Supervisors approve Arden Creek event schedule and multiple alcohol-license renewals

During its March 23 meeting the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors approved several alcohol-related items, including a proposed special-events schedule for Arden Creek Vineyard and Winery and multiple license renewals.

County development director Eric Furnace told the board the Arden Creek special-use permit requires the venue to notify the county and provide a list of entertainment events expected to draw 35 or more people where alcohol will be consumed on-site; he said Arden Creek has complied historically and the county has not had issues. Supervisors approved the proposed schedule by voice vote.

Separately the board approved a renewal application for Arden Creek’s special class C retail wine/outdoor service permit for the venue at 2399 Independence Avenue in Letts, Iowa. The board also approved an ownership amendment application for a Class E retail alcohol license for Casey’s General Stores at 1334 Highway 22 in Nichols, and renewal applications for a Class C retail alcohol license and outdoor service permit for West Liberty Golf & Country Club (1248 Country Heights Lane, West Liberty) and for Muscatine Pacific Golf Course (1820 Highway 38).

All items were moved, seconded and approved on the record; the transcript records voice votes and the chair’s announcements but does not include specific conditions attached to approvals beyond the Arden Creek notification requirement tied to its special use permit.

A light moment occurred after the votes when a supervisor quipped, "Sounds like everybody in the county can get drunk for another year," which the chair moved past and the meeting continued.

Next steps: License renewals and any related conditions are processed administratively; for specifics the county clerk or the sheriff/treasurer’s licensing office maintains official records of licenses and any attached conditions.