Supervisors hear input from area veterans, receive petition in regard to replacement of damaged flag pole at Allamakee County Courthouse
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 18 at the Waterville Community Center, the former Waterville Elementary School, as part of the board’s annual rotation of offsite meeting locations and public library visits within the county. The Supervisors addressed a full agenda of matters including a City of Waterville update, the discussion and consideration of a replacement flagpole at the Allamakee County Courthouse and the consideration of a Civil Service Commissioner appointment.
The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes. Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark were also present.
During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) made note of the Friday, August 15 ribbon cutting at Mosaic’s new office location at 17 Allamakee Street in Waukon. Reinke advised that the Waukon City Council will be considering the approval of a contract with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) relating to the city’s Comprehensive Plan at its regular council meeting that same evening, Monday, August 18. She also made note of upcoming meetings including the Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund (NEIRHTF) meeting this week.
Reinke discussed an event scheduled in September relating to Waukon’s Thriving Communities designation with other communities awarded this designation to also present information at that time. She noted that meetings are taking place weekly relating to the Black Hawk Bridge in Lansing due to the anticipated demolition of the bridge with various community and business leaders, elected officials, among others continuing to push for a car ferry to be in place until the new bridge is completed.
Reinke advised that the Allamakee County Child Care Coalition continues to meet and is working on fundraising campaigns to support child care initiatives in the county. She further advised that this group has raised $158,000, with its goal being $250,000 to continue support of initiatives at the same level as the previous year. Reinke noted that Norplex in Postville will be celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary in business with an event for current and previous employees to take place and including information and displays relating to the company’s history and growth.
The meeting moved into the City of Waterville update and Waterville Public Library update with Waterville Mayor Dave Monserud addressing these matters. Monserud noted that the annual Country on the Creek Music Festival held Saturday, August 16 in Waterville went well with the event concluding prior to heavy rainfall that weekend.
Monserud advised that Waterville Park and Recreation has been working with the youth softball association in Harpers Ferry relating to plans to develop a ball diamond on the Waterville Community Center grounds. He explained that the ball diamond will help provide additional practice time and address practice time limitations for Harpers Ferry’s youth softball teams. Monserud advised that the ball diamond has been approved by the city council and will be a welcome addition with space available near the Community Center.
Mayor Monserud noted that the Waterville Public Library Board remains very active with Library Director Heather Bente continuing in her role which focuses on physical books and e-books, in addition to both adult-focused and child-focused programming. He discussed efforts to have the library available during pickleball and badminton events, among other uses of the Community Center.
County Auditor Denise Beyer noted appreciation for having the Community Center available as a polling place for elections. Byrnes also expressed the Board of Supervisors’ appreciation for having the Community Center available as a meeting location as part of the board’s annual rotation of public library visits and meeting locations.
To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, August 20, 2025 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.
