Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 9:00 A.M. with
Furlong, Dean, Shoultz, Kelly and Watkins present. Chairperson Shoultz presiding.
On a motion by Dean, second by Kelly, the agenda was approved as written. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Watkins, second by Furlong, claims dated January 12, 2009 were
approved in the amount of $516,901.37. Ayes: All. The Board directed Administrative
Services Director Nancy Schreiber to send an e-mail to departments advising them that
there is a county facility available in the future for large groups rather than renting the
River Center.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Dean, the Board confirmed the appointment of C.J.
Ryan as Chief Deputy and the promotion of Ardyth Orr to Sergeant in the Sheriff’s
Office. Ayes: All. Sheriff Dave White introduced Deputy Sheriff Brian Utter.
Discussion was held regarding the use of County property for a geothermal system for the
Public Safety Building. A motion was made by Kelly and seconded by Dean to offer the
City utilization of the area under the existing parking lot at the corner of 5
th
and Walnut
for a geothermal system. Discussion ensued with Dean stating that a free standing work
release center is no longer being considered. Watkins stated that he is frustrated that the
City did not return to the Board after the testing before proceeding with the project.
Watkins does not believe the Jail can be converted to geothermal with the ground that is
available where the old annex used to be because that area will only do a 50 bed facility
and the current Jail already has a 100 bed capacity before any expansion of the Jail.
Watkins also questioned whether the courthouse lawn could be used without damaging
tree roots. Furlong stated that he thought that the City would only be using the portion of
that block that was under the existing parking lot, but that he would agree if the City
would allow the County to use city property if needed in the future. Dean stated that the
current study of capacity is only being done on the courthouse. Shoultz stated that he
agrees with everything stated so far and that he also never thought the City intended to
use the grassy area and he would only be willing to offer the existing parking area.
Shoultz stated that he is really concerned with vertical wells in the grassy area. Sheriff
Dave White stated that the ideal situation would be to have the work release and jail
under the same roof minimally replacing the 5000 square foot of the current work release
facility. White stated that a single story facility of slab construction across the street
would be the next best option which should not interfere with geothermal in that area.
Zoning Administrator Eric Furnas reported that Northwest Mechanical stated it would be
very difficult to maintain the original architecture of the courthouse with a full
conversion to geothermal, but that the Jail would be easy to convert. Public Works
Director Randy Hill stated that the City will be awarding a contract Thursday night
looking at five different options of which the Geothermal portion is only 20% of the
project and would not be started until around March which allows some time for the
County to consider their options. The original motion by Kelly, seconded by Dean, was
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, January 12, 2009
Page 2
withdrawn. On a motion by Watkins, second by Furlong, the Board authorized the
Chairperson to appoint members to a negotiation team to negotiate a contract for future
Board consideration with the City of Muscatine for use of the northwest corner of County
property at 5
th
and Walnut under the existing parking lot for a geothermal system for the
Public Safety building with the contract to include who is responsible for cleanup,
damage repair and a clause to allow the County future use of a portion of the City parking
lot across from the Jail. Ayes: All. Chairperson Shoultz appointed himself, Watkins and
Furnas to the negotiating team. Chairperson Shoultz and Zoning Administrator Eric
Furnas will look at ascertaining the jail capacity needs for conversion to a geothermal
system either through a study added to the current courthouse study or by getting current
information from another source.
Discussion was held with Zoning Administrator Eric Furnas regarding applications to be
submitted for the seven properties proposed for buyout. Furnas stated that the properties
will be acquired at a total cost of $780,000 with the 15% local match covered by a grant
through the State of Iowa. Furnas stated that most of the properties are located right along
Hwy 22 in the Cedar River, Pike Run and Iron City areas. Furnas stated the County
cannot ever sell the property, but could lease it out as wetland area, extra yard or parking
space. On a motion by Kelly, second by Watkins, the Chair was authorized to sign seven
Hazard Mitigation Grant Property Acquisition Project applications (HMGP 1763). Ayes:
All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the Board re-appointed Larry Fitchner to the
Conesville Benefitted Fire District for a three-year term ending December 31, 2011
pending appointment by the Louisa County Board of Supervisors. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Dean, second by Furlong, the Board re-appointed Martha Peterson,
Jeannette Phillips and Wayne Corriell to the Judicial Magistrate Appointing Committee
for six-year terms ending December 31, 2014. Ayes: All.
Discussion was held with County Auditor Leslie Soule regarding the compensation rate
for township clerks and trustees. Soule stated that the last time compensation of
township clerks and trustees was discussed appears to be in 1996 and that they are being
paid $10 per meeting and $10 per hour plus mileage for other township business
conducted. Soule stated that over the years it has become harder to find citizens willing
to take on the job of township clerk or trustee as the paperwork has become quite
complex due to changes in state requirements. On a motion by Watkins, second by
Kelly, the compensation rate for township clerks and trustees was set at $15 per meeting
and $10 per hour when working on other township business plus mileage at the county
mileage rate effective January 12, 2009. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Dean, second by Kelly, the Board accepted the Recorder’s Report of
Fees Collected for the quarter ending December 31, 2008 in the amount of $53,264.03.
Ayes: All.
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, January 12, 2009
Page 3
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the Board accepted the Auditor’s Report of
Fees Collected for the quarter ending December 31, 2008 in the amount of $12,682.26.
Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Dean, minutes of the Monday, January 5, 2009 regular
meeting were approved as written. Ayes: All.
Correspondence:
The Board received a letter from Muscatine City Mayor O’Brien formally
requesting the County consider implementation of a countywide
Emergency Management Tax Levy.
Watkins, Kelly and Dean received a call from Ronald Storjohann on trustee
compensation.
Committee Reports:
Kelly attended a Muscatine Health Association meeting on January 7
th
.
Dean attended a Department of Corrections meeting on January 9
th
.
The Board met with Felicia Toppert, Department of Human Services, regarding their
budget request of $128,531 for FY09/10. Their FY08/09 allocation was $155,180.
Toppert updated the Board on a proposal to relocate DHS offices to the County’s former
care facility building stating that DHS would utilize the entire first floor which would
allow the County to lease out the second and third floors to other tenants and utilize the
basement as a community room. Superintendent Tom Williams, MHS Principal Bob
Wheaton and MHS Assistant Principal Diane Campbell addressed the Board about the
possibility of leasing the entire second floor for an alternative high school housing
approximately 20 students with 4 to 8 staff members. Wheaton stated the location is in
close proximity to the high school and ag learning center and that they are in the process
of looking at their options and will return with a formal proposal at a later time.
The meeting recessed at 10:07 A.M. and reconvened at 10:19 A.M. to hear budget
requests for FY09/10 from outside agencies with Furlong, Dean, Shoultz, Kelly and
Watkins present.
EMS-Mileage and Hotel Reimbursement for Training - Tom Summit
FY08/09 Allocation $1,396
FY09/10 Request $1,428
Unity – Community Nursing Subsidy – Jane Caes and Mary O’Dell
FY08/09 Allocation $175,704
FY09/10 Request $175,704
Y-Family Program Services (Young Moms) – Bret Olson and Diana Broderson
FY08/09 Allocation $15,000
FY09/10 Request $22,660
MCSA Case Coordinator – Sister Irma Ries
FY08/09 Allocation $26,265
FY09/10 Request $27,053
MCSA Shelter Subsidy – Sister Irma Ries
FY08/09 Allocation $27,000
FY09/10 Request $27,810
Muscatine Legal Services – Roland Caldwell
FY08/09 Allocation $20,000
FY09/10 Request $21,000
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, January 12, 2009
Page 4
The Board recessed at 11:26 A.M. and reconvened at 1:00 P.M. to hear budget requests
for FY09/10 from outside agencies with Furlong, Dean, Shoultz, Kelly and Watkins
present.
River Bend Transit – Randy Zobrist
FY08/09 Allocation $7,533
FY09/10 Request $7,759
Senior Resources – Barb Kral, Ann Carroll and Sue Honts
FY08/09 Allocation $41,641
FY09/10 Request $43,300
Muscatine County Humane Society – Chris McGinnis
FY08/09 Allocation $15,000
FY09/10 Request $15,450
Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Bill Phelan and Greg Jenkins
FY08/09 Allocation $10,000
FY09/10 Request $28,000
The Board recessed at 1:52 P.M. and reconvened at 2:01 P.M. to hear budget requests for
FY09/10 from outside agencies with Furlong, Dean, Shoultz, Kelly and Watkins present.
Wilton Development Corporation – Bill Fedder
FY08/09 Allocation $3,300
FY09/10 Request $3,300
WELEAD (West Liberty Development) – Karen Lathrop
FY08/09 Allocation $3,300
FY09/10 Request $3,200
Muscatine County Fair Board – Lori Gosenberg was unable to attend due to road
conditions and will reschedule.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:24 P.M.
ATTEST:
__________________________
_______________________________
Leslie A. Soule, County Auditor
Wayne E. Shoultz, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors