Tama County supervisors approve E29 bridge repairs, utility permit, mowing contract and $219,340.39 in claims

The Tama County Board of Supervisors on July 14 approved a series of routine but consequential items, including repairs to the west approach of a bridge on Highway E29, a utility permit for Grundy REC, a mowing contract for a nuisance property at Union Grove Lake and regular claims totaling $219,340.39.

The vote at the county courthouse was unanimous among the four supervisors present. 1st District Supervisor David Turner moved to approve the agenda; the motion was seconded by 4th District Supervisor Mark Doland and carried with all voting aye. 3rd District Supervisor and chair Heather Knebel, 4th District Supervisor Mark Doland and 5th District Supervisor Curt Kupka were present; 2nd District Supervisor Curt Hilmer was absent.

The board heard a roads update from Supervisor Curt Kupka and approved repairs to the west approach of a bridge on Highway E29. The board voted to proceed with the repairs on a motion by Turner, seconded by Doland; the motion passed unanimously.

County staff reported the engineer's office received a utility permit application from Grundy REC. Assistant Foreman Nick Kofron reviewed the location and recommended approval; the board approved the permit and authorized the chair to sign (motion by Doland, seconded by Turner).

The board opened the single bid received to mow and maintain a nuisance property at Union Grove Lake and accepted the bid from Ethan’s Lawn Salon. The contract rate is $80 per mowing, which the minutes say includes mowing, weed eating, edging and blowing hard surfaces clean only; any additional work would require new bids. The acceptance was moved by Kupka, seconded by Turner and approved unanimously.

Supervisors also approved the Zoning & Weeds and Sheriff’s quarterly reports and the Recorder’s quarterly report. Supervisor Turner noted he visited with Dean Fisher to discuss increasing permit revenue for the Recorder’s office.

On finance, the board approved the regular claims for payment as presented in the amount of $219,340.39 (motion by Turner, seconded by Kupka). The meeting record shows each motion was approved by an "all voted aye" vote; individual roll-call votes were not documented in the minutes.

Under new business Turner reported on printer replacements and said he had spoken with Kenan Seda, who provided details on The Wall That Heals exhibit scheduled in Brooklyn July 30–Aug. 2 and a ceremony planned for Aug. 1 at Holy Trinity Cemetery. Chairwoman Heather Knebel also reported attending an Economic Development meeting on downtown walks in Tama and a Heartland Risk Pool meeting.

A resident, Bob Vokoun, offered public comment at the end of the meeting, thanking crews for the work on E29: "thank you to the crews. You have done excellent work in my area." The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 a.m. on a motion by Kupka, seconded by Turner.

Votes at a glance: 1) Agenda approval — moved by David Turner; seconded by Mark Doland; outcome: approved (all aye). 2) Minutes of July 6 — moved by Curt Kupka; seconded by David Turner; outcome: approved (all aye). 3) E29 bridge west approach repairs — moved by David Turner; seconded by Mark Doland; outcome: approved (all aye). 4) Utility permit — moved by Mark Doland; seconded by David Turner; outcome: approved (all aye). 5) Mowing contract (Ethan’s Lawn Salon) — moved by Curt Kupka; seconded by David Turner; outcome: approved (all aye); contract rate: $80 per mowing. 6) Zoning & Weeds Quarterly Report — moved by David Turner; seconded by Curt Kupka; outcome: approved (all aye). 7) Sheriff’s Quarterly Report — moved by Curt Kupka; seconded by David Turner; outcome: approved (all aye). 8) Recorder’s Quarterly Report — moved by Mark Doland; seconded by David Turner; outcome: approved (all aye). 9) Regular claims ($219,340.39) — moved by David Turner; seconded by Curt Kupka; outcome: approved (all aye).

For the official and complete record, the minutes note an audio recording of the meeting is available from the auditor's office.