Conservation Board Minutes – September 2024

Allamakee County Conservation Board Minutes September 2024

The Allamakee County Conservation Board met in regular session September 3, 2024 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 Carrol.  Attending from the Allamakee County Conservation Board staff was Ross Geerdes, Erin Cubbon and Brody VanderKolk.  The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m.  After discussion of the minutes from the previous meeting in regards to the timber stand improvement project at Waterville Farm it was suggested to amend the minutes from the August 6, 2024 to continue consultation with Iowa DNR Forester Dave Ashe on the best course of action for the project.  A motion was made by Carrol and a second by Clark to approve the minutes with the changes.  All in favor.

There was no public comment.

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

The Director presented a draft of a request for proposals for a retaining wall at the Harpers Ferry Boat Landing.  The retaining wall protecting the cold storage building has begun to fail with recent heavy rains.  Delaney recommended changing the verbiage of the draft letter to include 8” rockwood block or equivalent and a 4” cap.  The RFP’s will be sent to area landscaping contractors with the work to be completed in the Spring of 2025.

The Director updated the board on the hiring process for the vacant Office Manager/Assistant Naturalist Job.  Thirteen applications have been received as of the board meeting time with a closing date of September 6, 2024.  A timeline of the interview process and potential starting dates for the chosen applicant were discussed.  All board members were invited to the interviews after they have been scheduled and Director Geerdes will forward that information to the members as it becomes available.  It was asked that the resumes of the potential candidates for interviews be forwarded to the members of the board for further review.

Informational items presented to the board included an update on the damage received during the storms on August 29 and August 30.  Three maple trees fell at Nobles Island Boat landing near the artesian well.  All of the debris that was blocking roads has been removed but the work is still ongoing removing the trees that are not blocking access to the park.  Director Geerdes notified the board that Marilyn Clark will be up for reappointment to the board in 2025.  Applications are due to the County Auditor by December.  The Waterville Fire and EMS will be having their annual UTV ride.  The Director gave them permission to use the trail at Waterville Farm 55 and they will forward their insurance information to be on file.  Karen Osterkamp with the Iowa DNR has communicated with the DNR Engineering Services and they have added the sealing of the Village Creek Boat Landing to their project list.  A timeline for the completion has not been given.  Director Geerdes notified the board that he will be traveling with family at the end of October and the beginning of November.  He asked if possible the November meeting be moved back 1 week.  Geerdes will mark it on the agenda for the October meeting.

The time and date for the next meeting was set for October 1, 2024 at 1 p.m. in the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center.   Following the October meeting the Allamakee County Conservation Foundation will meet at 2 p.m. and all members of the ACCB are invited to attend.

With no additional business the meeting was concluded at 1:42 p.m. with a motion by Clark and seconded by Carrol to adjourn.  All in favor.

 

Posted: May 8, 2025 in 2024 Conservation Board Minutes & Agendas

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