Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 - Reprinted SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4 BY KIBBIE (As Amended and Passed by the Senate March 8, 2011 ) A Concurrent Resolution directing the Office of 1 Citizens’ Aide/Ombudsman, under the supervision of 2 the Legislative Council, to assist the parties in a 3 dispute between the board of trustees of a drainage 4 district and residents of land in the district to 5 enter into mediation to resolve their dispute. 6 WHEREAS, on December 15, 2010, the Levee and 7 Drainage District Law Study Committee, as appointed by 8 the Legislative Council, met to consider a number of 9 issues affecting districts organized under chapter 468 10 of the Iowa Code; and 11 WHEREAS, the committee considered testimony and 12 evidence presented by persons involved in a dispute 13 concerning Muscatine-Louisa Drainage District 13; and 14 WHEREAS, the dispute involves the dredging of a 15 drainage ditch ordered by the Muscatine-Louisa Drainage 16 District 13 Board of Trustees and its decision to 17 dispose of the resulting spoil on the residential 18 property of district landowners who are not engaged in 19 farming; and 20 WHEREAS, the Levee and Drainage District Law 21 Study Committee recommended that the General Assembly 22 consider legislation authorizing the Office of 23 Citizens’ Aide/Ombudsman to offer assistance to the 24 parties in settling the dispute; NOW THEREFORE, 25 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF 26 -1- SCR 4 (6) 84 da/rj 1/ 2
S.C.R. 4 REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, That the Office of 1 Citizens’ Aide/Ombudsman, under the supervision of the 2 Legislative Council, assist the parties in entering 3 into mediation with an appropriate mediation service or 4 mediator to resolve their dispute and monitor whether 5 mediation has occurred or been terminated and whether a 6 settlement was reached; and 7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the parties to this 8 dispute are encouraged to cooperate with the Office of 9 Citizens’ Aide/Ombudsman and the mediation service or 10 mediator in order to find common ground and achieve a 11 lasting solution, that satisfies all parties; and 12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Office of Citizens’ 13 Aide/Ombudsman, to the extent allowed by law or by 14 agreement of the parties, provide a report to the 15 Legislative Council regarding the resolution of this 16 issue by December 1, 2011; and 17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this 18 resolution be sent by mail or electronic means to Ms. 19 Ruth H. Cooperrider, Citizens’ Aide/Ombudsman; to the 20 Board of Trustees of Muscatine-Louisa Drainage District 21 13; and to the following residents of Muscatine County: 22 Mr. Russell Alderin, Mr. Todd Reinsager, and Mr. Bill 23 Haag. 24 -2- SCR 4 (6) 84 da/rj 2/ 2