Conservation Board Minutes – February 2026

The Allamakee County Conservation Board met in regular session February 3, 2026 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, Dave Blocker and Steve Weymiller.  Attending from the Allamakee County Conservation Board staff was Ross Geerdes, Brody Vanderkolk, Erin Cubbon and Melissa Hermsen.  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 M. Clark and a second by Weymiller to approve the minutes of the January 2026 meeting.  All in favor.  

During public comment time Tom Clark briefed the board on the caucus events that were held around the county on February 2, 2026 and any candidates who are running for the Board of Supervisors this upcoming election cycle.  

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

The FY 27 budget was discussed as the next item of business.  The FY 27 budget was approved by the ACCB board at the January meeting and was presented to the Board of Supervisors on January 14.  The Board of Supervisors is still working on the budget process throughout the county and is reviewing all of the requests made for FY27.  The budget process is expected to be finished in March when the public hearings are held.  

Director Geerdes informed the members of the board that Allamakee County Conservation and Clayton County Conservation had jointly applied for and received an Iowa DNR Forestry Resilency Grant.  Allamakee County’s portion of the grant was $9500 and is to be used for timber stand improvement projects at the County Home Pond and at Waterville Farm 55.  

The Allamakee County Conservation Foundation has received a deed for a Lansing riverfront property at 14 N. Front Street in Lansing.  The property is currently a vacant lot that contains a nice level area with the potential of development for park benches and an information kiosk.  At the annual meeting of the ACCF in May the board members will consider transferring the property to the ACCB.  

Informational items that were presented to the board included recent memorials that had been received in honor of longtime board member Bill Moody and Beth McCormick.  Upcoming Open Meetings trainings by the Iowa Public Information Board are being held via zoom on February 9 and February 18.  M. Clark and Carroll will attend the meeting on February 9.  The Iowa DNR has asked the ACCB for any requests to maintain the docks at the public boat landings including Nobles Island, Harpers Ferry, Heytman’s Landing and Village Creek.  Operations Supervisor Vanderkolk is working on putting together a list of requests for the DNR.  Director Geerdes asked the board if anyone would be interested in a Spring Field Trip with all of the members present expressing their interest.  A date for the Spring Field trip would be discussed at the March Meeting.  Vanderkolk is seeking summer seasonal employees.  He has received one resume from a qualified candidate so far and he will be attending the Hawkeye Community College Career Fair to seek additional candidates as well as advertising via the local newspapers.  During the discussion of the seasonal employees Blocker asked about the possibility to provide seasonal employees with vaccinations for Tetanus and Hepatitis if they were not up to date on them due to their exposure to various contaminants while performing their daily tasks.  

The time and date for the next meeting was set for March 3, 2026 at 1 p.m.   

With no additional business the meeting was concluded at 1:51 p.m. with a motion by Weymiller and seconded by M. Clark to adjourn.  All in favor.  

Posted: May 2, 2026 in 2026 Conservation Board Minutes & Agendas

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