Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, November 26, 2012
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 7:00 P.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 Howard, second by Sorensen, claims dated November 26, 2012 were
approved in the amount of $316,838.61. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Howard, the Board approved a preliminary plat of the
proposed two lot agricultural subdivision, Glenney’s Addition, containing approximately
2.78 acres in Moscow Township. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Watkins, second by Sorensen, the Board approved Resolution #11-26-12-
01 Approval of Final Plat of Glenney’s Addition Subdivision. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
Discussion was held with Sheriff Dave White regarding his request to extend
authorization for operating the diversion program seven days a week and for a temporary
part-time Corrections Officer position. White stated that he had spoken with
Maintenance Supervisor Oscar Alvarez and Budget Coordinator Sherry Seright about the
need for the diversion program seven days a week in the winter. White stated that
Alvarez and Seright would like to have the program continue seven days a week through
the winter due to snow removal. White stated that Alvarez also has painting and furniture
removal projects that will need to be done. White stated that he has funds in his budget to
pay for the program and will not need to come before the Board for additional funding.
Administrative Services Director Nancy Schreiber stated that if the current temporary
employee is kept in this position the County will need to start paying IPERS in January
since the employee is not considered temporary after six months.
On a motion by Watkins, second by Furlong, the Board authorized operating the
diversion program seven days a week and for a temporary part-time Corrections Officer
position through November 1, 2013. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Sorensen, the Board approved the FY2012 Annual
Urban Renewal Report for Muscatine County. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Howard, second by Watkins, minutes of the Monday, November 19,
2012 regular meeting were approved as written. Ayes: All.
Correspondence:
Kelly received a contact from Russ Alderin regarding slough ground
adjacent to his property.
Howard received a call from a regional contractor complimenting the way
Muscatine County handles change orders.
Committee Reports:
Howard attended a Muscatine County Conservation Board meeting November
19
th
.
Watkins attended a River Bend Transit meeting November 21
st
.
Watkins attended a Muscatine County Board of Health meeting November 21
st
.
Howard and Watkins attended a City of Muscatine meeting regarding proposed
annexations in the Ripley’s area November 21
st
.
On a motion by Howard, second by Sorensen, the Chairperson was authorized to execute
a Planning Grant Agreement between Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency
Management Division and Muscatine County for Project #DR-4018-0003-01 Muscatine
County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Ayes: All.
Discussion was held with Administrative Services Director Nancy Schreiber on a letter to
employees regarding 2013 United Way contributions. The Board directed Schreiber to
redraft the letter so that it is addressed to the employees from the Administration Office
instead of the Board of Supervisors. The Board directed Schreiber to rework the wording
of the letter and send the Supervisors a draft for review.
The Board reviewed the health/dental fund balance as of October 31, 2012.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 P.M.
ATTEST:
_____________________________
____________________________
Leslie A. Soule, County Auditor
Kas Kelly, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Friday, November 30, 2012
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in special session at 9:00 A.M. with
Furlong, Howard, Kelly and Sorensen present. Watkins was absent. Chairperson Kelly
presiding.
On a motion by Sorensen, second by Furlong, the agenda was approved as written. Ayes:
All.
The Board canvassed changes to results in the 3
rd
District Supervisor race as reported by
the Recount Board. Final Vote Tallies: Scott Sauer received 9,386 votes, Stu Willits
received 9,360 votes and there was a scattering of 29 votes. Scott Sauer was elected.
County Auditor Leslie Soule stated that with the ever increasing trend to vote absentee,
she believes it is time to consider purchasing Central Count equipment to count the
absentee ballots. Soule stated that it would also save time and money if the Precinct
Count equipment could be used for early in-person voting, but that is not currently
allowed in Iowa and would require legislative action. Howard stated that this County
only had the gap between the two candidates change by one out of 19,926 ballots
reflecting the accuracy of the equipment. Kelly stated the Board appreciates all of the
work of the Auditor’s staff for this election. Board consensus was to research the cost of
the Central Count equipment and also talk to our legislators about possible changes to the
election laws in Iowa.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:22 A.M.
ATTEST:
_____________________________
_______________________________
Leslie A. Soule, County Auditor
Kas Kelly, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, December 3, 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.
Discussion was held with Ronda Busch, 2238 231
st
Street, regarding the old Sheriff’s
quarters and jail. Busch stated she would like to propose turning the facility into a faith
based residential facility for women. Busch stated she has been involved with Mighty X
Women in the Jail that provides spiritual guidance and assistance for the female inmates.
Busch stated that inmates are often released in the middle of the night or on Friday nights
when they have nowhere to go and no one is available to help them. Busch stated her
organization Just in Time Jail Ministry would like a facility where they can continue
positive reinforcement after the inmate is released from Jail. Busch stated there is a
facility called the 180 Zone in Davenport who is willing to help them set up a similar
facility in Muscatine. Busch stated that several churches and the Jail staff are in support
of this endeavor. Busch stated they would teach women how to adapt to life outside the
Jail during an 18-month program. Watkins stated it would take a tremendous amount of
remodeling and questioned how they would be able to pay rent. Busch stated her group
can see the possibilities in that facility. Howard asked how the process works when the
inmate is released. Busch stated that when an inmate is released, they would contact her,
she would make sure they know the rules and assign them to a room with two to four
other persons. Busch stated the first three to four weeks would be strictly acclimation to
the facility, then the residents would spend a minimum 18 month period at the facility
learning how to adapt and succeed in society. Busch stated that the program will connect
the resident with a church and they will introduce them to people in the community.
Furlong stated that it would take extensive remodeling and be quite expensive to adapt
the old Sheriff’s quarters and jail to the needs of a residential facility. Furlong is also
concerned about separation of church and state, but stated it is an interesting concept.
Busch stated the organization is Just in Time Jail Ministry and they are currently just
looking at Muscatine County Jail inmates, but might eventually take released inmates
from other jails too. Busch stated that initially they will just accept the released inmates,
not family members. Busch stated she is asking if the facility is available, if the Board
would be willing to rent or sell the facility and for how much. Watkins stated concern
that there might be mold in that facility and the lease would have to be high enough to
cover a roof in the future. Watkins stated he would probably not support leasing that
building due to the high costs of remodeling and maintenance. Howard asked how they
are currently addressing the needs of these recently released inmates. Busch stated they
connect with the person outside of the jail, find a place for them at a facility like MCSA,
and get them involved in a church who usually takes over. Howard stated he would have
to look at the cost of tearing down the facility versus refurbishing the building. Furlong
stated he thinks the work Busch is doing should be commended, but he is not ready to
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, December 3, 2012
Page 2
make a decision. Furlong stated he believes it would cost several hundred thousand
dollars to remodel the jail which the County would want to pass on to the tenant. Watkins
stated that if they are still interested, Busch should return with remodeling costs to meet
their needs and how they would pay for the remodeling. Sorensen stated it is now the
Board’s job to decide if this is a feasible option for this facility. Kelly asked if they would
only be accepting inmates released from jail or would they also accept those released
from prison. Busch stated they would accept people from this community that are coming
back from prison. Kelly stated the Board will take this request under consideration.
Watkins suggested Busch evaluate whether it is cost effective for her organization and
come back to the Board if she is still interested in pursuing this option.
On a motion by Watkins, second by Sorensen, the Board approved 2012 Family Farm
Credit applications as recommended by the Assessor’s Office. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Howard, second by Sorensen, minutes of the Monday, November 26,
2012 regular meeting and Friday, November 30, 2012 special meeting were approved as
written. Ayes: All.
No correspondence was noted.
Committee Reports:
Sorensen attended a Regional Workforce Investment Board meeting November
27
th
.
Sorensen and Kelly attended a Bi-State Regional Commission meeting November
28
th
.
Howard attended a Generations Area of Aging meeting November 28
th
.
Furlong attended a Muscatine County Solid Waste Management Commission
meeting November 29
th
.
Howard, Kelly and Sorensen attended the groundbreaking for Van Meter on
November 27
th
.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Sorensen, the Board accepted the November
2012 payroll claims. Ayes: All.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:38 A.M.
ATTEST:
________________________________ ______________________________
Betty Wamback, First Deputy Auditor Kas Kelly, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors