1 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:10,240 Good morning. Welcome to the Monday August 31st, 2026 Muscatine County Board 2 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:13,440 of Supervisors meeting. We'll call the meeting to order. First item is to 3 00:01:12,320 --> 00:01:15,760 review the agenda. >> Move to approve as presented. 4 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:18,520 » Second. >> Got a motion and second. All in favor? 5 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:20,760 » Aye. >> Opposed. Motion carries. 6 00:01:20,565 --> 00:01:26,280 » [clears throat] >> Item three, discussion possible action 7 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:30,080 to accept claims dated August 31st, 2026 in the amount of $731,761.05. 8 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:35,440 » So moved. >> Second. 9 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:39,560 » Got a motion and second. All in favor? >> Aye. 10 00:01:36,600 --> 00:01:43,800 » Opposed. Motion carries. Item four with County Engineer Brian Herauky. Item 11 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:47,680 eight, discussion possible action to approve various utility permits. 12 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:51,040 » Good morning. Uh we have two utility permits today. 13 00:01:50,696 --> 00:01:55,120 » [clears throat] >> Excuse me. 14 00:01:51,960 --> 00:01:58,680 Uh first is Eastern Iowa Light and Power of Wilton, 15 00:01:56,520 --> 00:02:05,080 Iowa. Uh they're to replace a pole and anchor at 2978 130th Street. 16 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:09,399 Very straightforward. Uh the second is 17 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:14,720 also from Eastern Iowa Light and Power of Wilton, Iowa. They're requesting 18 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:19,880 requesting to replace existing overhead electric on 235th Street from 19 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:27,040 Independence Ave west to 1661 235th Street. 20 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:29,959 Also pretty straightforward. >> I would move the approval. 21 00:02:29,341 --> 00:02:32,040 » [clears throat] >> You have a motion and second. All in 22 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:34,720 favor? >> Aye. 23 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:38,000 » Opposed? Motion carried. You got anything else, Brian? 24 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:42,280 » Yes, just a quick project update. Down on Stewart Road, 25 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:44,520 they're wrapping up some erosion stone. They're also doing 26 00:02:43,959 --> 00:02:49,160 uh you know, wrapping up punch list items 27 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:52,400 kind of here, there, everywhere throughout the project. 28 00:02:53,640 --> 00:03:00,040 Uh hopefully by the end of this week the the painters are scheduled to show up 29 00:02:57,320 --> 00:03:03,360 and stripe the remaining remaining road that needs striped yet. So, 30 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:08,360 hopefully come the end of this week we should be sitting in a good spot. 31 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:10,519 Uh down on Ogilvie Ogilvie [clears throat] Ave, which is 32 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:17,320 south of Wiggins going into Louisa County. 33 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:19,680 Just to let you know, on Wednesday that's September. 34 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:23,959 Um Wednesday the 2nd. 35 00:03:21,640 --> 00:03:29,680 They currently plan to be in to to apply a a friction seal to that pavement to 36 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:35,280 as part of a maintenance project. Um it should just be a one-day event. So. 37 00:03:32,519 --> 00:03:35,280 Um 38 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:43,160 Uh we last week uh we awarded the G28 paving job. 39 00:03:41,360 --> 00:03:47,320 Contractor turned around, got all their contract documents to us. All looked 40 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:53,080 well, so we approved that. Um we have not had a precon with them 41 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:57,240 yet. Uh but we will. Um, but uh, initial talks, they did talk like they 42 00:03:55,680 --> 00:04:00,920 want to come in yet this year and get started on it. So, 43 00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:04,640 which really wouldn't be that that bad of a deal for us. 44 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:07,680 So, um, hopefully more news to come on that when they [clears throat] actually 45 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:10,560 plan to start and what their game plan is. So, 46 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:15,840 that's all I had. >> Thank you. 47 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:22,560 Item five, discussion and possible action to approve the minutes of the 48 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:24,800 August 24th, 2026 regular meeting. >> I would move to approve. 49 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:26,880 » Second. >> Got a motion and second. All in favor? 50 00:04:26,640 --> 00:04:30,280 » Aye. >> Aye. 51 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:36,680 » Opposed? Motion carries. Correspondence, uh, Scott. 52 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:39,360 » I had a call from a resident and he was uh, 53 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:42,800 we had quite a conversation about data centers and what have you and and how he 54 00:04:40,919 --> 00:04:46,240 was in favor of them. 55 00:04:43,960 --> 00:04:53,720 And we had, like I said, I bet we talked 15 minutes about it. And, uh, 56 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:57,000 so, yeah, he he has a a positive outlook on them and, uh, 57 00:04:55,760 --> 00:05:01,960 would like to see some come in the county. I'm just reporting it. That's 58 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:04,040 all That's all I had. >> Jeff? 59 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:06,240 » I had nothing to note. >> I didn't have anything for 60 00:05:04,919 --> 00:05:10,640 correspondence. >> I received a, uh, text from a resident 61 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:14,400 about the flashing lights on F-70 and 38. Still didn't think they were bright 62 00:05:12,480 --> 00:05:17,440 enough and I said, "Well, I think this is the third upgrade on 63 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:18,800 those signs." [snorts] >> they they 64 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:22,120 » At least two. >> It's the second. Um, 65 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:25,200 they >> It's the second. They replaced the 66 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:29,080 lights. Um, they had some issues with the initial ones that got installed. Um, 67 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:31,800 personally, I think they're pretty darn bright. You can see them from like a 68 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:33,919 mile away. So, I think that's bright enough in my book, 69 00:05:33,440 --> 00:05:37,240 but >> I 70 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:40,840 I wish I'd have thought to bring that up a few minutes ago because, uh, I noticed 71 00:05:39,293 --> 00:05:44,533 [clears throat] it right away. And, uh, um, 72 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:47,480 if >> [clears throat] 73 00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:49,360 » I I could I could see those from 74 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:51,720 » Yeah. >> a long distance. I mean, quarter mile. 75 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:53,200 » Yeah. >> You can see them. 76 00:05:53,048 --> 00:05:57,520 » [laughter] >> And when the sun was out, and 77 00:05:56,080 --> 00:06:00,840 I'm not I'm not being negative towards this 78 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:02,960 gentleman, but they are a huge improvement. 79 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:06,160 » Yeah. >> Yeah, you know, I thought so, too. 80 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:09,600 » That was at F70, correct? The one at There's one up at Moscow and 6 that they 81 00:06:08,320 --> 00:06:14,040 still need to tweak with. >> The southbound one looks good. 82 00:06:10,920 --> 00:06:17,880 » The southbound one looks good. So, but and I don't know the status of that. I 83 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:21,360 was up there early last week, and they still needed to mess with it. They knew 84 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:23,720 they needed to mess with it. And uh 85 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:28,200 but yeah, all the rest of them look good. 86 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:31,880 » that's shining in someone's yard? >> There's always There's always that. 87 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:37,000 » Yeah, right? >> Yep. 88 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:40,600 » There There is actually some some not with these flashing lights, but you 89 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:45,640 know, when it comes to signs, the reflectivity of signs, a person 90 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:49,880 really has to be careful to not go too bright on the reflectivity, or or it 91 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:52,240 acts as a mirror, and you know, it does stick out, but it can also blind 92 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:57,400 someone. >> Same dude, same dude. 93 00:06:53,080 --> 00:06:57,400 » It is a balancing act. 94 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:02,240 » Uh item seven, committee reports. 95 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:08,320 » Yeah. Uh Wednesday the 26th, I had Bi-State. 96 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:13,520 What Wednesday the 26th, I also had Muscon meeting. 97 00:07:10,440 --> 00:07:15,880 Thursday the 27th, We Lead. And Thursday the 27th, 98 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:18,960 » Fair Board. >> I feel like I didn't have anything. 99 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:23,760 » Everything in two days, yeah. >> I had Bi-State on the 26th. 100 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:26,560 » I had nothing. >> I had nothing. 101 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:30,200 » On the item eight with the administration office, discussion and 102 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:33,440 possible action to approve 2027 Muscatine County holiday schedule. 103 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:36,919 » Have we normally done the eight designated and three floating? 104 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:42,560 » Um it it kind of just depends on where the holidays fall. Most of them are 105 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:46,440 falling on a Monday or a Friday, so we we do anywhere from 8 to 10 depending 106 00:07:45,880 --> 00:07:50,040 on where they fall. >> I got no problem with it, yeah. 107 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:52,240 Yeah, I don't care. Move to approve? 108 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:55,960 » I have a question. Has the county ever considered Martin Luther King Day? 109 00:07:56,480 --> 00:08:00,040 » I think we've talked about it, but I don't 110 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:04,520 know what the discussion has been. >> States close, federal offices are closed 111 00:08:02,360 --> 00:08:08,520 a lot of times, so it's it's a quiet day in my office because 112 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:10,160 of >> Everything else is shut down around the 113 00:08:10,040 --> 00:08:15,160 state. >> Yeah. And I'm sorry I did not come with 114 00:08:12,160 --> 00:08:18,720 that date um on the schedule, I mean on my 115 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:18,720 radar to 116 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:22,280 mention when it when it is. 117 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:29,600 » I think we're good. January like Is it February? 118 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:32,200 » It's January 18th. >> That's President's Day you're thinking 119 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:35,200 of. Yeah, yeah. It's like yeah, it's the third week of January now. 120 00:08:33,320 --> 00:08:39,599 » Is your thought process to add another day or you or just exchange? 121 00:08:37,080 --> 00:08:43,719 » Exchange it for a floating day. Just take it out of the two floating. 122 00:08:40,919 --> 00:08:49,000 » It would be a Monday, so that is also a board meeting day. 123 00:08:45,920 --> 00:08:52,080 Let me look at ahead if it was a holiday. 124 00:08:52,680 --> 00:08:57,400 » I don't feel strongly about it one way or the other. 125 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:59,800 Yeah, it doesn't doesn't really matter to me. 126 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:03,839 » I'm curious like Corey >> Yeah, there's I'm sorry. There's no 127 00:09:01,560 --> 00:09:06,640 courts, so it's a very quiet day for us and I think the jail as well. 128 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:08,720 » Mhm. No crime? 129 00:09:08,241 --> 00:09:13,400 » [laughter] >> Wow. 130 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:16,040 They take a holiday. Dang. Any phone calls like 131 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:18,080 » So you want it? >> I don't know. 132 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:19,720 » You got two floating. >> You have three. 133 00:09:18,839 --> 00:09:21,640 » I think people would rather have a floating day, wouldn't they? 134 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:24,880 » I would agree. [clears throat] >> I would rather have a floating day 135 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:29,680 if I were an employee. >> Right, that way you're able to maybe do 136 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:33,786 some personal things or what have you and instead of being 137 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:36,800 um I I think that I think that >> [cough] 138 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:42,000 » I guess I'd rather move to you it as is. >> I would second. 139 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:44,560 » Not a bad idea, just >> Okay, we got a motion and a second. All 140 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:46,160 in favor? >> Aye. 141 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:50,640 » Aye. >> Oppose? Motion carries. 142 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:54,360 Anything else, Kayla? >> Nothing else. 143 00:09:52,560 --> 00:09:58,960 » Item nine, receive information from county employees. 144 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:02,760 » Just briefly since the data center everything came out. 145 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:02,760 » Okay. 146 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:08,760 » We do have a board of adjustment case set for Friday, September 11th, um 147 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:12,760 dealing with one existing crypto mining facility that 148 00:10:11,040 --> 00:10:16,880 we've had out in the county that is proposing some changes 149 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:20,320 and additions, um 150 00:10:18,200 --> 00:10:24,680 due to what I'm what I believe is kind of some speculation misinformation in 151 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:28,440 the community, I was made aware of a lot of social media discussions that I think 152 00:10:26,680 --> 00:10:32,800 is going to result in um larger attendance and so even though 153 00:10:30,760 --> 00:10:37,480 we had just published notice and sent out publication for the location, 154 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:41,000 um we're changing the location. The time and date will remain the same. We're 155 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:45,200 we've republished and re- and sending out surrounding property owners and I'm 156 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:48,480 I commented on the post that we're changing location to Discovery Center, 157 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:51,080 so we can accommodate accommodate anybody from the public that 158 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:53,640 » Are we within the legal time frames to do that? 159 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:58,040 » Yes. Yeah, we'll still be fine. And it's just a change of location. The hearing 160 00:10:55,880 --> 00:11:01,600 is still being held um same time and date because the developer is flying in 161 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:04,360 and um so that'll be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, 162 00:11:03,839 --> 00:11:06,800 September 11th. >> is it? Is it the one out by Menards? 163 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:08,280 » Yeah, correct. >> Yeah. 164 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:11,880 » Yeah. Yeah, which is >> only the current only one operating 165 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:16,480 within county jurisdiction. >> correct. Yeah, and it's a proposal to 166 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:21,200 add like a cooling system, some backup generator, 167 00:11:18,120 --> 00:11:24,400 um but it because we no longer allow um 168 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:27,760 data centers or crypto mining facilities except in the industrial zone districts, 169 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:31,720 it's going in front of the board of adjustment as a slight expansion or 170 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:35,000 modification to a legal non-conforming use. 171 00:11:32,839 --> 00:11:38,960 Um so it still allows, you know, adjoining property owners um and any 172 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:41,880 interested party to weigh in because as you know, special use permits are a 173 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:44,680 case-by-case basis. >> And that one we snuck in before we got 174 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:46,680 everything updated, right? >> Uh well, I mean, I don't want to use the 175 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:48,640 term like >> That's that's the term you're right. 176 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:52,280 » snuck in. >> It was approved before we got everything 177 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:56,160 » It was approved and you know, and just as these things were becoming hot topics 178 00:11:54,320 --> 00:12:00,120 and rapidly changing in their scope and impact. And so then we as you're aware, 179 00:11:58,120 --> 00:12:03,560 we modified our or amended our zoning ordinance and placed them in the as per 180 00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:08,000 special permitted uses in the heavy industrial district, but this one it 181 00:12:05,560 --> 00:12:12,520 does continue to operate legally as a non-conforming use. So 182 00:12:10,240 --> 00:12:16,960 » So under under our current ordinance and the request they're making for their 183 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:19,280 upgrades, does it fall within side of our 184 00:12:17,880 --> 00:12:21,920 It doesn't fall within side of our ordinance. Does 185 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:27,160 » Well, the Board of Adjustment would have the authority to um grant some 186 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:32,240 modifications or slight expansion to an existing non-conforming use. 187 00:12:30,040 --> 00:12:35,120 They're not expanding uh the footprint. They're not buying any more ground from 188 00:12:33,720 --> 00:12:39,080 a neighbor. They are still Any modifications are still occurring on the 189 00:12:36,960 --> 00:12:42,640 same 3-acre site. And I don't want to get too much into the weeds, you know, 190 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:46,040 outside of the the public hearing, but it's a proposed The facility remains 191 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:49,480 essentially the same. They're just swapping out some equipment, adding 192 00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:54,480 battery storage and some backup, changing the cooling system, but it it 193 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:57,120 is an operation legally. And the Board of Adjustment has the 194 00:12:55,600 --> 00:13:01,520 authority to to grant these modifications or not. If they were to 195 00:12:59,320 --> 00:13:05,240 buy any more ground or an adjoining parcel, it would be a non-starter or 196 00:13:03,440 --> 00:13:09,000 would have to propose a rezoning because we no longer allow them. But that's not 197 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:12,800 the case here, so 10:00 a.m. at the at the Environmental 198 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:16,240 Learning Center is the location. And like I said, notifications have have 199 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:21,320 gone out. September 11th, Friday. 200 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:24,560 So just wanted to make that as publicly broad or 201 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:26,960 available as possible. So anybody that wants to attend doesn't show up down 202 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:32,160 here. So we're trying to get that word out. 203 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:37,240 » How about a quick update on uh engineering zoning building? I drove 204 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:41,120 by, looked like footings are in, steel's up. 205 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:46,200 » The uh after 40 days and 40 nights of straight rain, um the the ark has come 206 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:49,560 to rest and we've been able to uh they finished the I mean, I think there's 207 00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:52,840 still a little bit of the foundation that has to be done at the very end 208 00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:56,720 after erection, but they got all the found rest of the foundation backfilled 209 00:13:54,680 --> 00:14:00,640 and yes, they've been making a lot of progress erecting steel. It goes pretty 210 00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:04,240 fast on those engineered pre-engineered buildings once they get the right 211 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:08,680 weather. So, a lot of steel going up in the air. And uh yeah, and then they'll I 212 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:13,960 think they were talking maybe in the next week starting on some skin 213 00:14:10,840 --> 00:14:18,520 on it. Um so, yep, it actually looks like that there might be a building 214 00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:20,280 coming at that location now. So. >> Yeah. 215 00:14:19,520 --> 00:14:25,760 Um and I drove down by Deep Lakes down by 216 00:14:23,640 --> 00:14:30,000 the maintenance facility. Looks like that's coming along. 217 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:33,280 Any no hiccups? Everything going along 218 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:36,360 pretty smoothly, looks like. >> Yeah. Well, they got the rough-in 219 00:14:35,089 --> 00:14:41,760 [clears throat] plumbing and electrical and HVAC in the office and uh utility 220 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:44,240 room bathroom area done. Um uh 221 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:47,640 they've got the step-down transformer installed. 222 00:14:45,839 --> 00:14:51,240 Um electrician last week was working on the replacement of the high voltage 223 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:55,360 panel in the larger white building where the electric service comes in. Um 224 00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:59,680 they've got the fiber optics stuff or the the Cat 6 cables uh roughed in to 225 00:14:57,839 --> 00:15:04,760 the locations in what will be the office space. Um so, yeah, they're making good 226 00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:06,680 progress on that, too. So. >> Good. 227 00:15:05,360 --> 00:15:10,200 » Yep. Here it goes. 228 00:15:08,440 --> 00:15:15,600 » I think that's all I have. >> Any other county employees? 229 00:15:13,360 --> 00:15:20,839 Seeing none, we move on to receive comments from the public. 230 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:26,280 » So, there isn't body any nobody here, so we are adjourned. 231 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:26,280 » We are adjourned.