NE Iowa News

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met to discuss the road embargo resolution, review the county's insurance coverage and a highway bridge program on Monday, March 9. 

Clermont is debating using traffic cameras, Fayette County spent more money on gravel than the county anticipated and Postville City Council is discussing coronavirus (COVID-19) plans, Jack Knight said during public comment at the meeting.

Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Dennis Koenig approved requests for a Liquor License Renewal for the Old Rossville Store. 

Clark Mellick, Allamakee County sheriff, also spoke on the next plan for the county credit card.  

Fiscal year 2019's report was put on file after the report was accepted at the meeting and the special election's results were accepted as well. 

Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer spoke on the agenda for the County Auditor's Office and said that Account Clerk Karmen Piggott's probationary period has ended, which means her wage will be increased. The salary increase was approved. 

The Embargo Road Resolution was also presented by a county engineer, Brian Ridenour. Ridenour said that most asphalt roads have an embargo request of five-ton single axle and seven-ton tandem axle. This resolution for the road embargo was approved at the meeting. 

A public hearing Ridenour discussed was also approved by the supervisors. The hearing will be to provide recommendations for a part of old County Road No. 537, which isn't a Power Plan Drive but a dead end. 

A Cooperative Agreement for a Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP) Project with Bremer County was approved by supervisors. This agreement would supply funding to the program with the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 which gives the nation $225 million for transportation programs. 

Another road project by Cota Creek was also approved. Ridenour said that the project for the Iowa Department of Transportation and the B25 would cost $700,000, but $382,000 will be paid with federal aid. 

Upper Iowa Insurance Services' Jane Regan gave an overview of the county's insurance in relation to the courthouse and Public Safety Center. Regan suggested that the county should have coverage limits. 

The Health Insurance Committee had a recent meeting in which it was said there would likely be a 5% increase in insurance premiums, Ridenour said. A recommendation for this issue will be addressed at the following Supervisors meeting. 

Laurie Moody, the Allamakee County Environmental Health Directors, said she saw building sites and gave updates on them since there will be absences with training sessions coming up. 

Corey Snitker, Allamakee County Emergency Management coordinator, also spoke at the meeting. Snitker discussed COVID-19 and how the county should prepare. Beyer also spoke about practicing precautions for the coronavirus and that anyone quarantined could work from home.