GRUNDY CENTER- The Grundy County Board of Supervisors considered the potential for an ordinance allowing All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and discussed the ongoing recovery after last week’s derecho storm during Monday morning’s regular meeting.
Supervisor Chuck Bakker brought the ATV discussion to the board, Sheriff Rick Penning and Chief Deputy Kirk Dolleslager after hearing from a constituent who had been pulled over and told he was not allowed to drive his vehicle on a paved road. Penning reported that Butler County is the only neighboring county with an ordinance to allow ATVs on roads, and Wellsburg has its own ordinance within city limits. Conrad, Reinbeck, Dike and Grundy Center have ordinances that allow golf carts but not ATVs.
Currently, farmers in Grundy County are allowed to use ATVs on their properties, but non-farmers are not allowed to drive them. Penning told the board that he wasn’t opposed to the idea of adding an ordinance but didn’t have strong feelings on it one way or the other. He also predicted an increase in accidents if ATV use was more widely legalized.
Supervisor Jim Ross said that he would likely oppose an ordinance because he didn’t want “any more regulations” and figured drivers would use their ATVs anyway with or without a county law, but Bakker countered that the individual who had been pulled over was not left alone.
After some discussion, the board, Penning and Dolleslager agreed to wait at least a week and consult with County Attorney Erika Allen before making an official decision.
Grundy County Conservation Director Kevin Williams presented an update on the derecho damage, which was mostly focused in the southern half of the county, specifically focusing on the Wolf Creek Park and campground. There were two campers at the site when the storm hit, and Williams said they were not damaged. He added that the shelter house and shower restroom were untouched, but one piece of playground equipment was smashed. At press time, the Grundy County website indicated that the park is closed indefinitely due to storm damage.
“The general report is it’s a real mess, but it could’ve been worse,” Williams said.
According to Williams, he doesn’t see a way to reopen the camping service this summer, and the Comet Trail hasn’t been cleared yet. After a brief public hearing earlier in the meeting, the board approved an easement allowing the Iowa DOT to install additional culverts under Highway 175 just east of Morrison.
County Engineer Gary Mauer reported the latest news on the Grundy Road project, including a request for $20,000 to demolish a house along the right of way. Overall, Mauer said, the county is close to securing the final parcels needed to begin the paving and grading work.
Mauer added that the engineer’s office ran on backup power in the aftermath of the derecho and used about 65 gallons of fuel a day to keep a generator running. Road damages, he noted, were minimal.
The board voted unanimously to approve a county disaster declaration in the aftermath of the derecho, and as of Tuesday, a federal declaration had also received approval from President Trump after Governor Kim Reynolds included 23 total counties including Grundy in her state declaration.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, the board:
· Approved the Lincoln and Colfax Township FY2020 annual reports.
· Approved law enforcement agreements with all of the communities in the county except for Grundy Center.
· Approved an agreement to provide substance abuse prevention activities.
· Approved a resolution providing for cooperation with other governmental units in creating and operating the Service Delivery Northeast Iowa Workforce Area Consortium.
