Board approves Secondary Road shop addition

     The main Secondary Road shop on Highway 64 in Anamosa is growing.

     During the July 24 Jones County Supervisor meeting, the board set a public hearing and bid letting on the 3,500-square-foot addition to the shop facility for Tuesday, Aug. 7 at 10 a.m.

     County Engineer Derek Snead said the project is estimated to cost around $250,000.

     Snead presented the board with the project plans and specs.

     “This will allow enough time to build yet this year before the snow flies,” Snead said.

     The addition is expected to mirror that of other, smaller out-shops Secondary Roads has recently built in Monticello and Wyoming.

     Part of the project also includes new insulation and exterior sheeting on the existing shop.

     “This will add more warmth and hopefully we won’t need to expand the heating system,” commented Snead.

     While in the plans, Snead said they do need to address the current water well in front of the existing building. While the Engineer’s Office, across from the shop, is serviced by the City of Anamosa’s water and sewer, the shop building runs on its own water.

     Supervisor Joe Oswald asked Snead whether it was more economical to hook up to the city’s water.

     “There are times where we really draw the water down,” offered Snead. “It ends up paying for itself.”

In other county business:

     • In a separate conversation outside of the board meeting, Land Use Administrator Michele Lubben provided an update on a re-zoning matter on 150^th Avenue in Monticello on property owned by Delores Sullivan and Common Ground Capital. After the supervisors approved the re-zoning at their July 17 meeting, the Board of Adjustment approved the communication tower special permitted use permit during their July 17 meeting.

     Lubben explained that while a 25-foot tower was approved, the FAA came back stating the height is a presumed hazard in proximity to the Monticello Regional Airport.

     The tower will be used for emergency communication services for pre-emptive purposes. The project is facilitated by Cellsite Solutions, LLC.

     Lubben said Judy Tuetken, an adjacent property owner, was present at the BOA meeting. Tuetken was opposed to the height and lighting associated with the tower. However, the with FAA ruling, the tower will be lowered, not requiring lighting.

     • The board approved county law enforcement contracts for FY 2019 with Morley, Oxford Junction, Wyoming, and Anamosa. The contracts changes included: Morley from $1,500 to $1,750; Oxford Junction from $24,500 to $24,990; Wyoming from $24,500 to $25,250; and Anamosa from $20,188 to $22,208.

     • Five bids came in for bulk purchasing of various petroleum products for Secondary Roads and Conservation. Those who submitted bids included: Agvantage FS, Demmer Oil, McDermott Oil, Mulgrew Oil, and Tri County Propane.

     The board tabled action pending Snead’s review of the bids.

     • The board approved a federal aid swap agreement with the Iowa DOT for a bridge replacement project on 140^th Avenue in Jackson Township. The preliminary estimate for the project is $500,000. Snead said he anticipates a November letting, with the project to take place next year.

     Related to 140^th Avenue, the board approved a partial acquisition contract for .32 acres from Hartman Farm LLC for $3,072.

     • An update on the Lead Mine Road project, Snead said crews were staking the roadway as of last week. This week, the appraiser would be on hand, and wetland mitigation would begin.

     “Todd (Postel, assistant engineer) has the plans pretty close,” offered Snead.

     • The board toured the Assessor’s Office stemming from a water issue several weeks ago. The board voted the go ahead with plumbing repairs in that particular office, replacing the cast iron pipes with plastic.