Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, September 9, 2013
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 9:00 A.M. with
Furlong, Howard, Kelly, Sauer and Sorensen present. Chairperson Sorensen presiding.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the agenda was approved as written. Ayes:
All.
On a motion by Howard, second by Furlong, claims dated September 9, 2013 were
approved in the amount of $1,894,794.44. Ayes: All.
A Public Hearing was called to order by Chairperson Sorensen at 9:04 A.M. on a request
from James E. or Jeanette A. Billingsley, Record Owners, to rezone approximately 3.45
acres of property located in Moscow Township from C-2 Commercial District to A-1
Agricultural District. Zoning Administrator Jodee Stepleton stated this property is no
longer used for commercial purposes and the residence is non-conforming since it is on
commercial property. No one spoke against the rezoning. On a motion by Kelly, second
by Furlong, the public hearing was closed at 9:07 A.M. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the Board approved an ordinance rezoning
approximately 3.45 acres of property located in Moscow Township from C-2
Commercial District to A-1 Agricultural District on the first of three readings. Roll call
vote: Ayes: All.
Discussion was held with Zoning Administrator Jodee Stepleton regarding approval of a
preliminary plat of the proposed two lot agricultural subdivision, Shorthorn Subdivision,
containing approximately 38.04 acres in Wapsi Township. Stepleton stated neighbors
were concerned this subdivision would lead to the creation of hog confinement lots.
Board consensus was that hog confinement lots are a separate issue from agricultural
subdivisions. On a motion by Howard, second by Sauer, the Board approved a
preliminary plat of the proposed two lot agricultural subdivision, Shorthorn Subdivision,
containing approximately 38.04 acres in Wapsi Township. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Howard, second by Sauer, the Board approved Resolution #09-09-13-01
Approval of Final Plat of Shorthorn Subdivision. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
The Board reviewed the following Special Use Permit granted by the Board of
Adjustment on August 9, 2013: Case #13-08-01 is an application filed by Brent S. and
Audrey M. Wyatt, Record Owners. The property is located in Goshen Township, 2138
137
th
Street, South of 137
th
Street, in the SW1/4 of Section 24-T78N-R3W, Parcel D,
containing approximately 6.55 acres, and is zoned A-1 Agricultural District. This
request, if approved, would allow the Zoning Administrator to issue a Special Use Permit
in order for the Wyatt’s to reconstruct the uninhabitable dwelling that was demolished, to
replace an outbuilding, and to construct an RV shelter. The Board of Adjustment
approved this request.
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, September 9, 2013
Page 2
Discussion was held regarding an agreement for services between Muscatine County and
Bi-State Regional Commission to prepare a comprehensive plan update for the County.
Stepleton stated the cost of having Bi-State prepare the County’s Comprehensive Plan
will be approximately $10,000. Furlong stated the total cost would be about $25,000,
which includes the County’s annual dues of $15,000 and an additional $10,000 for
updating the plan. Stepleton stated this update will take about a year to complete and it
has been seventeen years since the County’s last update. Administrative Services
Director Nancy Schreiber stated $20,000 has been budgeted in the current year for this
update. On a motion by Furlong, second by Howard, the Board authorized the Chair to
execute an agreement for services between Muscatine County and Bi-State Regional
Commission to prepare a comprehensive plan update for the County. Ayes: All.
Stepleton updated the Board on water quality issues at Ripley’s Mobile Home Park.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Kelly, the Board approved the following utility
permits: Windstream Communications, Inc. – place a copper telephone cable from near
the intersection of Camp Avenue and 231
st
Street (G28) to 1242 231
st
Street;
CenturyLink – place 494 feet of buried 25-pair copper cable along Hwy 22/Cedar Street.
Discussion was held with Administrative Services Director Nancy Schreiber regarding
bids received for L-(M13-2)—73-70, Pavement Markings, at various locations
throughout the County. Schreiber presented bids as follows: Vogel Traffic Services, Inc.
- $96,546.21; Iowa Plains Signing, Inc. - $174,200.54. On a motion by Furlong, second
by Sauer, the Board accepted a bid and approved a Contract, Bond and Certificate of
Insurance for the L-(M13-2)—73-70, Pavement Markings at various locations throughout
the County with Vogel Traffic Services. Ayes: All
A presentation was given by Muscatine Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive
Director Hannah Wilke. Wilke stated significant milestones for the Convention &
Visitors Bureau included a new website, new visitor’s guide, an active Marketing
Committee and active Volunteer Engagement Committee.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the Board authorized the Chair to execute a
28E Agreement for Tobacco Enforcement between the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages
Division and the Muscatine County Sheriff. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Howard, second by Sauer, the Board approved a renewal application for
a Class C Beer and Sunday Sales Permit for Casey’s Marketing Co., dba Casey’s General
Store #2472, 1334 Hwy 22, Nichols, IA 52766. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Howard, second by Sauer, the Board approved a renewal application for
a Class E Beer, Liquor and Sunday Sales Permit for Reif Oil Company, dba Stewart Road
Fast Break, 2418 Stewart Road, Muscatine, IA 52761. Ayes: All.
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, September 9, 2013
Page 3
On a motion by Kelly, second by Howard, minutes of the Monday, August 26, 2013
regular meeting were approved as written. Ayes: All.
Correspondence:
Administrative Services Director Nancy Schreiber reported the Board received a
letter from the Jackson County Board of Supervisors regarding the lack of
State funding for Iowa’s failing rural infrastructure.
Schreiber reported the Board received a letter from Jane Reischauer resigning
from the Muscatine County Historic Preservation Commission.
Furlong received a contact regarding changing the County definition of a farm to
be more restrictive in order to limit hog confinements.
Committee Reports:
Howard attended a Milestones Board meeting August 27
th
.
Sauer attended a Muscatine County Hazard Mitigation meeting August 27
th
.
Kelly attended a Bi-State Regional Planning Commission meeting August 28
th
.
Kelly attended a Muscatine Community Health Association meeting September
4
th
.
Howard, Sauer and Kelly attended a Deep Lakes Park public meeting August 29
th
.
Sorensen, Sauer and Kelly attended an update of environmental projects presentation
from Kent Feeds Corporation / Grain Processing Corporation August 27
th
. Kelly attended
a Clean Air Muscatine meeting August 28
th
. Kelly attended a Community Wide Block
Party September 6
th
.
County Engineer Keith White updated the Board on various road construction projects.
Discussion was held with Budget Coordinator Sherry Seright regarding a proposal to
install rails for the driveway ramp at the Courthouse. Seright stated concerns have been
expressed about the railings being removed and there have been requests to replace them.
Kelly stated there are also concerns about the lack of railings along the new handicap
ramps at the Courthouse. Furlong stated Seright had tried to get other bids and Charlie’s
Welding was the only bid on the project. On a motion by Furlong, second by Howard,
the Board approved a proposal from Charlie’s Welding, Inc. in the amount of $9,888.00
to install rails for the driveway ramp at the Courthouse. Ayes: All.
Discussion was held with Seright regarding various projects. Seright stated bike racks
have been ordered from Prison Industries. Sauer stated the curbing at the Courthouse
ramp is a tripping hazard and should be painted with yellow safety stripes. Board
consensus was for Seright to look into striping the curbing in this area. Furlong expressed
concern regarding a leaning light pole in the parking lot. Seright stated Nelson Electric
was scheduled to remove the pole for a cost of $354.
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, September 9, 2013
Page 4
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the Board approved a credit card with a $1,000
limit for Diversion Program usage. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the Board accepted August 2013 payroll claims.
Ayes: All.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:08 A.M.
ATTEST:
_______________________________ _________________________________
Betty L. Wamback
Jeff Sorensen, Chairperson
Deputy Auditor Board of Supervisors
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Friday, September 13, 2013 – Special Session
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in special session at 9:00 A.M. with
Furlong, Howard, Sorensen, Sauer and Kelly present. Chairperson Sorensen presiding.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the agenda was approved as written. Ayes:
All.
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met as a Board of Canvassers for the School
Elections held on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. The Board certified the following results
to be a true and correct abstract of the votes cast in the election.
MUSCATINE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
(Three positions - four year terms) –
There were 3,752 votes cast: Tim Bower received 876 votes, Tammi Drawbaugh received
927 votes, Clyde Evans received 820 votes, Randy Naber received 1,093 votes and there
was a scattering of 36 votes. Tim Bower, Tammi Drawbaugh and Randy Naber were
elected.
MUSCATINE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
(One position – unexpired two year
term) – There were 1,494 votes cast: Tom Johanns received 954 votes, Jerry Lange
received 527 votes and there was a scattering of 13 votes. Tom Johanns was elected.
LOUISA-MUSCATINE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
(Two positions - four year
terms) – There were 635 votes cast: Jason Randall received 115 votes, Eric Schlutz
received 245 votes, Scott Wilson received 273 votes and there was a scattering of 2 votes.
Eric Schlutz and Scott Wilson were elected.
WEST LIBERTY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
(Two positions - four year terms) –
There were 411 votes cast: Emily Geertz received 169 votes, Kevin T. Minor received 89
votes, Nicolaas Van Every received 51 votes, Jose Zacarias received 102 votes and there
were no scattered votes. Emily Geertz and Jose Zacarias were elected.
WILTON SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
(Two positions - four year terms) – There
were 371 votes cast: Jeffery B. Belknap received 110 votes, Robert Metzger received 118
votes, Tara Oien received 136 votes and there was a scattering of 7 votes. Robert Metzger
and Tara Oien were elected.
EASTERN IOWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE MERGED AREA IX-DIRECTOR
DISTRICT 8
(One position - four year term) – there were 810 votes cast. Bill Phelan
received 800 votes and there was a scattering of 10 votes. Scott County is the Control
County for this election and totals from Muscatine County are added to other counties to
determine the winner.
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Friday, September 13, 2013 - Special Session
Page 2
LOUISA-MUSCATINE PHYSICAL PLANT AND EQUIPMENT LEVY
PROPOSITION C
– There were 368 votes cast. There were 174 Yes votes and 194 No
votes. The measure was not adopted.
WEST LIBERTY REVENUE PURPOSE STATEMENT PROPOSITION E
– There
were 176 votes cast. There were 141 Yes votes and 35 No votes. The measure was
adopted.
Administrative Services Director Nancy Schreiber provided an update of vacancies on
various Boards and Commissions.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:27 A.M.
ATTEST:
________________________________ ________________________________
Betty L. Wamback, Deputy Auditor
Jeff Sorensen, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, September 16, 2013
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 9:00 A.M. with
Furlong, Kelly, Sauer and Sorensen present. Howard was absent. Chairperson Sorensen
presiding.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the agenda was approved as written. Ayes:
All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, claims dated September 16, 2013 were approved
in the amount of $574,891.02. Ayes: All.
A Public Hearing was called to order by Chairperson Sorensen at 9:03 A.M. on proposed
amendments to the Fiscal Year 2013/14 Muscatine County Budget. Budget Coordinator
Sherry Seright reviewed the proposed amendments with the Board. Seright stated the
amount published for Zoning expenditures and revenues has been withdrawn by Zoning
Administrator Jodee Stepleton. No one spoke for or against the proposed amendments.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Kelly, the public hearing was closed at 9:08 A.M.
Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the Board approved Resolution #09-16-13-01
Amending the Fiscal Year 2013-14 Budget. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Sauer, the Board approved Resolution #09-16-13-02
Fiscal Year 2013-14 Budget Appropriations. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
Discussion was held with Information Services Director William Riley regarding a draft
timeline for website redesign. Riley stated he put together the timeline based on
information from Civic Plus and information found on the internet. Riley stated the plan
is to request presentations from a selected group of website design providers rather than
having an open RFP. Riley stated the County website will still direct users to the
Treasurer’s and the Recorder’s websites. Furlong stated the timeline would be six months
plus. Administrative Services Director Nancy Schreiber stated the intent was to also have
the website include benefit information for employees. Riley stated $38,000 has been
budgeted for this project based on discussions with two companies. Board consensus was
for Riley to put together a committee to select providers, review proposals and report
their findings to the Board.
Riley updated the Board regarding the internet connections for the Zoning, Engineering
and Sheriff’s Offices. Riley stated he has been receiving quotes from various suppliers
and would like direction from the Board on whether to proceed or wait until the next
fiscal year. Riley stated the current connection is working for the moment, but an
upgrade may allow the offices better access to GIS information. Board consensus was
for Riley to get feedback from the affected offices before proceeding further.
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, September 16, 2013
Page 2
Riley updated the Board on other projects.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the Board approved an ordinance rezoning
approximately 3.45 acres of property located in Moscow Township from C-2
Commercial District to A-1 Agricultural District on the second of three readings. Roll
call vote: Ayes: All.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Sauer, minutes of the Monday, September 9, 2013
regular meeting and the Friday, September 13, 2013 special meeting were approved as
written. Ayes: All.
Correspondence:
Sauer received a contact regarding hog confinement lots.
Committee Reports:
No committee reports were noted.
Kelly attended the Blue Zone Kick-off September 10
th
. Sauer and Kelly attended the
Farm Bureau annual meeting September 12
th
.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the Board authorized the Chair to execute the
SFY 2014 Iowa/Byrne – Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Contract in the amount
of $79,867. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the Board approved Resolution #09-16-13-03
Abating Taxes: Parcels Owned by the City of Muscatine. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
The Board reviewed the health/dental fund balance as of August 31, 2013.
Sorenson stated Muscatine County Auditor Leslie Soule did a good job staying close to
the budget for the electronic poll books. Sorensen stated the budgeted amount was
$51,600 and Soule spent $52,288.81. Sorensen stated the early results for the poll books
are good. Sorensen stated one concern some voters had was scanning their driver’s
license at the polls. Sorensen stated this was an option and voters are not required to scan
their driver’s license when voting. Sorensen stated voters do not have to have a driver’s
license to vote and Soule had made it clear scanning a driver’s license is optional.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 A.M.
ATTEST:
_______________________________ _________________________________
Leslie A. Soule, Auditor
Jeff Sorensen, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors