06/16/25 BOS Minutes

MINUTES OF THE ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2025

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

 

Meeting called to order by Byrnes, followed by Pledge of Allegiance.

25.211-Motion Keatley/Second Clark to approve today’s agenda and minutes from June 9, 2025 meeting. Motion carried.

 

The following people were present at various times throughout the meeting in person: Joseph Moses – Standard newspaper, Janel Eglseder, 1st Deputy Auditor, Val Reinke, Nate Demiter, Kelli Boylen, Nancy Walleser, Bill Nation, Ruth Cordova, Jane Hasek, Marita Clark, Jerry Valley, Brian Ridenour and Ross Geerdes.

 

Public Comment:

Val Reinke talked about the ribbon cutting for Kubota of Waukon, on Saturday, June 21st at 10:00 a.m.

 

Mayor Jerry Valley gave a Harpers Ferry city update including the new houses that are being built. The tourists are back in full swing, and they have a new playground.  The splash pad is working well with lots of kids enjoying it.  Harpers Ferry will have fireworks on the 4th of July along with a 5k.

 

Librarian Jody Delaney gave a library update. The library is currently having a basket raffle

fundraiser.   You can check out cake pans and toys at the library as well as books.  The library

is closed on Sunday and the holidays.

 

Jane Hasek, President of the Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society, gave an update on the

museum.  They poured the footings last November and are now looking for bids for heating and

air and currently are looking at a well placement.  They had to rent a container to store the

items for the building.  They have been having pop-up bake sales as fundraisers.  On July 27th,

they will have the tour of homes fundraiser.    Jane handed out new brochures.

 

Ruth Cordova gave a Harpers Ferry Booster Club update.  She talked about the programs they

contributed throughout the year.  The 5k is the biggest fundraiser they have.  They also

donate to food banks and granny basketball team.

 

Kelli Boylen, President of Friends of YRSF gave an update.  She stated that since March 2019,

they have raised $200,000.00.  She handed out some literature on Yellow River State Forest

parks, on Light pollution and a post card on the Friends of Yellow River State Forest open

house & celebration on Saturday, June 21st from 3-5 p.m.  There will be a free concert starting at 5:30 p.m.   The BOS will look at a Resolution prepared by Kelli.

 

Tom Clark discussed repairs for the heating system in the Courthouse.  In April the quote

was $74,790.00 and a month later the quote was changed to $82,634.00 due to union wage

increases and tariffs.  The final bid was $79,650.00, from a company out of La Crosse who have

been responding to our needs for years.  June 27th is when we received the bid and they are

good for 30 days.  Tom discussed the process of the steam trap replacement.  We have 109

steam traps, 78 temperature control regulators and 55 out of the 109 steam traps are

failing.  The BOS will revisit this topic next Monday.

 

Dan Byrnes stated the May 12th advertisement may have been missed, and we will readvertise

bids to lease property on Irish Hollow Road.

 

25.212-Motion Clark/Second Keatley to advertise Irish Hollow Road sealed bids with amended

terms September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2040, and bids due by 9:00 a.m. on July 14th to the

Auditor’s Office and opened on Monday, July 14th, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.   Motion carried.

 

Engineer Brian Ridenour handed out 2026 Tandem Truck Chassis quote for a 2026 Western

Star 47X manufactured in Portland Oregon.  Truck Country of Iowa, Decorah, IA quote was

$156,388 and Truck Center Companies, Elk Run Heights, IA was $156,669.   It takes 8 months

to a year for delivery once ordered.

25.213-Motion Keatley/Second Clark to approve purchase of 2026 Tandem Truck Chassis for $156,388 from Truck Country of Iowa.  Motion carried.

 

Department Head Updates:

Ross Geerdes stated Conservation manages 4 parks in the Harpers Ferry area and he gave an update on them. Engineer Brian Ridenour gave department updates and said they took the Courthouse furniture to Sweeney’s to be auctioned off; there is a 6-County Meeting on June 26th and agenda items can be submitted to him; the annual Courthouse generator maintenance inspection has been done; handed out the 2026-2030 Iowa Highway Program project list.  Nancy Walleser & Dan Byrnes talked about the training online through Golden Hills RC&D on water sheds.   BOS members toured the library and checked out the fundraiser baskets.

 

25-214-Motion Clark/Byrnes Second to adjourn.  Motion carried.

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________________                          _______________________________________

Dan Byrnes, Chairperson                                        Janel Eglseder, 1st Deputy Auditor

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Posted: June 20, 2025 in 2025 Board of Supervisors Minutes & Agendas

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