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Pocahontas County approves $117,715 ARPA-funded courthouse access and camera upgrade; signs off on multiple infrastructure and personnel items
Summary
The Pocahontas County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 13 approved a $117,715 ARPA contract for courthouse door access and cameras, authorized a Quonset lease renewal, advanced right-of-way and drainage items for bridge work, approved a $5,938 change order on the Law Enforcement Center and confirmed personnel and holiday changes.
Pocahontas County supervisors voted on Nov. 13 to use $117,715 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to buy and install a door-access and camera system at the courthouse, and approved a range of other infrastructure, personnel and financial items during their regular session.
Dereck Hebert, the county’s IT staff member, reviewed quotes for panic buttons and fire/smoke alarms and said he would seek another vendor before finalizing that purchase. He briefed the board on demonstrations of two access-control and camera systems; Supervisor Louis Stauter moved and Supervisor Brent Aden seconded a motion to contract with Midwest Technology for an access/camera system using ARPA funds in the amount of $117,715.00. The motion carried unanimously.
County Engineer Tate Schmeling presented a five-year renewal of the Quonset lease at $2,970 per year. Supervisor Brent Aden moved and Supervisor Clarence Siepker seconded a motion adopting Resolution 2024-11-#42, authorizing the county engineer to execute the lease agreement with D. Joan Linnan; the Board approved the resolution.
Schmeling also presented a purchase agreement from the Clinton Garfield Cemetery Association for right-of-way needed for the Garfield 4/9 bridge project. Supervisor Louis Stauter moved and Supervisor Jeff Ives seconded approval of the purchase agreement and authorized the chair to sign; the minutes record that the purchase amount was not specified in the meeting record.
On drainage matters, Schmeling reported that newly installed drainage tile on JT DD 77 Branch 20 met specifications and that landowners requested turning the tile over to the drainage district. Supervisor Jeff Ives moved, and Supervisor Brent Aden seconded, approval to accept the tile into the district. The Board also approved multiple Brush & Weed Control Specialties invoices for drainage work (JT 36 MOD, DD116 MOD, DD169 MOD, JT DD 36 and JT DD 77) as presented.
John Hansen of Midwest Construction Consultants updated the Board on the new Law Enforcement Center, reporting fiber, underground plumbing and electric work complete, grading finished and 30 of 162 precast panels installed. The Board approved LEC claims as presented and approved a change order to Sande Construction & Supply Co. Inc. for $5,938.00.
The Board approved six Manure Management Plans for farms listed in the minutes with their ID numbers, and approved payroll/vendor claims as presented; the minutes list a Grand Total of $1,355,345.09 in claims for the period recorded.
On personnel and administrative items, Auditor Nita Hinrickson reported a recent courthouse water-supply issue and said the county lacks an emergency plan for such an event; she will work with staff to develop one. The Board voted to give employees Christmas Eve off for 2024. The Board acknowledged a Sheriff’s Office position change for Christina K. Poncin from full-time dispatch/jailer to full-time jailer effective Nov. 4, 2024 (rate of pay unchanged), and accepted appointments to the Compensation Board with staggered terms through 2026 and 2028.
The Board tabled payment of a $400 watchman-services invoice from Calhoun County for further information. Supervisors also reported on routine committee work and ongoing projects.
The Board adjourned with no further business.
(For full vendor lists, Manure Management Plan details and all claims, see the official minutes.)
