After months of research, writing and revision of the ordinance language the cemetery ordinance draft was approved by the Muscatine County Supervisors Monday, July 3.
Muscatine County Attorney Jim Barry told the supervisors he made additional changes to the ordinance draft.
The first change was the addition of another Pioneer Cemetery in the county, Barry said. The legal description of Pioneer Cemeteries was also included.
“I went in and added a section relative to the powers and duties of the Board of Supervisors in regards to this ordinance,” Barry added.
He also cited Iowa Code 359.27, which specifically details the duties and obligations the township trustees have regarding Pioneer Cemeteries that would transfer over the county. However, there are some exclusions in this draft, Barry said.
“It does not mention that we would replace or repair headstones,” he said. “It doesn’t mention we would put in roadways to private cemeteries across private property.”
There is also an enforcement language in the ordinance in case someone violates the ordinance, Barry said. This would allow the county to file a complaint against the person violating the ordinance.
Barry told the supervisors if they agreed with the draft, they could move forward with scheduling a public hearing for the Pioneer Cemetery ordinance.
Supervisor Jeff Sorensen told Barry he appreciated the work he put into the ordinance draft but wanted the word administrator changed to county administration.
“That almost feels like we’re designating an individual,” Sorensen said. “I would just want a clarification because we don’t envision designating an individual to have this responsibility but other than that I think you’ve done a nice job Jim.”
The ordinance draft also would state relatives would need to notify the landowners where the cemetery is located 10 days before they visit. If the landowner objects to the date, then another date would need to be chosen.
Sorensen made the motion to set a public hearing regarding the Pioneer Cemetery ordinance for 9 a.m., Monday, July 17.
Other items covered by the supervisors included:
• approving to change compensation for election workers from hourly to a full day stipend;
• approving the sheriff’s departments civil fees collected in the last quarter in the amount of $32,540.64;
• approving a five day Class C Retail alcohol and outdoor service permit for Bus Events known as Iowa Beer Bus for 1314 Highway 6 in West Liberty for RAGBRAI;
• approving for a grant to be submitted asking for funding from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant for efficient water heaters at the jail in the amount of $76,520;
• and set a public hearing for confinement feeding application operation permit from JDSD for 9 a.m., Monday, July 24.