Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission will purchase Bruening building in Decorah after Nov. 30 vote

by Sharon Drahn,
Postville Herald

With an overflow crowd of between 20 and 25 concerned citizens forced to stand in the hallway, the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, at its meeting last Tuesday evening, November 30, voted to expand by purchasing the Bruening building in Decorah. The meeting was held in the conference room of the Upper Explorerland office building located on West Greene Street in downtown Postville.
Prior to approving the agenda, board member Leigh Rekow asked that the options for expansion be presented prior to public input. However, board chair Janet McGovern denied his request. McGovern said that, although it was not required under the law, they would allow one speaker from each of the five counties represented by the Commission as well as one speaker from Postville. However, those speakers would be limited to three minutes each.
Jack Sweeney, Waukon, spoke on behalf of Allamakee County. He expressed concern that Iowa Workforce Development, whom Upper Explorerland plans to partner with at the Bruening location, is laying off workers. He cautioned the Board to do the right thing.
Board member Larry Gibbs, speaking on behalf of Clayton County, asked the Board to consider the distance involved when purchasing expansion property. He noted it is a considerably longer distance for residents from remote areas of Clayton County to travel to Decorah.
Aaron Goldsmith, Postville business man, spoke on behalf of the City of Postville. Goldsmith said he thought it was an insult to the public to be forced to stand in the hallway. He commented that a public venue (Turner Hall) had been offered for the meeting and was denied. He said, “It is an insult to the public that people are not allowed to say what they feel about what happens to this public commission. No one has addressed the issue of the welfare of Postville and how it affects the community.”
Before moving on to the building proposals, Director Aaron Burkes addressed the lawsuit brought against the commission by the City of Postville and Jason Meyer. He said the allegation includes 50 counts and is 36 pages long. He told members their attorney, Thomas Wolle, would answer individual  questions if contacted.
With no further comments from the public, Chair McGovern commented on the Commission. She said, “I have been impressed, during my ten years of service, with the Board’s integrity and its concern for the good of the public and the five counties we serve. This group has always displayed cohesiveness and not shown animosity. It is our job to do what is in the best interest of the those we serve.”
After her opening remarks, each of the building proposals was presented.
Director Burkes presented the Bruening proposal. He said the building would have partners in place and is what they need for expansion. He said the building was move-in ready.
Paul Foxwell, manager of the Allamakee-Clayton REC, gave the proposal for the former REC building located at 228 West Greene in Postville. He said he had zero communication with anyone from the Commission since the last meeting. He said, “No one has offered me any direction as to what you wanted in my proposal so I have prepared what I thought you wanted.”
Among the improvements needed for the REC building would be a new heating system, asbestos abatement, painting and the building of a ramp. He said the current owners would update the flooring. The total cash outlay, he said, for the property would be approximately $246,000. He added they could generate and additional $1,200 per month by renting out garage stalls available in the back of the building.
David Schultz of Luana Savings Bank spoke about the property the bank owns on Greene Street in downtown Postville next to the current Upper Explorerland building. He said the bank was willing to give  the property to the Commission as long they renovated it. Improvements, he said, would run about $195,000 and provide a work area for 27 people.
Also presented for purchase was the former middle school in West Union. No one representing the property was present, but Director Burkes said the purchase would require much work and partnership agreements. Lease agreements were also presented, including the former Walmart building in Decorah and a property in West Union owned by Richard Cline.
Following the presentations, Burkes said that the Bruening building was move-in ready and all others were looking at at least a six-month rehabilitation period. Employees of the Commission, who filled the seats inside the crowded conference room, then were allowed an unlimited time frame to address the Board.
Among those speaking was former director Wendy Mihm-Herold, who spoke to the professionalism of the staff and the Commission’s long history in funding grants. Lisa Lensing, who deals with the Commission finances, said they must be fiscally responsible. She spoke about expansion, rather than moving, as she said the Bruening building is the most economical because of the partnering opportunities. Several other members of the staff also spoke in favor of the expansion to Decorah.
When presented with a motion to purchase the Bruening building in Decorah, the Commission members voted 16-2 to proceed with the purchase. Voting against the proposal were Postville Mayor Leigh Rekow and Oelwein Mayor Pro-Tem Duane Brandt.
Those voting yes were Jerry Fruend, Decorah; Larry Gibbs, Clayton County Supervisor; Mark Bohle, Cresco Mayor; State Representative Andrew Wenthe of Fayette County; Ray Whalen, New Albin; Allamakee County Supervisor Kathy Campbell; Oelwein City Council Member Paul Ryan; Clayton County Supervisor Randy Keehner; Winneshiek County Supervisor Les Askelson; Leon Griebenow of Elgin; Winneshiek County Economic Development Director Randy Uhl; Karla Organist of Fayette County; Fayette County Supervisor Mike Kennedy; Winneshiek County Supervisor Dean Darling; Clayton County Economic Development Director Darla Kelchen and Barb Ettleson of Decorah.
Upper Explorerland has had its headquarters in Postville since its inception in 1972. It was created 38 years ago by the five counties and cities of northeast Iowa to serve the regional needs of the area. Their job is to provide a variety of services to individuals, cities and counties, including planning programs, economic development, housing assistance and employment training.