County allows use of courthouse lot for Amateur Radio Club event

     The Jones County Courthouse was approved as a field day site for the Jones County Amateur Radio Club.

     Jason Joens with the Club spoke to the Jones County Supervisors about the event during the board’s April 20 meeting. The Emergency Communications Exercise event will take place the weekend of June 26-27. Joens said they are just requesting use of the parking lot, not the courthouse itself.

     “This is an annual event, contest and PR exercise for Amateur Radio operators,” explained Joens.

     He said the Aug. 10, 2020 derecho proved how valuable Amateur Radio operators can be in the case of an emergency.

     “The internet went down and everything failed,” said Joens. “But Amateur Radio was able to help.”

     Typically the field day event is held at the historic Edinburgh Village; however, Joens said they wanted a more visible location with easy access.

     “We want to expose the community to Amateur Radio so we looked for alternative locations to set up and operate,” he said. “We want to show people what we do.”

     Joens said the group plans to bring in a couple of campers, a portable generator, and above-ground antennas in terms of equipment. They’ll rent port-a-potties for the weekend as opposed to using the courthouse facilities.

     “We’ll set up Friday night and it concludes Sunday afternoon,” said Joens.

     Supervisor Jeff Swisher said the Amateur Radio Club has always been a friend of the county, so he didn’t see an issue allowing them to use the courthouse parking lot.

     “It’s quite a passion of mine,” said Joens. “We want to try and breathe new life into the Club and see how we could help out in certain situations with disasters like the derecho.”

     The club has gained interest from youth, including a new 13-year-old member.

     “You can start out investing a pretty modest amount of money,” Joens said of the hobby.

In other county business:

     • County Treasurer Amy Picray and Dan Jacobs of Monticello approached the board to discuss a county-held tax certificate on property near Canton. Jacobs plans to purchase the property, just under an acre. The total due is $160.

     The property also has to go through foreclosure. If it’s not claimed, Jacobs can take it.

     The board approved the request.

     • Four companies submitted bids for contract rock placement on gravel roads throughout the county: Wendling Quarries, a range of $11.80 to $12.50; Weber Stone, a range of $11 to $13.75; Bard Materials, a range of $9.35 to $10.90; and River City Stone, a range of $9.55 to $11.

     The board will award contracts at their April 27 meeting after County Engineer Derek Snead and Assistant Engineer Todd Postel have time to review the bids.

     • The board awarded a contract to LL Pelling in the amount of $88,146.40 for the 75^th Avenue asphalt overlay project.

     • The board awarded a contract to Iowa Bridge and Culvert in the amount of $254,920.55 for a culvert replacement project on Madison Road.

     The late start date is Aug. 2 with 45 working days.

     “It sounds like they’ll install it before harvest,” noted Postel.

     • The board approved the installation of a load center on the courthouse generator, and an annual load test as well.

     • The board approved a gathering permit for the Midwest Hillclimbers Association for the Anamosa Hillclimb on June 6 and Sept. 12, 2021. The Association will provide traffic control.