Conservation Board Minutes – December 2025

The Allamakee County Conservation Board met in regular session December 2, 2025 beginning at 1 p.m. at the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center in Lansing, Iowa.  Board members who were present were: Marilyn Clark, Jeanie Carroll, Steve Weymiller, Dennis Koenig and Jesse Delaney.  Attending from the Allamakee County Conservation Board staff was Ross Geerdes, Brody Vanderkolk, and Erin Cubbon.  Attending from the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors was Tom Clark and attending from the public was Jim Janett.  The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m.    A motion was made by M. Clark and a second by Weymiller to approve the minutes of the November 2025 meeting.  All in favor.  

During public comment time former Director of the Allamakee County Conservation Board Jim Janett thanked Board member Dennis Koenig for his time spent as a member of the Allamakee County Conservation Board and reflected on the many projects that the ACCB was able to accomplish during his tenure as a board member and a public servant of Allamakee County.  Tom Clark commented on the latest information on the Lansing Blackhawk Bridge.  T. Clark noted that the demolition of the bridge would be sometime in December and there were ongoing meetings that he has been in attendance of to present the latest information to the public. 

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

Director Geerdes notified the board of the awarding of a $9,500 grant from the Iowa DNR Water Recreation and Access program for the completion of the Harpers Ferry Transient Dock project.  The project will include an additional 20’ dock ramp and a cement structure to permanently attach the dock.  The completion of the project is expected for spring with the pouring of the cement.  A motion was made to approve the grant contract with the Iowa DNR for WRAC 26-686 by Koenig and a second by Carroll.  All in favor. 

An update on the hiring process for the vacant Office Manager/Assistant Naturalist position was given to the board.  The staff conducted interviews with three candidates.  From those three candidates two were asked to come back in for a second interview and that process is ongoing.  Director Geerdes is hoping to make a job offer by December 5.  With the delayed hiring timeline the Director estimates the new person will start after the Christmas Holiday.  

The board discussed the upcoming budget work for FY 26/27.  Geerdes informed the board that as per usual the budget would be submitted to the Board of Supervisors in early January but the staff has been working to put together projects and gather information for any potential purchases.  Items that were discussed for potential purchase included a vehicle to replace the 2013 Dodge Caravan and a new zero turn mower to replace the Kubota Zero Turn.  The addition of a permanent part time position was also discussed.  Geerdes informed the board that budget talks would continue in December with additional monetary numbers and the final budget to be presented to the Board of Supervisors would be approved during the January meeting of the ACCB. 

Informational items presented to the board included  the 2026 board member up for reappointment is Dennis Koenig.  After 50 years of service including time on the Board of Supervisors, Postville School Board and Mayor of Postville and with the ACCB since 2014 Koenig has elected to not seek reappointment to the board.  Auditor Beyer will be publishing an announcement for the vacant seat and Geerdes has heard from some interested candidates.  Geerdes informed the board that the Center has moved into its Winter Schedule which includes closing for the County observed holidays and Sundays in January and February.  Weekday hours will remain 8:00a.m.-4:30 p.m. and 12:00p.m.- 4:00 p.m. on weekends.   

The time and date for the next meeting was set for January 6, 2026 at 1 p.m.  

With no additional business the meeting was concluded at 1:49 p.m. with a motion by Koenig and seconded by Carroll to adjourn.  All in favor.