[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6605823,"mediaKeyId","2983691-e026e4e7f2e66546b85e4c0f7b5dab0f","parentId",2983691,"title","County staff briefs supervisors on seismic testing; company may request reduced setback from buried tile","audioSeconds",164,"startMs",1634000,"endMs",1798000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2983691-e026e4e7f2e66546b85e4c0f7b5dab0f&start=1634&end=1798","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2983691-e026e4e7f2e66546b85e4c0f7b5dab0f/thumbnail_1634000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6605823/Humboldt-County/Iowa/County-staff-briefs-supervisors-on-seismic-testing-company-may-request-reduced-setback-from-buried-tile","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605823-77d86489d12e6f14940b2b7bd4b840a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173194&Signature=WSrgREYbapLzTSQLPuukg7d4cPFnRMt3YC2OjzABQIA9vTuvawQOiCMLX2YMI1TvbT6xHnwMqhRlJI6fbmYPhRxDFtiap44nM2Mtq44D9qWQJB~TrT8MFKGSf8EBUOBxLDAEvfEAc6hHkFxGZRn~3nrlG460f7~rp~P1zdIzzeJkJakVsVjvJ0LuP1BZdjKxBQ5FdxTI5OkwxBW8k49CmXHX7EUJZsgqQVQyKzzAiVbQ~LhdWLh290j9vGh590mbit0xB6GeVih2r1KUbhduqUe5~FkIxBcl5qOG6yF0BCHAfrsSNZ3N51oWK75WdiVn173ukGW1StCFqmHODECQfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Humboldt County","date","2025-04-14T16:08:11.457Z","article","Humboldt County staff briefed the Board of Supervisors on March 24 about an agreement with a contractor to perform seismic testing on roughly 17 miles of county gravel roads in the southeast part of the county. Staff said the company originally proposed a 250-foot offset from buried subsurface tile but, after on-site testing and an independent engineer’s review, may request a reduction to about 50 feet.

The county’s presentation said the contractor used a vibratory truck to collect readings at several locations, and an independent engineer (named in the briefing) measured peak particle velocities and assessed risk to buried tile. Staff said engineers concluded the company could safely operate closer to tile in many cases. Staff said they expect the company to request a formal reduction in the contractual setback from 250 feet to approximately 50 feet from subsurface tile and that surrounding counties are considering similar adjustments.

Why it matters: Buried agricultural tile is common in the region; seismic vibration used for geophysical exploration can damage shallow infrastructure if operations are too close. The board was advised that the county will likely continue requiring larger setbacks from bridges and that contractors will carry surety and be responsible for any damages.

Board discussion and safeguards

Supervisors asked about whether testing would extend onto private fields; staff said the contractor will operate on county roads only and not enter private fields. Staff also confirmed the company is providing indemnity/coverage for damages and said staff would clarify the length of time that financial protection remains in force.

Staff said earlier tests (over frozen ground) using a plate directly over a shallow tile buried about 18 inches did not produce immediate damage, but staff emphasized that engineered setbacks and monitoring will guide final permit conditions. The board did not vote to change policy during the meeting; staff will bring any formal reduction request back for board consideration and will coordinate permit conditions, surety and monitoring.

Provenance: Staff briefing and discussion about seismic testing and engineered setbacks appear during the roads discussion segment of the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Humboldt County Iowa Board of Supervisors Meeting 2025 03-24","oneSentenceSummary","Humboldt County staff told supervisors a company will perform seismic exploration on gravel county roads and may request reducing an initial 250-foot setback from subsurface tile to about 50 feet after engineer testing indicated closer work may be acceptable.","taxTitle","Humboldt County, Iowa","taxId",73084,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6605829,"Farmer asks Humboldt County to start petition for tile main replacement after repeated washouts",379,533000,912000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2983691-e026e4e7f2e66546b85e4c0f7b5dab0f&start=533&end=912","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2983691-e026e4e7f2e66546b85e4c0f7b5dab0f/thumbnail_533000.jpg","/articles/6605829/Humboldt-County/Iowa/Farmer-asks-Humboldt-County-to-start-petition-for-tile-main-replacement-after-repeated-washouts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605829-902c7d64bcf9ff25fb49c03ebb44b8df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173194&Signature=BDRUH-tYNvhnis4UFeFamB5Kd34PXtgEfizSpq9~bUwIaGq5tEWKSUAudrRqS2ndf-Z-gJk0kOHSnYuNWrWHOgowYgcYfAD2~Qmg6wVuw56ZAFwzRwX6cWDkftYk9Rr39-NTHFQyxZ0chIVhMWEmwCmLREZ6wek69cRjdkS5Lkqb8nbtiEK5dsYKfnrRjjgEuo~WndVDPzg8ysO2pCPyLWrXnR7L6bnnWGmV8-JkIFk4OnJzUo1OLl10USG4v3mymzMJ0Q4~pXFU~gXzIgHfbVJ4ieojgZtT88aR-AlQBuyeKIAJf3ljq0Ge2HKD2iFjzXsQTx6Ks~GyZ1jX3T0bTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A tenant farming the Archer property in Rockland told the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on March 24 that repeated washouts on an aging subsurface tile main have made organic farming difficult and urged the board to begin the petition process to replace the line.

Mark Lehi, who identified himself as a tenant for MJF Farms, described multiple washouts along a main that he said may include legacy tile installed in the early 1900s and later a relief main. The speaker said the tile network is causing recurring failures, described uncertainty about whether older mains cross and reconnect, and said the instability was preventing pattern-tile installation this spring.

Why it matters: Landowners and tenants use pattern tile drainage to manage wet fields; repeated tile failures reduce farm productivity and can require large repairs. County involvement through a formally engineered, recorded project typically clarifies assessments, maintenance responsibility and long-term repair obligations.

What was said and next steps

County staff told Lehi that the correct first step is obtaining a signed petition from affected property owners. Staff outlined a typical process: gather signatures, hold an informal hearing with neighbors to gauge support, and only if there is sufficient backing proceed to engineering and formal project steps. Staff emphasized that a county-led project records the improvement and sets a neutral basis for future assessments and maintenance, which can reduce disputes down the road.

Lehi said the group would seek signatures, and county staff said they would help verify the ownership and assessment extents and run an informal neighborhood hearing if petitioners demonstrate local support. Staff also said an engineered project would determine the extent of replacement — the engineer would recommend the replacement length necessary to address drainage — and that costs and the need to cross a gravel road to pick up additional acreage would be evaluated.

Board response and context

Supervisors responded that a county project is often preferable to private, unrecorded repairs because county projects are recorded and reduce future ambiguity about who benefits and who pays for maintenance. Staff advised petitioners to seek signatures from the larger landowners in the affected drainage area to strengthen the petition. One county staffer noted an earlier repair strategy (temporary fixes) and encouraged moving the project forward this fall if petitioners can gather support.

Provenance: The petition request and staff guidance were recorded during the drainage portion of the meeting beginning when the board moved into the drainage segment; the petition recommendation and staff explanation appear in the meeting transcript covering the public comments by Mark Lehi and staff responses.

Ending: The petitioners said they hoped to tile this fall and asked the county to move quickly; staff said they would run the petition and informal-hearing process as soon as signatures and landowner support are presented.","A tenant farming the Archer property asked the Humboldt County Board to begin the petition process for a county drainage/tile replacement after repeated washouts; staff recommended using the county project process so work is engineered and recorded.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6605834,"Humboldt County supervisors approve routine business, bridge contracts and budget amendment; several hiring and roadway actions pass",152,1466000,1618000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2983691-e026e4e7f2e66546b85e4c0f7b5dab0f&start=1466&end=1618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2983691-e026e4e7f2e66546b85e4c0f7b5dab0f/thumbnail_1466000.jpg","/articles/6605834/Humboldt-County/Iowa/Humboldt-County-supervisors-approve-routine-business-bridge-contracts-and-budget-amendment-several-hiring-and-roadway-actions-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605834-b5b2a69b7caf9bb95959d6a708140794/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173194&Signature=iksAo3TMPTlu5nO-A2mBKIqfmaIKtRuQoNKXsIO3Z9KGUcAuiiME4-hmKoJo52WYOrVMVTw10~CUKQB8ymS9-6YlkbQQsqt~rdmyi~KEI79kqHhL6YPk8dzDTJ47LVHoRAV2ia3CiTpSh8vo9QNbigS9fGyHzyG~YuGJujCPKYCf6-AHqIJPAzsLMonCif734g70Yr1KeZcUSaDkIQZVDV9EpMvMS2x1hHWJVBj7hreNZgzTNT9q8j7Hcar9bw6QOIgywgzE9sLpGQpAPyBOP8KWWllO3fD1CYnlbJVByEwMOxHMmgBUheQydy0qblfci0Hj2LSq9feV51yNoG48Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved routine business, awarded two bridge-replacement contracts, adopted a secondary roads budget amendment and approved county hires and a roadway vacation during its meeting on March 24, 2025.

The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda and minutes from March 17 and certified claims (general claims cited during the meeting as $145,752.53; the transcript reference to drainage claims was unclear). It also approved seasonal hires for the Conservation Department and camp hosts, appointed a member to the Conservation Board, and adopted several resolutions related to secondary roads and a roadway vacation.

Why it matters: The bridge contract awards and the budget amendment affect county transportation projects and contractor selection; the seasonal hires and appointment fill vacancies needed for spring operations; the vacating of a county roadway resolves a long-standing record discrepancy and transfers maintenance responsibility.

Major items and outcomes

- Agenda and minutes: Motion to approve the agenda and the March 17 minutes carried (unanimous).

- Claims: Motion to approve claims carried (unanimous). The meeting audio recorded general claims at $145,752.53; the drainage claims figure recorded in the transcript was not clearly stated.

- Conservation seasonal hires: The board approved hiring two seasonal, part-time conservation workers — John Bridal and Monte Hocus — at $22.75 per hour (motion carried). The board also approved three camp host hires: Kathy Uvin ($400/week), Rhonda Vincent ($400/week) and Wendy Johnson ($350/week) (motions carried).

- Conservation Board appointment: The board appointed Tyler Peterson to fill the remainder of a Conservation Board term through 2029 after the resignation of a long-serving member; the motion carried.

- MidAmerican Energy right-of-way work: The board approved MidAmerican Energy’s application to work in county right-of-way to relocate an overhead line to underground near 2756 200 and Seventieth Street (motion carried).

- Bridge contracts: The board awarded the DROS project on Iowa Avenue (Bridge No. 33) to PCI after competitive bids and awarded BROS project No. 90 on Texas Avenue (Bridge No. 36) to Progressive Structures; both motions carried.

- Seismic testing discussion: County staff reported an existing agreement with a company to perform seismic testing across about 17 miles of county road in the southeast portion of the county and said the company may request a reduction of the originally specified 250-foot setback from subsurface tile to 50 feet; no formal board vote was recorded on changing that set-back during the meeting.

- Secondary roads budget amendment and resolution: Following a public hearing, the board adopted the secondary roads budget amendment for fiscal year 2024–25 (adopted by resolution as recorded) to move anticipated payments and obligations into the current fiscal year; the motion to adopt the resolution carried.

- Fiscal-year budget hearing date reset: The board reset the public hearing on the Humboldt County fiscal year 2025–26 budget to 8:36 a.m. on April 21, 2025 (motion carried).

- Vacate roadway resolution: The board adopted Resolution 2025-3-24 to vacate a portion of roadway in Lake Township (motion carried). The resolution preserves utility and access rights where applicable.

Votes at a glance (selected)

- Approve agenda — outcome: approved (unanimous)
- Approve minutes (March 17) — outcome: approved (unanimous)
- Approve claims — outcome: approved (unanimous)
- Hire seasonal conservation employees (John Bridal, Monte Hocus at $22.75/hr) — outcome: approved (unanimous)
- Hire camp hosts (Kathy Uvin $400/week; Rhonda Vincent $400/week; Wendy Johnson $350/week) — outcome: approved (unanimous)
- Appoint Tyler Peterson to Conservation Board (fill remainder of term through 2029) — outcome: approved (unanimous)
- Approve MidAmerican Energy right-of-way work — outcome: approved (unanimous)
- Award PCI contract for Bridge No. 33 (Iowa Avenue) — outcome: approved (unanimous)
- Award Progressive Structures contract for Bridge No. 36 (Texas Avenue) — outcome: approved (unanimous)
- Adopt secondary roads budget amendment resolution — outcome: approved (unanimous)
- Reset county budget hearing to April 21, 2025 at 8:36 a.m. — outcome: approved (unanimous)
- Adopt Resolution 2025-3-24 vacating roadway in Lake Township — outcome: approved (unanimous)

What the board did not decide: No formal decision was recorded on changing the seismic-testing setback policy; staff indicated the company will likely request a reduction in setback from subsurface tile from 250 feet to around 50 feet and that staff are researching risks and mitigation steps.

Provenance: transcript excerpts supporting the above actions are drawn from the meeting record.","The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors voted on routine agenda items, approved two bridge contracts, adopted a secondary roads budget amendment and approved multiple seasonal hires and a roadway vacation during its March meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County staff briefs supervisors on seismic testing; company may request reduced setback from buried tile

Farmer asks Humboldt County to start petition for tile main replacement after repeated washouts

Humboldt County supervisors approve routine business, bridge contracts and budget amendment; several hiring and roadway actions pass