Additional work required with JETS facility

     After completing and recording the plat of survey concerning the proposed site for the new JETS facility on John Drive in Monticello, a few loose ends were brought to light during the Nov. 28 Jones County Supervisors meetings.

     The county’s IT director Lisa Mootz inquired about the installation of phone, Internet and data cabling.

     “It’s a lot easier to do before the walls are finished,” advised Mootz, before the project gets too far along. “We also need to think about a network connection,” she added.

     She said she couldn’t consider equipment needs for JETS quite yet until she knows about establishing a network connection. However, Mootz warned the board that this portion of the project could reach $50,000 “just to gets JETS up and running, and that’s low-balling it with wiring, cabling, phone, etc.”

     Supervisor Ned Rohwedder questioned whether the transportation grant the county received from the DOT could help cover the cost to provide technology. Supervisor Jon Zirkelbach said that would be a separate discussion because JETS office space wasn’t initially included in the grant proposal.

     “It was initially just garage space,” he said.

     Mootz offered to contact Jerry Pasker of Monticello to get a cost estimate for fiber in the vicinity of the JETS building.

     The contract was previously awarded to Superior Steel and Concrete Construction (Sean Janssen) of Monticello in the amount of $219,150. Zirkelbach said Janssen has been in contact with him and would like to start building as soon as possible with the weather cooperating at the moment.

     The site plan, put together by County Engineer Derek Snead, has also been completed.

     Supervisor Joe Oswald said the building would be delivered to the site by mid-December.

     “We need to apply for a building permit with the City of Monticello,” he advised. Oswald has been in talks with the city, and felt the permit fee might be waived.

     For now, any physical work hinges on the sale of the land from Tom Yeoman to the county.

In other county business:

     • The county received one bid for snow/ice removal at the Broadway Place Annex in Anamosa from Minger Mowing & Landscape, Inc. The bid includes $90 an hour for 1-3 inches of snow on the driveway/parking lot, $60 an hour for sidewalks, and $25 for salt application.

     Supervisor Wayne Manternach questioned whether the City of Anamosa would share in the cost as the current owner of the former hospital that sits across the lot from the county offices.

     The board tabled approval with some questions up in the air.

     • The board approved a 28E agreement with the City of Anamosa for the Shaw Road project. This project is part of the Wapsipinicon Trail proposal.

     Snead said his office would take the lead on the design, construction, and project inspection. Seventy-five percent of the project is part of the county, with 25 percent belonging to Anamosa. Snead said there’s an additional 7.5 percent for engineering fees added to Anamosa’s proposed cost.

     The project includes 1,500 feet of paved roadway. The trail would extend 1,000 feet beyond that point.

     • County Custodian Bill Feldmann met with the board to further discuss Feldmann’s request for a two-month unpaid leave of absence.

     The supervisors have been discussing this request for a few weeks now, and came to the conclusion that a full-time custodian was needed. The board offered Feldmann a part-time job upon his return with no benefits, but he declined. His last working day will be Jan. 19.

     “It’s easier for the county to keep it as is and find another person at full-time,” remarked Manternach. “I don’t blame Bill for asking (for unpaid time off), but it’s a unique situation and not a good fit for the county.”

     The board thanked Feldmann for his hard work and dedication since starting two years ago. Feldmann offered to assist the board with training and in the transition.

     • The board was asked to consider a request from the Iowa State Association of Counties to join in litigation to hold pharmaceutical firms responsible for misrepresenting the safety of using opioids. Action was tabled until the supervisors spoke with County Attorney Phil Parsons and Sheriff Greg Graver on the matter.