Changes with the Board of Supervisors

Posted: July 8, 2021 at 8:53 AM in In the Spotlight

With the recent retirement of Board chair District 2 Supervisor, Floyd Ashbacher, many changes have taken effect. Gary Rustad was named to fill Ashbacher’s unfilled term. Supervisor Dan Langreck (District 4) was voted as the new chair and Supervisor Shirley Vermace (District 3) was nominated Vice Chair.

We wish Floyd well in his retirement and thank him for his years of service.

Emergency Notifications (Alert Iowa) Transitioned to Smart911 App

Posted: July 6, 2021 at 10:36 AM in In the Spotlight

On July 1, 2021, Winneshiek County transitioned away from WENS for our emergency notifications (Alert Iowa) and moving to a new vendor called RAVE. RAVE utilizes an app called Smart911. This Smart911 app, when enabled will allow you to receive emergency notifications anywhere in the state of Iowa. The Smart911 app also provides several voluntary sections the end users can choose to fill out. If you so choose, you can add information into the app such as mobility impairment, oxygen dependency, insulin dependency, number and kind of pets, etc.

When you enter the system you will be able to choose which alerts you would like to receive.

Please register today. With the new system, you do not have to create a new account for each person living in your household. You can simply add them to your profile if you so choose.

To learn more about Alert Iowa.

Public Health Administrator’s March 1 COVID Update

Posted: March 4, 2021 at 9:13 AM in Covid
  1. Vaccine
    1. Counties/entities shoold have received vaccine last week
    2. Janssen product by Johnson & Johnson has been approved
    3. Iowa will receive 25,000 doses currently being earmarked for 17 counties with large manufacturing
    4. Anticipated allocations to Iowa: 31,590 doses of Pfizer; 30,400 doses of Moderna; 25,600 doses of Janssen. Of those numbers, local public health allocations: 23,400 Pfizer; 30,400 Moderna; 25,600 Janssen.
  2. Vaccination Plans
    1. IDPH plans to continue with the February allocation amounts thru mid-March.
    2. Governor’s office commented that administration of vaccine was down the past 2 weeks—reminder: there was 1 week in which NO vaccine was shipped (hard to give what you don’t have) and states/counties are having to play “catch up” this past week into this week.
    3. Completing a survey for those groups in Tier 2. Based on entities, numbers, logistics and safety in Phase 1b, Tier 2 having to consider all options in getting vaccine into arms.
  3. Numbers
    1. 30 new cases last week
    2. According to coronavirus.iowa.gov: 4300 Winneshiek County residents vaccinated==21.6%
  4. Messaging
    1. Continue to upload weekly press releases (sent out on Wednesdays) to county webpage
    2. Vaccinate.iowa.gov
    3. VaccineFinder.org

Board of Health Strongly Recommends Face Masks

Posted: September 8, 2020 at 11:08 AM in Covid In the Spotlight

Winneshiek County Board of Health Position Statement

The Winneshiek County Board of Health STRONGLY RECOMMENDS that all Winneshiek County residents and visitors wear a cloth face mask or face covering when in public and maintain a six (6) foot distance from others. The Winneshiek County Board of Health asks everyone to recognize and understand that wearing a face mask or face covering and physical distancing protects others. The Board of Health’s job is to protect the health of all and prevent the spread of disease within our county.

The coronavirus that causes SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is easily transmitted, especially in group settings. It is essential that the spread of the virus be slowed to protect the ability of public and private health care providers to handle the influx of new patients and safeguard the public health and safety. Some individuals who contract COVID-19 will have no symptoms or have only mild symptoms, which means they may not be aware they carry the virus. Because even people without symptoms can transmit the disease, and because evidence shows the disease is easily spread, gatherings can result in preventable transmission of the virus. The scientific evidence shows that during this pandemic, it is essential to slow virus transmission as much as possible to protect the most vulnerable and to prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed.

When used correctly, important mitigation strategies such as cloth face coverings, are important to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings and when around people who live outside of their household. The use of cloth face coverings is especially important when social distancing is difficult to maintain. Cloth face coverings are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the cloth face covering coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. Cloth face coverings are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected and may provide some measure of protection for the wearer themselves.

We need to come together as a community to ensure our healthcare organizations are able to continue to provide the quality care our community needs. We know the upward trend in positive cases will continue without the use of face coverings. The use of face coverings will diminish the strain on the medical community.

Wearing face coverings is one way we can help to keep our local businesses open. As our schools and colleges begin to re-open, the best way to keep everyone healthy and to reduce community spread in Winneshiek County is to encourage everyone to wear face coverings when others are around. Please stay home if you do not feel well.

We are blessed to live in a beautiful and vibrant county with a tradition of neighbors helping each other. We need to help each other now. We ask our residents and visitors to wear face coverings when out in public and to practice social distancing. Wearing face coverings protects you, those around you, and the community.

COVID-19 Response : Updated 4/7/2020

Posted: April 9, 2020 at 10:34 AM in In the Spotlight

The Winneshiek County Courthouse is open for restricted access for essential services by appointment only.  The west door will be unlocked during normal business hours (8:00am – 4:00pm), but public will be restricted to the entryway area.  Within the entryway will be a locked drop box for correspondence and payments, a bulletin board for public notices and agendas, forms and applications for common Courthouse business, and phone numbers for the various departments if public needs access for an essential service.  The entryway is not very large, so public is encouraged to only enter one at a time.  To make an appointment to gain entry to the building, call the appropriate department.  Phone numbers are available in the entryway or at www.winneshiekcounty.org.  Questions or concerns can be directed to the County Auditor at (563) 382-5085 or auditor@co.winneshiek.ia.us.

2020 Annual Budget Meeting Information

Posted: March 25, 2020 at 1:10 PM in In the Spotlight

The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors will hold the annual budget hearing at noon Monday during their regular Monday Board meeting.  Public is encouraged to listen to any Board meeting via the electronic means that will be provided, both telephonic and zoom.  Also public attending electronically will be able to speak during the public hearing portion of the meeting via these methods.

Meeting handouts

The meeting can be joined virtually by computer or smartphone at https://zoom.us/j/371466463. If you would like to call in for an audio only please use either of the following numbers:
  • (646) 876-9923
  • (312) 626-6799
When prompted the meeting ID is 371 466 463.
If you need additional guidance on how to join a Zoom meeting, please open https://youtu.be/vFhAEoCF7jg in a web browser to see a demo.

The Annex will be open to the public for those unable to attend electronically.  But, due to the Department of Public Health guidelines, public is encouraged to use the electronic methods if possible.  The Board would like to avoid too many people gathering in person.

Questions can be directed to the County Auditor’s office at (563) 382-5085 or auditor@co.winneshiek.ia.us.

Brenda Kreitzer Appointed County Treasurer

Posted: October 7, 2019 at 10:49 AM in In the Spotlight

The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors has appointed Brenda Kreitzer as County Treasurer. Kreitzer’s term will last until November, 3, 2020. Kreitzer replaces Wayne Walter.

Courthouse Roof Replacement – Public Hearing Notice and Letting of Bids

Posted: January 25, 2018 at 11:02 AM in In the Spotlight
SPECIFICATIONS:WINNESHIEK COUNTY COURTHOUSE ROOF REPLACEMENT
 201 WEST MAIN STREET
 ARCHITECT PROJECT # I1557.01

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND LETTING OF BIDS FOR THE WINNESHIEK COUNTY COURTHOUSE ROOF
REPLACEMENT.

Notice is hereby given that Winneshiek County, 201 W. Main Street, Decorah, Iowa 52101 invites contractors to submit bids for this project and that a public hearing will be held on the project.

Project Description: Roof replacement (excludes dome) of courthouse main roof, replacement of rooftop lighting, and upgrades to the lightning protection system.

Bid Type: One lump sum contract will be awarded at the appointed time and place.

Pre-Bid Conference: A mandatory pre-bid meeting for all General Contractors will be held at the Winneshiek County Courthouse, 201 W. Main Street, Decorah, Iowa 52101 on February 2, 2018 at 10:00 AM local time. Following the meeting, the meeting will be continued at the project site, weather permitting. Any General Contractor wishing to submit a bid on this project will need to have a designated representative registered at the pre-bid meeting.
Attendance for suppliers and subcontractors is option but recommended.

Project Access: The exterior of the project site is open to inspection at any time. Inspection of the roof and attic can be made at the Pre-Bid Conference and by contacting John Halverson at 563-419-0850, 24 hours in advance. Normal courthouse functions will be active during the construction period. Access to the building during construction for staff and the general public must be maintained throughout the duration of construction.

Documents: Plans and specifications governing construction of the proposed project have been prepared by Martin Gardner Architecture PC., Marion, Iowa as Architect. All materials and procedures shall be in strict accordance with said plans and specifications referred to and defining said proposed improvements and are hereby made a part of this Advertisement and of the proposed contract by reference, and that the contract shall be executed in compliance therewith.

Document Availability: Plans and specifications and proposed contract documents may be examined at the offices of the Architect, and other locations as outlined in the Construction Documents. Copies of the plans and specifications, form of contract and bid form may be obtained from Martin Gardner Architecture, P.C., 700 11th Street, Suite 200, Marion, IA 52302 or 11502 390th Street, Strawberry Point, IA 52076, 319-377-7604. The Architect's office will issue plans to all Contractors. A maximum of two sets of Construction Documents will be provided to each General Contractor upon delivery of a $150 per set refundable deposit to the office of the Architect. All other Subcontractors and Suppliers may obtain one set of Construction Documents upon delivery of a $150 per set refundable deposit to the office of the Architect. The drawings and specifications are available at the architect’s website www.MartinGardnerArch.com. Plans and specifications to be viewed are in Adobe .pdf format and may be downloaded and printed. Be aware that no warranty as to the compatibility of your computer software or hardware with the files provided is made. Variations between the printed files provided above by the Architect and these
electronic files may exist. In the event that a conflict does exist, the printed documents issued by the Architect will take precedence over the downloaded files.

Bid Forms: All bids shall be on the forms provided in the specifications for project. The provided forms of proposal shall be submitted at the time required for bids. “Form of Proposal for General Construction Unit Prices” shall be submitted electronically to the Architect’s office within 24 hours of the bid opening.

Bid Security: Each bid shall be accompanied by a bid bond, certified check, cashier’s check or credit union certified share draft, in a separate sealed envelope in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid. If bid bond is submitted, it must be on an approved AIA bid bond form. The certified check or cashier’s check shall be drawn on a bank in Iowa or a bank chartered under the laws of the United States of America; certified share draft shall be drawn on a credit union chartered under the laws of the United States. Bid security should be made payable to Winneshiek County as security that if awarded a contract the bidder will enter into a contract at the prices bid and furnish the required Contractor’s Bonds, Certificate of Insurance, and other materials as may be required in the contract documents. The certified check, cashier’s check, or certified share draft may be cashed, or the Bid Bond forfeited, and the proceeds retained as liquidated damages if the Bidder fails to execute a contract and file acceptable Certificate of Insurance within ten (10) days after the acceptance of the proposal by the Owner. No bidder may withdraw a proposal within thirty (30) days after the date set for opening bids.

Project Bonding: The successful bidder shall be required to furnish a Contractor’s Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bond on an approved AIA form in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price. The bonds are to be issued by responsible surety, approved by the Owner, and shall guarantee the faithful performance of the contract and the terms and conditions therein contained and shall guarantee the prompt payment for and of all materials and protect and save harmless the Owner from all claims and damages of any kind caused by the operation of the Contractor, and shall guarantee the work contracted for a period of one (1) year from the date of final acceptance of the improvements by the Owner.

Sales Tax: The said project is a tax exempt project. The Owner will issue exemption certificates from the Iowa Department of Revenue, as specified in the 701 Iowa Administrative Code, Chapter 19, Rule 19.12. These certificates shall be used by the successful bidder when purchasing materials or the completion of the project. Notice of Public Hearing: Notice is hereby given that the Owner will meet in the Board of Supervisors Office at the Winneshiek County Courthouse, 201 W. Main Street, Decorah, Iowa 52101 on January 22, 2018 at 11:30 AM local time, at which time and place a hearing will be held on the proposed drawings, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of cost for the Courthouse Roof Replacement project. Any interested party may appear to be heard.

Bid Filing: All bids must be filed at the Auditor’s Office c/o Benjamin Steines, Winneshiek County Courthouse, located at 201 W. Main Street, Decorah, Iowa 52101, on or before 4:00PM local time, February 15, 2018. Bids received after this time will not be accepted.

Bid Opening: Bids will be opened and publicly read aloud at a separate Bid Opening meeting in the Board of Supervisors Office at the Winneshiek County Courthouse, 201 W. Main Street, Decorah, Iowa 52101 on February 19, 2018 at 9:30 AM local time.

Award of Contract: Notice is hereby given that the Owner will meet in the Board of Supervisors Office at the Winneshiek County Courthouse, 201 W. Main Street, Decorah, Iowa 52101 on February 26, 2018 at 9:30 AM local time, at which time and place a hearing will be held for the Owner to consider bids for said construction. Progress Payments: Payment to the Contractor will be made in monthly estimates and one final payment. Monthly estimates will be equivalent to ninety-five percent (95%) of the contract value of the work completed during the preceding calendar month. Such payments will in no way be construed as an act of acceptance for any of the work partially or totally completed.

Final Payment: Final payment to Contractor will be made no earlier than forty-five (45) days from and after final acceptance of work by the Owner, subject to the contract conditions and in accordance with the provisions of Iowa Code chapters 26 and 573.

Project Construction Schedule: The work under the contract shall commence on or before the date specified in the written ‘Notice of Proceed’ or if lieu of the notice to proceed, the execution of the contract for construction and shall be Substantially Completed by the date indicated by the Bidder on the Proposal Form. Final Completion should be obtained Thirty (30) days after Substanatial Completion.

Iowa Preference: By virtue of statutory authority, preference will be given to products and provisions grown and produced within the State of Iowa and to Iowa domestic labor.

The Owner hereby reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive informalities and irregularities and to accept the lowest responsive and responsible bid.

Published upon order of Winneshiek County.

Benjamin Steines
Winneshiek County Auditor

By________________________________

Attest:_____________________________