MUSCATINE, Iowa — Muscatine County bicyclists and the Muscatine Trails Committee united in a standing-room only Board of Supervisors meeting Monday night.

Larry Koehrsen, bicyclist and Muscatine County resident, said he and bicycle supporters would like to designate 90 miles of county roads as bike routes.

“It would increase awareness and improve safety for bicyclists and motorists,” he said.

Koehrsen was joined by Melon City Bike Club president Chad Bishop and Mark Wyatt of Iowa City, the Iowa Bicycle Coalition executive director.

Koehrsen said clearly marked signs on designated county roads would also help add Muscatine County roads to the Iowa Department of Transportation bicycle route map, providing more of a draw to bicycle tourists.

The discussion was met with several questions by the Board, including liability and cost issues.

Koehrsen said there’s no proof of increased liability with signs.

“Washington County is in the process of putting bike signs on 125 miles of county roads,” Koehrsen said.

However, Muscatine County engineer Keith White said he spoke with the Washington County engineer and he was not aware of those signs.

Cedar Rapids has also supported bicycle safety with similar measures, and contacted legal council for recommendation, who gave it a green light, Koehrsen said.

White said if it is affordable, it should be considered.

The Muscatine Trails Committee and other supporters would fund the project and the estimated 250 signs needed, Koehrsen said. He has said the plan’s supporters will raise $10,000.

“Does this mean you’re restricting where bicyclists ride, or giving recommendation for certain roads?” Supervisor Dave Watkins asked.

Bishop and Koehrsen said the signs would just be a designation to increase awareness for motorists.

The Board agreed to discuss the subject further after they meet with a legal council and examine any potential additional road costs, such a widening lanes, sign upkeep, and other expenditures. 

“This would designate roads,” Wyatt said.

Watkins said “every county road is technically a bicycle route,” with or without signs.

“I would hope the bicycle groups would work with the Legislature on county liabilities,” Watkins said.

In other news— Lee Miller with  the Civil War Memorial Committee presented a $28,000 project for consideration by the Board.

The project would remove the four plaques and the sandstone soldier from the Civil War Memorial in the Muscatine County Courthouse lawn. The plaques would be updated and the sandstone soldier replaced with a granite one.

The pillar, another part of the monument, is estimated to last another 50 to 75 years, Miller said.

“We would like to dedicate a new memorial on July 4, 2010,” Miller said.

Miller said that during his research into the Civil War, he came across 60 Muscatine-area names not included on the plaques at the original dedication in 1875.

At the time of its dedication, then-Gov. Samuel Kirkwood said there were “more names to be added but it would be done at a later date.”

The sandstone soldier is expected to be preserved and kept for historic purposes. A granite one, two inches shorter, would take its place. The plaques would be almost identical to the current ones, but with the updated list of names.

“The community would get behind this and support it,” supervisor Tom Furlong said.

“We applaud you getting involved in this,” Supervisor and Chairman Wayne Shoultz said. “We will put this on the agenda.”

Miller said he expects to do formal fundraising and already has financial backing from the local American Legion and VFW.

— The Board unanimously approved $4,613 in change orders for the Muscatine County Department of Human Services office renovations.

Wiring errors, new ceiling tiles and plumbing were among the updated repairs needed in the change order. Administrative services director Eric Furnas said this change order is the last of the steps for the completion of the new office at 3210 Harmony Lane.