Supervisors approve pinwheels, signs for Child Abuse Prevention Month; note placement limits

The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors voted Feb. 9 to allow the Mississippi Valley Child Protective Center to place blue pinwheels and signs at county properties for April’s Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. The authorization covers the courthouse grounds, the county jail, the county attorney’s office and the Community Services Building, subject to placement limitations discussed by supervisors.

Board members and staff discussed where the decorations would be placed and logistics during the board’s regular meeting. Unidentified Speaker 4 said, “Same request that I asked every year,” and described placing items in the courthouse planters at the main entrance. Other supervisors and staff clarified that at the jail the items would go in grassy areas outside the front door, while planters are used on courthouse corners. The board also discussed that signs placed at the Community Services Building can be removed quickly and that ongoing construction there may limit safe placement in April. Unidentified Speaker 3 noted the county’s landscaping area near the Community Services Building should remain undisturbed and could be used.

Jenna Wagner was identified in the request as a family advocate and medical coordinator associated with the Mississippi Valley Child Protective Center. Board members asked county staff to coordinate with the center to find suitable planter or landscaping locations and to accommodate placement around active construction.

A motion to approve the request was moved by Nathan and seconded by Jeff; the board voted in favor and the motion carried. No votes against or abstentions were recorded in the transcript.

The approval is limited to placement locations agreed with county staff to avoid interfering with construction or creating safety or maintenance issues. The board did not adopt a formal policy or long-term permit; staff will work with the requestor on exact placement and upkeep.