Conservation Board Minutes – May 2025

The Allamakee County Conservation Board met in regular session May 6, 2025 beginning at 1 p.m. at the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center in Lansing, Iowa.  Board members who were present were: Jesse Delaney, Marilyn Clark, Steve Weymiller and Jeanie Carroll.  Attending from the Allamakee County Conservation Board staff was Ross Geerdes, Erin Cubbon, Becca Hefflefinger and Brody Vanderkolk.  Attending from the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors was Tom Clark.  The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m.    A motion was made by Weymiller and a second by Carroll to approve the minutes of the April 2025 meeting.  All in favor.

There was no Public Comment.

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

A discussion was had with members of the board on the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center rental agreement.  Geerdes presented an addition to the rental agreement and has submitted it to the County Attorney for approval.  It was suggested to take the opportunity and evaluate the entire rental agreement including the hours of rentals.  Geerdes will present a final draft for approval at the June meeting.

Geerdes asked the board to approve the hiring of 3 seasonal employees: Gary Krapfl, Dave Blocker, and Judah Johnson at $14.00 per hour.   Blocker and Johnson will work up to 40 hours per week and Krapfl helps as needed.  A motion was made by Carroll and a second by Weymiller with all in favor to approve the hiring of the 3 season employees at $14.00 per hour.

An update on the Supply Well for the geothermal system for the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center was given to the board.  Geerdes explained the cast iron pipe from the well to the building had developed a crack near the threaded portion of the pipe and had been leaking.  The geothermal system was shut down for 6 days in order for the ground around it to sufficiently dry allowing for Shawver Well Company to dig in the area.  The section of pipe was replaced and the area was filled with soil and seeded down.  Geerdes will continue working with Shawver Well Company to determine who is liable for the faulty equipment.

Informational items presented to the board included an update on Shelly the Snapping Turtle being completed by Kious Kountry.  She is back at the Driftless Center and installed for the public to view. Staff has been busy with Spring work and field trip season is in full swing with a field trip at the center almost every day in May.  Geerdes informed the board he had met with the INHF and the Iowa DNR regarding use of the Quandahl property.  It is currently undeveloped but the potential to develop the area into an access point for the Iowa DNR property along Bear Creek and Quandahl Road is a possibility.

The time and date for the next meeting was set for June 3, 2025 at 1 p.m.

With no additional business the meeting was concluded at 1:48 p.m. with a motion by M. Clark and seconded by Weymiller to adjourn.  All in favor.