MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
MARCH 8, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SnowDrifters Snowmobile Club Representative Melvin Reinhart, Iowa State Snowmobile Association Regional Director Bob Scott, and DNR Snowmobile and ATV Enforcement Representative Dave Downing: Snowmobile Trail Markings in Johnson County Including Along Half Moon Avenue SW from 360th Street to IWV Road. 1
Discussion: Appointment to the Johnson County Historic Preservation Commission for an Unexpired Term Ending December 31, 2009........................................................................................................... 3
North Liberty City Administrator Brian James and North Liberty Assistant City Administrator Tracey Mulcahey: Representatives from North Liberty Explaining Their Recent Annexation Requests for the Alberhasky Parcel and the Wagner Parcel................................................................................................................. 3
Reports and Inquiries from the Board of Supervisors................................................................. 4
Chairperson Harney called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 6:05 p.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Larry Meyers, Terrence Neuzil, Sally Stutsman, and Rod Sullivan.
Harney said that the Board's first item of business is regarding snowmobile trail markings in Johnson County including Half Moon Avenue SW from 360th Street to IWV Road. R. Sullivan said that they had one specific instance that came to their attention, but they would also like to talk generally about how snowmobile trails are designated. Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club Representative Melvin Reinhart said that on Half Moon Avenue, most of the trail that goes south of Tiffin to Cosgrove is cross country. They don't follow the road right-of-way on much of that trail. This year the piece between 360th and IWV was lost. During the Fall the Club was working to try to find another landowner who would let them access it but they weren't successful. They have a private land trail south of Interstate 80 along Half Moon Avenue until it gets to 360th and then they pick up another private land trail at IWV Road. Reinhart said that the snowmobile club decides how the snowmobiles will travel from one private trail to another. He said that they had the option of going two miles to the west and then backtracking another two miles or going 150 yards to the east in the right-of-way and then back down Half Moon Avenue. He said that the latter is the way they decided to mark the trail, in the right-of-way. Reinhart explained that as long as they are marking trails in the right-of-way, it isn't something that has to be approved by the Board. He said that they aren't asking for any roadway to be used.
Harney asked if in this area they are using the ditches and following the State guidelines. Stutsman asked what gives snowmobile clubs the authority to determine where snowmobile trails go. DNR Snowmobile and ATV Enforcement Representative Dave Downing said that there are a number of code sections regarding County jurisdictions. Counties can designate routes on the road surface or in the ditches for the operation of snowmobiles. Iowa Code Section 321.G sets up designated routes for the County. Iowa has about 6,000 miles of groomed designated snowmobile trails. Downing said that there are advantages to having designated routes. Usually the designated routes are established with the County Engineer using a roadside management plan to determine where the best routes are. These routes might be in a ditch area, a road surface, or shoulder. These routes cross public and private ground. The advantage to having a designated route is that it is insured by the snowmobile program, signs are paid for through the snowmobile program, and the County Engineer has input on where the snowmobiles are being operated. Downing said that designated routes also help with landowner relations. He said that they are an advantage from a recreational standpoint because they are safer.
Neuzil said that at times it is alright to use the roadway. He said that one constituent had some issues with that occurring and the Board wanted to be able to make it clear that snowmobiles are allowed. Downing agreed. He said that he looked at photos of the area where the constituent complained and since the ditch is obstructed, the snowmobiles are allowed on the shoulder. R. Sullivan said that in a lot of cases a ditch isn't navigable. He said that in that case one can assume that snowmobiles will be allowed on the roadway every winter. Downing agreed. He said that the DNR can post an area for no use for snowmobiles if someone is abusing the rules. Harney said that part of the problem was that the constituent felt that snowmobiles were coming onto his property. Downing said that they do often get calls but a lot of times they are from people who don't want any type of recreation near their residence. He said that this can create conflicts once in awhile. Downing noted that in this particular case the trail will be moved next year so it won't be an issue with this particular individual.
R. Sullivan asked about the roadway rules for snowmobiles. Reinhart replied that they are subject to the same rules of the road as any vehicle. He said that their primary focus as a club is finding trails on private land with agreeable landowners. R. Sullivan asked about the club insuring while on public land. Reinhart said that Iowa Code Section 461C relieves landowners of responsibility and requires the club to carry a $1 million liability insurance policy.
R. Sullivan asked about snowmobile route maps. Reinhart said that the club updates the maps every two years and a current map is available on their website. The marked trails are followed but the map is useful as a reference. Harney asked how the DNR makes sure that the County approves or designates particular snowmobile routes or maps. Downing said that in this case he wasn't aware that there wasn't a roadside management agreement. He said that the program has been around since 1973. He said that he works with County Engineers on these issues when they arise. Downing said that they are trying to get all the Counties to work together so that the snowmobile rules are the same in every county.
The Board agreed to appoint Mary Ann Madden to the Johnson County Historic Preservation for a term ending December 31, 2009 at a future formal meeting.
North Liberty City Administrator Brian James noted that they are before the Board to have a consultation regarding the Alberhasky and Wagner annexation. He presented a map to the Board of the proposed parcels. North Liberty Assistant City Administrator Tracey Mulcahey explained that the Alberhasky Parcel is completely surrounded by the City except it is connected by the Crandic railroad 50 right-of-way to County property. Mulcahey said that this annexation is cleaning up an island issue that has been there for a long time. R. Sullivan asked if there are different plans for the property. Mulcahey said that the north part of the parcel will be residential. The City is purchasing the southern portion of the parcel for public works facilities. R. Sullivan said that cleaning up this issue is great. Stutsman said pieces of property like this need to be brought to the Board’s attention and annexed. Harney said the Board will send a letter within 10 days regarding the annexation request.
James explained that the Wagner parcel has been divided into two parcels. The northern parcel is annexed and zoned. The southern piece did not want to come into the city. The landowner has now agreed to be annexed into the City. James explained that in order to have this annexation completed they have to bring in another five acre parcel because it would create an island if they didn't. James explained that they don't own the right-of-way on Highway 965 so they are adding to the application that portion of the right-of-way and that portion of the railroad. They are currently in discussions with the owner of the 5 acre parcel so that they can move forward. Stutsman if the City will do an 80/20 if the parcel owner does not consent. James said that they will see if they can do an involuntary annexation but he isn't positive that they can. He said the City would present a full application and if needed a resolution with a description of the parcel and proposed use once it is annexed. R. Sullivan asked that North Liberty contact the County Engineer regarding maintenance of the road for the Wagner annexation.
Neuzil attended the NACo Legislative Conference in Washington D.C., and the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Local Government Affairs Committee meeting.
Stutsman attended a Decategorization Board meeting, the League of Women Voters meeting, a meeting with Iowa City regarding the animal control contract, the NAMI kick-off for the annual fundraising walk, and a liaison meeting with Human Resources Administrator Lora Shramek.
R. Sullivan attended liaison meetings with Shramek and Planning and Zoning Administrator Rick Dvorak, the department head evaluations work session, planning and zoning site visits, a meeting with North Liberty on proposed annexations, the Chip Seal Committee meeting, the City Assessor’s Conference Board meeting, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee joint meeting, a meeting with Chatham Oaks regarding large capital expenses not covered in the lease, the UAY teen parent meeting, and the NAMI kick-off fundraiser.
Meyers attended a site visit to Public Health, a meeting with North Liberty on proposed annexations, the AARP meeting, the City Assessor’s Conference Board meeting, Decategorization site visits, Planning and Zoning site visits, and talked to residents from the north corridor regarding zoning issues.
Harney attended a 6th Judicial District fundraiser for Youth Leadership programs in Linn and Johnson County, a Public Leadership Subcommittee meeting, a Joint Communications Center meeting, a Justice Center Site Subcommittee meeting, a meeting with Iowa City regarding the animal control contract, the Coralville Chamber of Commerce round table meeting, the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce round table meeting, the Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC), the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee joint meeting, and a liaison meeting with Dvorak.
Adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor
By Casie Kadlec, Recording Secretary