County approves Phase 2 repairs for Muscatine County Community Service Building

The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Aug. 24 to approve plan specifications, form of contract and a cost estimate for Phase 2 of repairs to the Muscatine County Community Service Building after a public hearing and presentation.

A presenter described the work as exterior masonry restoration above grade, saying the county will "repoint, tuck point all of the surfaces above, basically, the grade level" and perform masonry consolidation where block faces are spalling, followed by cleaning and a water‑repellent sealant treatment. The presenter said previous work addressed ramp accessibility and lower‑level access and that the building's windows were replaced about six to eight years ago.

Board members questioned whether the spalling was caused by water or lack of maintenance; the presenter attributed most spalling to normal age and a phenomenon called "rising damp" in which groundwater is pulled up into masonry and said there was no structural concern. He said the county will distribute bid documents through the Master Builders plan room, circulate them to local masons with whom it has worked, hold a pre‑bid walk‑through on Thursday and accept bids two weeks after that announcement.

The board closed the hearing by roll call and then approved the resolution (transcript reference 08242601) adopting the plan/specs and authorizing the cost estimate; the roll‑call result was 5‑0 in favor. The board did not receive public objections during the hearing and staff will proceed to issue bid documents and a pre‑bid meeting as described by the presenter.