forward with low bidder Fahrner Asphalt Sealers of Eau Claire, WI at $131,607.11. The Supervisors approved that recommendation.

Ridenour also addressed the next matter relating to the consideration of the bid for the Iowa River Drive (A26) road project. Ridenour provided a recommendation to accept the bid from Skyline Construction, Inc. at $5,715,127.55 with the Supervisors approving that recommendation. The Resolution to approve the Iowa River Drive (A26) contract and to designate the County Engineer to digitally execute the contract was also approved.

Under Department Head Updates, Ridenour discussed options available relating to materials and bridge projects. Savings relating to mobilization costs for two bridge projects on Makee Drive were discussed by Ridenour and Reiser, potentially allowing for both projects to be completed without shutting down this road twice.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick provided an update relating to the Public Safety Center’s water system with engineering details to be provided by Fehr Graham Engineering. Mellick advised that work continues on the solar array located on the Public Safety Center grounds.

Prior to adjournment, Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer noted that budget information is being submitted online into State of Iowa forms which in turn will produce the notice necessary for newspaper publication. Beyer discussed ongoing work relating to township budgets, preparation of an advertisement relating to items on the top floor of the County Courthouse and ongoing work relating to the transfer of responsibilities relating to HIPAA compliance. Beyer also discussed work taking place relating to ceiling and lighting improvements in a few offices within the County Courthouse.