Board of Supervisors approves inclusion of Clerk of Court office within courthouse phone system, discusses Winneshiek County request for shared County Engineer

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 9 to address a full agenda of matters including Quarterly Reports from the County Treasurer and Planning and Zoning, the discussion and consideration of maintenance of Hickory Nut Drive, and discussion of an email from Winneshiek County relating to the possible agreement for a shared permanent County Engineer.

The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present. A Work Session was held at 8:30 a.m. prior to the regular 9:30 a.m. Board of Supervisors Meeting with several matters discussed including the addition of the Clerk of Court’s office phones and lines to the County Courthouse phone system, the County phone/internet contract and Courthouse fax options, among other related topics.

During Public Comment at Monday’s regular meeting, Debbie Kohler of rural New Albin discussed an ongoing situation relating to a dog barking on a nightly basis at a neighboring property. Kohler noted that multiple phone calls and reports have taken place since April 2023 with the Allamakee County Sheriff’s office. She further noted that due to a gap in the law, there is no noise ordinance in place relating to rural properties which otherwise would be applicable to this situation, with the County Sheriff’s office and Assistant County Attorney Jill Kistler unable to assist in remedying the matter as a noise violation, intentional nuisance or disorderly conduct related matter.

Kohler advised that the dog barking issue continues nightly and is beyond anything normal or acceptable with the dog’s owner unwilling to address the issue. Byrnes noted that Kohler’s next step may be to contact Allamakee County Zoning relating to the issue and that the Board of Supervisors would also be forwarding details relating to her discussion during Public Comment.

The meeting moved into the discussion and consideration of phone repairs for the Allamakee County Clerk of Court office, which Byrnes advised has been added as a last-minute agenda item due the matter’s urgency. Byrnes noted that this matter was discussed earlier as part of the morning Work Session relating to the equipment expense of $800 plus labor costs which would be necessary to allow that office to be included as part of the County Courthouse’s phone system. Following discussion, the Supervisors approved the phone system equipment modifications and repairs at $800 plus labor with this expense to be paid by the Clerk of Court’s office budget.

Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer introduced the next matter relating to Manure Management Plan updates for W&M Ag LLC. Beyer noted that two plan updates have been submitted, with the Supervisors reviewing both which were then accepted and placed on file. The Quarterly Reports for the County Recorder and County Planning and Zoning were accepted and placed on file. The Quarterly Update for the County Treasurer was reviewed with no official action being necessary.

The meeting moved into the consideration of the use of the County credit card by the County Attorney’s office. Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke noted that this request to use the County credit card relates to the purchase of office supplies and the purchase of furnishings for the office space at 12 1st Avenue NW in Waukon. The use of that office space had been previously approved as a waiting area for juveniles awaiting placement during what would typically be a five-to-six-hour window of time prior to being picked up by a family member.

At the October 9 meeting, Gericke noted that the furnishings expense may not have been previously included in a motion relating to the use of the County credit card with the office supplies expense needing to be added. Gericke clarified that all of these expenses will be paid from the County Attorney’s budget. The Supervisors approved the use of the County credit card by the County Attorney for the purchase of furnishings and office supplies at $700 with this expense to come out of the County Attorney’s budget.

Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour addressed the next matter relating to the discussion and consideration of maintenance of Hickory Nut Drive. Ridenour provided an overview of what had been discussed at the Monday, November 28, 2022 Board of Supervisors meeting relating to a request from property owner Travis Duehr, who was planning to construct a shouse, a combination house and shop, at his property on Hickory Nut Drive, a road he was requesting that Allamakee County consider for improved maintenance.

Ridenour provided some specifics relating to Duehr’s request with Ridenour advising that 600 ton of gravel would be necessary for improvements to this dead-end road with his recommendation being that Duehr have some buy-in for this project by paying for 100 ton of gravel. Ridenour noted that Hickory Nut Drive has not been completely abandoned or vacated but receives maintenance only once or twice a year without any wintertime maintenance. Ridenour advised that if the proposed application of 600 ton of gravel were to move forward, a turnaround area on the Duehr property would be a requirement. Byrnes and Ridenour discussed the development of an agreement which will be added to a future agenda. No action taken.

Via Zoom web-conferencing, Ebony E. Cooksey, Market Development Manager and Government Affairs Coordinator with Nextlink Internet & Phone, provided a presentation relating to Nextlink, a rural internet service provider with four offices and 50 employees in Iowa. Cooksey provided an overview of maps illustrating Nextlink’s coverage areas and current expansions relating to wireless and fiber within the county and state.

As part of the presentation, Cooksey discussed the importance of high-speed internet for businesses, municipalities and underserved communities and further discussed Nextlink’s efforts in partnering with local chambers of commerce, economic development entities, governments, among other institutions in making this access more available in rural areas. Cooksey advised that she will continue to keep the Supervisors updated relating to state funding as it becomes available. No action was taken relating to this discussion matter.

The meeting moved into discussion of an email from Winneshiek County relating to a possible agreement for a shared permanent County Engineer. Ridenour advised that an email on behalf of the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors had been shared with several counties in northeast Iowa relating to a possible County Engineer sharing agreement. Ridenour further noted that the Howard County Engineer has been assisting Winneshiek County on a temporary basis in this role with a permanent hire or sharing agreement being pursued.

Ridenour acknowledged the challenges in recruiting qualified and experienced engineers while noting his recommendation that Allamakee County and Winneshiek County are large enough to have their own respective full-time county engineers rather than establishing this as a shared position. He noted concerns relating to staffing shortages and current workload which make the timing of this request less than ideal. No action was taken relating to this discussion matter.

Under Department Head Updates, Ridenour noted that he was not present for the Public Comment portion of the Monday, October 2 Supervisors meeting, but was aware that there was some discussion of a request for additional Amish buggy related traffic safety signage. Further discussion on the matter took place with Keatley noting that the request for additional signage by Pat Ward of Waterville relates to Elon Drive.

Relating to diesel and gasohol fuel quotes, Ridenour noted that he will soon be providing that information to the Supervisors with the current agreement ending with the calendar year. The 6-County Meeting was also discussed with Ridenour noting that this will take place Wednesday of this week.

Prior to adjournment, Beyer discussed attending budgeting and accounting training sessions in Ames relating to updates by Solutions, the County’s software service provider. Beyer noted that auditors from Hacker, Nelson & Co. P.C. were in the Auditor’s office last week as part of the annual audit process. She reported that election-related work continues with poll workers being hired, the programming of laptop computers taking place and the printing of ballots. Beyer advised that absentee voting in-office and by mail begins October 18. She also noted that the Monday, October 16 Board of Supervisors meeting will take place at the Postville Public Library as part of the board’s annual schedule of library visits within the county.