Conservation Board Minutes – July 2024

Allamakee County Conservation Board Minutes July 2024

The Allamakee County Conservation Board met in regular session July 2, 2024 beginning at 1 p.m. at the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center in Lansing, Iowa. Board members who were present were: Jesse Delaney, Jeanie Carroll, Marilyn Clark and Dennis Koenig. Attending from the Allamakee County Conservation Board staff was Ross Geerdes, Brody VanderKolk and Emma Jacobs. Present from the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors was Mark Reiser. The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. and the day’s agenda and minutes from the June 2, 2024 regular board meeting were approved with a motion by Clark and a second by Carrol with all members in favor.

There was no public comment.

The board reviewed and approved the claims with a motion by Koenig and second by Clark. All in favor.

With the beginning of FY24/25 on July 1 the Director reviewed projects that were planned for the fiscal year. These projects included updating counters and sinks at the Bluffview Park, stain shelters and kiosks at all parks, replace the vandalized memorial at Stonebrooke Park, and completing a sidewalk for the transient dock at the Harpers Ferry Boat Landing.

The Director gave an update on flooding impacts and cleanup underway after the June 21/22 events. The most significant damage was at Clear Creek Park and The Garrett Greenbelt. Both parks had culverts or bridge approaches that were washed out in addition to significant debris. Cleanup is underway but much of the areas are still to wet from the flooding to make cleanup feasible. Parks and boat landings on the Mississippi River have experienced flooding, staff has moved much of the infrastructure such as docks and picnic tables above the water level. After the river crests debris will have to be removed from the parks as the ground dries and access is possible. The latest forecast from NOAA predicts the Mississippi River will crest sometime after the July 4 holiday.

Sealed bids were opened for the 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck. Two bids were received with Mike Manning bidding $10,059 and Kayla VanderKolk bidding $5,500. A motion was made by Clark and seconded by Carrol to accept the bid from Mike Manning for $10,059.

The management agreements with the Iowa DNR were reviewed. The director informed the board that the classification of the house has been changed indefinitely to a storage facility for the use of the Iowa DNR Law Enforcement bureau and they will retain the house at the Harpers Ferry Boat Landing. The Director recommended signing the contracts for management with the Iowa DNR. A motion was made by Carrol and a second by Clark to sign the management agreements with the Iowa DNR for the Harpers Ferry Public Boat Landing, Harpers Slough Access, Nobles Island Boat Landing, and Heytman’s Landing. All in favor.

In informational items and old business Director Geerdes notified the board of the upcoming Iowa County Conservation System dues. At the August meeting the director will give the board information from ICCS on the roles and responsibilities of the ICCS and the benefits to being a member. The upcoming ICCS Fall Conference will be hosted by Winneshiek and Fayette Counties in September. The director invited all staff and board members to consider attending the conference as it is a good way to network with other County Conservation members. Emma Jacobs informed the board members the new addition of the Rattlesnake Buzz Newsletter was available.

 

The time and date for the next meeting was set for August 6, 2024 at 1 p.m. in the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center.

With no additional business the meeting was concluded at 1:44 p.m. with a motion by Koenig and seconded by Clark to adjourn. All in favor.

Posted: July 1, 2024 in 2024 Conservation Board Minutes & Agendas

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