Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, March 26, 2012
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 7:00 P.M. with
Furlong, Howard, Kelly and Sorensen present. Watkins was absent. Chairperson Kelly
presiding.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Sorensen, the agenda was approved as written. Ayes:
All.
Discussion was held regarding the possible development of passenger rail service from
Chicago to Omaha. Furlong stated that the County would be supporting a route through
the Quad Cities. Kelly stated that the County is not committing to any funding. On a
motion by Howard, second by Sorensen, the Chair was authorized to sign a letter of
support for the Chicago-Omaha Passenger Rail Planning Study. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Howard, second by Sorensen, the Chair was authorized to execute the
Iowa/Byrne – Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program/RSAT Continuation Application
in the amount of $140,302.00. Ayes: All. Howard noted the program has been utilized
very well over the years and has been a benefit to Muscatine County.
On a motion by Sorensen, second by Furlong, the Chair was authorized to execute a
Memorandum of Understanding for the 2012 HIDTA Award in the amount of
$73,204.00. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Howard, second by Sorensen, minutes of the Monday, March 19, 2012
regular meeting were approved as written. Ayes: All.
Correspondence:
Kelly reported an email regarding the Passenger Rail Planning Study.
Howard reported two contacts regarding how the Board would feel about a
shooting range in the County.
Furlong reported a phone call on a road maintenance issue which he referred to
the County Engineer.
Committee Reports:
Furlong attended a Muscatine County Solid Waste Management meeting March
22
nd
.
Howard attended a Muscatine County Conservation meeting March 19
th
.
Kelly received a request from Maggie Curry, MCSA Executive Director, for the Board to
approve an Emergency Shelter Grant for Housing and Urban Development monies
awarded through the Iowa Finance Authority in the amount of $17,650. Kelly stated that
Board approval is necessary in order for MCSA to access the funds and there is no
County match required. Kelly stated that because of the timing there is no time to include
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, March 26, 2012
Page 2
approval on the next agenda as the grant award has to be signed by Friday. Board
consensus was to allow the Chair to sign the grant award.
Furlong stated he feels the City and County should hold a joint meeting within the next
several weeks.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:14 P.M.
ATTEST:
_______________________________
___________________________
Leslie A. Soule, County Auditor Kas Kelly, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, April 2, 2012
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 9:00 A.M. with
Furlong, Howard, Kelly, Watkins and Sorensen present. Chairperson Kelly presiding.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Sorensen, the agenda was approved as written. Ayes:
All.
On a motion by Watkins, second by Sorensen, claims dated April 2, 2012 were approved
in the amount of $240,579.43. Ayes: All.
Discussion was held with Sheriff Dave White regarding the possibility of increasing the
diversion program to seven days per week. White stated he had been contacted by the
County Engineer asking if the crew would take over mowing all of the Secondary Road
properties. White stated the Jail is consistently bumping up against its maximum daily
population, so this would help keep Jail population down. White stated he has more work
than what the crew has time to do in four days each week. White stated he does not want
to run the crew more than four days over winter months. White estimated it will cost
approximately $11,000-$12,000 to run the program until November. White stated that the
maintenance of County properties will always be the top priority. Kelly stated that this
program has been a fantastic success. Kelly asked about staffing for a seven-day
program. White stated he would need a temporary part-time person for 24 hours from
now until November. Howard commended White on the success of the program, but
stated he has concerns about the level of staffing at the Jail and would like to know when
they might be able to cut back on staffing as they become more efficient. White stated he
does not see that happening as they are currently only meeting the minimum staffing
requirements. White stated he does not foresee coming back and asking for any more
help other than considering adding summer interns next year to cover vacations and
overtime. Howard requested a cost analysis of the diversion program. On a motion by
Watkins, second by Furlong, the Board approved increasing the diversion program to
seven days per week at the County Jail. Ayes: All.
Discussion was held with Zoning Administrator Jodee Stepleton regarding a proposed
amendment to a Contract with Steve Kundel for Closing Services for the Property
Acquisition Program. On a motion by Furlong, second by Howard, the Chair was
authorized to execute a Contract Amendment with Steven Kundel for Closing Services
for the Property Acquisition Program. Ayes: All.
Discussion regarding waiving passport fees for any honorably discharged member of the
United States Armed Forces has been tabled at the request of the County Recorder.
Discussion was held regarding tuckpointing and maintenance of masonry contracts for
the Muscatine County Historical Jail. Sorensen stated he thought bricks were supposed to
be removed by hand rather than with grinders for historic preservation purposes.
Maintenance Supervisor Troy Sievert stated that the Iowa and National Historic Societies
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, April 2, 2012
Page 2
are agreeable to removing bricks with grinders as long as personnel have had the
appropriate training. Sievert stated that Kenny Tharp provided him with documentation
that all of his employees have had the appropriate training. On a motion by Furlong,
second by Howard, the Chair was authorized to execute a contract with Kenny Tharp
Masonry Restoration LLC for tuckpointing and maintenance of masonry at the Muscatine
County Historic Jail in the amount of $56,016.00 plus $14 per brick in excess of 500
bricks and $500 per sill in excess of 8 sills. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Watkins, second by Sorensen, the Chair was authorized to execute a
contract with Kenny Tharp Masonry Restoration LLC for tuckpointing and maintenance
of masonry at the Muscatine County Optimae Building in the amount of $68,205.00.
Ayes: All.
Sievert updated the Board on replacement of the floor at the Muscatine County Optimae
Building.
Sievert reminded the Board that he is still waiting on guidance on whether he is able to
add part-time maintenance staff. Watkins stated he would like to see some cost figures on
what maintenance contracts will be eliminated and what the person will actually be
doing. Sorensen stated he would like to know who would handle repairs in the future if
the County no longer has a contract with Northwest Mechanical. Sievert stated there are
multiple firms that can be hired to handle the repairs.
Sievert stated that Vic Amoroso, A&J Associates, is not planning on drilling test wells at
the DHS building this year. The Board would like a timeline on the status of this project.
Sievert stated he received the Report on the Administration Building which will be put on
next week’s agenda. Sievert stated that the Board may want to consider whether staying
with Shive-Hattery through the rest of the process is in the best interests of the County.
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met as a Board of Canvassers for the West
Liberty Special Election held on Tuesday, March 27, 2012. The Board certified the
following results to be a true and correct abstract of the votes cast in the election:
FOR COUNCILMEMBER UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2013 (vote
for no more than one) – 35 votes were cast: Melody Russell received 35 votes and there
were no scattered. Melody Russell was elected.
On a motion by Howard, second by Furlong, minutes of the Monday, March 26, 2012
regular meeting were approved as written. Ayes: All.
Correspondence:
Kelly received a notice from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7
regarding violations at GPC.
Howard met with a salesperson regarding a new product to minimize odor and
bacteria from hog confinements.
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, April 2, 2012
Page 3
Howard received calls regarding property assessments.
Howard received a call regarding the status of staff reductions.
Howard received a call regarding a property north of Bayfield Road going before
Planning and Zoning.
Furlong and Howard received calls regarding road maintenance complaints.
Committee Reports:
Sorensen and Kelly attended a Bi-State Regional meeting March 28
th
.
Sorensen attended a Regional Workforce Development Investment Board meeting
March 27
th
.
Furlong attended a Zoning Workshop in Burlington March 28
th
.
County Attorney Alan Ostergren discussed an issue regarding the zoning of the Steve’s
Meat Shop property.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:56 A.M.
ATTEST:
_______________________________ __________________________________
Leslie A. Soule, County Auditor
Kas Kelly, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors