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Des Moines County asks Burlington to address planter sidewalk after fatal fall near sheriff's office
Summary
The Des Moines County Board approved a letter to the city asking for action to improve sidewalk safety at 512 N. Main St., noting the county’s concern after a recent fatal fall and acknowledging the sidewalk is city property.
The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors voted May 13 to send a letter to Burlington officials requesting immediate action to address safety hazards in the planter area in front of the sheriff’s office at 512 North Main Street following a recent fatal fall.
Board correspondence, as read at the meeting, said the county “is requesting immediate action…to ensure the safety of those using the sidewalk in front of Des Moines County Sheriff's Department, 512 North Main Street.” The board acknowledged the sidewalk is city property and stated it lacked authority to alter the sidewalk itself, so the letter asked the city to take measures to alleviate the safety issues.
The nut graf: the action puts the county on record asking Burlington to respond after officials and citizens expressed concerns during the sidewalk’s design, construction and after installation. The meeting record also noted the family of the person who fell has submitted a public-records request for video of the incident.
During discussion supervisors confirmed they had raised concerns about the planter during the design and build phases through verbal conversations and some correspondence, but that the project proceeded as the city saw fit. A county representative said the sheriff’s office had been contacted by the decedent’s daughter, who had submitted a records request for video of the incident and had dropped off a thank-you to staff.
The board moved to approve the letter; roll-call votes recorded affirmative responses from supervisors present. No ordinance or county-directed construction action was approved—because the sidewalk is city-owned, the board’s step was to request city action and await the city’s response.
The letter was sent to Burlington city manager and mayor; the board said it looks forward to hearing what steps the city will take to address the safety issues.
