County sets May 25 public hearing for proposed special-events ordinance

The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors on April 21 voted to set a public hearing for 9 a.m. Monday, May 25 on a proposed special-events ordinance that would create an application-and-review process for events on county property and on county-operated roadways.

County Attorney Jim Berry said he drafted the ordinance after concerns about large events using county roads and property. The draft requires applicants to file an application for county review by Secondary Roads, the sheriff's office, the development coordinator and 911 as needed, and it requires applicants to provide a certificate of insurance naming the county as an additional insured and an indemnity agreement. "It would be reviewed by the sheriff's office and the development coordinator... and 911... so just to make sure that we have a complete... overview of the application," Berry said.

Berry said the draft does not obligate county departments to provide signage or personnel; those obligations would remain the applicant's responsibility unless the county agrees otherwise. The board moved and seconded the motion to set the hearing and approved it by voice vote.

Berry and supervisors indicated the permit form (attached to the draft ordinance) would require department sign-offs during administrative review and that the county could deny applications if criteria are not met. The triathlon discussed earlier in the meeting was a motivating example for the ordinance.

Public comment on the ordinance will be taken at the scheduled hearing on May 25.