Allamakee County Board of Supervisors meeting of Monday morning, April 4

In a lengthy meeting Monday morning, April 4, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors discussed several items that have been ongoing issues in past months. While they did not make absolute decisions to solve some of these issues, the board took necessary steps toward coming to final decisions.

The first item of "old business" the board addressed involved the issue of an ordinance passed in 1997 that basically stated all plats filed needed to be signed, prior to recording, by the property owners of the real estate and the signatures be notarized. At the board’s March 14 meeting, local realtor Jack Sweeney approached the board with a request that this ordinance be changed.

The board then addressed the issue with Allamakee County Recorder Deb Winke, who noted that the ordinance was put in place to help make all parties involved aware of what is going on with the property. Winke also stated that she had spoken with Allamakee County Attorney Bill Shafer about the ordinance. Shafer was present at Monday's meeting, as were Winke and Sweeney.

The board approved the motion to make an amendment to the ordinance. The original landowner will be notified in writing that land is to be platted, and a copy of the document will be attached to the plat. This way, if all parties do not agree to sign, the land can still be platted. Shafer will write up the amendment.

Waukon City Council member Drew Hager and Waukon City Attorney Jim Garrett came before the board to address three matters: the land under Waukon City Hall, the alley behind the Vet's Club, and a new location for a yard waste disposal site.

Hager asked the board members what the county’s intentions were pertaining to the land under City Hall - if the county would deed the land to the city, and if they did, would there be stipulations. County Attorney Shafer noted that the problem with deeding the land to the city with restrictions is that there could be multiple interpretations of those restrictions. Board of Supervisors Chairperson Kathy Campbell noted that she felt the current members of the Waukon City Council all have a reverence for the history that is behind the land where City Hall is located, but she did not want to see future generations utilizing that land for a private business, for example.

The question was also raised as to whether or not there was a copy of the original lease agreement, made over 100 years ago. Shafer stated that the Recorder's Office had searched, but could not find anything. It was the board's decision to keep leasing the land under the City Hall to the city, and Shafer stated that he would write a lease that would be effective for another 100 years.

In an attempt to solve the problem of where city residents can dump their yard waste, Hager asked if it would be possible for the city to locate a compost and chipping area at the Allamakee County Rural Recycling Center located along Highway 9, east of Waukon. Hager stated that the city was wanting to use this site because it is staffed during the day, so waste could be monitored, and the city would offer compensation for use of the county property.

County Solid Waste Coordinator Dave Mooney explained that the facility is permitted through the state and DNR and there are several codes that they must adhere to, and there is the matter of the facility's proximity to Makee Manor. There are restrictions on burning and noise, and the borderline between the two properties is already very close, so the Rural Recycling Center could not expand to fit this need. Hager noted that the city is eliminating the burning, but he understood there were other restrictions and have the City Council explore other options.

In regards to the alley running behind City Hall, the Vet's Club, and the Courthouse Museum, the board asked Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour his opinion about that situation. The alley is a county road, but is maintained by the city most of the time. There was discussion as to the expenses of the city taking over the alley, and if the city would even be interested. Hager responded by saying he would take that to the council's Monday night meeting. There was a question as to who would pay the surveying expense if the alley was given to the city, and there was also the matter of the cost of the paved parking area located behind city hall, which was paid by the county.

It was decided that if the city would take over ownership of the alley, they would only have to pay for the survey cost, and if they left the situation the way it is now, they would have to pay for the maintenance that had been done. Ridenour noted that he felt it fair to ask the city to pay that, as the Vet's Club owners had paid for the area that was paved directly behind their building.

Rick Zahasky was present to update the board on union negotiations. Zahasky stated that the union representatives had "drawn a line in the sand" and were asking for an additional $20 per month to cover rising insurance costs, or go to arbitration. Zahasky explained that if it went to arbitration, a certified, independent fact finder would be brought in to hear arguments from both sides and make an opinion. The case would then go before a judge who would chose one of three outcomes: the county's, the union's, or the fact finders. The judge's decision would be legal and binding. Supervisor Lennie Burke asked what would happen if Zahasky went back and tried to negotiate an hourly wage increase. It was then suggested by the board that Zahasky go back to the union negotiators and see exactly how they felt about an hourly wage increase.

The supervisors also began the consideration of changes in voting precincts. In order to comply with new HAVA (Help America Vote Act) federal mandates, Allamakee County should have the new, certified voting machines in place by January 1, 2006. Mary O'Neill explained to the board that there is already talk that the current voting equipment will be de-certified by December 31 of this year. The county could opt to begin using its choice of new voting machines for the elections this fall. She also informed the board that the form for federal aid has to be filled out, but "it does not set in stone what type of voting equipment we will use, it is just to give them an idea."

Allamakee County should receive about $103,000 to help purchase the new machines. There are four types of machines that are currently awaiting certification. All precincts must be handicap accessible, and the criteria will be strictly enforced. The auditor did say that there would be some funding available specifically to make precincts meet the requirements for being handicap accessible.

In order to help cut the costs of purchasing machines for all of the 22 precincts in Allamakee County, and not all are handicap accessible, the Auditor's Office has been looking at options for reducing the number of precincts and meeting the requirements on making precincts accessible to all. O'Neill presented four possible solutions which ranged from 17-18 precincts, 15 precincts, 12 precincts, and 11 precincts.

In order to combine precincts, they must be contiguous, and have a populous of no more than 3,500 total. It was noted that the driving distances to some polling places may increase greatly, and in some cases they may have to try and find a new place that would be centrally located. The board decided that it would be prudent to meet with the township trustees and form a committee to look into this matter. They will set up a meeting with the trustees towards the end of the month as an informational meeting.

A department head meeting was held, with a few of the departments reporting what they have going on. Dave Mooney, Solid Waste Coordinator and Safety Committee, noted that Secondary Roads would be attending a safety program being put on by Stihl Chainsaw. He also reminds that rural spring cleanup is Tuesday, April 19. This event is for rural Allamakee citizens. There will be a $10 fee for appliances. They will not be accepting tires and paint, but will take old batteries and oil. More information is available elsewhere in this issue of The Standard.

County Engineer Brian Ridenour noted that he is getting ready to interview for the Dorchester position and presented a list of applicants to the board. Linda Kruse, Relief Office, told the board that they will be receiving $4,000 from FEMA to help with utilities and rent. Kruse noted that April 1 is the date when people can be disconnected from utilities. Auditor Mary O'Neill reminded department heads that there will be an open house to celebrate County Government week April 22 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Ann Burckart was present to say that a GIS coordinator has been hired. Jan Heikes, CPC, announced that there will be a small bus of individuals going to Des Moines for Advocating for Change Day, and she also updated on the mental health center. Barb Winter, Substance Abuse Prevention, reported that staff had been hired with the safe schools grant.

In other business, the board accepted the resignation of Kenneth Flage from his position as Director of the Allamakee County Veteran's Affairs Office, effective June 30, 2005. The board also approved the Groves/Schultz Manure Management Annual Update and a certificate of adjustment for a tax list item for Roger Hammel. Ridenour presented the board with the IDOT Secondary Road Budget and five-year construction program. There are four big paving projects coming up in FY06, which begins July 1: Dorchester Drive, Lycurgus Road, Frankville Road, and LaFayette Ridge Road.