• United States Geological Survey Assistant District Chief Bob Buchmiller: Report/Update on Aquifers Study
• Conservation Department Director Harry Graves: Report of Departmental Activities
• Discussion: Update of City Happenings
• Discussion: Update from the County
• Discussion: Concerns of Various Cities and County
• Discussion: Senior Dining
• Discussion: Housing Rehabilitation Grants

Chairperson Lehman called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 6:34 p.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Mike Lehman, Terrence Neuzil, Sally Stutsman, and Carol Thompson.

United States Geological Survey Assistant District Chief Bob Buchmiller gave a background of the groundwater resources of Johnson County. He said there are 4 main aquifer systems. He said the alluvial aquifers are sand and gravel aquifers that bear water to wells along streams. He said there are buried channel aquifers, deeper down, that are ancient streams on the land surface before the glaciers came. He said these left alluvial deposits but the glaciers buried those. He said they yield water just as well as present alluvial aquifers but they are hard to find since they are located in is covered by glacier deposits. He listed another aquifer, glacial drift aquifers, which are isolated sand and gravel deposits within the glacial deposits and they don't yield much water due to isolation in the clay and soil matrix.

Buchmiller said they have been studying the bedrock aquifers recently. He said there are 3 main rock units, the Devonian, Silurian and Jordan. He said the southern part of the County uses Devonian aquifers and the northeastern part uses the Silurian. He said that the difference in the names of these are based on the age of the materials comprising the rock units. He said the difference between the aquifers and the confining units is that you can get water to wells out of aquifers, whereas confining units are tight and capped preventing easy water movement. He said Iowa City has a Jordan well, and much of Iowa City is Devonian, Silurian and Ordovician.

He said there are 2 cooperatively funded data networks operating in Johnson County. He said the cooperative program is a 50/50 cost share between the federal government and the local government. He said they've been doing a network of about 30 wells for Iowa City, located near the new City Water Plant site. He said they are developing a good data base that is allowing them to do trend analysis with their data to see if there has been a long-term decline or whether it's more climatically driven from one year to the next. Buchmiller said there is a continuous recording instrument, measuring hourly and daily, on a well in Coralville that is adjacent to one of their Silurian supply wells. He said he has done comparisons on water levels for different times of the year.

Buchmiller shared statistics and data trends from wells in Iowa City and surrounding Johnson County wells. He said Kent Park has had a bit of change over the years of about a 10-foot decline in the past couple of years, mostly reflective of the dry weather over the last 2 years. Lehman asked if most of this is a result of what Iowa City wants done or if this is something he does usually. Buchmiller said there are 2 data collection programs, one for the County and one for Iowa City. He said that every year they put together a compilation of the annual fluctuations in that water level. He said they are funded to collect that data. Lehman asked if the 24 Silurian wells are working wells. Buchmiller said they are a combination of both. He said the County ones all have pumps in them and they try not to measure when the pump is running. He said the closer in Iowa City wells are a combination of pumping and monitoring wells. He said the monitoring wells are at the same level as the ones that are pumping.

Stutsman asked if there are any trends identified between increased development and aquifer impact. Buchmiller said there are 2 circumstances that arise. He said a lot of the wells in the County were not drilled to the same depth as modern day wells are. He said that when the pumps were installed in those, there was plenty of water. He said that over the years there has been a gradual decline. He said a pump may be sitting there and along comes dry weather then the water level drops due to the owners pumping or the neighbors pumping. He said that as soon as that pump is out of the water, it burns up, locks up and they can't get water out of the well because the water has dropped below the pump.

Harney asked if there is any reason for alarm if Iowa City starts pumping since the area between North Liberty and Iowa City has a 40-foot drop water level in the summer. Buchmiller said this is the reason for the collection of information starting in 1995. He said in a dry year it might be 50-feet and in a wet year 30 feet, with an average of 40 feet in an average year. He said they don't know what will happen when Iowa City starts pumping. Lone Tree City Council Member Jeff Lihs, asked if the water for the communities south of Iowa City would be affected. Buchmiller said it shouldn't because Lone Tree has the buried channel aquifer, which is a completely separate system from the Silurian. Buchmiller said that before any wells were put in there was an equilibrium established. He said that as soon as you start making withdrawals out of an aquifer, you start changing that equilibrium and the system starts trying to find a new equilibrium. He said the implication with the water quality is that, as you get further south, there are more dissolved solids. He said if a cone is created in the middle of the County, water wants to run towards that cone and you run the risk of dragging undesirable water quality in that direction.

North Liberty City Council Member Matthew Bahl asked if there is any push towards the Jordan aquifers. He said that from North Liberty's standpoint, they are interested in that since they have a Jordan well and are interested in drilling a new one. He said they are also taking steps with water treatment to reduce dissolved solids. Buchmiller said a State study was done about 20 years ago of the Jordan Aquifer Statewide. He said an extensive groundwater model was done on that to show what would happen to water levels if the pumped remained stable or increased so much percent per decade into the future. He said the results showed that in some areas the water level keeps declining. He said the Jordan is known for large declines in the Mason City area. He said there are now DNR regulations stating there cannot be more than a certain amount of feet change in the Jordan. He said there have been a number of new wells in the Jordan in the last 10 years. Lehman asked if North Liberty has to file a request for permission before starting anything to see if the level has been exceeded. Buchmiller said that at this time the State hasn't set guidelines as to what they want. Public Health Department Director Graham Dameron said he thinks there is a water quality issue with the Jordanian. Buchmiller said there is, but there isn't a clear pattern Statewide. He said the Jordan Aquifer has a notably large total dissolved solids content. He said there are issues in some areas with small amounts of ammonia in the water, which causes a conflict with the chlorinating so that more chlorine has to be used to disinfect the water. He said there are some municipalities using Jordan water having naturally reoccurring radium in the water. He said the EPA is still debating about what some of those levels should be. Dameron asked if Buchmiller knows of plans to do further studies for the County and cities. Buchmiller said that as time goes on it would be clearer what is needed as growth occurs.

Disease Prevention Manager Kot Flora asked how the 50% cost share works and how long that might be an option. Buchmiller said the USGS gets about 1/3 of the money from (inaudible). He said another 1/3 is through a coop program where Congress matches the funds if they can find a State or local government institution to match those dollars. He said they get about a million a year that funds a variety of activities like stream gauging efforts for the DOT and DNR, other studies and groundwater flow models. He said the other 1/3 comes from federal agencies like the Corps of Engineers, doing work for them. Buchmiller said that if people in the community want to reach him to know more the phone number is 358-3610 and the web address is www.iowa.usgs.gov. He said they are located on the 2nd floor of the Post Office in Iowa City, Room 269.

Conservation Department Director Harry Graves said he has been involved in County Conservation since 1971. He said he spent 11 years in Decatur, 18.5 in Buchanan County and is now here. He said the concept of a county conservation board began in Iowa City by T.J. MacBride, who came up with the concept of county parks in the 1890's. He said Johnson County voted their County Conservation Board into existence in 1964. He said it is funded by property taxes and in Johnson County the tax levy on rural land is $22.44 per $1,000 taxable valuation. He said funding also comes from the REAP Program, the Resource Enhancement and Protection Program, various grant-funding sources, gifts and donations. He said the budget for the Johnson County Conservation Board is about $774,000. Graves said Kent Park is the flagship operation for the program and is probably the most developed County Park in the State of Iowa.

Graves said that since took this position in Johnson County in January 16, 2001, he has been interested in upgrading and improving the quality of outlying areas. He said he has met with the Johnson County Heritage Trust, who are an active environmental organization, along with the Iowa National Heritage Foundation, on the proposition of them joining forces. He said he has contacted members of the Johnson County Legislative Delegation regarding the need to restore funding to an inmate work crew from the Oakdale Correction Center. He said he is working on expanding naturalist programs and tries to have some each week at Kent Park.

Graves said there are upcoming summer activities and events that will be in the newsletter starting in May. He said the County Conservation Board staffs 12 individuals, who are in a contest for naming the newsletter. Graves said they are meeting with the Historical Society regarding their interest in the development of some prairie areas. He said a survey is about to be completed on the Cedar River Crossing Property. He said it is 235 acres on the Cedar River near Sutliff. He said another activity they have been involved in is the Prairie Preview, which is an annual event in Johnson County. He said Iowa is 85% covered with prairie. He said that over the last decade there has been interest in the restoration of Iowa's native prairie.

Graves said Earth Day is coming up on April 22nd, and the activities for it will be held on Saturday, the 21st. He said there would be tree plantings that day and they have received 2 tree planting grants, one from the Million More by 2004 Program of the DNR and the other from the Trees Forever organization. He said they are going to be at the Johnson County Fair, July 24-27. He said there is going to be a County picnic for Johnson County employees at Kent Park later in the summer. He said they are speaking to legislature about the REAP Program. He said it was passed by legislature in 1989 and is one of the few programs to ever receive 100% support in both houses for its passage. Graves said there is a construction project at Kent Park called the Easterly Valley Watershed Project. He said there are plans for 7 structures to be built over time on the eastside of the park. He said there are going to be 5 ponds and 2 wetlands. He said they are going to be working with the County Road Department in the construction of these projects. He said Oakdale Correction Facility inmates are propagating prairie plants and this will start April 23rd.

Graves said there is an application in to the Americorp Program for a large grant of 10 full-time unit employees. He said there is going to be 15 employees throughout eastern Iowa and Johnson County is trying for 1, which would be a 2-year commitment. He said if they are successful in receiving the grant, the person would work in Environmental Education.

Shueyville Mayor Pat Murphy spoke about the proposed annexation from last year on the Sattler Development, which would have added 40-50 homes. He said it would have been a significant addition to Shueyville's population of 250. He said the annexation was denied though primarily due to lack of funding by the developer and the City. Murphy said the City's focus now is on 120th Street, the east-west road coming into Shueyville off of the Interstate. He said the County owns the north portion of that road as it goes to the Interstate. Murphy said there have been snowmobile problems this year and they will have to amend the snowmobile ordinance due to complaints from residents. He said the Johnson County Sheriff's Department has been very good in answering calls, talking to citizens and having a public meeting on the snowmobile issue. Murphy said the Land Use Plan has been approved they are doing the Planning and Zoning Ordinances now.

University Heights Mayor Gloria Jacobsen said University Heights is very pleased to be the only community in Iowa who have equipped their police officers with the taser non-lethal weapon. She said 2 of the officers are certified trainers in the use of the taser and are going to train the Marion Police Department. Lehman asked Jacobsen if there are grants available for the tasers. Jacobsen said there isn't, but they will be getting revenue from the 2 instructors who will earn money training other officers elsewhere. She said the tasers were about $400 each and there are only 5 officers, so they City was able to purchase them. Jacobsen added that University Heights is going to have a road construction project in July on the corner of Melrose and sunset. She said when you are coming from the west, there is a right turn onto Sunset. She said that when you are coming from the east there is going to now be a left turn onto Sunset, which will increase the traffic flow. She said JCCOG is financing 80% of this and University Heights will finance the other 20%.

Bahl said there is a road project they are going to begin this spring in reconstructing Cherry Street in North Liberty. He said it is from the railroad tracks to Dubuque Street and will include a portion of Dubuque Street in North Liberty. He said they are continuing looking into the drilling of a new well. He said they are interested in going down to the Jordan Well and with that having a major upgrade of their water treatment facility, hopefully next summer. He said they are working with JCCOG to promote a down payment assistance program to help people move in and meet some of the higher down payments of the homes and properties they have there.

Oxford Mayor Don Saxton said that by July 1st Oxford is going to have the new 150,000-gallon water tower. He said last fall they purchased about 5 acres of ground on the southeast end of town that is going to be developed into a public park.

Tiffin Mayor Glenn Potter said Tiffin has a new subdivision going in with 132 units consisting of single family units and duplexes. He said that another subdivision called Songbird is going to have 30 units. He said Tiffin has a new sewer plant but there isn't enough water to go around. He said they hope to put in 2 new wells this summer in some ground they purchased. He said there is going to be new street going in behind the high school and the house at the end is being rented out. He said they received a grant from Alliant for trees both last year and this year. He said Tiffin belongs to a fire association with Union Township and they are trying to build a new fire station. He said they are working on the Clear Creek Trail and they have a grant for that of $8,000 and are expecting another one soon. He said they are having a problem knowing where to start because Coralville is to meet up with that trail and they have to work with Kelly Hayworth on this. He said they are in the process of annexing some land. He said they hope to have some development out by Interstate 80 as soon as the sewer gets out there. He said the only real problem right now is they tried for annexation out there and it was turned down. He said there was some problem with a 28E Agreement with Coralville that Tiffin was unaware of.

Lihs said there are 2 new developments in Lone Tree. He said one is the Yakish Addition that began last fall and will consist of 10 single-family lots. He said they received a grant for 3 of the properties through the Greater Iowa City Housing that provides $5,000 for the purchase of the lot and $5,000 towards the construction of the house. He said the other development is North Park Estates which consists of 4 lots. Lihs said the school is looking into pursuing the bond issue in expanding the library and more classrooms. He said they are going to have a town hall meeting in April and hopefully the citizens will see that the City wants to be involved in and work with the school. He said the bond is going for anywhere from $2-6 million. He said they are working on a park grant to get new equipment for the ABC Park, which is near the downtown. He said plans are being made to put in an exercise trail in the Tank Park and establish basketball courts. He said Lone Tree just received an upgrade of their cable system, from about 300-megahertz to about 750 megahertz.

Sally Stutsman left at 8:12 p.m.

Lehman said the 911 did some repeaters in the County to help the Lone Tree area. He said there were voids where they would get out there and weren't able to communicate with the 911 center. He said the County is working on the Fringe Area Agreements because as communities grow they don't want to step on toes as they approve zonings. He said Secondary Roads is going to replace some bridges and culverts in the County so the rural people can get into the business communities in the small towns.

Neuzil reminded everyone that on Sundays, at 9:15 a.m., he has a government program on the radio if anyone wants to be a guest. Lehman said this is a good way to promote the community.

Thompson said the Housing Task Force still has 7-8 slots left on a grant for housing rehab in the small communities of Johnson County and in the rural areas, excluding Lone Tree. She said it is up to $10,000, of which the participant has to put up half and the grant puts up the other half for housing rehabilitation and owner occupied housing. She said this includes trailers that have a foundation.

Lehman said Fringe Areas are a concern. He said Tiffin has been communicating with the Board on what they would like to accomplish. He said that they are talking with Iowa City about an area east by Hoover Highway, trying to expand a commercial area out there. He said there is a request to rezone the land there.

Lihs said Wapsi Ave just north of Lone Tree was paved 2 years ago. He said this winter has been pretty bad on it with cracks and separation. Lehman said he would follow up with Secondary Roads on that for him. Lihs said Lone Tree is looking into a new water tower. He said they aren't cheap, but he knows there is a lady who has obtained 3 grants in Iowa for water towers. He said Lone Tree just finished up a $1.5 million sewer project and now that the town is growing they are kind of on the verge. Lehman suggested working with ECICOG. Lihs said they are just beginning to work with ECICOG.

Potter said Tiffin has a little problem that they are trying to resolve. He said the census has them at 975 and he feels they are at about 1,300. He said they get about $80 a head for road use and this adds up to a lot of money. He said the City Clerk is working on a census recount. He said Tiffin has about 540-570 water meters and some of these cover a whole 8-plex. He said that even counting just 2 people per home, not counting any of the duplexes, they still have a higher population. He said the count has to be redone.

Thompson said this is something that Jordahl was very interested. She said that last year $25,000 was put into the budget to match the small towns if they wanted to support a community center. She said that North Liberty received some money for the Penn School project and Hills received some, too. She said this year the money is in the DECAT project and a letter was sent to all of the small towns asking if people are interested in participating and the Board still only received request for $25,000 worth of matching money. Lihs said he was looking into that for Lone Tree and at the time it didn't work out before the deadline, but since then things have come up they could use the money for. He asked if they need to reapply. Thompson said another letter is probably going to be put out next year because they have to make a budget. Lehman asked Lihs if this is an ongoing project for him. Lihs said some of it is of immediate need but they could hold off on part of it. Lehman said this might be a way to defray the cost of having it all come out of Lone Tree's pocket. Lehman said these community centers give youths something to do after school. Lihs said he is very interested. Potter said there seems to be more and more funding for neighborhood centers but hardly anything for community centers.

Thompson said there is a budget problem with Senior Dining. She said for years this was pass through money from the federal government through the Heritage Agency and the County just did the administration for it. She said a couple of years ago they started to produce a deficit so they increased County money. Thompson said this year the Heritage money is about $50,000 less than the last 2 years and is a huge budget cut. She said the County has decided to put in the same amount each year instead of increasing their share. She said the programs in the small towns are at risk because they are the ones who have been having a dropping enrollment. She asked how important these meals are to the small towns. Lehman asked if this is home delivered or to a home site area. Thompson said one of the problems is that if they stop having the delivery to a meal site, then a lot of times they can't support the home delivered meals in that area either. Lihs said the meals at Lone Tree have gone up and they deliver to both Riverside and Lone Tree. He said the hard part is Heritage doesn't let them know ahead of time for them to get their budget so they end of amending their budget during the year. Lehman said Heritage's budget doesn't match what the Board arrives at either. Thompson said they need about 25 to have a viable site and usually only about 5-10 show up at a site.

Lehman asked everyone how they feel about having these small town meetings and if twice a year works well or wait until there is enough items to discuss. He said the Board has one on ones with the communities but sometimes it is nice for everyone to get together to see what different communities are doing that may have something to do with what another community is trying to accomplish. Jacobsen said it seems that at a prior meeting it was thought that once a year is not enough, but more than twice a year is overkill. Lehman and the group tentatively set the next meeting for September 17, 2001 at 6:00 p.m.

Adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor

By Casie Parkins, Recording Secretary