Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, September 23, 2013 – Regular Session
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 7:00 P.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.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the Board approved Ordinance #09-23-13-01 Rezoning
Certain Real Property in Moscow Township, Muscatine County, Iowa from C-2 Commercial
District Zoning Classification to A-1 Agricultural Zoning Classification on the third and final
reading. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Sauer, the Board approved a Class C Native Wine (WCN)
renewal application for Ardon Creek Vineyard & Winery, LLC, 2391 Independence Avenue,
Letts, IA 52754. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, minutes of the Monday, September 16, 2013 regular
meeting were approved as written. Ayes: All.
Correspondence:
Kelly received a call from Musser Public Library regarding library services for the City
of Stockton.
Committee Reports:
Furlong attended a Veterans Affairs Commission meeting September 16
th
.
Furlong attended a West Liberty Economic Area Development meeting September 19
th
.
Howard attended a Milestones Regional Advisory Board meeting September 10
th
.
Howard attended a Muscatine County Search and Rescue meeting September 11
th
.
Sauer attended a Board of Health meeting September 18
th
.
Sauer attended a Riverbend Transit meeting September 18
th
.
Kelly attended Healthy Homes Training September 19
th
presented by Public Health and Zoning.
Howard attended a Fruitland City Council meeting September 10
th
. Howard attended the Farm
Bureau annual meeting September 12
th
.
On a motion by Howard, second by Furlong, the Board approved Resolution #09-23-13-01
Suspending the Collection of Taxes. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
On a motion by Furlong, second by Howard, the Board approved Resolution #09-23-13-02
Authorizing and Approving a Loan Agreement with First National Bank and Providing for the
Issuance of a $1,350,000 General Obligation County Purpose Note, Series 2013, and Providing
for the Levy of Taxes to Pay the Same. Roll call vote: Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the Chair was authorized to execute a Memorandum
of Understanding between the Iowa Department of Public Health and Muscatine County for
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, September 23, 2013 – Regular Session
Page 2
access to Sharepoint Service Contract Center in conjunction with an EMS Systems Development
Grant. Ayes: All.
On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the Board appointed Lisa Wertzbaugher to the
Muscatine County Historic Preservation Commission for a term ending January 1, 2015. Ayes:
All.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:18 P.M.
ATTEST:
_____________________________
_____________________________
Betty L. Wamback
Jeff Sorensen, Chairperson
First Deputy Auditor
Board of Supervisors
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, September 23, 2013 – Special Session
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in special session at 10:30 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.
Discussion was held with Lacie Litton of Wellmark, Inc. regarding a wellness program
implementation strategy for Muscatine County. Litton reviewed the steps necessary to effectively
implement a wellness program. Litton stated that management support and some type of
incentive should be tied to the wellness program to make it successful. Kelly questioned whether
a government entity should be using tax dollars for incentives. Litton stated she currently has a
government entity that has implemented a wellness program using cash incentives. Litton
suggested the goal for the first year would be to get employees engaged and have a better
understanding of their health. Litton suggested employees complete a preventive health
screening with a physician or through an onsite biometric screening in 2014. Litton suggested
employees also participate in a 15-minute online health assessment through the Blue Zones
Project or Wellmark. Litton stated that Muscatine County would have to register as a worksite in
order for employees to complete a health assessment through the Blue Zones Project. Litton
stated assuming 100% of Muscatine County employees complete a screening with a physician
and an online health assessment with a $100 incentive ($50-screening/$50-health assessment),
the cost would be approximately $18,000. Litton stated that if the County held an onsite
biometric screening, the cost would be approximately $11,500 if all employees participated.
The Board recessed at 11:52 A.M. and reconvened at 1:00 P.M. at the Muscatine County
Environmental Learning Center.
Kristi Harshbarger of the Iowa State Association of Counties facilitated a discussion with
Muscatine County elected officials and department heads regarding their services and how ISAC
can be of assistance to the County.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:42 P.M.
ATTEST:
______________________________ ________________________________
Betty L. Wamback,
Jeff Sorensen, Chairperson
First Deputy Auditor
Board of Supervisors
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, September 30, 2013
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 7:00 P.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 Furlong, second by Sauer, claims dated September 30, 2013 were
approved in the amount of $623,757.40. Ayes: All.
Discussion was held with Vic Amoroso, A&J Associates, regarding Change
Authorization Request #6 for the Muscatine County Jail Building HVAC Design-Phase 2
Project. Amoroso stated this request is for a problem uncovered by the contractor J. L.
Brady during the final check out and set up of the HVAC system. Amoroso stated the
contractor found, at times, flow from the Jail would back flow through the Courthouse
instead of going to the feed. Amoroso stated to the best of his knowledge this is the last
problem there is with the system. On a motion by Furlong, second by Howard, the Board
approved Change Authorization Request #6 for the Muscatine County Jail Building
HVAC Design-Phase 2 Project up to a maximum of $8,500.00. Ayes: All.
Discussion was held with Amoroso regarding bids for Muscatine County Community
Services Building – Evaporative Cooler Replacement. Amoroso stated the evaporative
cooler is the original outdoor equipment and it is corroded and not repairable. Amoroso
recommended the County replace the evaporative cooler with equipment manufactured
by EVAPCO. Amoroso reviewed the following EVAPCO bids with the Board:
Hometown Plumbing & Heating - $123,466; J.L. Brady Co. - $96,200; and Northwest
Mechanical - $112,650. On a motion by Kelly, second by Furlong, the Board approved a
bid from J.L. Brady Co. in the amount of $96,200 for the Muscatine County Community
Services Building – Evaporative Cooler Replacement. Ayes: All.
Discussion was held with Max Kauffman, 1609 Foster Street, Muscatine regarding a
disallowed homestead credit. Kauffman stated he formerly lived at 1986 Geneva Hills
Road, Muscatine and moved from his house over the winter. Kauffman stated on August
21
st
he received a letter from Mr. Sorensen stating he had his homestead exemption
“jerked” and as he read it at that time also his military exemption. Kauffman stated he
still periodically lives in his old home. Kauffman stated he has not sold his home at 1986
Geneva Hills and does not understand why his exemptions were revoked. Kauffman
stated on August 29
th
he sent Mr. Sorensen a letter to serve as written appeal to have his
exemptions reinstated. Muscatine County Assessor Dale McCrea stated the County did
not remove Kauffman’s military exemption. McCrea reviewed the Code of Iowa for
homestead exemptions. McCrea stated the property appeared to be vacant and an attempt
was made to contact Kauffman. McCrea stated the homestead credit was disallowed
based upon the residence not being occupied for six months as of July 1
st
. McCrea stated
the homestead application for the Foster address indicated the occupation was as of
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, September 30, 2013
Page 2
November 26, 2012. Kauffman stated November 26
th
was the purchase date. McCrea
stated his recommendation to disallow the homestead credit stands. McCrea stated the
exemption appeal is through the District Court. Furlong stated the Board cannot reverse
their decision to disallow the credit based on the new application showing Kauffman
moved November 26
th
. Board consensus was to follow the law and the recommendation
from the Assessor’s Office to disallow the homestead credit.
Discussion was held with Zoning Administrator Jodee Stepleton regarding a Notice of
Intent from the Iowa DNR to issue a construction permit for increasing animal numbers
only at the Pork 360 East Site swine confinement facility in Muscatine County. Stepleton
stated the Notice of Intent is a new step in the permit process from the DNR and there is
no change in the construction permit previously discussed by the Board. Board
consensus was that the Board had no valid reason to contest the permit.
On a motion by Howard, second by Sauer, minutes of the Monday, September 23, 2013
special meeting and the Monday, September 23, 2013 regular meeting were approved as
written. Ayes: All.
Correspondence:
All Supervisors received an e-mail regarding a hog confinement lot near West
Liberty.
Furlong received a call regarding a utility issue along Hampton Avenue.
Committee Reports:
Furlong attended a Muscatine County Solid Waste Management meeting
September 26
th
.
Sorensen and Kelly attended a Bi-State Regional Planning Commission meeting
September 25
th
.
Kelly attended a ground breaking ceremony for Lutheran Homes September 26
th
and the
Flickinger Learning Center lunch and launch September 27
th
.
Discussion was held with Budget Coordinator Sherry Seright regarding the scope of the
RFP for demolition of Old Sheriff’s Quarters/Jail. Seright stated she was given direction
by the Board to put together a request for proposal to demolish the Old Sheriff’s
Quarters/Jail or to just demolish the cinder block addition. Seright stated Maintenance
did testing and there would be structural problems if just the cinder block addition is
removed. Seright stated there would be a 20 foot opening at the back of the building that
would need to be supported. Sorensen stated it is time to go out for an RFP to demolish
the whole structure. Furlong stated he agreed the County should go for a bid to remove
the entire building. Sauer stated he is in favor of demolition but would want to consider
auction on the salvage of wood work, electrical equipment, locking mechanisms or
anything else that could be salvaged prior to demolition. Board consensus was for
Seright to explore the possibility of salvaging materials and to have the RFP be for
demolishing the entire building not just the cinder block addition.
Muscatine County Board of Supervisors
Monday, September 30, 2013
Page 3
On a motion by Kelly, second by Sauer, the Board accepted the September 2013 payroll
claims. Ayes: All.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 P.M.
ATTEST:
_______________________________ _________________________________
Leslie A. Soule, Auditor
Jeff Sorensen, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors