Dubuque County

The joint board meeting focused on the COVID-19 pandemic response. Key discussions included updates from the county emergency response team regarding proclamations to close restaurants and businesses, the initiation of daycare coordination efforts, and surveys of local grocery store hours. The board also addressed strategies for maintaining consistent public messaging, support for meal services provided by schools and pantries, planning for potential isolation or quarantine shelters for the homeless population, and interventions for addressing mental health concerns during periods of social isolation. Additionally, the court system outlined its plan to limit physical access to the courthouse while continuing to provide critical judicial services through remote technology to minimize service backlogs.

The committee convened to discuss the Children's Brain Health Workgroup update, review the ECR Strategic Plan and priority initiatives, and receive an update regarding the Behavioral Health Clinic Grant. The meeting agenda also included time for other pertinent stakeholder business.

The meeting included an engineers' report detailing progress on several bridge projects, including Lovers Lane (two bridges) and Spec's Ferry Road, noting significant completion status. The board discussed and referred two cable cutting damage claims to the insurance company and county attorney for review, opting not to approve them directly. A portion of the meeting was dedicated to oaths of office for newly elected/reappointed officials, including the County Recorder, County Treasurer, and a Supervisor. The board also held discussions regarding road crew activities related to snow and ice, and a fatality on Sundown Road. Key procedural items included the election of the Chairperson (David Baker) and Vice Chairperson (Jay Wickham) for 2019. Consent items approved included a manure management plan, a five-day class C liquor license for the volunteer fire department, and 2018 utilities tax valuations. Furthermore, a public hearing was opened and closed regarding the plans and specifications for the shooting range bullet trap, which will utilize a granulated rubber backstop for long-term cost, environmental, and sound reduction benefits over traditional materials. Following this, the board reviewed the receipt of one bid for the bullet trap project, referring it to the Sheriff for review. Finally, the board addressed the Notice of Request for Proposals for an architectural needs assessment for the jail, prompted by safety and liability concerns associated with the older South Jail's steel bar structure compared to the newer North Jail.

The meeting featured a work session with Houston Engineering to discuss the water watershed study, which is nearing completion after approximately ten months. The presentation covered the progress of the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) model, intended to target agricultural ground for flood control and water quality structures. Due to COVID-19, public outreach was conducted via an ArcGIS story map summarizing project goals, existing practices, and potential implementation areas. Houston Engineering detailed the methodology, which involves leveraging ACPF and Prioritized Targeted Measure Application (IPTA) data to identify cost-effective conservation practices that deliver benefits in water quality (sediment, phosphorus, and nitrogen reduction) and flood damage reduction (peak flow reduction). The weighting favored flood reduction benefits twice as much as water quality benefits. The deliverables include tiered outreach products, such as four-page implementation profiles for watersheds.

The meeting commenced with public comments limited to three minutes per individual regarding agenda items. Key discussions involved multiple procurement procedures, specifically requests for quotes for two current model year heavy duty tandem axle trucks for the secondary roads department, and a subsequent request for quotes for snow equipment installation on those trucks. The agenda included multiple zoning cases requiring consideration. Zoning Case ZC 01-01-22 involved a request to rezone 1.53 acres from A1 Agricultural to A2 Agricultural Residential to allow for a new home for the applicant's daughter to support the farming operation. This case involved discussion about previous zoning commission consideration and the submission of updated application materials after the initial 3-3 vote at the zoning commission level. Zoning Case 01-02-22 involved a similar A1 to A2 rezoning request for 1.7 acres for a new home to assist in farming operations. Zoning Case 05-11-21 concerned rezoning 10 acres from A1 Agricultural to PC Planned Complex to bring an existing campground with amenities into compliance with county health and zoning regulations, a process that involved previous zoning commission tabling and discussion regarding the completeness of the application and procedural steps.