COBB-HIGHLAND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes from June 18, 2025
At its June 18, 2025 meeting, the Cobb-Highland Recreation Commission discussed park maintenance projects, equipment needs and staffing shortages at Blackhawk Lake; it approved moving ahead with a tractor purchase if needed and voted to hire a trial camp host to cover late-season staffing gaps.
Discussion Points
•Bank shaping project cost $14,900 after a $3,000 discount; Pilling Electric work ~ $10,000 remaining.
•Camp host estimated cost far lower than hiring additional hourly staff for late season coverage.
•Insurance proposal could lower premiums but raise deductible; optional business-income and cyber coverage available.
•Options considered: interns, community service workers, Limited Term Employment adults, and camp hosts.
•Season lengthening and conflicts with high-school sports schedules have reduced availability of traditional seasonal hires; staff receive many last-minute cancellations.
•Tractor quote from Ritchie's for $47,000 and a $5,000 trade-in offered; leasing seen as costly at current rates.
Decisions
•Authorization to proceed with tractor purchase if necessary; no final insurance change decided at this meeting.
•Commission approved hiring a trial camp host for August through season end.
Directions
•Manager authorized to proceed with tractor purchase if needed.
•Staff to consult on insurance renewals and specific coverage details.
•Staff to implement trial camp host starting in August and prepare job description, contract, and background check.
•Staff to report back on outcomes for future staffing decisions.
Iowa County Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission Minutes June 6, 2025
At its April 4, 2025 meeting the Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission received an operations update from Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR) outlining a multi‑county modernization plan (including work moving into Iowa County), approved routine procedural items and payments, signed an interim trail‑use agreement for the Walking Iron Trail corridor, and heard a WisDOT update on the Merrimac Bridge and Janesville bridges project.
Discussion Points
•An updated economic impact study is expected before the May meeting.
•Budget timeline established with adoption required by Aug. 1, 2025.
•FRIP loan approved for Farm City Elevator.
•Merrimac Bridge ribbon‑cutting planned; Janesville scope reduced due to inflation.
•Treasurer's report and invoice payments approved.
•Walking Iron Trail nearing readiness; Interim Trail Use Agreement re‑executed.
•WisDOT reported ongoing QC and peer review on projects.
•WSOR intends to continue work into Iowa County and prioritize the Prairie Subdivision modernization.
•WSOR will provide carload data to support grant applications.
Decisions
•Approve payments and re‑execute Interim Trail Use Agreement.
Directions
•Treasurer to process approved payments; staff to circulate draft budget in May; Administration to file the executed Interim Trail Use Agreement.
•WSOR to provide carload data and economic study proposal to staff and commissioners.
Iowa County Tri-County Trail Commission Minutes May 22, 2025
At its May 22, 2025 meeting in Darlington, the Tri-County Trail Commission declared Bridge #32 unsafe, approved local permits for Pecatonica Co-op Oil to place gravel and repair a crossing, authorized payment for a completed bridge inspection and an RFP for further inspections, approved vouchers and moved the June meeting date to June 19, 2025.
Discussion Points
•Bridge #32 inspection results: inspector and structural engineer advised the bridge is not safe and repairs would exceed cost/benefit without outside funding.
•Encroachment issue: produce stand removed from state property; no further action recorded.
•Possible township mowing for Lafayette and Iowa county trail sections — discussed but not acted on.
•Proof of posting and routine agenda/minutes approvals; Blackbourn reported on DNR grants, deployment of trail counters and sale of supporter stickers.
Decisions
•Adjourn meeting at 8:14 PM.
•Approve payment of $550 for the Bridge #32 inspection and issue an RFP for additional bridge inspections.
Iowa County Board of Supervisors met May 20, 2025 in Dodgeville and approved a slate of ordinances and resolutions including the 2026 Capital Improvement Plan and financing for reconstruction of CTH T and a new Hollandale highway shop; the board postponed withdrawal from the Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission in an 11-9 roll call and held a closed session on a cyber incident with no action reported.
Discussion Points
•Closed-session consultation with counsel on litigation strategy related to a cyber incident.
•Community Development presented rooftop solar progress as informational; no action taken on the presentation.
•Debate over withdrawal from Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission produced a roll call vote with a narrow majority voting to postpone consideration indefinitely.
Decisions
•Adopted 2026 Capital Improvement Plan; approved financing for CTH T reconstruction and new Hollandale highway shop; adopted multiple ordinances and resolutions as recorded; entered and exited closed session with no action reported.
•No action recorded following the closed-session discussion.
Directions
•No immediate direction taken to withdraw from WRRTC after postponement; items approved will be implemented by relevant departments (Public Works, Finance, Community Development).
Iowa County Blackhawk Lake Recreation Area Minutes May 14, 2025
The Cobb-Highland Recreation Commission met May 14, 2025; members approved routine minutes and reports, engaged Johnson Block for accounting assistance, and unanimously approved an urgent $21,000–$24,000 electrical service upgrade after staff identified an overload affecting the office, cabins and shop.
Discussion Points
•Bank erosion work completed with posts set and dirt hauled; campsite G1 leveled.
•Community interest in resuming fireworks events at the park.
•Completion of beach pavilion roof and siding by TriBrothers Construction.
•Contractors (Pilling Electric, Alliant Energy) proposed technical fix with new wiring and transformer on woodshed; Alliant to obtain permits.
•Park Manager described overloaded 100 AMP meter powering multiple buildings and need for separate feed and transformer.
•Small tractor is aging and may be replaced; staff will explore municipal lease financing.
•Uncertainty about continuity of the Lion's Club Fisheree due to volunteers and attendance.
Decisions
•Commission approved the electrical service improvements; motion carried unanimously.
•No formal action taken on either item.
•No votes were taken on maintenance items; updates recorded for commission information.
Directions
•Commission to consider the possibility of a fireworks event in 2027; no formal direction recorded.
•No formal action recorded for maintenance items.
•Park manager to investigate tractor replacement options and financing.
•Proceed with electrical improvements; Alliant Energy to secure permits and coordinate work.
Iowa County Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission Minutes May 9, 2025
At its May 9, 2025 meeting, the Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission asked UW-Extension to present a formal proposal to update the 2014 Rail Economic Impact Study, moved to publish a draft 2026 budget with a public hearing in June, received operations reports from Wisconsin & Southern Railroad and WisDOT, and reviewed the Walking Iron Trail status. Commissioners noted an Iowa County concern about assessment formulas and discussed funding and project updates.
Discussion Points
•Commission rainy-day fund reported at about $220,000 and $216,492.65 in March; legal fees may increase due to the Baraboo Bridge lawsuit.
•Estimated cost: $26,697 with two payments; UW–Extension to confirm ability to include future customer data.
•Fifteen sections of rail remain and moving them is estimated to cost about $1,500–$1,800; reuse options are being explored.
•Iowa County public works committee discussed moving $30,000 to capital projects and voiced that paying the same assessment as larger counties was unfair.
•Study will follow 2014 template and collect customer-level employment, income and revenue data.
•UW–Extension timeline: literature review July–August, data collection August–September, analysis October–November, writing November–December, submission January 2026.
•Walking Iron Trail grade largely cleared of ties and rails and nearly ready for next phase.
•WisDOT reports project updates at Merrimac and Janesville and said FRPP requests exceed available funds.
•WSOR awarded two bridge contracts in Lodi and a tie-and-crossing project is nearing completion.
•WSOR reports 19 unresolved property-management issues and a roughly 10% drop in traffic year-to-date.
Decisions
•Commission voted unanimously to request a formal proposal from UW–Extension.
•March Treasurer's Report approved; draft 2026 budget to be published with a public hearing scheduled.
•No formal action taken; follow-up assigned to staff/commissioners.
•No formal commission action on operations or grant funding at this meeting.
Directions
•Huttenburg to contact Badger Steam and Gas Club about reuse and to investigate scrapper/recycler options.
•Publish the draft budget and host a public hearing during the June meeting at 10 a.m.
•UW–Extension to prepare a formal proposal for the June meeting.
•WSOR to host a ride-along on May 12; WSOR and WisDOT to continue project coordination.
Iowa County Seniors United for Nutrition Program, Inc Minutes May 8, 2025
The Seniors United for Nutrition Program (SUN) board voted to begin dissolving SUN Inc., authorized a workgroup to plan records custody and vendor communications, approved employee payout alignment with the June 13, 2025 final pay date following closed-session discussion, and approved several administrative housekeeping items including closing a PayPal account and an $800 flooring payment to the Village of Linden.
Discussion Points
•Bank accounts to remain open until invoices are paid; transfers planned afterward (Tom Slaney).
•Board approved closing PayPal account and directed staff to proceed.
•Board members called vendor dissolution letter vague and requested a revised letter (Lee Gill, board).
•Closed-session review of employee payout data led to formal alignment of payouts to the final pay date.
•Iowa County delayed program start from May 1 to June 1 (Tom Slaney).
Decisions
•Board adopted the SUN Inc. dissolution resolution.
Iowa County ADRC of Southwest Wisconsin Minutes April 22, 2025
The ADRC of Southwest Wisconsin board met April 22, 2025 in Dodgeville and approved forwarding two board applicants to the County Administrator, adopted revisions to the Nutrition Program Volunteer Handbook, accepted routine reports, and received program and staffing updates including a $1,800 donation to the Senior Nutrition Program and notice of an impending staff departure.
Discussion Points
•$1,800 donation to Senior Nutrition Program (recorded).
•Board role in screening ADRC applicants and subsequent County Administrator/County Board appointment process (Hiltbrand).
Iowa County Seniors United for Nutrition Program, Inc Minutes April 15, 2025
The Seniors United for Nutrition (SUN) Board voted to pursue dissolution, directed an attorney to draft a resolution and employee/vendor notification, and approved splitting remaining cash assets 50/50 between Iowa and Lafayette counties.
Discussion Points
•Attorney advice that items at program sites will remain at those sites; options for dividing remaining cash assets.
•Procedural steps and personnel implications related to dissolution, including unemployment eligibility and leave balances.
Decisions
•Approve splitting remaining cash on hand 50/50 between Iowa and Lafayette counties.
•Enter closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(c) to discuss personnel and dissolution (2:31 p.m.).
Directions
•Attorney Jacob Gardner to draft dissolution resolution and review unemployment and leave accruals.
•Staff/administration to draft and send notification letters to employees and vendors upon dissolution.
Iowa County Long Range Planning Committee Minutes April 14, 2025
The Iowa County Long Range Planning Committee met April 14, 2025. Members approved the agenda and minutes, adjusted the 2026 Capital Improvement Plan schedule and forwarded it to the Executive Committee, and moved a 2025 budget amendment (including an HHS HVAC review and highway truck funding clarification) to the Executive Committee.
Discussion Points
•Committee agreed to forward the budget amendment with highway truck overage funded from the Highway Department Fund Balance and requested Sheriff attendance.
•Committee agreed to study insulation and weather‑stripping and to evaluate HHS HVAC needs.
•Committee reordered several CIP items and chose to forward the plan to the Executive Committee for further review.
Decisions
•Approved reordering of items EE, AA, BB and forwarded the CIP to the Executive Committee.
•Forwarded budget amendment to Executive Committee; motions carried.
Directions
•Forward the 2026 CIP to the Executive Committee for additional review.
•Staff to evaluate insulation and HVAC at HHS; Executive Committee to review budget amendment and hear from Sheriff.
Iowa County Executive Committee Minutes April 8, 2025
At its April 8, 2025, Executive Committee meeting in Dodgeville, the Iowa County Executive Committee voted to forward an amendment to the public nuisance ordinance and several budget transfer resolutions to the County Board, approved sending a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration about a FAA study on proposed 660-foot wind towers near MRJ-Iowa County airport, and discussed the 2026 budget; next meeting set for May 13, 2025.
Discussion Points
•Committee reviewed FAA Study #2024-WTE-9417-OE regarding proposed 660-foot wind towers and potential obstructions to MRJ-Iowa County airport operations.
•County Administrator Larry Bierke provided an update on the 2026 budget (no figures or actions recorded in the transcript).
Decisions
•Forward Amending Ordinance 200.03 (Public Nuisance) to the County Board of Supervisors.
•Forward multiple 2024 budget-transfer and amendment resolutions to the County Board.
•Forward resolution setting Senior Nutrition Program fee schedule to the County Board.
•Set next Executive Committee meeting for May 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.
Directions
•Send printed letter to the Federal Aviation Administration regarding Study #2024-WTE-9417-OE.
Iowa County Board of Canvassers Minutes April 7, 2025
Iowa County Board of Canvassers met April 7, 2025 to canvass and certify the Spring Election results; minor tally adjustments were recorded and certifications were forwarded to the Wisconsin Election Commission.
Discussion Points
•Motions to approve the agenda and prior minutes were made and seconded; the transcript does not include separate recorded votes.
•Roll call recorded three members present: Terry Edwards, Dianne Evans and Megan Currie.
Decisions
•Canvass changes: Melby adjusted from 2 to 0 votes; Scattering adjusted from 0 to 2 votes.
•Certifications were signed and forwarded to the Wisconsin Election Commission.
Directions
•Signed certifications were forwarded to the Wisconsin Election Commission by email.
Iowa County General Government Committee Minutes April 3, 2025
The Iowa County General Government Committee met April 3, 2025, in Dodgeville and approved moving several ordinance amendments and a policy update to the full County Board, including rules on tax-lien foreclosure, delinquent tax interest and penalties, tax-deeded lands and a property/liability insurance policy; the committee also approved using a universal ordinance-numbering format and set its next meeting for May 8, 2025.
Discussion Points
•County Clerk Megan Currie explained updates to Policy 903 (Property and Liability Insurance) and proposed a universal ordinance-numbering format.
•County Treasurer Debi Heisner explained updates to three tax-related ordinances (600.30, 600.25, 600.13).
Decisions
•All motions to forward ordinances and the policy to the County Board were approved (most unanimously).
•Minutes for March 6, 2025 were approved with one abstention by Sup. Tim Lease.
Directions
•Forward each ordinance amendment and the policy update to the County Board for consideration.
•Set next committee meeting for May 8, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Iowa County Health & Human Services Committee Minutes April 2, 2025
Iowa County Health and Human Services Committee on April 2, 2025 amended and adopted a resolution setting the Senior Nutrition Program full-cost meal price at $15.25, received ADRC outreach and funding updates, and heard Health Department concerns about measles immunization rates and lost federal grants.
Discussion Points
•ADRC and partners plan to attend Aging Advocacy Day on May 14, 2025.
•An active tuberculosis case is present in the county and requires contact tracing.
•County measles immunization coverage is 86% for ages 5–19; public-health experts target about 95% for herd immunity.
•Hiltbrand said ADRC funding is largely Medicaid and Older Americans Act funding; statewide marketing and advocacy events planned.
•Operational limits noted: ADRC can no longer call Social Security on behalf of consumers; volunteer drivers are needed.
•Paull flagged underuse of ADRC bus trips and requested volunteer recruitment efforts.
•Siegenthaler warned measles immunization coverage in ages 5–19 is 86% in Iowa County and noted an active TB case and terminated federal immunization grants.
•Two competitive federal immunization outreach grants were terminated, with about 80% of those funds already expended.
Decisions
•Adopt amended Senior Nutrition Program fee schedule setting full-cost price at $15.25 (vote 5-0).
•Schedule next HHS meeting for May 7, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Directions
•ADRC to continue marketing campaign and seek volunteer drivers; staff and board to attend Aging Advocacy Day.
•ADRC to continue outreach and recruitment for volunteer drivers; materials to appear in News & Views.
•Health Department to continue immunization outreach and report impacts of terminated grants.
•Health Department to continue outreach and partner with community programs (dental clinic, nursing student screenings).
•Staff to update Senior Nutrition Program price signage and cash-handling guidance; Health and Human Services to notify Nutrition Program sites of new price.
Iowa County Local Emergency Planning Committee Minutes April 2, 2025
The Iowa County Local Emergency Planning Committee met April 2, 2025, approved bylaws and a revised strategic plan, designated the county Emergency Management Specialist as LEPC Coordinator of Information, named Wisconsin Emergency Management’s EPCRA Division as compliance officer, reviewed HazMat training and recent spill reports, and set a July 9, 2025 follow-up meeting.
Discussion Points
•Committee designated the Emergency Management Specialist as Coordinator of Information and WEM EPCRA Division as Compliance Officer.
•Committee reviewed and approved bylaws and the Strategic Plan with recommended changes.
•HazMat Response Team training with State Lab of Hygiene on Jan. 18, 2025 and planned tabletop exercise later in April.
•Members reported on training and reviewed the membership list.
•Question raised about remediation follow-up responsibility.
Iowa County Public Works Committee Minutes March 31, 2025
Iowa County Public Works Committee met March 31, 2025, heard a highway commissioner presentation on County Trunk Highway (CTH) needs, postponed consideration of a resolution to withdraw from the Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission to May 5, 2025, and approved routine consent items including a corrected meeting date.
Discussion Points
•Concerns about rail use, railroad improvement and maintenance responsibilities
•Cost implications of different treatment types and highway classifications
•CTH condition assessment, age and improvement cycle
•Proposal to move County contribution into County Capital Improvement Plan for budgeting
•Questions about notice timeline if the county were to adopt a withdrawal resolution
•Routine departmental updates (summer schedule, Unit #149 repair, staffing)
•WisDOT review requested for Lehner Road and STH 18 intersection
Decisions
•No formal decision; item kept for further review and budgeting discussions
•Postpone consideration of the resignation resolution to May 5, 2025
Directions
•Invite WRRTC chair and a WSOR representative to May 5 meeting; compile list of questions for them to answer
•WisDOT to review Lehner Road/STH 18 intersection; continue to evaluate funding options for CTH projects
Iowa County Planning & Zoning Committee Minutes March 27, 2025
Iowa County Planning & Zoning Committee held a March 27, 2025 meeting by conference call and approved six rezoning petitions (each subject to a certified survey map to be recorded within six months of County Board approval) and determined a septic-related condition satisfied for a conditional use permit (ZH3444) on a 4-1 vote.
Discussion Points
•Committee discussed whether a proposed privy and shower house meet a septic adequacy condition for ZH3444; DSPS determination cited.
•Staff presented each rezoning petition; no public comments were recorded on petitions.
•Supervisors Leix and Nelson cited a DSPS determination exempting the shower house from state septic code.
•Whether use of an existing privy and shower house met the septic adequacy condition for ZH3444.
Decisions
•Committee determined septic-system condition for Conditional Use Permit ZH3444 satisfied; motion passed 4–1.
•Committee determined septic-system condition satisfied for ZH3444 by 4–1 vote.
•Six rezoning petitions approved by unanimous motion with the CSM recording condition.
Directions
•Provide DSPS determination documentation for County Board packet on ZH3444.
•Require recording of certified survey maps within six months of County Board approval for each rezoning petition.
•Staff to include DSPS determination documentation in County Board packet.
Iowa County Seniors United for Nutrition Program, Inc Minutes March 24, 2025
Board discussed county contract terminations and steps toward dissolving the Seniors United for Nutrition program; site manager vacancies prompted temporary staffing proposals and a waiver request.
Discussion Points
•Darlington and Blanchardville site manager positions are vacant; an interim volunteer was proposed for Darlington.
•Inventory of assets prepared by site managers to be circulated to board members for review.
•Numbers4Nonprofit can maintain books but may not provide full wind-down services.
•Recommendation to retain private legal counsel for dissolution rather than use county corporation counsel.
•Tom Slaney suggested requesting a waiver from GWAAR to permit the Viking Café owner to serve as an interim site manager for Blanchardville.
Decisions
•Motion carried to authorize Iowa County staff to share documentation with Lafayette County staff.
•No formal hiring decisions recorded; volunteer interim coverage for Darlington was offered.
•Routine approvals of agenda, minutes and financial reports.
Directions
•Board to receive articles of incorporation and review for dissolution steps.
•Dana Harcus to check for a sub-list of potential site managers for Blanchardville.
•Iowa County staff authorized to provide SUN office documents to Lafayette County staff.
•Staff to request waiver from GWAAR if appropriate.
Iowa County Agriculture & Extension Committee Minutes March 20, 2025
Iowa County Extension Committee met March 20, 2025, and discussed federal funding uncertainty for Extension, encouraged staff-led community conversations about local Extension priorities, and heard educator reports on agriculture programming, youth development and health classes.
Discussion Points
•Committee encouraged staff to pursue grants and gifts to supplement funding.
•Educators reported participant numbers for key trainings and webinars.
•Federal funding outlook is uncertain; Extension staff will be conservative with expenditures until guidance is received.
•Staff will seek veterinary guidance on avian influenza before issuing public updates.
•State has absorbed some costs previously borne by counties (e.g., pay increases, professional development).
•Weather has disrupted some agriculture programming and led to cancellations.
Decisions
•Adjourn meeting; next meeting scheduled for May 15, 2025.
•Approve agenda and previous minutes (procedural).
•Continue programming while exercising budget caution pending funding clarity.
Directions
•Educators to meet with state veterinarian for updated guidance.
•Staff to implement garden grant projects with direct education at funded sites.
•Staff to meet with the state veterinarian to clarify bird flu guidance and update public resources.
•Staff to plan partner conversations in late summer/early fall to discuss priorities and opportunities.
At its March 18, 2025 session in Dodgeville, the Iowa County Board of Supervisors approved multiple zoning amendments, policies (including a Generative AI use policy), and created a new county Nutrition Program with accompanying staffing and an inter-fund transfer. The board also heard a facilities update on the Health and Human Services building HVAC system and approved several appointments and routine reports.
Discussion Points
•Administrator provided a PowerPoint update on HVAC status; board members asked questions.
•Multiple agenda items bundled for approval; ordinances adopted as a group; brief discussion preceded votes on policy and resolution items.
•Staff presented mandated and non-mandated programs and county fees; board members requested more detail and mentioned a possible special meeting.
Decisions
•Board approved creation of Nutrition Program positions and recommended transfer of funds via Resolution 7-0325.
•Multiple ordinances, policies and resolutions were approved; appointments were confirmed; Clerk of Court vacancy was approved to be filled.
•No immediate funding or repairs approved; referral to Long Range Planning.
Directions
•Clerk to transmit resolutions as appropriate; staff to implement AI policy and to prepare details for newly authorized programs.
•Send item to Long Range Planning for more detailed review.
•Staff directed to develop implementation details for Nutrition Program and budget adjustments.
