Lead Mine Rd. project moves along

The much-anticipated Lead Mine Road project, set for FY 2021, is closer to a reality. 

Assistant Engineer Todd Postel shared with the Jones County Supervisors that he received the floodplain permit from the DNR, which took over a year after he filed for the documentation. 

Postel and County Engineer Derek Snead informed the board during their Nov. 26 meeting that they also sent out right of way packages to all of the affected landowners along Lead Mine Road, which amounts to nine. 

“The design is also done,” reported Postel. 

Snead said they hope to have a letting in the spring. 

“But we can’t do anything until we have the right of way,” he warned. 

Supervisor Wayne Manternach asked if any utilities would have to be removed from the site. The answer is yes; however, Snead said the timing is perfect because Alliant Energy wants to update its utilities anyway. 

“They’ve been waiting on our project,” he said. 

“Which means we’re off the hook to relocate utilities,” added Postel. 

Lead Mine Road resident Mike Courtney asked if the spring flooding would hamper the project at all. 

“We can’t control the river,” said Postel. 

“We have a large construction schedule to give us the best prices and more working days,” answered Snead. There are anywhere from 120 to 150 working days built into this particular project. 

“We’re hopeful we can start in the early summer and have it completed by harvest time,” offered Snead. 

He told Courtney they would provide access for landowners “to the best of our ability. 

“The contractor will be very conscious of the landowners,” said Snead. 

In relation to the Lead Mine project, Secondary Roads’ purchase of a new plow truck, and the coming winter, Supervisor Ned Rohwedder questioned whether there was enough money to handle it all. He referenced the poor conditions of some gravel roads that still have yet to bounce back from the last winter season, needing more maintenance. 

“Our gravel roads,” said Supervisor Jon Zirkelbach, “some are good, a lot are terrible.” 

Rohwedder said $200,000 would be spent on the plow truck once it was outfitted. 

“Is there enough in the budget to handle another year like the past year?” he asked. 

Snead said yes, there is enough money for the truck purchase, which was previously worked in the budget. 

“There’s a high likelihood we’ll adjust the budget numbers, which we do every year,” explained Snead. 

A lot of the equipment purchases are taken out of LOT (local option sales tax) funds. Snead said some of the equipment is still in use from the last 1980s, and needs to be updated. He said equipment purchases and upgrades are necessary to continue the job of snow removal and rock/ grading. 

“We have the available funds to shift from other categories,” Snead suggested, if needed. 

For instance, there are no immediate plans to update the Secondary Road out-shops or make improvements to the County Shop in Anamosa. Those funds, Snead said, could be moved over where needed the most. 

“The equipment is the backbone of what we do to sustain ourselves,” continued Snead. “We’re buying them at the point that they need to be replaced.” 

In other county business: 

• The board set a bid letting at 9 a.m. and public hearing 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7 for the courthouse window replacement project. 

• Three bids were received for a new cab and chassis for a tandem axle plow truck for Secondary Roads. The bids ranged from $112,815 to $129,802. The last time Secondary Roads purchased the same equipment it cost around $115,000. 

The board tabled awarding a bid until Snead had a chance to review the bids and specs.