03/02/26 BOS Minutes

MINUTES OF THE ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2026

(UNOFFICIAL)

Board members present: Keatley, Byrnes, Clark. All members voting “AYE” unless noted.

 

Meeting called to order by Supervisor Clark, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

26.084-Motion Keatley/Second Byrnes to approve today’s agenda and minutes from February 23, 2026. Motion Carried.

 

The following people were present at various times throughout the meeting in person or via Zoom: Joseph Moses – Waukon Standard, Denise Beyer – Auditor and Clerk to Supervisors, Mike Hohenbrink – Postville Herald,  Keri Sweeting, Amy Moenk and Amanda Kesler – all 3 with Alliant Energy, Amy Bresnahan, Corey Richards, Teresa Severson, Laurie Moody, Ross Geerdes, Corey Snitker, Jane Regan, Val Reinke, Jim Pladsen, Andy Sires, Stephanie Runkle, Brian Ridenour, Clark Mellick, John Anderson.

 

Public Comment: None

 

Notification of electronically filed Manure Management plans updates for West Ridge Ag, Gibbs Dairy and EY1.

 

26.085-MotionByrnes/Second Keatley to approve use of county credit card for Laurie Moody for Certified Pool Operator class, hotel and meals up to $900. Motion carried.

 

Stephanie Runkle introduced Alliant Energy employees present, Keri, Amy and Amanda, and stated Planning & Zoning Commission has met with Alliant Energy and approved the project. Supervisor approval is the next step. The process for the Emergency Response Plan was discussed. Teresa Severson, Lansing City Clerk, spoke about road maintenance plan for South Front Street in Lansing due to the 116,000 pound weight of the loads using this route during the project; Engineer Ridenour discussed his concerns with using county roads for these heavy loads; Alliant is working with City of Lansing on city events and the loads per day; Val Reinke commented on communication efforts by Alliant to work together with all involved; Runkle presented the option of approval with conditions of a road use agreement before a building permit is issued; Ridenour recommends TerraCon includes testing on Front Street as well as the county roads. Runkle suggested approval of the project with conditions; Runkle will make sure the conditions are met before a building permit is issued.

26.086-Motion Byrnes/Second Keatley to approve the Alliant Energy Battery Energy Storage System project at the Power Plant site contingent on a road use agreement, emergency response plan and either a surety bond or parental guarantee as approved by County Attorney. Motion carried.

 

Jane Regan thoroughly reviewed the county insurance renewal including worker’s compensation insurance, a quote from Zurich for the courthouse building with guaranteed replacement cost coverage (EMC dropped the courthouse coverage as of March 1). Regan presented options for Workers Compensation with Supervisors consensus to go with the dividend option.

 

Department Head updates: Engineer Ridenour gave new equipment update; update on accident involving his department; progress on filling department vacancies. Sheriff Mellick gave update on water system project; requested use of county credit card on emergency basis. Auditor Beyer gave department updates.

26.087-Motion Byrnes/Second Keatley to use county credit card in amount of $250 for purchase of batteries for Sheriff’s department. Motion carried.

 

Engineer Ridenour presented contracts and bonds for Fahrner Asphalt Sealers.

26.088-Motion Keatley/Second Byrnes to approve painted pavement marking contract and bond for Fahrner Asphalt Sealers in amount of $168,137.45. Motion carried.

 

Ridenour has a request from Harpers Ferry for permission to install a speed feedback sign on Great River Road within Harpers Ferry city limits. Ridenour does have resolution passed in 2004 that deals with signs not ordinarily put up. Harpers Ferry has volunteered to pay for the sign and maintenance. Sign and post costs were discussed.

26.089-Motion Byrnes/Second Keatley to allow Harpers Ferry to put up speed feedback signs in City of Harpers Ferry with City responsible for cost of signs and maintenance of the signs. Motion carried.

 

Ridenour reviewed the weight embargo resolution to be put up when needed.

26.090-Motion Keatley/Second Byrnes to approve weight embargo resolution on county roads. Roll call: Keatley-aye; Byrnes-aye; Clark-aye. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION 26.090

WHEREAS, weather conditions will soon cause some of the secondary roads in Allamakee County to deteriorate to an extent that heavy loads will cause considerable damage, and

WHEREAS, it will be necessary to reduce and restrict the gross axle weights of vehicles using certain secondary roads in Allamakee County,

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Allamakee County Engineer be authorized and instructed to post an embargo on certain secondary roads as he deems necessary with restricted axle load limits of 5 tons per single axle and 7 tons per tandem axle.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that signs setting forth this restriction be posted at both ends and at the approaches of intersecting roads for each and every secondary road for which the restriction is deemed necessary.  This resolution is to be effective upon posting of the signs and is to be in accordance with Section 321, Code of Iowa 2025.

 

Dated at Waukon, Iowa this 2nd day of March, 2026.

 

ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

ATTEST:

 

                                                                                                                  

Tom Clark, Chairperson                                          Auditor

 

                                                                  

Dan Byrnes, Member

 

                                                                  

Dennis Keatley, Member

 

Engineer Ridenour reviewed the request from Secondary Roads union for a $2/hour pay increase for reason of inflation of cost of living and employee hiring and retention purposes. Attorney John Anderson asked about ease of filling vacancies. Other discussion included number of applicants for vacancies; shared wages for 6 counties above and below in population and the 4 counties nearest in proximity; current openings – Assistant Mechanic and truck driver and possibility of county paying for CDL certification; current CBA valid until June 30, 2027; employees leaving for $2+/hour more; option to increase hourly pay more for certain positions that are harder to fill and that require more specific skills; union request is “across the board $2/hour increase”; Ridenour talked about attrition; expense of required CDL training was discussed. Supervisors agreed to not take action and revisit the topic in mid-July. Attorney John Anderson reminded Board that the union will contact him in October regarding new contract. No action taken. Anderson will contact the Union Business Manager Jeanne Austin and tell her the Board is waiting to see how the FY27 budget and new property tax legislation play out and they will revisit this topic in July.

 

26.091-Motion Keatley/Second Byrnes to adjourn. Motion carried.

 

ATTEST:

__________________________________                          _______________________________________

Tom Clark, Chairperson                                          Denise Beyer, Auditor

Documents

Posted: March 25, 2026 in 2026 Board of Supervisors Minutes & Agendas

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