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Muscatine County board OKs first reading of special-events ordinance to cover county roads, parks
Summary
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors approved the first reading of a new special-events ordinance to regulate events that use county roads, parks and other county property; the ordinance was prompted in part by a planned triathlon and will require insurance and hold-harmless agreements.
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors on May 5 approved the first of three readings of a proposed special-events ordinance that would require applications, certificates of insurance and hold-harmless agreements for events that use county roads, parks or other county property.
County staff told the board the county’s planned first event under the ordinance is a proposed triathlon whose promoter and committee are “aware of all the issues” and already are working to meet the ordinance requirements. County staff said organizers have provided a certificate of insurance and the necessary hold-harmless forms for the race director and participants. “I think it’s actually long overdue just to have something like this,” a county staff member said during the public hearing.
The ordinance would consolidate permitting for events that previously used separate applications for park-only activities and for those that involve county roads or green space outside park boundaries. County staff said the consolidated application is intended to cover road closures and other county-property uses that the park application does not address.
The board closed the public hearing after no members of the public spoke and approved the ordinance on first reading by roll-call vote: Jeff — aye; Scott — aye; Danny — aye; Anker — aye. The ordinance must return for two more readings before final adoption.
Board members and staff discussed coordinating the county permit with existing local event tools and noted the county would require proof of insurance and executed hold-harmless agreements from organizers. The county has asked applicants to include details on planned road closures and staging so public works and law enforcement can plan traffic control and safety. The board did not take further amendments at the May 5 meeting.
