County seeks grant from IDOT to aid with seed storage facility

By Mary Zielinski
Posted 5/21/21

Seeking a $3,000 grant though the IDOT’s Living Roadways Trust Fund (LRTF) to fund a seed facility “will advance our current roadside vegetation capabilities,” County Engineer Jacob …

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County seeks grant from IDOT to aid with seed storage facility

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Seeking a $3,000 grant though the IDOT’s Living Roadways Trust Fund (LRTF) to fund a seed facility “will advance our current roadside vegetation capabilities,” County Engineer Jacob Thorius told the Washington County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, May 18. It also will change the current sorting of seed on pallets in the rear of county trucks, “which creates several problems.”

A cost-effective solution, he explained, is retrofitting a 20-foot steel shipping container into a “semi-mobile temperature and humidity-controlled storage facility.” Estimated cost of the project, including the $2,698 for the container, is $4,798 for which a $3,000 matching grant is being sought from the LRFT. Deadline for applying is June 1.

The use of a former shipping container reduces the cost by half since a similar footage wooden facility would be approximately $10,000 in materials and labor.  Aside from the cost of the steel unit, costs for insulation, electrical and AC total $2,300.

Thorius explained that roadside vegetation management includes weeds and soil erosion control and reseeding of areas including use of native prairie plantings, wetland or woodland plantings. All of which involve maintaining and storage of appropriate seeds. Board approved seeking the grant.

In other business, the board:

• acknowledged the plan for a proposed 2,998-animal unit confinement facility for William L. Huber in Section 32 (along the 36 site) in Highland Township, following a Public Hearing in which no comment were made;

• approved the Iowa DOT’s 21-county budget amendment, which Thorius explained “exactly mirrors the county budget but has different format.” The amendment involves additional revenue of $250,00, a one-time relief funding, offset losses from the state gasoline tax, he said, noting it involves five DOT categories for fund allocations;

• approved a pay change for an assistant maintenance superintendent at Secondary Roads, John Wagner, from $2,289.40 to $2,338.40 biweekly, effective May 20. Theories explained that Wagner will be assuming more duties prior to likely becoming the maintenance superintendent in November when the current one retires and allows “for a smooth transition.” That transition also involves advertising for a new assistant so “when John takes over, there will be a backup for him.” Further pay increases swill come in July, September and November; and

• learned that meals for senior citizens will start this summer in a partnership between the Heritage Agency one Aging and the local Hy-Vee, said supervisor Chairman Richard Young. “Information will be available at the weekly Thursday Farmers’ Market,” he added.