Tag: Muscatine

Transfer Station closed after chemical spill Monday afternoon

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date February 7, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – A chemical spill on the tipping floor at the Muscatine Transfer Station has closed the facility for the rest of today (Feb. 7). Officials hope to reopen the facility on Tuesday (Feb. 8).

City of Muscatine officials said that a reaction caused by the chemical spill created an unsafe condition for both the public and for employees at the facility. All employees were evacuated prior to the arrival of emergency personnel from the Muscatine Fire Department.

The City of Muscatine immediately closed the facility to the public as a safety precaution.

The tipping floor is the area where trash is dumped by refuse haulers and the public before being transferred to semi-trucks to be hauled to the Muscatine County Landfill.

Investigation into the cause of the spill is being conducted and more details will be released once that investigation is complete.

Tags chemical, closed, floor, Iowa –, Muscatine, spill, Station, tipping, Transfer

City of Muscatine Press Releases

City to host public meeting on Grandview Reconstruction Phase II February 10

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date February 4, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine will host a public information meeting on Phase II of the Grandview Avenue Reconstruction Project from 5-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10, at the Rose Bowl Bowling Center, 1411 Grandview Avenue. This will be an open house format with no formal agenda for the meeting. Maps will be available for the public to look at.

Representatives from the Department of Public Works, general contractor Heuer Construction, Inc., and the engineering firm of Bolton and Menk will be on hand to update the public on the schedule for the second year of the two-year project, and answer questions about closures or any other issues that the public may have.

Phase II of the project will remove and replace the pavement along with other infrastructure improvements from Musser Street to the South Houser Street/Sampson Street intersection. Heuer Construction tentatively plans to resume construction activity on February 28 when they will close Grandview Avenue from Brier Ditch to Musser Street. The detour will be Musser to South Houser (or vice versa) and will be posted.

Work on this section is expected to take three weeks and includes milling and removal of the existing pavement, sanitary and storm sewer installation, water main replacement, and replacement of the culverts at Brier Ditch.

Phase I of the project removed and replaced the pavement from Pearl Street to Musser Street. Most intersections have been repaved but the contractor still has work to do to complete the sidewalks and remaining intersections.

Anyone with questions about the project and/or timeline for completion of the project are urged to attend the meeting on February 10.

The City, the contractor, and consultants will resume their weekly meeting with business owners along Grandview Avenue on March 4. The meetings will be held at 9 a.m. every Friday in the parking lot at the Rose Bowl.

Tags City, host, information, Iowa –, meeting, Muscatine, Phase, public, will

City of Muscatine Press Releases

City Council to hold public hearing on revised Animal Control Ordinance

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date February 2, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine City Council will conduct a public hearing on changes to the Animal Control Ordinance, and then hear the first reading of that ordinance during Thursdays’ (Feb. 3) meeting in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall.

A virtual meeting will be held in conjunction with the in-person meeting for those who want to view the proceedings or make a comment but do not feel comfortable in attending in person. Details for joining that meeting are listed below.

The Muscatine City Council directed staff to prepare changes to portions of Title 6, Chapter 8 of Muscatine City Code related to animal regulations during the October 14, 2021, in-depth meeting. Substantial changes were proposed by staff during the January 13, 2022, in-depth meeting, and the code was revised following feedback from City Council.

A summary of the changes can be found by clicking the link on the February 3 City Council agenda or download the file by clicking Animal Control Revisions.

“It is possible that additional resources will be needed to effectively enforce the proposed code changes,” Carol Webb, City Administrator said in her memo to the City Council. “City staff will seek to offset those costs to some degree through appropriate fees and penalties associated with animal control.”

The Council will be asked to set a public hearing for revisions to the Standard Penalties section of Muscatine City Code (Title 1, Chapter 2, Section 14). The public hearing will be scheduled for February 17 if approved by Council.

Three other public hearings will be held Thursday, each a part of the South End Improvement Project. The first of the three will be on the plans, specifications, form of contract, cost estimate, and bid opening date for the Taylor Park Improvement Project. The second concerning bid documents for the Taylor Park Splashpad Project, and the third on the High-Intensity Activated crosswalk (HAWK) Project.

Thursday’s City Council meeting is open to the public. Citizens attending the meeting are asked to follow current CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommendations for wearing a mask indoors whether vaccinated or not. The City of Muscatine does not require wearing a mask, but does urge the public to follow Public Health and CDC recommendations.

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 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 Muscatine Power & Water Cable Channel 2.

Information on the presentations and other agenda items can be found by clicking AGENDA to download the February 3, 2022, City Council agenda and/or attachments.

The best way for the public to participate is to dial in to the GoToMeeting session, mute your device, watch the session on YouTube or Cable Channel 2, and, at the appropriate time, unmute your device to ask a question or make a comment. The public can also use the “chat” feature on the GoToMeeting virtual meeting to pose a question to the Mayor, Council, or staff member.

Muscatine City Council Regular Meeting | Thu, Feb. 3, 2022 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 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

Please mute your computer or phone while listening to the proceedings (press *6 when using phone or mute button on computer). A chat window is available when you use your computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Those wishing to speak or to ask a question are asked to 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.

Tags changes, City, conduct, Council, hearing, Iowa –, Muscatine, public, will

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Muscatine in Focus to premiere Thursday on Cable Channel 9

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date February 1, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – A new show will premiere this Thursday through the cooperation of Muscatine Community College (MCC) and the City of Muscatine.

“Muscatine in Focus,” hosted by Muscatine Mayor Brad Bark, will premiere at 5:30 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 3) on Muscatine Access Channel Nine available on the Muscatine Power & Water cable network. The presentation will be available after the live airing on the Muscatine in Focus (formerly Our City) YouTube channel sponsored by the City of Muscatine, and on the Muscatine Access Channel Nine YouTube page.

Producing the show is Chad Bishop of the MCC Video Department who worked with Mayor Bark in the development of the program that is broken down into four segments and each lasting three to four minutes.

The first show will feature Hannah Howard from the Muscatine Chamber of Commerce, Tony Tone from the Muscatine Community School District, City Administrator Carol Webb, and City council member Peggy Gordon.

The show will air each week with approximately 35-40 episodes planned.

Tags cooperation, Iowa –, Muscatine, premiere, show, this, through, Thursday, will

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Muscatine Fire, Police release annual department reports

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date February 1, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Fire Department and the Muscatine Police Department have released their annual reports for the calendar year 2021. These reports are available on the City of Muscatine website. The reports present an overview of the activities that each department is involved in and the various programs offered by each department.

Muscatine Fire Department Annual Report

Muscatine Police Department Annual Report

Tags – Have, Department, fire, Iowa –, Muscatine, Police, released

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Homeowners may still see savings despite proposed tax rate increase

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date January 27, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine, like most of us, will be facing a challenging budget year according to a presentation provided by City Administrator Carol Webb and Finance Director Nancy Lueck to City Council Thursday. The presentation provided an overview of the work that has gone on behind the scenes in preparation for the budget discussions with City Council.

“One of the central budget goals was to maintain service levels and to provide departments the resources they need to continue to provide those services to our residents,” Webb said.

Other goals through the budget preparation process were to provide funding for continued capital improvements, propose reasonable tax rates or other funding options, balance department budget requests with funding that is available, and further the city’s strategic plan and City Council priorities.

To meet these goals, City staff had several considerations to deal with including the increasing cost of providing current services, valuations that were essentially flat from the previous year, the first year of the phasing out of the State backfill reimbursement, a reduction of the estimated utility franchise fee revenue, and the change in the State property tax residential rollback factor (from 56.4094 percent to 54.1302 percent).

“We were able to maintain current service levels with the budget that we will be presenting,” Webb said.

Staff and City Council established five strategic priorities through strategic planning and goal setting sessions in October and November last year that include:

Providing excellent customer service to residents, businesses, and visitors through effective citizen outreach and engagement, employee training, and improved organizational processes;
Support a healthy community through the availability of quality affordable housing, outstanding recreational and cultural amenities, collaboration with community and healthcare partners, and opportunities for lifelong learning;
Provide reliable (and safe) public infrastructure that meets the community needs by continuing to update and implement the city’s Capital Improvement Plan;
Provide for a safe community that residents may live, work, and play in with exceptional public safety and community services; and,
Creating a vibrant community by enhancing and improving the vitality of the community core and gateways including the Grandview Avenue Corridor, Park Avenue Corridor, Riverfront, and Downtown areas to support a thriving economy, vibrant neighborhoods, and a high quality of life and place.

City department staff used these goals and priorities as they developed their department budgets in November and December. These preliminary budgets were reviewed with the City Administrator and Finance Director in December and January to form a budget proposal to be presented to the City Council over the next two weeks.

“I am very proud of the hard work from staff as we worked to present a balanced budget to the City Council,” Webb said.

With property valuations essentially flat, the City had to look for other revenue resources to meet the rising costs of providing essential services to the citizens of Muscatine. Use of one-time funds such as the State COVID Relief Funds and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to assist in balancing both the Revised Estimate and the FY 2022/2023 budget are included in the revenue recommendations.

“However, the use of these funds to help balance the budget are not sustainable,” Webb said.

Other revenue recommendations in the proposed budget include spending down the Emergency Levy balance from prior years and levy the maximum Emergency Tax Levy rate.

There are eight levies that are included in the property tax rate implemented by the City of Muscatine. The FY 2021-2022 rate of 15,67209 per $1,000 of assessed valuation has been the city property tax rate for the past 10 years. A slight increase is anticipated for FY 2022-2023 (1.90 percent) that will raise the rate to 15.97054 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

However, that does not mean that the portion of a homeowner’s property tax that is paid to the city will go up. In fact, due to the rollbacks from the State some residential property owners will be paying two percent less this year.

“It is a little complicated to understand but if a residential property owner’s valuation is virtually unchanged from a year ago, the rollback will reduce their taxable valuation four percent,” Lueck said. “With the proposed 1.9 percent tax rate increase, the actual savings to residential homeowners will be about two percent of the amount they paid to the city a year ago.”

While seeking out additional revenue options, City staff also are making several expense recommendations to the City Council. Among them are funding capital projects through Road Use Tax, Local Option Sales Tax, and other outside sources as appropriate, reviewing and reducing budget line items where possible, and funding only critical vehicle and equipment requests from various departments.

“We do want to provide departments with the resources to maintain service levels,” Webb said. “And that has been a key goal throughout the development of this proposed budget.”

The information presented to the City Council Thursday was a high-level preview of the proposed fiscal year 2022/2023 general fund budget. The proposed budget will be reviewed by the City Council starting Saturday (see meeting schedule). The finalized version will be presented during a public hearing in March.

Budget Overview Presentation

Tags budget, challenging, City, facing, Iowa –, like, most, Muscatine, will

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Public Safety, other employment opportunities await you

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date January 27, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – If you are called to public service and want to make a positive contribution to the residents and visitors to Muscatine the City of Muscatine has several opportunities for you.

The Muscatine Police Department is compiling a list of candidates for the position of a police officer. If you are interested in joining a top-notch team responsible for community protection you need to submit your application for the current round of selections by 5 p.m. Monday (Jan. 31).

The Muscatine Fire Department is compiling a list of prospective candidates for the position of fire fighter. If you are interested in joining our premier team of firefighter-paramedics, please submit your application to be placed on the current selection list by the May 18 deadline. Click here to view our recruitment video.

The Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department is recruiting dependable, hard workers to fill positions for the 2022 spring and summer programs. Positions available include lead groundskeeper, equipment operator, groundskeeper, on-site supervisor, equipment operator on the weekend tournament crew at Kent Stein Park, clubhouse curbside services, food and beverage cashier, clubhouse supervisor, pool manager, lifeguard, slide attendant, pool cashier, recreation program instructor, recreation program aide, Parks & Recreation office clerk, College Search Kickoff program assistant, and College Search Kickoff program technician. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled.

The Musser Public Library and HNI Community Center is seeking a part-time library assistant responsible for maintaining library social media accounts, preparing the monthly newsletter, and creating and anchoring daily messages for the library’s television station.

The Transfer Station is accepting applications for individuals to serve as a Substitute Refuse Collector on an as needed basis. Hours will vary depending on need. Individuals applying should be reliable, physically able to lift 75 pounds and be able to work flexible and early morning hours. The position will remain open until filled.

The Transit Division of the Department of Public Works is seeking a part-time Transit Driver for the night bus route. Click on the link for more information on hours and qualifications. The position will remain open until filled and all applicants are welcomed.

For more information, visit the Employment Opportunities section on the City of Muscatine web site. The City of Muscatine is an equal employment affirmative action employer.

Tags – If, called, contribution, Iowa –, make, Muscatine, positive, public, service, want

City of Muscatine Press Releases

City of Muscatine budget discussions set to begin with City Council

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date January 26, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The final pieces to the puzzle of the City of Muscatine Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget were being put together Wednesday (Jan. 26, 2022) afternoon in preparation for the start of “Budget Season” on Thursday.

City Administrator Carol Webb and Finance Director Nancy Lueck have worked with department heads and members of each department’s staff over the past several months preparing the proposed budget for City Council’s consideration.

Webb will present an overview of the proposed budget to City Council at 6:30 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 27) in the first of a series of budget sessions that will be held in the City Council chambers and virtually through a GoToMeeting link (listed below). Each session will also be shown live on the City of Muscatine YouTube channel.

Council members, Webb, and certain staff members will be present in the City Council chambers for each session. All sessions are open to the public. Citizens attending the meeting are asked to follow current CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommendations for wearing a mask indoors whether vaccinated or not. The City of Muscatine does not require wearing a mask, but does urge the public to follow Public Health and CDC recommendations.

Public comment during the budget sessions will not be permitted with the public asked to make notes of any questions or concerns that they may have. The public can bring up those questions and concerns during the budget’s Public Hearing in March.

Thursday’s meeting will be followed by several weeks of presentations to the City Council by the various departments and outside agencies supported by the City of Muscatine. The first session will start at 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29. Sessions will also be held on Feb. 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, and 12. The February 12 meeting will be held only if discussions are not completed at the February 9 session.

A significant change, approved by the Iowa Legislature in 2019, to the annual city budget adoption process is that municipalities are required to hold an additional public hearing to identify “a total maximum property tax dollars to be derived from certain levies in the budget for the next fiscal year”.

The public hearing and the passage of a resolution on the proposed maximum property tax dollars must proceed setting a public hearing on the adoption of the budget.

To help cities meeting the requirements of holding two public hearings, the State of Iowa moved back the deadline to file an approved budget with the county auditor for certification to March 31. The previous deadline was March 15.

A complete schedule of the meetings along with additional information can be found at 2021/2022 Proposed Budget on the Finance & Records page of the City of Muscatine web site.

CITY OF MUSCATINE FY 2022-2023 BUDGET SESSIONS

Virtual Meeting Information:

Please click the link below to join the meeting from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
https://www.gotomeet.me/CityofMuscatine/city-budget-discussions
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (571) 317-3112 Access Code: 138-111-853
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/138111853

Date Location Time Department/Agency

Thursday City Council 6:30 p.m. General Fund Overview

January 27, 2022 Chambers -7:30 p.m. to City Council

Date Location Time Department/Agency

Saturday City Council 8:00 a.m. City Council Budget Review

January 29, 2022 Chambers -3:00 p.m. Legal Services

City Administrator

Human Resources

Risk Management

Finance

Information Technology

Community Development

Airport/Airport Subsidy

Police Operations

Animal Control

Library Operations

Cablevision

Art Center

Fire Operations

Ambulance

Date Location Time Department/Agency

Tuesday City Council 5:30 p.m. Parks Administration

February 1, 2022 Chambers -9:00 p.m. Park Maintenance

Aquatic Center

Recreation

Soccer

Kent Stein

Wellness

Cemetery

Golf Course

Boat Harbor

Marina

Soccer Events

Date Location Time Department/Agency

Wednesday City Council 5:30 p.m. Public Works Administration

February 2, 2022 Chambers -9:00 p.m. Engineering

Roadway Maintenance

Traffic Control

Snow and Ice

Street Cleaning

Building & Grounds

Collection & Drainage

Equipment Services

Equipment Replacement

Date Location Time Department/Agency

Thursday Virtual 5:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce

February 3, 2021 Session Only -6:30 p.m. Marketing & Tourism

Senior Resources

Humane Society

MCSA

Date Location Time Department/Agency

Saturday City Council 8:00 a.m. Iowa Legislatures

February 5, 2022 Chambers -3:00 p.m. Transit

Parking

Refuse Collection

Landfill

Transfer Station

WPCP

Storm Water

Housing

Review & Discussion Begin-

General Fund

Date Location Time Department/Agency

Tuesday City Council 5:30 p.m. Capital/Dept/TIF/RUT

February 8, 2022 Chambers -9:00 p.m. Local Option Review

Date Location Time Department/Agency

Wednesday City Council 5:30 p.m. Review & Discussion

February 9, 2022 Chambers -9:00 p.m. Decisions for Public Hearing

(may continue on 2/12)

Date Location Time Department/Agency

Saturday City Council 8:00 a.m. Final Decision for Public Hearing

February 12, 2022 Chambers -3:00 p.m. (extra meeting if not concluded

February 9)

CITY OF MUSCATINE CITY COUNCIL SESSIONS

Virtual Meeting Information:

Please click the link below to join the meeting from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
https://www.gotomeet.me/CityofMuscatine/city-council-meeting
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (669) 224-3412 Access Code: 970-499-597
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/970499597

Date Location Time Department/Agency

Thursday, Regular Council 7:00 p.m. Council Orders Notice of

February 17, 2022 Meeting -9:00 p.m. Maximum Property Tax

And Set Public hearing #1

Date Location Time Department/Agency

Thursday Regular Council 7:00 p.m. Public Hearing #1 on Maximum

March 3, 2022 Meeting -9:00 p.m. Property Tax and approve

Related resolution

Date Location Time Department/Agency

Thursday Regular Council 7:00 p.m. Set Public Hearing #2 for

March 3, 2022 Meeting -9:00 p.m. Adoption of Budget

Date Location Time Department/Agency

Thursday Regular Council 7:00 p.m. Hold Public Hearing #

March 17, 2022 Meeting -9:00 p.m. and Adoption of Budget

March 31, 2022 (Latest Day) Approved Budget filed with

County Auditor

Tags 20222023, City, final, Fiscal, Iowa –, Muscatine, pieces, puzzle, year

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Council to consider new forgivable loan program Thursday

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date January 19, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine City Council will consider the establishment of a small business forgivable loan program for businesses along the Grandview Avenue corridor when they meet Thursday (Jan. 20) in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall.

The loan program, once approved and funded, will support businesses that have been affected by both the pandemic and traffic restrictions due to the reconstruction of Grandview Avenue. The proposed program would provide up to $10,000 as a forgivable loan to businesses that were operating prior to the onset of the pandemic (March 1,2020), that were located at an eligible site prior to the start of the Grandview Avenue reconstruction (April 1, 2021), and can illustrate financial losses since March 1, 2020.

The program would be funded with $200,000 in tax increment financing to support forgivable loans for up to 20 small businesses that meet the parameters of the program.

The proposed program is similar to the program implemented by the City of Muscatine in 2020 that provided up to $2,500 to cover certain expenses if a business could demonstrate a loss of revenue or increase in expenses as a result of compliance with state mandates issued due to the pandemic. City Council approved using up to $400,000 in tax increment financing for the program that ultimately awarded 94 loans ($231,267) in two rounds of applications.

The first step in creating the program is the approval of an amendment to the Muscatine Urban Renewal Plan. A public hearing on the amendment will be held at the start of Thursday’s meeting with the resolution approving the amendment scheduled later in the meeting.

Also on the agenda is a request from the Muscatine Public Art Advisory Commission to approve the recommendation for public art in the Mulberry Avenue and East 2nd Street roundabout. The Commission conducted a public vote on four potential pieces of public art with Zenith by Nathan Pierce garnering the largest percentage of votes. The bulk of the cost associated with the creation and installation of the public art will be covered through grants and donations.

Information on the presentations and other agenda items can be found by clicking AGENDA to download the January 6, 2022, City Council agenda and/or attachments.

Muscatine City Council Regular Meeting | Thu, Jan. 20, 2021 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (CDT)

Join the meeting from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone by clicking the following link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/603588661

You can also use your phone by dialing +1 (646) 749-3122, follow the prompts, and type in Access Code 603-588-661 when prompted.

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/603588661

Tags business, City, consider, Council, establishment, Iowa –, Muscatine, small, will

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Be wary of but don’t feed geese “loafing” in Muscatine

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date January 18, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Numerous reports of geese grazing outside the confines of Weed Park in Muscatine have been received by Animal Control and the Muscatine Police Department, but the number of geese is much more manageable now than four years ago according to the Parks and Recreation Department.

Still, geese have been spotted wondering around the Muscatine urban area in recent weeks, and that is causing concern from residents about the safety of the birds. Many people have wondered why the aerators are not working in the Weed Park lagoon and if this is driving the geese out of the park in their search for good and water.

The public is urged to be cautious around these birds and to avoid feeding them, especially during the winter months.

The aerators were removed from the Weed Park lagoon in 2018 as part of a Goose Management Program developed by the City of Muscatine in cooperation with Muscatine County Conservation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“We were given several options for maintaining the population of the geese by the Iowa DNR,” Nick Gow, Superintendent of Parks, said. “We considered all of the options and determined that removing the aerators was what we wanted to try first. Staff is open to further discussion on how to best manage the geese population at the lagoon with the overall goal of providing safety for all in Weed Park.”

Management of Canada geese populations in Iowa is under the direction of the Iowa DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

In 2018, the City of Muscatine consulted with Muscatine County Conservation and the DNR to implement a geese management program at the lagoon in Weed Park. In the years leading up to the winter of 2018, numerous comments and concerns that were made about the high geese population occurring in Weed Park and the surrounding areas, and the mess that was being left on the trail and surrounding areas of the park.

Several options were given to the City of Muscatine including stopping all recreational feeding of the geese, modifying habitats to make them less attractive to geese, harass geese pairs prior to nesting, eliminate or minimize attractive nesting sites, allow urban wetlands to freeze over during the winter, encourage hunting within city limits, and discourage goose use of specific areas by hazing or installing barriers.

City staff determined that the best option would be to allow urban wetlands to freeze over during the winter months. Geese need a source of water during the winter for drinking and feather maintenance, and will concentrate on even small ponds that maintain open water areas with aeration systems or fountains. These concentrations of geese can pose a threat to human health or safety.

The aerators were removed from the lagoon during the winter of 2017/2018, and have not been used since. Parks and Recreation staff believe that the goose management program implemented by the City has been a success with a reduction of the mess left on the trail and surrounding areas of the park.

According to the Management Guidelines for Controlling Canada Geese published by the DNR, Giant Canada geese find urban environments particularly attractive because these areas have all the habitat elements important to these birds: wetlands surrounded by short grass, harvested crop fields during the fall, winter and spring, low predator populations, and safe, secure loafing sites.

As urbanization increases, the DNR said, Canada goose migration decreases.

“Expansive, manicured lawns and mand-made ponds have become new favorite hangouts for these birds,” the DNR said. “Natural predators aren’t very common in these spots, and constructed water areas are often heated and don’t freeze during the winter. Geese love the large grass spaces because they can digest grass and have wide, unobstructed views to keep an eye out for anything coming toward their young. With food, water, and safe places, these geese no longer need to leave during the winter.”

In a story published by RadioIowa, Iowa DNR waterfowl biologist Orrin Jones said that when we toss bread and other treats to these birds it is teaching them to be depending on humans.

“We want to encourage them to find food on their own,” Jones said in the article. “These birds are migratory in nature and it’s very important that they go and distribute, and finding food is part of that migratory process.”

The article was written by Matt Kelley who noted that “as we’ve all learned during the past pandemic year, sometimes being in close proximity to one another is a bad thing, and the same goes for birds, which will cluster around when there’s free food.”

And feeding them can be a critical mistake for the health of the birds.

“They really need to find natural foods to get a wide range of items in their diet to satisfy their nutritional needs,” Jones said in the article. “Human food is oftentimes detrimental and can even be dangerous to these birds so you might actually be harming them by feeding them.”

8 cool things you should know about Canada geese – Iowa DNR

Waterfowl biologist says don’t feed the geese – RadioIowa

Tags confines, geese, grazing, Iowa –, Muscatine, Numerous, outside, Park, reports, Weed

City of Muscatine Press Releases

CA monthly report of Department accomplishments published

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date January 18, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The monthly City Administrator Report to the City Council and Citizens of Muscatine is now available highlighting the many accomplishments by the departments of the City of Muscatine during the month of December.

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 or with questions or concerns. Any feedback can be provided to the City Administrator’s office by sending an email to feedback@muscatineiowa.gov.

You can also view past and upcoming events on the City’s calendar.

MONTHLY REPORT

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

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Kitchen fire damages Muscatine home; MFD urges fire safety awareness

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date January 18, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – A Muscatine home was damaged during a kitchen morning fire Tuesday (Jan. 18).

The Muscatine County Joint Communications Center (Muscom) received a call at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday of a stove fire at 2810 Broadlawn. Units from the Muscatine Fire Department (MFD) found that the fire had spread throughout the kitchen when they arrived on scene but were able to gain control within five minutes.

While on scene, MFD turned off the electric and gas to the residence as they battled the fire, but some of those utilities were restored ahead of the expected frigid temperatures later this week.

An inspector from the City of Muscatine worked along with Muscatine Power & Water (MPW) staff to determine what, and how much, of the utilities could be restored to prevent more damage to the home due to the expected low temperatures later this week.

One civilian received a minor injury during the fire. There were no injuries to first responders. The Muscatine Police Department assisted at the scene. The Red Cross and 1-800-BoardUp are providing victim assistance.

This is the second residential fire in one week resulting from a stove fire. The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) recommends residents should remain alert while cooking (never coo while sleepy or after having consumed alcohol), stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food, and keep anything that can catch fire (oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains) away from the stovetop.

With the expected cold temperatures, residents are also reminded that if they use secondary heating sources (fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater) to keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from the heating equipment, plug portable space heaters into a wall outlet, and never use extension cords or power strips that may overheat and cause a fire.

Residents are reminded that working smoke detectors save lives, and to call 9-1-1 to report the fire while safely exiting the structure. Please let the first responders do their job and do not waste time or risk your safety trying to put out the fire.

Home Heating Safety Tips

Cooking Safety Tips

About the Muscatine Fire Department:

The Muscatine Fire Department provides fire and emergency medical services, rescues (high angle, rope, water, etc.), building inspections, and public education for the City of Muscatine, and the surrounding unincorporated areas of Muscatine County with a combined population of 43,000 across 145 square miles while also providing HAZMAT for Muscatine, Louisa, Washington, Keokuk, and Henry counties. MFD firefighters and paramedics responded to 5,238 calls in 2019. The Muscatine Fire Department began as a volunteer fire company on January 7, 1875 and was established as a full-time department in January 1916. The Muscatine Fire Department ambulance service received the 2012 Career Ambulance service of the Year Award from Iowa Emergency Medical Services.

Tags damaged, during, fire, home, Iowa –, kitchen, morning, Muscatine, Tuesday

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Council to hear presentation on Animal Control Regulations Thursday

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date January 15, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Presentations on a riverfront amphitheater, a watershed study, and animal control regulations are on the agenda for the Muscatine City Council in-depth session on Thursday (Jan. 13) in the Council Chambers of Muscatine City Hall.

One of the first items on the agenda Thursday is a resolution establishing a moratorium on certain portions of Title 6, Chapter 9 (Keeping of Pit Bull Dogs) of Muscatine City Code. If approved by Council, the moratorium would be implemented immediately and expire on May 11, 2022.

City staff was directed by City Council at the October 14, 2021, in-depth meeting to explore updating Title 6, Chapter 8 (Animal Regulations), and that presentation will be heard later in the council meeting. At that time, it was determined that changes to Chapter 8 needed to be made prior to addressing the Pit Bull dog ban.

The moratorium, if approved, would temporarily halt the enforcement on the Keeping of Pit Bull dogs ordinance.

The moratorium, once adopted, would not allow individuals to bring pit bulls within the corporate City limits, nor would it revoke any citations issued prior to the adoption of the moratorium. The moratorium also does not affect any section of Chapter 8 (Animal Regulations) including the enforcement of regulations regarding vicious and/or dangerous animals.

The presentation on Animal Regulations contained in Title 6, Chapter 8 of City Code will include staff insights and research conducted to date on animal control regulations, including proposed changes to regulations related to animal registration and licensing, animal care, irresponsible animal ownership, dangerous animals, tethering, and fine structure.

The Council will also hear a presentation on the progress on the development of a riverfront amphitheater and a presentation on the Lake Park Boulevard Watershed Study results. Details on both of these presentations can be found by clicking on the links contained in the Thursday Council Agenda.

Thursday’s meeting is open to the public. Citizens attending the meeting are asked to follow current CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommendations for wearing a mask indoors whether vaccinated or not. The City of Muscatine does not require wearing a mask, but does urge the public to follow Public Health and CDC recommendations.

Information on the presentations and other agenda items can be found by clicking AGENDA to download the January 13, 2022, City Council agenda and/or attachments.

The best way for the public to participate is to dial in to the GoToMeeting session, mute your device, watch the session on YouTube or Cable Channel 2, and, at the appropriate time, unmute your device to ask a question or make a comment. Question and comments will only be accepted on “action” items. The public can also use the “chat” feature on the GoToMeeting virtual meeting to pose a question to the Mayor, Council, or staff member.

Muscatine City Council In-Depth Meeting | Thu, Jan. 13, 2021 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (CDT)

Join the meeting from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone by clicking the following link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/322447925

You can also use your phone by dialing +1 (646) 749-3122, follow the prompts, and type in Access Code 322-447-925 when prompted.

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/322447925

Tags amphitheater, animal, control, Iowa –, Muscatine, Presentations, regulations, riverfront, study, watershed

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Record number of service calls for MFD during 2021 calendar year

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date January 15, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – If you thought that the Muscatine Fire Department was busy in 2021, you were right. The Department set a record responding to 5,709 calls for service during the calendar year breaking the previous high of 5,238 calls for service in 2019.

The record call volume continues a steady upward trend in service calls with the number of calls climbing 48 percent over the last decade. The Department has seen the number of service calls top 5,000 annually in each of the last five years including 5,100 in 2017, 5,027 in 2018, 5,238 in 2019, and 5,034 in 2020.

Nearly 91 percent of the service calls in 2021 were for medical calls, down slightly from 2020 when medical calls made up 92 percent of the service calls. The Department responded to 527 fires in 2021, a 29 percent increase over 2020 (409 fire responses).

May, June, and December saw the Department respond to over 500 calls during month with June leading the way with 509 calls followed by December (503) and May (500). July had the highest fire responses at 51 while December was next at 49. July had the highest number of medical calls at 470.

MFD Fast Facts:

The 5,709 calls in 2021 was an increase of roughly 13.4 percent from 2020 (5,034)
Nearly 5,200 of the calls were EMS related.
Fire related incidents accounted for 527 calls.

Tags 2021, busy, Department, fire, Iowa –, Muscatine, that, thought, were

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Half block of East 2nd Street closed for sewer repair

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date January 15, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The 400 block of East 2nd Street is closed to traffic for a lateral sewer repair. The closure went into effect Tuesday (Jan. 11) and will continued at least through Friday (Jan. 14). The closure may be extended due to weather conditions.

Hometown Plumbing & Heating closed East 2nd Street from the intersection with Walnut to the entrance of the Musser Public Library & HNI Community Center parking lot to repair a lateral sewer for Muscatine-Trinity Church.

Tags block, closed, East, Iowa –, lateral, Muscatine, repair, sewer, Street, traffic

City of Muscatine Press Releases

More snow means more fun at Snow Pile Treasure Hunt January 29

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date January 15, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The community is invited to come enjoy an afternoon of hunting for buried treasure, building snow creatures, and drinking hot cocoa as the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department hosts the Snow Pile Treasure Hunt January 29. The hunt will be held 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, at the Muscatine Municipal Golf Course located at 1820 Hwy 38 North in Muscatine.

The family-friendly event will begin at 1:00 p.m. with the Snow Pile Treasure Hunt for children in preschool through the fifth grade who will be searching for hidden golf balls that can be redeemed for prizes at the table located just outside the Clubhouse.

A Snow Creature Building Contest will be held immediately following the Snow Pile Treasure Hunt and is open to artists of all ages. Families will have fun racing against the clock to gather their materials and build the most creative snow creature. Each participant will receive a prize.

Attendees will be able to warm up inside the Clubhouse throughout the event at a delicious hot cocoa bar.

This is a free activity with no pre-registration required. Please contact the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241 for more information.

Tags afternoon, buried, come, Community, enjoy, hunting, invited, Iowa – The, Muscatine, treasure

City of Muscatine Press Releases

Preventing residential fires as the weather turns colder

Post author By City of Muscatine
Post date January 15, 2022

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Many people turn to additional heating equipment as the weather turns colder, and the potential for property and/or personal loss due to fire also increases unless adequate precautions are taken.

No one ever wants a fire but fires do happen, and the weather compounds the loss during this time of year.

A January 2021 report by the National Fire Prevention Association states that space heaters were most often responsible for home heating equipment fires, accounting for more than two in five fires as well as the vast majority of deaths (31 percent) and injuries (80 percent) in home fires caused by heating equipment.

Fireplaces or chimneys were involved in approximately three in 10 fires caused by heating equipment, but these were mostly confined fires that did not extend beyond the chimney. Other leading types of heating equipment involved in home heating equipment fires included central heating systems and water heats (one in 10 heating equipment fires).

Victims of fires have to deal with being displaced by the fire, deal with the cold during the fire, and deal with everything freezing up after the fire.

“The water we use turns to ice very quickly and can build up making it hard to recover items that were in the fire,” Mike Hartman, Assistant Fire Chief and Muscatine Fire Marshal, said. “The loss of utilities for the larger fires means that anything left in the home will freeze up including pipes, plumbing, appliances, and personal items.”

Loss can be averted or limited by following a few safety tips during these cold winter months.

When using a space heater:

Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory (i.e., UL listed and labeled).
Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
Make sure heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.
Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.
Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic and NEVER brock an exit.
Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet. Never use an extension cord or power strips.
Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.
Maintain a three-foot kid-free zone around home fireplaces and space heaters.
Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving a room or going to bed.

Other safety tips:

Never use your oven to heat your home.
Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters, and central heating equipment according to local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
Have heating equipment and chimneys inspected and cleaned every year by a qualified professional.
Always use the appropriate type of fuel, as specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters.
Ensure that the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop embers from flying into the room.
Make sure that ashes are cool before placing the in a bin for removal.
Dispose of ashes in a safe area outdoors and away from any combustible material.

Tags additional, equipment, heating, Iowa –, Many, Muscatine, people, turn, turns, weather