Camp Courageous proposes culvert project

County Engineer Derek Snead informed the Jones County Supervisors, during their Feb. 4 meeting, of some possible changes to 190th Street by Camp Courageous.

Snead received some correspondence from Camp Courageous regarding a concrete box culvert project under 190th. However, the 12-foot wide by 9-foot tall culvert would be used for pedestrians to walk under the roadway, not to hold water.

“They want to find a way to get people from one side of the road to the other,” said Snead.

He said Camp has contacted an engineering company to design the culvert, but wanted to bring the county in the loop because it would involve tearing up the roadway.

“They’re (Camp Courageous) willing to do 100 percent of the funding for the project,” added Snead. “They’re aggressive to pursuing this and hope to get it done this spring.”

Snead said his office would likely review the plans before any work began.

 “We’d be happy to accommodate and have someone on site to inspect the project,” offered Snead.

In addition, Snead said they would likely put an agreement together with Camp spelling out that Camp would maintain the structure in the future, with no responsibility on the county.

Jess Wiedenhoff, Jones County Community Health specialist, and member of the Jones County Wellness Committee, met with the board to update them on some proposed changes to the program’s bylaws.

In the past the program was specifically for full-time county employees who had insurance and focused mainly on physical health and nutrition. The committee wishes to expand the program to all county employees, including part-time and seasonal. They also want to open it to all eight dimensions of wellness: physical, social, occupational, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, environmental, and financial.

“We want to better support the employees with more than just physical activities,” explained Wiedenhoff.

As the committee has been growing in size, Wiedenhoff also asked the county to consider an increase in funding support from $3,000 to $6,000.

In addition, Wiedenhoff asked the board to consider whether the funds could carry over from year to year, rather than have to spend them all before year’s end.

Another change proposed is to remove the maximum number of wellness activities an employee could take part in.

The committee plans to create a yearly calendar with monthly meetings listed, and expand their events to include lunch and learns for everyone to attend.

“We also want to serve all of the county facilities because we’re spread out at multiple locations,” added Wiedenhoff of incorporating county offices outside of the courthouse. “We want there to be a feeling of connectedness across all departments and share our resources.”

The board did not take action on the funding request until the budget is reviewed.

 In other county business:

• Land Use Administrator Michele Lubben provided an update on two nuisances in the county.

The first, 13461 Ramsey Rd. in Anamosa (Amber), is owned by Jerrid Boge.

“He has a similar nuisance case in Monticello,” said Lubben.

Boge appeared in Magistrate Court on the nuisance, and the judge ruled in favor of the county, naming Boge in violation of the nuisance ordinance. Boge was assessed a civil penalty of $750 plus court costs. Lubben said he still has not paid his fine from the last court hearing.

The nuisance at 12653 Davenport St. in Center Junction belongs to Michael Williams. Again, the judge ruled in favor of the county, ordering a penalty of $500 plus court costs. Lubben said the penalty could be suspended if the property is cleaned up by April 8, 2020.

• The board approved partial land acquisition contracts with Andy and Bonnie Colehour and Jim Carlson for the Lead Mine Road grading project. Both property owners have agreed to donate the necessary right of way for the project.

Carlson is donating 4 acres at a cost of $34,000. Colehour is donating 1.43 acres at a cost of $10,000.

“That’s quite a donation,” commented Supervisor Joe Oswald.

• Snead informed the board about a road vacation request and petition he received from Jason Gideon on 230th Avenue in Fairview, related to his solar panel business. While the neighbors signed the petition, Snead said Anamosa Travel Mart is “adamantly opposed” to the vacation.

In addition, there is a life station owned by EIRUSS in the right of way of the proposed road vacation.

Snead said he would not recommend approval due to opposition.

• The board approved the hiring of Amber Kurt of Anamosa as a universal deputy in the Treasurer’s Office. Kurt would start on Feb. 19 with an annual salary of $37,953.

County Treasurer Amy Picray said she received 57 applications, interviewed six people in the first round, and four in the last round.

“We will be at full staff now,” Picray said of Kurt’s hiring.

• The board approved Senior Dining’s funding application to Heritage Agency on Aging for FY 2021.

Senior Dining Director Lisa Tallman said she is asking for a 35-cent increase per meal. She would also like to ask Heritage for additional funding to increase the pay for kitchen staff.

“I need someone I can rely on when I’m not there,” Tallman said.

No determination was made on the hourly wage.