By Mari Radtke
The O’Brien County Election Commissioner, Barb Rohwer updated the council with planning and use to date of the $10,000 of HAVA (Help America Vote Act) funds the county has available to use. The purpose of the funds is to make certain that voting equipment meets standards. The minimum standards provide voter privacy and ballot confidentiality; Provides a means for each voter to know that their ballot reflects their voting wishes and is in compliance with the law; provides a permanent paper record for manual audit and official recounts; provides equality and accessibility to those with disabilities and impairments; Access for alternative languages and establishes a uniform standard to define what is a vote that will be counted for each certified system. HAVA also provides for provisional voting, voter registration procedures, and training and education. The entire act has been in place since 2006.
Rohwer reported that she has so far purchased “booths and cages” to ensure privacy at voting precincts and plans to purchase 40 specialized flash drives at $95 each. She is waiting for approval of that purchase.
Jamey Whitney, Executive Director Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. gave the annual report of the Community Action Agency serving a twelve county area including O’Brien. The agency operates a food bank in Primghar as well as making household items and coats available. The administer the LIHEAP program (utility assistance), weatherize homes, Head Start, Adopt-A-Family and more. He reported that UDMO provided 1151 O’Brien County individuals and 488 households with a variety of needs. Whitney outlined to the board a few concerns. Particular concern for Head Start staffing was noted. Head Start is a federal contract. He also shared that the cost of weatherizing a home has increased about 130%. He also shared with the board that he has taken employment in his home state of Kansas and will be leaving UDMO in January. A director of a nearby Community Action Agency is in place until a replacement can be found.
The Spencer, Iowa engineering firm “Bolten & Menk” provided representatives to the supervisors to discuss the possibility of an inspector appointment for the county to oversee pipeline installation within each of O’Brien County’s Drainage Districts. Bolten and Menk was the firm who finally oversaw a satisfactory completion of the Drainage District 5 fiasco.
Bolten & Menk was represented by Tyler Conley and Derek Behrens. They explained the firm had reached out to counties with whom they had drainage work history and offered assistance with pipeline inspection.
Supervisors expressed concern for the age of the long established drainage system in place in O’Brien County, both private and not private. Conley noted to the supervisors that much of the drainage infrastructure across the state is more than 100 years old, well-established and well compacted and it could be disastrous for the tile lines to be cut and repaired. Some of the lines are fired clay or unwired cement. Patching is not a good solution.
They offer locate and inspection services within a drainage district. Throughout the discussion a clear preference by all parties for deep boring under the tile systems rather than cutting is highly preferred.
Staffing availability and response time to a boring site was discussed. Conley indicated staffing is not a problem from the Spencer office and response time would be short. All inspection services are the ultimate responsibility of the pipeline developer, should any project be permitted in the state.
Conley proposed provided O’Brien County with a draft easement agreement from Iowa Drainage District Association. Also under consideration by the Board of Supervisors is the development of an ordinance, and utility crossing fees to the developer.
A brief discussion about if the county should submit a letter to Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) opposing the use of imminent domain for carbon pipeline projects. The subject will be taken up again at the December 21 meeting.