Supervisors pass resolution to lower speed limit on portion of Lansing Harpers Road, approve proposed County Engineer employment agreement on split vote
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 12 to address a full agenda of matters. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present.
During Public Comment, Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) Executive Director Val Reinke made note of an Allamakee Energy District Meeting to take place later that same day and further noting an Upper Explorerland Regional Housing Trust Meeting to take place Tuesday, June 13 this week. She advised that the Big Four Fair is scheduled for June 16-18 at the Postville Fairgrounds with the Allamakee County Dairy Days Parade scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, June 16 in Postville. Reinke also noted that a new business, Ole and Lena’s Food truck, will be occasionally present for Waukon Music in the Park performances throughout the summer.
Reinke reported that the next Supervisors Meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 19 at the Waterville Community Center as part of the Supervisors’ annual tour of public libraries and communities. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer added that this meeting schedule in other communities will continue the third Monday of each month through November.
The meeting moved into the consideration of bids for sidewalks around the Allamakee County Courthouse. Byrnes noted that this matter was also on last week’s agenda with no action taken due to questions relating to the comparison of bids and their related specifications including distances, square footage and concrete depth. Byrnes advised that a specification sheet may need to be sent to bidders with Keatley noting that more clarity and uniform bidding is needed for a comparison. The inclusion of concrete bumpers for the west parking area was also discussed by Head of Courthouse Maintenance John Roe for inclusion on the specification sheet. This matter was tabled to allow for uniform bids to include four-inch sidewalk depth and other specifications.
The meeting moved into the consideration of action relating to the handicap parking space in the west parking lot. It was discussed at the Monday, June 5 meeting that public feedback was received relating to the placement of the Goodwill Box, a small food pantry available 24 hours a day to those experiencing food insecurity, with the decreased area next to the handicapped parking space due to this placement in the lower parking lot creating difficulties for the operation of lifts used for wheelchair accessible vans and vehicles. Following discussion, the Supervisors approved to double the width or extend the handicapped parking space in the west parking lot.
The meeting moved into the consideration of proposals for the County Courthouse building assessment. Byrnes noted that this matter was discussed during a work session last week with two proposals having been received. He further noted that American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds could be used for this project. Byrnes said that the two bids received include $19,600 from Wieser Brothers Construction and $63,152 from Borton Construction. Byrnes advised that these bids were calculated using specifications that are not exactly “apples to apples” but close enough to allow for a comparison.
Following discussion, the Supervisors approved to accept the low bid from Wieser Brothers for the assessment of the County Courthouse.
The meeting moved into the consideration of an Allamakee Substance Abuse and Prevention (ASAP) change to full-time status using Opioid Settlement Funds. Auditor Beyer advised that ASAP Coordinator Jean Bossom had a schedule conflict due to an appointment at the school this morning and would not be present for the discussion of this matter. This status change was discussed previously during a Tuesday, May 30 work session and relates to a move from part-time to full-time hours to allow for additional prevention work by ASAP and to secure additional grant funding for more education and prevention efforts in schools. The change to full-time hours for this position was approved.
Beyer addressed the next matter relating to the discussion of proposals for County Courthouse/County Building blueprint scanning. Beyer noted a proposal from the Copy Shoppe in Waukon and from another service provider have been received. Beyer noted options available from the Copy Shoppe relating to the scanning of these documents, with a scanner capable of this work soon to be delivered, and the creation of pdf files to be included in this process. Beyer noted the other service provider has included the creation and online web-posting of pdf files in its proposal. No action was taken relating to this discussion.
The meeting moved into the discussion and consideration of the Manpower Agreement and Rate and Service Confirmation for temporary part-time help in the Auditor’s office. Beyer provided an overview of the use of Manpower’s services relating to part-time assistance in the County Auditor’s office. Following discussion, the agreement, rate and service confirmation with Manpower for temporary part-time help in the Auditor’s office was approved.
The meeting moved into the consideration of the Speed Limit Resolution for the Lansing-Harpers Road (X42). Byrnes noted that Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour and Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick have viewed this road and provided feedback relating to the speed limit and stop sign condition at Dry Ridge/Lansing-Harpers Road as part of the route used for hauling dirt fill to the former Alliant Energy Power Plant in response to safety concerns raised by the public.
Ridenour advised that data shows no accident history in the last ten years for this haul route and further advised that research has taken place relating to plans from the 1950s. Ridenour further advised that in comparison to modern road design standards, the posted speed limit recommendation would be 45 mph at the crest/hill, not the current 55 mph due to the limited sight distance. Ridenour advised that a Resolution to this effect has been prepared with the existing 1,000 feet long 45 mph section to be lengthened to the south past the Dry Ridge intersection another 2,248 more feet, for a total of 3,248 feet at 45 mph with this change creating an additional six seconds of travel time for motorists.
Reiser noted feedback received relating to both sides of this issue to increase or decrease the speed limit with Ridenour further noting similar feedback. Mellick discussed visibility and truck traffic with a nearby quarry and the limited number of accidents on this road. Byrnes advised that he received one call to keep the speed limit the same, among another call to keep the speed limit on Great River Road the same.
The Supervisors approved the motion to move to a 45 mph speed limit on Lansing Harpers Road (X42) and to approve the Resolution presented by the County Engineer’s office. Ridenour noted that this is effective on placement with the Resolution making the matter enforceable. Mellick noted that this is not about writing speeding tickets but to encourage a slow down for safety, with speed trailer signage to be placed to make the public aware.
The meeting moved into the consideration of renewing the County Engineer’s Contract. Ridenour advised that this contract has been very similar over the last several years with a change being a five-percent pay increase for Fiscal-Year 2024 (FY24) and the standard three-percent for Fiscal-Year 2025 (FY25). Reiser recommended that pay increases for FY24 and FY25 remain at three-percent for both years for Ridenour, noting concerns relating to higher wage employees and their greater impact on the County budget as a result.
Keatley discussed wage increases for the Secondary Road Department at three-percent and a two-percent increase later. Keatley noted that he does not have an issue with the five-percent increase and further discussed the good condition and maintenance of roads. Byrnes noted his agreement with Keatley with next year being an average three-percent increase. Ridenour’s positive history as the County Engineer was discussed with his start date in this role taking place in 1999. The employment agreement for County Engineer Ridenour was approved with Reiser voting against the matter.
Under Department Head Updates, Mellick provided an update relating to the water project at the Allamakee County Public Safety Center. He noted contact with a couple of contractors relating to this project and water tank estimates. Mellick also advised that it is busy within the county over the weekends with tourism during the summer.
Allamakee County Solid Waste Manager Dave Mooney discussed a potential lawn mower replacement and a program available locally to replace this equipment with a new mower on an annual basis. Mellick and Mooney discussed the maintenance, age and wear and tear on the existing lawn mower with replacement being discussed.
Mooney also discussed concerns relating to the dirt fill/truck route to the former Alliant Energy Power Plant. Mellick noted that this traffic should decrease as completion of this project approaches, with that time being estimated as sometime in August. Mooney noted concerns from the public relating to the rural solid waste site near Lansing and the traffic on this truck route, and Reiser suggested the option of rural residents hauling solid waste to the Solid Waste Facility near the Public Safety Center outside of Waukon.
Bossom joined the meeting and provided an update relating to a variety of matters including work being done relating to a needs assessment for schools. Bossom and Mellick discussed vaping enforcement at schools within the county with Mellick advising that the local police departments are performing this enforcement with Mellick and Bossom discussing the potential of increasing these fines. Bossom also discussed programming relating to vaping and recommended the increased involvement of parents relating to these programs and education opportunities.
Allamakee County Treasurer Jennifer O’Neill noted that her office will be closed next Tuesday, June 20 to allow her department to attend training. O’Neill further noted that Clayton County is not part of this district and will be available to the public that day.
Ridenour discussed the Supervisors’ plans to participate in several watershed inspections following the business portion of this meeting and following adjournment. Ridenour further noted that Bruening continues to haul road rock with Ridenour also noting that spray patching will resume next week.
Beyer noted work relating to the fiscal-year-end and briefly discussed the audit process. She noted that claims will take place June 26 with another meeting to take place June 30.
Resident Arlen Wonderlich made a request to revisit the speed limit on Great River Road. Byrnes advised that this matter be added to a future agenda to allow for official action and discussion by the Supervisors. Wonderlich discussed pedestrian traffic as a safety concern with over 100 homes from the Driftless Education and Visitors Center in Lansing to the former Alliant Energy Power Plant. Ridenour added that a Department of Transportation (DOT) traffic study could be requested.
