Tag: City

Volunteer today and help determine Muscatine’s future

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date April 19, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine wants you to join our team and help determine the future of Muscatine, aesthetically and economically.

That’s right … you, the citizens of Muscatine can be a part of the decision-making process, help guide Muscatine to a brighter future, and keep Muscatine on the path to being the place to live, work, and raise a family.

The City of Muscatine is seeking residents who would be interested in becoming part of the decision-making process for Muscatine’s future, those that are willing to volunteer their time and wisdom by serving on one of the various boards and commissions authorized by the City of Muscatine.

The Art Center Board of Directors and the Library Board of Directors each have two positions open starting July 1, 2023, while the Planning and Zoning Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, and the Public Art Advisory Commission each have one position to be filled.

The Art Center Board of Trustees meets at 5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at the Muscatine Art Center. The Board of Trustees exercises change, control, and supervision over the museum and the art center. Members are appointed to three-year terms with a maximum of two full terms.

The Library Board of Trustees meets at 4:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month in the Musser Public Library & HNI Community Center. The Board is responsible for overseeing management of the library by the Library Director, employing and removing the Library Director as necessary, approving the expenditure of money allocated by the City Council to the library, and approving the library budget for submission to the Council. Members serve six-year terms with a maximum of two full terms with one member a resident of Muscatine County appointed from a list of names submitted by the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors.

The Planning & Zoning Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. Responsibilities include reviewing proposed subdivisions, rezoning requests, and sales of public property, making recommendations concerning growth management of the city, and formulating a five-year capital improvement plan for the city. Members are appointed to five-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive full terms, must be citizens of Muscatine, qualified in knowledge or experience to advise City Council in matters pertaining to the development of the city, and must not be elected officers of city government.

The Recreation Advisory Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month in the lower level conference room at City Hall. The commission is responsible for conferring with an assisting the City Administrator in the preparation of the Parks and Recreation budget, recommending procedures and policies in connection with the administrator of city parks, the cemetery, golf course, and harbor operations, investigating means by which parks and recreation can be improved, and making recommendations for the long-range needs of the recreation programs for the city. Members serve three-year terms with a maximum of two full terms.

The Public Art Advisory Commission was established to promote and encourage programs to further public awareness of, accessibility to, participating in, and support for the artistic and cultural development of the City of Muscatine. The commission meets at least four times per year. Five members comprise the commission with one member representing or having an interest in public art from Muscatine County and the remaining four members being residents of the City of Muscatine. The members serve a three-year term and members can serve two consecutive terms. Currently one position needs to be filled.

Anyone interested in joining one of these boards is asked to fill out an application and submit the form by Friday, May 19. Applications can be either emailed to the administrative secretary or mailed to Boards & Commissions, c/o Administrative Secretary, Muscatine City Hall, 215 Sycamore, Muscatine, IA 52761.

Many areas to help the community

The City of Muscatine has 12 different boards and commissions that support and advise different departments and different aspects of life within Muscatine, and applications are currently being accepted. See BOARDS for list of the boards and commissions authorized by the City of Muscatine and the application in a PDF format.

Muscatine is a great place to live and work, and nothing demonstrates that fact more than how residents come together to serve for the betterment of the community as a whole. Whether that service comes by serving on the committee, volunteering for a project, offering to help on an organizational level, or in just helping out a neighbor, Muscatine residents are working together to make a great community even better.

The City of Muscatine is very thankful and grateful for the many residents who have volunteered their time and service to be a member on one of the many boards and commissions that assist in developing and monitoring City programs, policies and services.

How can I apply to volunteer my time?

Those interested in becoming a member of a board or commission can complete an application and either email the form to the administrative secretary or mail the form to Boards & Commissions, c/o Administrative Secretary, Muscatine City Hall, 215 Sycamore, Muscatine, IA 52761. The City keeps applications on file in case vacancies occur. If you are interested and available in volunteering your time, please submit your application for a future term of office.

All applications are reviewed by the Nominating Committee to ensure applicants meet the qualifications to serve on a specific board or commission, to ensure there are no potential conflicts of interests, and to ensure that each board or commission has a gender balance as prescribed by Iowa Code. Those that meet the requirements are submitted to the full Council for approval. The nominating committee includes the Mayor, two Council representatives, and the City Administrator or a representative from city staff. Details on the Nominating Committee are available by clicking HERE.

The City of Muscatine welcomes all residents to submit their names and resumes for a specific board or commission or a general submission for any board or commission. Most boards or commissions require some knowledge of the subject matter and the responsibilities for the specific board of commission

Tags City, determine, future, help, Iowa –, join, Muscatine, Team, wants

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Busy night for Muscatine City Council Thursday

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date April 19, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – It will be a busy night for the Muscatine City Council Thursday (April 20) with four public hearings, two special presentations, and a long list of action items for the Council to consider.

The City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall. The public is welcome, and encouraged, to attend the meeting in person. A virtual option is available for citizens who do not want to attend in-person. Information on joining the virtual session through the GoToMeeting portal is listed below.

The City Council session will also be broadcast live on the City of Muscatine YouTube channel and on Civic-TV (Muscatine Power & Water Cable Channel 2).

Muscatine Mayor Brad Bark will begin the meeting with a proclamation declaring May 7-13, 2023, as Drinking Water Week. Bark will also introduce and recognize the Manta Rays Swim Team for their accomplishments.

The City Council will conduct four public hearings starting with a hearing on a request to approve the Consolidated Funding Application for Federal Fiscal Year 2024 and the Public Transit Infrastructure Grant (PTIG) Application. The City of Muscatine Transit Division (MuscaBus) annually applies for State and Federal Transit funds through the Consolidated Funding Application. The funds are applied to transit operating and capital expenses. The PTIG application will apply to the automatic drive-through wash bay expenses.

A public hearing on Amendment #1 to the FY 2022-2023 city budget will follow along with a public hearing on the FY 2023-2024 city budget. The final public hearing is on declaring Tom Bruner Field as surplus and authorizing the sale of the property to the Muscatine School District.

During the budget review process for the FY 2023-2024 city budget, revised revenue and expenditure amounts for the FY 2022-2023 city budget were reviewed. These revised estimates become Amendment #1 to the current city budget, and require a public hearing and resolution to adopt the revised estimates.

The public hearing, and subsequent resolution to adopt, on the FY 2023-2024 city budget is the culmination over almost six months of work by city staff and City Council to develop and review the proposed budget. The proposed budget for 2023/2024 totals $67,398,621. This includes $37,719,031 in governmental funds expenditures and $29,679,590 in business-type/enterprise funds expenditures. Of the total proposed budget, $12,789,900 is for capital projects in both governmental and business-type funds.

Among the action items to be considered Thursday is awarding Phase 1 of the Fulliam Avenue Reconstruction Project to Heuer Construction.

Information on the other agenda items can be found by clicking AGENDA to download a PDF version of the City Council agenda and/or attachments.

On-Line Participation

To view or participate virtually, click on the link below or call in to the GoToMeeting. Be sure to mute your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone (press *6 when using phone or mute button on computer). At the appropriate time, you will be able to unmute your device to ask a question or make a comment. The public can also use the “chat” feature on GoToMeeting to pose a question to the Mayor, Council, or staff member. Those wishing to speak should use the chat box to post a message that will be seen by the Mayor who will address the questions or call on the speaker in turn. Those using their phones must wait until the Mayor asks for additional comments. The mayor will recognize you prior to you addressing the Council.

Muscatine City Council Meeting | Thursday, April 20, 2023 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CDT)

Join the meeting from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone by clicking the following link: https://www.gotomeet.me/CityofMuscatine/city-council-meeting

You can also use your phone by dialing +1 (669) 224-3412, follow the prompts, and type in Access Code 970-499-597 when prompted.

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/970499597

Tags April, busy, City, Council, Iowa –, Muscatine, Night, Thursday, will

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Surplus golf simulator is put on the auction block

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date April 13, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine Department of Public Works (DPW) will conduct an on-line public surplus auction April 21, 2023, through May 5, 2023. The only item for bid is a used golf simulator at the Muscatine Municipal Golf Course that was recently declared surplus.

All items are available to bid on through the auction web site www.publicsurplus.com starting April 21, 2023, and running through 3 p.m. on May 5, 2023. Potential bidders can go to that website, search for Iowa, and then City of Muscatine for the auction items. You must register to view items and to bid on items.

Tags City, conduct, Department, Iowa –, Muscatine, online, public, will, Works

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Five presentations are on Council’s in-depth agenda

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date April 12, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – City of Muscatine staff will be making five presentations to the Muscatine City Council Thursday during the in-depth council session. City Council meets at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall.

The public is welcomed, and encouraged, to attend the meeting in person. A virtual option is available for citizens who do not want to attend in-person. Information on joining the virtual session through the GoToMeeting portal is listed below.

The City Council session will also be broadcast live on the City of Muscatine YouTube channel and on Civic-TV (Muscatine Power & Water Cable Channel 2).

The Council will hear from the Parks and Recreation director Rich Klimes and Program Supervisor Kelsie Stafford on the Special Events Process. City staff assist with the coordination of 150-200 special events on public property annually. The public property venues available for hosting events include but are not limited to park shelters and open green spaces, Riverview Center, Pearl City Station, Kent Stein Park, Riverfront, general parks, Muscatine Soccer Complex, Muscatine Municipal Golf Course, Muscatine Aquatic Center, public streets, and the Downtown area.

Water and Resource Recovery Facility Director Jon Koch will be joined by Jay Brady from Stanley Consultants on presenting the Capital Improvement Plan for the Water and Resource Recovery Facility, city owned lift stations, and the gatewells operated among multiple levees in the city. The general condition of the existing facilities was established and a prioritized capital improvement plan developed to guide investments in these assets.

Koch will then introduce Bob Veenstra of Veenstra and Kim who will present the findings of the latest Sewer Rate Study that, if approved by Council, would be used to adjust the Sewer User Rates along with the Collection and Drainage Rates. The current sewer rate structure is expiring on June 30. The last study was conducted in 2018 and set the rates for the next five years. The latest study was initiated in September 2022 and concluded that a continuation of the three percent annual increase to the rates will satisfy inflation-driven cost increases as well as new capital needs at the Water and Resource Recovery Facility and lift stations.

Assistant Community Development Director Andrew Fangman will discuss the impact of changes in state law that directly affect City Code on Home Occupations. Fangman will also address potential updates to the nuisance appeal process.

Information on the other agenda items can be found by clicking AGENDA to download a PDF version of the City Council agenda and/or attachments.

On-Line Participation

Muscatine City Council Meeting | Thursday, April 13, 2023 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CDT)

Join the meeting from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone by clicking the following link: https://www.gotomeet.me/CityofMuscatine/city-council-meeting

You can also use your phone by dialing +1 (669) 224-3412, follow the prompts, and type in Access Code 970-499-597 when prompted.

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/970499597

Tags City, Five, Iowa –, making, Muscatine, Presentations, staff, will

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Two public hearings set for April 6 Council meeting

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date April 5, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine City Council will conduct two public hearings Thursday, the first on the next two phases of the West Hill Sanitary and Storm Sewer Separation Project, and the second on setting the maximum tax dollars for certain tax levies for the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget.

The City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday (April 6) in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall. The public is welcomed, and encouraged, to attend the meeting in person. A virtual option is available for citizens who do not want to attend in-person. Information on joining the virtual session through the GoToMeeting portal is listed below.

The City Council session will also be broadcast live on the City of Muscatine YouTube channel and on Civic-TV (Muscatine Power & Water Cable Channel 2).

Two proclamations will be made by Muscatine Mayor Brad Bark including declaring April 6, 2023, as Junior Achievement Day, and the week of April 9-15, 2023, as Telecommunicators Week.

Phase 6 of the West Hill Sewer Separation Project will include sanitary and storm sewer installation with separation of sanitary sewer from the Papoose Creek tunnel. Work will be on Sycamore Street from 8th Street to Fulliam Avenue, Iowa Avenue from 10th Street to Fulliam Avenue, and Fulliam Avenue from Iowa Avenue to Sycamore Street. New water mains will also be a part of the project with repaving of the streets to follow the completion of the underground work.

A resolution approving the plans and specifications for Phase 6A and Phase 6B will be voted on later in Thursday’s meeting. If approved, the bid documents will be released on April 7 with bids opened on May 9 and the project awarded on June 1. A construction schedule will be determined during a pre-construction meeting with the contractor later in June.

All cities in Iowa are required by the State of Iowa to pass a resolution establishing their maximum property tax dollars for certain levies prior to adoption and certification of the final budget. The second public hearing Thursday is on the proposed maximum tax levy for 2023/2024. This maximum levy only includes the General, Transit, Tort Liability/Insurance, Emergency, and employee benefits levies. The tax dollars from those levies are $13,934,443 in the FY 23-24 budget compared to $12,992,776 in the FY 22-23 budget.

While the total property tax rate has been reduced 1.87 percent (to $15,67219 per $1,000 of valuation), an 8.36 percent increase in taxable valuations will result in a 6.65 percent increase ($1,009, 751) in property tax dollars. The maximum tax dollars for the tax levies considered in the public hearing will be a 7.65 percent increase ($941,667) over the FY 22-23 budget.

A resolution approving the maximum tax dollars for certain tax levies for the FY 23-24 budget will be voted on later in Thursday’s meeting.

Also on the agenda are resolutions setting public hearings on April 20 for the FY 23-24 budget, Amendment #1 to the FY 22-23 budget, and on declaring Tom Bruner Field as surplus and authorizing the sale to the Muscatine Community School District.

The Council will also be asked to accept a $1.738 million grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) for the Mulberry Neighborhood Project. This pilot project was developed to focus on revitalizing an area that is near downtown, has a high visibility impact, and can be replicated by other communities.

The Muscatine Neighborhood Project will be completed over a three-to-five-year period with a $22 million budget. Items to be funded include living street improvements, street lighting, sidewalks, bikeway trail, trees, pocket park, expanding internet access, commercial façade improvements, exterior housing repairs, acquisition and clearance of nuisance properties, and Community Development Block Grant administration.

Another project that is awaiting City Council approval on Thursday is the installation of a sidewalk connector from Sunset Housing to the back side of the Muscatine Soccer Complex, across the Muscatine Slough, and connecting with the Kent Stein Trail Kent Stein Park.

The Kent Stein trail connector is part of the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine South End Improvement Fund Projects. If approved, The Henley Group will complete the installation of an asphalt trail connector from Kent Stein Park to the Muscatine Soccer Complex, and CR Landscape will complete the sidewalk connector from Sunset Housing to the Kent Stein Connector.

Information on the other agenda items can be found by clicking AGENDA to download a PDF version of the City Council agenda and/or attachments.

On-Line Participation

Muscatine City Council Meeting | Thursday, April 6, 2023 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CDT)

Join the meeting from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone by clicking the following link: https://www.gotomeet.me/CityofMuscatine/city-council-meeting

You can also use your phone by dialing +1 (669) 224-3412, follow the prompts, and type in Access Code 970-499-597 when prompted.

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/970499597

Tags City, conduct, Council, hearings, Iowa –, Muscatine, public, Thursday, will

City of Muscatine Press Releases

City offices closing early due to forecasted severe weather

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date March 31, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – City of Muscatine offices will be closing at 1 p.m. today (March 31) due to the forecasted severe weather. The closures include Musser Public Library & HNI Community Center and the Muscatine Art Center.

A tornado watch is in effect for the Muscatine area until 8 p.m. tonight.

Two rounds of storms are forecasted to move through the Muscatine area and will be accompanied by sustained strong winds. Residents are advised to be ready to evacuate to safe places in their homes or in the workplace should severe weather occur. If you do not have to be out this afternoon and evening, please stay home and stay safe.

The National Weather Service recommends residents remain vigilant and aware of any active watches. A warning may be issued at a moment’s notice. Remind family of a communication plan your family has prepared in the case of an emergency, know how to evacuate and/or get to safety from wherever you are, and remember that if a warning is issued you may have only seconds to take action.

Tags City, closing, forecasted, Iowa –, March, Muscatine, offices, today, will

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Street trees create urban forest, help beautify Muscatine

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date March 29, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – For more than 30 years, the City of Muscatine has received the Tree City USA designation for its efforts in the area of sound urban forestry management. The Parks and Recreation Department works diligently to manage street trees in public rights-of-way, care for trees in city parks, and to diversify the urban canopy.

Citizens of Muscatine have the opportunity to assist with these efforts by complying with the ordinances found in the Weeds and Vegetation Management chapter of the City Code of Muscatine (Title 16, Chapter 8).

Street trees consist of trees located within the public right-of-way. The maintenance of these trees is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner including trimming at heights of ten feet (10’) above sidewalks and fourteen feet (14’) above streets. A nuisance may be issued for trees that are not in compliance.

If a citizen wishes to plant a new tree or remove an existing street tree, a permit must be obtained from the Parks and Recreation Department office. While street tree permits are free to obtain, costs associated with planting new street trees or the removal of healthy street trees are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.

New street trees must be a species found on the Right-of-Way Tree Planting List.

Any street tree that is diseased, dead, or otherwise poses an immediate threat to the public health and welfare shall be the responsibility of the City. If a citizen would like to request the Parks and Recreation Department to evaluate a street tree adjacent to their property, a Street Tree Request Form may be submitted on the City website.

For more information, please contact the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241.

Tags City, Iowa –, more, Muscatine, received, than, tree, years

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Report of city department February 2023 activity released

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date March 21, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City Administrator Report to the Muscatine City Council and to the citizens of Muscatine is now available online by clicking MONTHLY REPORT.

The report highlights the many accomplishments of each City of Muscatine department during the month of February 2023, along with providing valuable metrics on the services provided by each department.

The City Administrator’s Monthly Report is intended to provide a brief summary of City activities, with links to additional information where possible. Due to the variety and complexity of City functions, however, the report is not all-encompassing.

Please always feel free to contact the City of Muscatine for more information on projects or services, or with questions or concerns regarding a project or service. Feedback may be provided by sending an email to feedback@muscatineiowa.gov.

You can click on the green Muscatine Connect button in the upper left of the City of Muscatine website home page to view categories that you can open to send a comment, ask a question, or report a problem to City staff.

Click on Request Form to go directly to the request page.

To download the Muscatine Connect app visit the iPhone App Store or Google Play. Once installed you will be able to send information and pictures directly from your smart device to a specific department. It is our policy to respond within 24 hours during the work week and to resolve any issues within five business days, if possible

Tags Administrator, Citizens, City, Council, Iowa –, Muscatine, Report

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Two public hearings on March 16 Council agenda

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date March 15, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine City Council will hold two public hearings, set four more, and be asked to approve donating a surplus fire engine to Ukraine during their March 16 regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall.

The Council will conduct a public hearing on declaring city owned property at the intersection of Houser and Hershey as surplus and then authorizing the sale of the property through a sealed bid process. A resolution on the matter will be voted on later in the meeting.

The second public hearing is on the plans and specifications for Phase 1 of the Fulliam Avenue Reconstruction Project. The project divides the reconstruction into three phases with each phase accomplished in the two months between the end of the school year and the beginning of the next. A resolution on the matter will be voted on later in the meeting.

Four public hearings will be scheduled by resolutions including the rescheduling of a public hearing on the plans and specifications for West Hill Sewer Separation Phase 6. That public hearing was scheduled for Thursday but delayed as the final plans were not completed in time. That public hearing will now be held on April 6.

Two other public hearings will be scheduled for April 6 pending resolution approval by Council on Thursday including one of the maximum tax levy for the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget. All cities in Iowa are required by the State to pass a resolution establishing their maximum property tax dollars for certain levies prior to adoption and certification of the final budget. Per State requirements, the Notice of Public Hearing for the 1st public hearing on the budget only includes the General, Transit, Tort Liability/Insurance, Emergency, and Employee Benefits levies.

The other on the 2024 Consolidated Funding Application and Public Transit Infrastructure Grant Application. MuscaBus applies annually to the Iowa Department of Transportation for Federal (FTA) and State (STA) funding to financially support our transit system. This funding is to help with operating expenses and capital expenses for new bus purchases. The Public Transit Infrastructure Grant (PTIG) is facilitated by Iowa’s State Transit Assistance (STA).

A public hearing will also be set for May 4 on the 2024 Annual Plan and Amendments to the Public Housing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan. Under federal regulations each public housing authority must submit an annual plan not less than 75 days prior to the start of the agency’s fiscal year. The MMHA must submit the annual plan, including a budget, annual goals, and proposed policy changes, no later than May 15.

The City Council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. or shortly thereafter depending on the length of the budget meeting. The public is welcomed to attend the both meetings in person but public comments on the proposed budget will not be heard until the April 6 public hearing.

Citizens who do not want to attend the in-depth meeting in person can watch and/or participate through the GoToMeeting virtual meeting portal. Information on joining the virtual session and how to make a comment during the meeting is listed below.

The session will also be broadcast live on the City of Muscatine YouTube channel and on Civic- TV (Muscatine Power & Water Cable Channel 2).

Information on the other agenda items can be found by clicking AGENDA to download a PDF version of the City Council agenda and/or attachments.

On-Line Participation

To view or participate virtually, click on the link below or call in to the GoToMeeting. Be sure to mute your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone (press *6 when using phone or mute button on computer). At the appropriate time, you will be able to unmute your device to ask a question or make a comment. The public can also use the “chat” feature on GoToMeeting to pose a question to the Mayor, Council, or staff member. Those wishing to speak should use the chat box to post a message that will be seen by the Mayor who will address the questions or call on the speaker in turn. Those using their phones must wait until the Mayor asks for additional comments. The mayor will recognize you prior to you addressing the Council.

Muscatine City Council Meeting | Thursday, March 16, 2023 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CDT)

Join the meeting from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone by clicking the following link: https://www.gotomeet.me/CityofMuscatine/city-council-meeting

You can also use your phone by dialing +1 (669) 224-3412, follow the prompts, and type in Access Code 970-499-597 when prompted.

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/970499597

Tags City, Council, Four, hearings, hold, Iowa –, Muscatine, public, will

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Residents sought to help develop, improve Muscatine

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date March 8, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine is seeking residents who would be interested in becoming part of the decision-making process for Muscatine’s future by volunteering to serve on one of the boards and commissions authorized by the City of Muscatine.

Many areas to help the community

How can I apply to volunteer my time?

Tags becoming, City, interested, Iowa –, Muscatine, part, residents, seeking, would

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Final discussion of FY23-24 budget set for Thursday

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date March 8, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine City Council will conduct two sessions on Thursday (March 9) beginning with a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. concerning the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget. The second meeting is the regular March In-Depth meeting that will begin at approximately 6 p.m. Both meetings will be held in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall.

Budget discussions were delayed while the Iowa state legislature worked to correct their original calculation of the “rollback” rate that is used to adjust actual valuations to table valuations, and limiting the annual growth of property assessment. Residential property was used along with multi-residential property to calculate the rollback and that would have increased the amount of property taxes residential property owners would pay. The adjustment removed multi-residential from the calculations, which lowered the rollback rate from 56.49 to 54.65 percent.

The changes lowered the amount of property tax that school districts along with city and county governments would receive for FY 23-24, and thus created budget headaches for those charged with creating budgets for each entity.

Once the revised estimate of property taxes was calculated by county auditors, each entity had to review their budgets and see what, if any, cuts would have to be made. Fortunately, the City of Muscatine anticipates asking the Council for a 1.87 percent reduction in the City’s property tax rate. The City rate was 15.97054 (per $1,000 valuation) for FY 22-23 but is proposed to be 15.67169 for FY23-24. That rate is nearly the same as the 15.67209 rate the City had for 10 straight years through the FY 21-22 budget.

City Administrator Carol Webb and Finance Director Nancy Lueck will provide updated general information schedules to City Council members Thursday along with conducting discussions on budgets not yet reviewed by City Council including Debt Service and a number of Special Revenue Funds.

The meeting will wrap up with the presentation of an updated General Fund Budget Fund statement and discussions on budget issues identified prior to Thursday’s meeting.

Once the discussions are wrapped up, the City Council will be asked on March 16 to set a public hearing for April 6 on the proposed property tax levy. Once that hearing is held and a resolution approving the maximum property tax is adopted on April 6, the Council will then set a public hearing for April 20 on the proposed budget. The Council will also be asked on April 6 to set an April 20 public hearing on Amendment #1 to the FY22/23 budget.

The FY23-24 budget needs to be filed with the County auditor by April 30.

The City Council in-depth meeting will begin at 6 p.m. or shortly thereafter depending on the length of the budget meeting. The public is welcomed to attend the both meetings in person but public comments on the proposed budget will not be heard until the April 6 public hearing.

The session will also be broadcast live on the City of Muscatine YouTube channel and on Civic-TV (Muscatine Power & Water Cable Channel 2).

The budget discussion will not be televised or held virtually.

On the in-depth agenda:

A presentation by Assistant Fire Chief Mike Hartman on proposed International Fire Code updates that will are a part of the City Code of Muscatine;
A presentation by Captain of Patrol Jeff Jirak on the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program; and,
A presentation by Director of the Water Resource & Recovery Facility Jon Koch on participation by the City of Muscatine in the Choose Green Business program.

Information on the other agenda items can be found by clicking AGENDA to download a PDF version of the City Council agenda and/or attachments.

On-Line Participation

Muscatine City Council Meeting | Thursday, March 9, 2023 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CDT)

Join the meeting from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone by clicking the following link: https://www.gotomeet.me/CityofMuscatine/city-council-meeting

You can also use your phone by dialing +1 (669) 224-3412, follow the prompts, and type in Access Code 970-499-597 when prompted.

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/970499597

Tags City, conduct, Council, Iowa –, March, Muscatine, sessions, Thursday, will

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Five police officers promoted during Friday ceremony

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date March 3, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Family, friends, and coworkers gathered in the City Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall Friday morning as five members of the Muscatine Police Department (MPD) were promoted by Police Chief Anthony (Tony) Kies. Receiving promotions were Jeff Jirak to Captain, John Hesseling to Lieutenant, Jeff DeVrieze to Sergeant, Mitch Griffin to Corporal, and Britt Jameson to Detective.

Chief Kies welcomed everyone to the first promotion ceremony under his watch and then recited the oath of office to each officer. A pinning ceremony followed with their respective new badges pinned onto their uniform by their spouse. A reception followed in the Council Chambers for those in attendance.

Pictured following the promotion ceremony Friday in the Council Chambers are Muscatine City Hall are, left to right: Captain Jeff Jirak, Police Chief Anthony (Tony) Kies, Sergeant Jeff DeVrieze, Detective Britt Jameson, Corporal Mitch Griffin, Lieutenant John Hesseling, and Assistant Police Chief Steve Snyder.

Tags Chambers, City, Council, coworkers, family, Friends, gathered, Iowa –, Muscatine

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Chief Talkington steps away with plenty of memories

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date February 28, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Brett Talkington spent his final day as Chief of Police for the City of Muscatine just as he has done almost every day during his nearly 35-year career in law enforcement … meeting with members of the public. Talkington officially retires from public service today (February 28).

Talkington joined the Muscatine Police Department in 1988, was promoted to Corporal in 1996 and Lieutenant in 1998. He was promoted to Captain of Patrol in 2010 and became the Chief of Police on February 3, 2011.

“I started thinking about being a police officer in high school but really started wanting to do it early in my career in college,” Talkington said.

It was during those college years that he played fast pitch softball during the summer with a couple of police officers from Ames.

“I did a couple of ride-alongs with them and figured out pretty quickly that being a police officer was something that I kind of wanted to do,” Talkington said.

As a pretty social individual, Talkington found out early on that one of his favorite parts of the job was being able to visit with members of the community on almost a daily basis. That led to his dedication towards and active promotion of community policing by the Muscatine Police Department. Community policing basically is a collaborative partnership between law enforcement and the individuals and organizations they serve to develop solutions to problems and increase trust in police.

“I always liked to get out and talk with people so I probably was doing community policing before it was actually a thing,” Talkington said. “There has always been community policing in law enforcement and we always try to push the page on that, do more of that, and do a better job of that.”

Some of Talkington’s top memories as a police officer came from his interactions with individuals and families during some of the darkest times of their lives. He believes that by getting out and talking with the people, talking with the kids, and trying to help people through some of their issues can give you a feeling of great accomplishment. You deal with people at some of the worst times of their lives, he said, and if you just make a difference in a few of those lives that is what it is all about.

“Thinking back over my career, some of the top moments were when people got back to me later in life and thanked me for helping them through a personal issue or a family issue or with the kids or parents,” Talkington said. “Just dealing with people in general through the years and helping those people through problems was one of the biggest satisfactions for me. Again, people are at their worst times when we deal with them, not always, but most of the time.”

A field training officer who guided Talkington early in his career told him that how you deal with people initially is how that interaction is going to go. You set the tone for how it is going, he was told, good or bad.

That philosophy stuck with Talkington who has tried to pass it along to others as he rose through the ranks.

“In my 35-year career I have come across a lot of good cops and a lot of good supervisors,” Talkington said. “And I like to think that I have helped mentor some of those people and mold them and form them. As a field training officer, I like to think that I helped develop a lot of officers in the department.”

One of those that he has seen rise through the ranks. Tony Kies, will be taking over as Chief of Police Wednesday.

“Tony is going to do a great job as chief and Jeff (Jirak) is going to do an outstanding job as captain,” Talkington said. “As I look down the list of the new lieutenants, sergeants and corporals, each will do a great job in their new roles, and in their different positions. They will develop into those positions and Muscatine will be better for them.”

This is an exciting time for the Muscatine Police Department and Talkington knows that the department is in a real good place right now.

“That goes back to the whole department doing what they are supposed to be doing and following the rules,” Talkington said.

Being accredited by CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) by meeting an established set of professional standards and the use of ABLE (Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement) to prevent misconduct, avoid police mistakes, and promote officer health and wellness has created one of the top police departments in the state of Iowa.

“With CALEA everyone knows what is expected of them and they are held to higher standards than a lot of other departments are,” Talkington said.

Members of the Muscatine Police Department were doing some retaining on the ABLE program Tuesday, a process that the department does annually.

“ABLE gives everybody from the lowest person, the lowest officer, the rookie officer, all the way up to the chief, the techniques to intervene if somebody looks like they are getting out of hand with the person they are dealing with,” Talkington said. “Other officers, no matter their rank, can step in and this training gives them the right to do that without repercussions.”

The training has led to a dramatic reduction in the number of complaints, and a better relationship between the department and citizens.

“Sometimes you get into situations and it gets the better of you,” Talkington said. “The continual training from this program has helped our officers to stop before saying something they shouldn’t say or do something they shouldn’t do.”

The department and the citizens of Muscatine have also benefited from some additional high-end training that officers have been able to take.

“We have been blessed by a council and city administration that has provided us the money to send our people to really high-end training,” Talkington said.

“I would classify Muscatine as one of the better departments in the state of Iowa,” Talkington said. “Being CALEA certified is a huge thing for us and for the community itself, as well as the training programs that we send people to.”

Talkington’s message to those might like a career in law enforcement, especially with the Muscatine Police Department is … “we will get you trained, get you out on the road, and we are always looking for good people”

Tags Brett, Chief, City, final, Iowa –, Muscatine, Police, spent, Talkington

City of Muscatine Press Releases

January report of City department activity released

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date February 27, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City Administrator Report to the Muscatine City Council and to the citizens of Muscatine is now available online by clicking MONTHLY REPORT.

The report highlights the many accomplishments of each City of Muscatine department during the month of January 2023, along with providing valuable metrics on the services provided by each department.

Click on Request Form to go directly to the request page.

Tags Administrator, Citizens, City, Council, Iowa –, Muscatine, Report

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Reception for retiring Police Chief scheduled February 27

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date February 22, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The public is invited to join City of Muscatine staff in congratulating Police Chief Brett Talkington on his retirement from the Muscatine Police Department after nearly 35 years of service to the community with the last 12 years as the Chief of Police. The reception will be held from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Monday (Feb. 27) at the Musser Public Library & HNI Community Center, 408 E. 2nd Street, Muscatine.

RETIREMENT FLYER

Tags City, congratulating, invited, Iowa –, join, Muscatine, Police, public, staff

City of Muscatine Press Releases

City offices will be closed Monday for President’s Day

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date February 16, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – City of Muscatine offices will be closed on Monday (Feb. 20, 2023) for the President’s Day holiday. All offices will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday (Feb. 21, 2023).

Muscatine Transit (MuscaBus) will not be in service on Monday with regular service resuming Tuesday. For more information visit the TRANSIT page on the City of Muscatine website, or call 563-263-8152. Be sure to visit and follow MuscaBus on Facebook.

The Transfer Station will be closed on Monday, but will resume regular hours on Tuesday. Transfer Station hours are Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with the last load on the scale at 3:15 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m.-12 p.m. with the last load on the scale at 11:45 a.m.

There will be no curbside refuse or yard waste collection on Monday. Residents on the Monday route will have their refuse collected on Tuesday, Feb. 21, along with the regular Tuesday route.

There will be no change to the curbside recycling collection.

There will be no curbside bulky waste collection on Monday or Tuesday. Curbside bulky waste collection is not completed on holidays or on “double” days when two-days of refuse collection are undertaken in one day.

Muscatine and Fruitland residents are reminded that they need to call 563-264-JUNK (563-264-5865) to schedule a curbside bulky waste collection by the Solid Waste Division or email bulkywaste@muscatineiowa.gov.

For more information, visit the SOLID WASTE DIVISION page on the City of Muscatine website or call 563-263-9689. Visit the CURBSIDE BULK COLLECTION page on the City of Muscatine website to schedule a collection or call 563-264-5865.

The Compost Facility is currently closed for the season. For more information about the facility, visit COMPOST SITE on the City of Muscatine website.

The Musser Public Library and HNI Community Center will be open to the public on Monday. Normal hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m-2 p.m.; Sunday 12-4 p.m.). For more information visit the LIBRARY website or call 563-263-3065

The Muscatine Art Center is normally closed to the public on Monday, and staff will have the holiday off. The Art Center normal hours of operation are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 1-5 p.m.). The Art Center is normally closed to the public on Mondays. For more information, visit the ART CENTER website or call 563-263-8282.

The Muscatine Fire Department and Muscatine Police Department will be staffed, and the Department of Public Works will have staff on-call. For non-emergency issues during City office closures, please call 563-264-1550, Public Safety at 563-263-9922, or Public Works at 563-263-8933. In the case of an emergency, always call 911.

The Muscatine Municipal Golf Course is closed for the season. The Clubhouse and Pro Shop are observing winter hours of 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mondays; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; and, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturdays. The Clubhouse and Pro Shop are closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday.

Reservations for the Simulator may be made by calling the Pro Shop at (563) 263-4735. You can also visit the GOLF page on the City of Muscatine website. You can also follow the Muni on Facebook.

All City of Muscatine parks, including the Muscatine Dog Park, Muscatine Pollinator Park, and the Muscatine Trail System, will be available for the public’s use. The public is urged to use caution while enjoying City of Muscatine recreational opportunities.

For more information about City parks and amenities visit the PARKS & RECREATION page on the City of Muscatine website. You also follow Parks & Rec on Facebook and Twitter. If you have questions concerning Parks and Recreation programming or facility rentals, please call 563-263-0241 and leave a message, or email parksoffice@muscatineiowa.gov. A staff member will respond as quickly as possible.

Tags 2023, City, closed, Iowa –, Monday, Muscatine, offices, President’s, will

City of Muscatine Press Releases

City of Muscatine declares Snow Emergency Feb. 16-17

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date February 15, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine has declared a Snow Emergency starting at 8 a.m. Thursday (Feb. 16) through 8 a.m. Friday (Feb. 17). Muscatine is under a Winter Storm Warning and is expected to receive 4-7 inches of snow starting Wednesday night.

“Our trucks are out right now spraying areas of our streets with brine (a salt-water mixture that helps melt snow),” Brian Stineman, Public Works Director, said. “The snow plows will be out early Thursday morning and will work as long as needed to move snow off the streets.”

This is the first time that a Snow Emergency has been declared under the revised Snow Emergency Ordinance.

Muscatine’s Snow Emergency Ordinance limits on-street parking during a declared Snow Emergency to allow plows to access and clear streets during extreme winter storms.

According to the revised code, when weather conditions warrant the declaration of a snow emergency, motor traffic will be expedited and parking on City of Muscatine streets will be prohibited or restricted for snow plowing and other purposes.

During a declared snow emergency, no person shall park, or allow to remain parked, any vehicle on any portion of a Snow Emergency route. Here is a MAP of the Snow Emergency routes. Signage marking the designated Snow Emergency routes were installed by the City of Muscatine late last year.

Once a Snow Emergency ends there is still the possibility of parking restrictions as Department of Public Works crews push back the snow to the curb.

The Snow Push Back policy would be implemented, if needed, once snow removal operations are complete to the appropriate levels of service on all Class I, Class II, and Class III roadways. See SNOW AND ICE CONTROL POLICY for the classifications of different roadways.

Residents will be provided 24-hour notice prior to the implementation of the Snow Push Back policy’s odd-even parking plan. See SNOW PUSH BACK POLICY for more information on parking restrictions.

Tags City, declared, Emergency, Iowa –, Muscatine, Snow, starting, through, Thursday

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Musco, Kent to make presentations to Council Thursday

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date February 8, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Three presentations are on the Muscatine City Council agenda for their February In-Depth meeting including one of proposed updates to the building code regulations. The City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Council Chambers of Muscatine City Hall.

The public is welcomed to attend the meeting in person. Citizens who do not want to attend the in-person meeting can watch and/or participate through the GoToMeeting virtual meeting portal. Information on joining the virtual session and how to make a comment during the meeting is listed below.

The in-depth session will also be broadcast live on the City of Muscatine YouTube channel and on Civic-TV (Muscatine Power & Water Cable Channel 2).

The Council has nearly completed a series of special meetings on the FY 2023-2024 proposed budget. Wednesday night the Council listened to Finance Director Nancy Lueck and City Administrator Carol Webb review Capital, Debt, and Road Use Tax funds along with a review of the Local Option Sales Tax.

Another special session will be held immediately after the Council’s in-depth session with Lueck and Webb reviewing TIF, Special Revenue, and Other funds.

Musco Lighting will be making a presentation to the Muscatine City Council as they seek Tax Increment Financing Assistance for their expansion of production space at their facility on Stewart Road. Kent Corporation will also be making a presentation seeking Tax Increment Financing Assistance for business expansion.

Information on the presentations and other agenda items can be found by clicking AGENDA to download a PDF version of the City Council agenda and/or attachments.

On-Line Participation

Muscatine City Council Meeting | Thursday, February 9, 2023 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CDT)

Join the meeting from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone by clicking the following link: https://www.gotomeet.me/CityofMuscatine/city-council-meeting

You can also use your phone by dialing +1 (669) 224-3412, follow the prompts, and type in Access Code 970-499-597 when prompted.

The link, phone number, and access code are the same for both meetings. You can remain logged on between meetings or exit and re-enter at the appropriate time.

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/970499597

Tags agenda, City, Council, February, Iowa –, Muscatine, Presentations, their, Three

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Public meeting on Wayfinding Program set for February 23

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date February 7, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine is seeking to develop a Wayfinding Program that will have a positive impact on commerce and economic activity within Muscatine. The program will be designed to attract visitors, promote a pedestrian-friendly environment, and enhance the community’s identity.

The first step in developing that plan is the formation of a Wayfinding Master Plan. The City has contracted with Corbin Design of Traverse City, Mich., to complete this first step. As part of this process, the City and Corbin Design will host a public meeting from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on February 23 on the third floor of the Musser Public Library and HNI Community Center.

“Representatives from Corbin Design will be on-site to explain the process and take input from community members on what they feel is important for visitors to find in the city and surrounding areas,” Brian Stineman, Public Works Director, said.

A Wayfinding Program was added to the Urban Renewal Plan and approved by the Muscatine City County in January 2022. The program is proposed to be completed over five years with funding from future tax increment funds. A request for proposals was issued in September 2022. Nine proposals were received and reviewed by an interview team in December 2022. A contract with Corbin Design was approved by the Muscatine City Council in January 2023.

Along with hosting the public meeting on February 23, Corbin Design will also be visiting Muscatine to learn about the area, gather information about visitors, and determine wayfinding and signage needs.

The Wayfinding Program will consist of the installation of welcome and directional signage including monument signs, City gateway signage, directional signage for recreation and cultural amenities, landmarks, business districts, and neighborhoods.

Tentatively the public meeting will be conducted similar to meetings held prior to construction on Mississippi Drive and Grandview Avenue and include displays of possible wayfinding that attendees can view and comment on. City staff and representatives from Corbin Design will also be on hand to answer questions on the goal of the program, the process, and receive feedback from citizens on the design and placement of wayfinding in Muscatine.

Tags City, develop, Iowa –, Muscatine, program, seeking, that, Wayfinding, will

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Parks and Rec seasonal job fair is February 11

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date February 3, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department will host a job fair from 10 a.m. to12 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, in the Clubhouse at the Muscatine Municipal Golf Course looking to recruit dependable, hardworking individuals to fill seasonal positions for the spring and summer of 2023.

A variety of opportunities are available including lifeguards, slide attendants, cashiers, equipment operators, office clerk, Golf Clubhouse supervisors, gas dock attendants, recreation program leaders, seasonal maintenance laborers, groundskeepers and College Search Kickoff program assistants.

Come out to the Golf Course to talk with current staff, review open positions, and fill out an application. Interested persons may also fill out an application ahead of time by visiting the Career Center on the City of Muscatine website.

For more information, please contact the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241.

Tags City, Department, Fair, host, Iowa –, Muscatine, Parks, Recreation, will