Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, December 17, 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.
The Board observed a moment of silence for the victims of the shooting in Newtown,
Connecticut.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Sorensen, the agenda was approved as written. Ayes:
All.
Discussion was held with Zoning Administrator Jodee Stepleton regarding approval of a
preliminary plat of the proposed one lot agricultural subdivision, Busy B Farms
Subdivision, containing approximately 35.41 acres in Wapsinonoc Township. On a
motion by Furlong, second by Watkins, the Board approved a preliminary plat of the
proposed one lot agricultural subdivision, Busy B Farms Subdivision, containing
approximately 35.41 acres in Wapsinonoc Township. Ayes: All
On a motion by Howard, second by Watkins, the Board approved Resolution #12-17-12-
01 Approval of Final Plat of Busy B Farms Subdivision. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
Discussion was held with Zoning Administrator Jodee Stepleton regarding approval of a
preliminary plat of the proposed replat of Lots 20-22 in Wildlife Estates, containing
approximately 31 acres in Fulton Township. Sorensen asked Stepleton for clarification on
whether or not the utility easements will need to be vacated. Stepleton stated that a plat
vacating the utility easements will need to be approved and that new easements will be
created with approval of the replat. On a motion by Watkins, second by Sorensen, the
Board approved a preliminary plat of the proposed replat of Lots 20-22 in Wildlife
Estates, containing approximately 31 acres in Fulton Township. Ayes: All
Board consensus was to approve a plat vacating utility easements for Lots 20-22 in
Wildlife Estates. On a motion by Howard, second by Sorensen, the Board approved
Resolution #12-17-12-0 Approval of Final Replat of Lots 20-22 in Wildlife Estates. Roll
call vote: Ayes: All.
Discussion was held with Steve Noack, MMS Consultants, Inc. regarding design of the
steps around the perimeter of the Courthouse. Noack updated the Board on the progress
of the rebid of the Muscatine County Courthouse Landscape and Accessibility project.
Noack stated that MMS is working on changing the plans and specifications in order to
reduce the cost. Noack stated the changes will include the time of year for the project,
the duration of the construction period and revising the plans to take out some of the
pavers and some of the more expansive paving that had been proposed, with the option of
doing an alternate bid for those items. Noack stated that they are now looking at the
design for the steps which is one of the more expensive items. Noack stated he needs
direction from the Board on the options for the steps design. Noack stated they originally
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, December 17, 2012
Page 2
bid a larger column with stone added on to it. Noack stated they are now looking at a
smaller column of cast in place concrete, with one of the options including a bench.
Noack stated that the reason for the bench is that on the corner by the Sheriff’s
Department the wall starts to curve in before it gets to the steps. Noack stated that a
bench would give a nice break between the steps and the old wall. Noack stated that
another option would be to do away with the columns and doing something similar to
what is already there now. The Board directed Noack to bid the smaller columns with a
bench and to bid the original design. Board consensus was that the columns and bench
design should be uniform for all of the steps. Noack stated he will work on the plans and
specifications and return to the Board in a couple of weeks with the cost estimate based
on the latest design.
On a motion by Watkins, second by Howard, the Board approved a contract with the US
Army Corps of Engineers for patrol services at Clark’s Ferry and Shady Creek
Recreation Areas for 2013. Ayes: All.
Muscatine County Sheriff Dave White updated the Board on the roof over the outside
area of the jail. White stated that Maintenance Supervisor Oscar Alvarez was concerned
about ice forming on the roof and puncturing the rubber and had requested that gutters be
added. White stated that they plan to have the roof guttered as soon as possible. White
stated that the City Fire Marshall has told him that by National Fire Code the roof needs
to have a sprinkler. White stated that it will have to be a dry sprinkler system and he has
had three companies come in to bid.
Friends of the Old Barn Board Member Paul Carroll updated the Board on the status of
building code compliance and liability insurance coverage. Carroll stated that after due
diligence they have found that the $10 million liability insurance is not affordable.
Carroll stated that they felt the change in insurance was prompted by private events such
as a wedding that exceeded the scope and intent of the original lease and were perceived
as a significant increase in liability. Carroll stated that because their liability coverage is
provided under a policy for the Heritage Foundation a change in insurance also affects
their partners. The Friends of the Old Barn submitted a written report asking the
Supervisors consider a request to rethink the $10 million liability insurance requirement
and allow more limited Old Barn use based on the intent and scope of the current lease
with the current liability coverage of $2 million. The Friends report also asks the
Supervisors to consider a request that the Friends facilitate a meeting to recommend
modifications to the lease agreements for final review by the County Board with the
meeting to include one or more of the Supervisors, the County Attorney and other
appropriate County Administrative Staff as well as one or more members of the Board of
the Friends of the Old Barn. Carroll updated the Board on the major modifications that
have been done. Carroll stated that the electrical is done and approved and they still have
some minor work to do on the stairs.
Carroll asked the Board if they are willing to talk about going back to $2 million liability
coverage. Administrative Services Director Nancy Schreiber stated that the insurance
carrier would not make a recommendation, but said if they were insuring the Old Barn
they would require $10 million. Schreiber stated that the insurance recommendation was
not based on the activities at the Old Barn. The Board directed Schreiber to put on the
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, December 17, 2012
Page 3
next agenda action for the Board to appoint a committee to look at these issues and then
make a recommendation to the Board regarding the Old Barn.
County Engineer Keith White updated the Board on various road and bridge projects.
White also updated the Board on his discussion with the City of Muscatine regarding
annexation in the Ripley’s area. White stated he has met with City of Muscatine staff and
has verbal agreements with the City regarding road upkeep. The Board directed White to
follow up the discussions with written agreements between the County and the City of
Muscatine. White had no utility permits to present.
Discussion was held with Budget Coordinator Sherry Seright on a proposed form for
outside agencies requesting funds. Kelly stated that one option would be to eliminate the
middle Form B and just use Forms A and C. Sorensen stated that he would like the form
to include how many dollars are going to service and how many dollars are going to
administration. Furlong stated that a letter of explanation accompanying the forms may
be necessary as the forms are a little confusing. Kelly stated that the County could ask
for just Form A. On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the Board approved
requiring all outside agencies requesting funds use Form A, Muscatine County - Program
Budget for Program Requesting Funds, along with the agency’s narrative, with the
addition that the County supply a letter of explanation on completing the form. Ayes:
All.
Discussion was held with Budget Coordinator Sherry Seright regarding the
Administration Building and Courthouse parking lots. Seright updated the Board on the
number of parking spaces at the Administration Building rear and side lots, the parking
lot at 5
th
& Walnut, and the new lot at 4
th
& Mulberry. Seright stated that there are some
areas of the new lot that are unacceptable and these areas will have to be broken out and
re-done. Seright stated she does not know how this will affect using that parking lot
before spring. Seright asked the Board for a decision on how to designate parking.
County Recorder Cindy Gray stated that it is difficult for the public to turn around in the
rear lot behind the Administration Building because there is not enough room. Watkins
stated that any public space on this side of the street should have a two hour limit and
any space on the North side in the new lot by Mulberry should have a four to six hour
limit. Seright stated that the City of Muscatine has reserved 22 spaces for their use to
replace the spaces the City lost when the County built the jail several years ago.
Sorensen moved, second by Furlong, the County designate the rear lot of the
Administration Building as all public parking, the first row of the new parking lot as all
public parking, reserve the 22 spaces for the City per the agreement and all other parking
is first come, first served for County and State employees. Sorensen stated that he does
not support designated parking. On a motion by Watkins, second by Furlong, the Board
tabled the original motion until thirty days before the parking space striping is
completed. Roll Call vote: Ayes: Kelly, Furlong, Sorensen and Watkins. Nay: Howard.
On a motion by Howard, second by Sorensen, minutes of the Monday, December 10,
2012 regular meeting were approved as written. Ayes: All.
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, December 17, 2012
Page 4
Correspondence:
Schreiber stated the Board has received notice from the City of Muscatine
regarding an annexation meeting for the Ripley’s Court area on
January 3
rd
.
Furlong received a telephone call regarding a gravel road issue.
Committee Reports:
Kelly attended a 7
th
Judicial District meeting December 14
th
.
Howard attended the Fruitland City Council meeting December 11
th
. Howard attended a
Muscatine Search and Rescue meeting December 12
th
. Howard and Kelly attended a
Hazard Mitigation Plan meeting December 12
th
. Kelly attend an Eastern Iowa Mental
Health meeting December 14
th
.
Discussion was held with Administrative Services Director Nancy Schreiber regarding a
revised Maintenance Supervisor position class specification and grade. Schreiber stated
that in August the Board approved a downgraded and revised Maintenance Supervisor
position on a trial basis and to fill a maintenance position on a temporary basis.
Schreiber stated that Maintenance Supervisor Oscar Alvarez is doing an excellent job in
the position and is doing more than originally thought. Schreiber stated that the revised
class specification recognizes that he is truly supervising the rest of the staff. On a
motion by Watkins, second by Howard, the Board approved a revised Maintenance
Supervisor position class specification and grade 13 effective December 17th. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Sorensen, the Board authorized Administration to fill
a regular full-time Maintenance Worker position. Ayes: All.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:59 A.M.
ATTEST:
Leslie A. Soule, Auditor
Kas Kelly, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors