Roadside Management Program the focus of Feb. 13 supervisors meeting

By Kate Klimesh,

Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:56 pm

The board also heard from Van Der Maaten who noted, “Last week Monday’s action taken regarding the Roadside Management program – I had three complaints from the Iowa Public Information Board regarding that action taken in violation of what was on the agenda. There wasn’t proper notice of it, and I think those complaints are correct. My suggestion would be that first step – move to rescind action taken at the Feb. 6 meeting – and that can only be done by the supervisors that voted in favor of it.

The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors meeting held Monday was focused primarily on the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Program (IRVMP), which had been terminated by a motion and majority vote at the Feb. 6 meeting.  
There was public outcry to that action, as the meeting was attended by over 30 members of the public. The issue was on the agenda; there was time for comment on the issue by Decorah resident Julie Fisher, and Winneshiek County Attorney Andy Van Der Maaten and County Engineer Lee Bjerke spoke on the issue as well.
Fisher provided information on the benefits of the IRVMP in reducing noxious weeds in the roadside, increasing granted funding for the program through Roadside Management Grants, and enhancing roadside habitat for wildlife while reducing the amount of chemicals used that can potentially leach into groundwater supplies. She urged the supervisors to reconsider their actions and open the issue for public discourse.  
The board also heard from Van Der Maaten who noted, “Last week Monday’s action taken regarding the Roadside Management program – I had three complaints from the Iowa Public Information Board regarding that action taken in violation of what was on the agenda. There wasn’t proper notice of it, and I think those complaints are correct. My suggestion would be that first step – move to rescind action taken at the Feb. 6 meeting – and that can only be done by the supervisors that voted in favor of it.

Full story in the February 16 Decorah Public Opinion.