The Delaware County Board of Supervisors heard only dissension concerning the reclassification of a portion of Rainbow Road to Level C at the public hearing July 31.

Six individuals spoke out against the change, citing the inconvenience of having to unlock a gate to get to their land, and expressing their belief that it wouldn’t have any benefits.

The Supervisors received a petition signed by four landowners requesting the change to a Level B portion of Rainbow Road. The property owners were frustrated with the garbage dumping, four-wheeling, and poaching that occurs on that section. Since the original petition, though, it became apparent that most of the original petitioners changed their mind.

Larry Holthaus originally signed the petition, but changed his mind after realizing how many trips he makes to his fields and how inconvenient a gate would be. He was also concerned about locking someone in if he left the gate open during the day while he was doing fieldwork.

Scott Gilles had also originally signed the petition. He was now uncertain whether the re-designation would be a good thing or not, but did want the road fully graveled if it was not going to be closed.

Albert Hartke expressed concern with the road in general, wanting to see more maintenance done on it, especially the addition of rock. He felt that even less would be done if the road was changed to Level C.

County Engineer Mark Nahra explained that a Level B road is considered a land access minimum maintenance road and rock is not a part of the maintenance unless specific permission is given to the landowners; then the work is done at the landowner’s expense.

Following the public comments, Board Chairman Bill Skinner stated that the Supervisors were acting in response to a petition they received. He further explained that since most of the petitioners appear to have changed their minds, he was inclined to drop the petition. Supervisors Steve Koeneke and Shirley Helmrichs agreed with Skinner and the petition was unanimously denied. The portion of Rainbow Road in question will remain a Level B road.

A quote for a culvert extension north of the railroad tracks in Ryan was approved. The $7,965 quote from K Construction, Inc., is for a 2-foot by 3-foot box culvert with a 16-foot extension on Highway 932. The road will not have to be torn out to place the culvert extension.

The Board approved the hiring of Mike Ryan as the Delaware County Emergency Management Coordinator at a salary of $32,000 effective July 31.

The grading contract and bond from B & J Hauling and Excavating, Monticello, was accepted and approved for the Firefly Road grading. The grading on the 1-plus mile section should begin around the end of September, with paving in the spring. The contract was for $498,404.40.

Jack Klaus was appointed to a one-year term on the Eastern Iowa Tourism Council with Elise Bergan as an alternate.

Also, a resolution was passed appointing Cliff Bunting to a 2-year term on the Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority. A second candidate is still being sought.

A Treasurer’s E-government Alliance resolution was approved designating Delaware County Treasurer Carolyn Wilson as a sponsor. The Treasurer’s E-government Alliance handles fees from license plates, registration, etc., and is a tool to get the interest from these fees back to the counties quicker.

The Board also approved the Republicans the use of the courtroom for a special county convention on August 21.

Concerning road construction, pavement markings are the only thing remaining on D47. Nahra reported that the road drove nicely.

The bid letting for the Delaware/Jones County line bridge project is August 22 in Jones County; while bid letting for the Robinson Road bridge project is August 15.

Nahra also cautioned drivers that with the excessive heat blow-ups are occurring on the roads at a rate double what it was last year. Patching is being done, but he advised motorists to be aware of the problem and drive with care.