By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – Safety measures at the Van Horne/Blairstown Highway 30 intersection were addressed by Benton County Engineer Myron Parizek at the Tuesday, June 17, 2025, meeting of the Benton County Board of Supervisors.

Parizek said that last year Benton County joined 96 other counties with a federal grant to review accidents and develop a safety action plan. Benton County passed a pledge about trying to improve safety at accident-prone areas. They are working to incorporate safety measures in future plans. 

One of those locations is the intersection south of Van Horne and north of Blairstown. A recommenced safety measure was rumble strips. The DOT put those in all of the crossroad intersections along Highway 30 when four-lane work was done. One of those rumble strips is very close to a residence. The resident has noticed the noise perspective on that and has expressed that concern. 

Parizek said they have talked in past meetings about a “mumble” strip. He has heard these are “quieter.” He asked if the county wants to switch to mumble strips. If they turn out to be louder than preferred, how much money the is the county willing to put into the intersection. 

In other safety measures, they have destination lighting on both sides of the intersection now. Flashing red beacons are on order for the stop signs in the island of the intersection, facing north and south.

Parizek asked the board what changes they want to make, as he prefers this be a board decision. He asked what is an acceptable noise level for the strips. He said he was looking for a little bit of guidance on this.

Parizek stressed that from an engineering standpoint, the rumble strips are fulfilling their purpose. He doesn’t want to eliminate that panel of strips without some discussion. 

Parizek pointed out that the current DOT standard is to have two panels. This intersection has three panels. The middle panel is by the residence. 

The intersection also has amber “stop ahead” lights. 

Parizek said V-66 has a daily average traffic count of 1,200 vehicles. Highway 30 is 9,355.

Supervisor Ron Tippett said he has had people request to leave the strips in there. He knows it’s an inconvenience for people who live there. 

Supervisor Chairman Tracy Seeman said the red light should be installed and then the strips be filled in, which would leave some kind of noise or vibration.

Tippett said he could be in favor of attempting to quiet the rumble strips a little. 

Parizek said he didn’t need a formal motion. He just needed to know the board and he were on the same working thought process. 

Mental Health

Representatives from Mental Health/Disability Services of the East Central Region were at the meeting, explaining a memorandum of understanding for DAP and Asset Transfer for District 7. The current region includes Benton, Bremer, Buchanan, Delaware, Iowa, Johnson, Jones and Linn Counties. They are looking at Buchanan as the program’s hub county. 

Assistant County Attorney Derek Marsh said some of the terms of the 28E agreement made him feel a bit uneasy. He was concerned that if Benton County wanted to get out of this, there is no way to get out of it. Decisions are made by the governing board. The county attorney office’s position is to not sign it because of too much vagueness. 

The county seeks to add some language to the agreement. The matter was tabled until the June 24 meeting.

Other business

The board approved a Special Class C Retail Alcohol License for Watkins Community Athletic Association. 

Fireworks permits were approved for July 12, Aug. 22, and Aug. 23. The events will not take place if there is a burn ban in effect. 

The board approved an amendment to the Class C Retail Alcohol License for Kacena Family Tree Farm, Inc. 

The board approved a LOSST (Local Option Sales and Service Tax) Gift of $15,755.30 to Belle Plaine Area Ambulance.

The board approved certification of the deputies’ salaries.

The board approved the resignation of Julia Biery from human resources. The human resources office is being closed. 

The board tabled approval of the minutes as they look over the phrasing used in the denial of a land use change in the previous week’s meeting.