Conservation Board Minutes – March 2025

Allamakee County Conservation Board Minutes March 4, 2025

The Allamakee County Conservation Board met in regular session March 4, 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 Carrol, Dennis Koenig, and Jesse Delaney.  Attending from the Allamakee County Conservation Board staff was Ross Geerdes, Erin Cubbon, Brody Vanderkolk, and Becca Hefflefinger.  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 Carrol to approve the minutes of the February 2025 meeting.  All in favor.

In public comment time Geerdes asked T. Clark to speak about a proposed Solar Ordinance for Allamakee County.

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

Director Geerdes presented information from County Auditor Beyer regarding the County’s Insurance Premiums.  Auditor Beyer asked that the Board approve a change in their budget line item for insurance after Jane Regan spoke at the Board of Supervisors meeting on February 24, 2025.  Director Geerdes stated that the Auditors office handles the necessary line items for insurance on buildings and equipment for the Conservation Board.  A motion was made by Koenig and a second motion by Clark to approve a rate adjustment for insurance premiums by Auditor Beyer.  All in favor.

The Director and Staff updated the board on Winter projects and upcoming Spring projects.  Vanderkolk informed the board members of his schedule for conducting controlled burns at nine different areas.  He also spoke about his continued work on updating all of the entrance signs to the County properties.  Vanderkolk has been working on the project over the last two winters to continue to have uniformity with all of the park signs.  In all there are 28 signs that must be redone.  Director Geerdes updated the board on a grant for the Allamakee County Community Foundation as well as work with the Iowa DNR to update the docks at the Harpers Ferry Boat Landing and Nobles Island Boat Landing.  The DNR had money available to repair docks and new bumpers, corner protectors, deck boards, and hand rails were ordered for over $3,000 in repairs.  Cubbon highlighted the upcoming Summer camps that her and Hefflefinger will be conducting for various age groups at Waterville Farm 55 and other areas as well.

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

With no additional business the meeting was concluded at 1:37 p.m. with a motion by M. Clark and seconded by Carrol to adjourn.  All in favor.