Conservation Board Minutes – April 2026

The Allamakee County Conservation Board met in regular session April 7, 2026 beginning at 1 p.m. at the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center in Lansing, Iowa.  Board members who were present were: Jeanie Carroll, Steve Weymiller, Jesse Delaney and Dave Blocker.  Attending from the Allamakee County Conservation Board staff was Ross Geerdes and Melissa Hermsen.  Attending from the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors was Tom Clark and from the public Jack Knight.  The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m.    A motion was made by Blocker and a second by Weymiller to approve the minutes of the February 2026 meeting.  All in favor.  

During public comment time Jack Knight talked about the Prairie Edge and Woods Cooperative.  The Co-op has not been active and they have money with the Northeast Iowa RC and D that they would like to disburse for woodland projects at county parks.  Director Geerdes spoke about ongoing and upcoming projects that the board has.  Director Geerdes and Knight agreed to continue the discussion and work together to create a plan to use the money.  

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

Director Geerdes gave an update on the budget process for FY 27.  He gave an update on the March 23, 2026 Max Levy Hearing and the upcoming April 20, 2026 Proposed Budget Hearing.  

An extension for Dan Jones Logging completing the Waterville Farm 55 timber harvest was the next item on the agenda.  Geerdes gave a history of the project and explained the three options the board has moving forward with the project.  Option one was to terminate the contract and keep the 25% down payment.  Option 2 was to grant an extension with penalty and option 3 was to grant an extension with no penalty.  Geerdes discussed each option and recommended option 3 with a deadline of either December 31, 2026 or January 31, 2027.  The benefit of the later date would be the likelihood of the ground being frozen for a period of time long enough to complete the work and less disturbance during the deer hunting seasons with the area being open for public hunting.  A motion was made by Carroll and a second by Weymiller to extend the contract for Dan Jones Logging until January 31, 2027.  All in favor.  

The board was asked to approve the hiring of Tom Brown, Brown Timber Services, to complete timber stand improvement at County Home Pond and Waterville Farm 55.  The project consists of approximately 22 acres which will be paid for using the Iowa DNR Forestry Resiliency Grant that was received in December.  A motion was made by Blocker and a second by Carrol to hire Tom Brown with Brown Timber Services to complete the timber stand improvement project.  All in favor.  

Informational items that were presented to the board included plans for a June field trip with an approval of sites visited during the May regular board meeting.  Following the May meeting the Allamakee County Conservation Foundation would hold its annual meeting.  All board members were invited, but not required to attend.  John Hansen with Ursus Iowa who spoke to the board in September of 2024 notified Geerdes of the donation of a bear proof garbage canister.  The canister has a $1200 value and will be delivered in May.  Geerdes gave an update on the hiring of seasonal employees.  

The time and date for the next meeting was set for May 5, 2026 at 1 p.m.   

With no additional business the meeting was concluded at 1:46 p.m. with a motion by Carroll  and seconded by Weymiller to adjourn.  All in favor. 

Posted: May 6, 2026 in 2026 Conservation Board Minutes & Agendas

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