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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Public meeting on Wayfinding Program set for February 23

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.

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Soccer skills camp planned; registration now open

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department is offering an introductory program for boys and girls in kindergarten through the third grade teaching the fundamental skills of soccer through fun drills and scrimmages. 

Trained staff will lead the children in this instructional program once a week for four weeks.

The Soccer Skills Clinic will take place on Saturdays, January 7-28, in the Central Middle School Gymnasium. Children in kindergarten and first grade will play from 8:30-9:25 a.m. while children in the second and third grades will play from 9:30-10:25 a.m. 

Registration is currently underway through 5 p.m. on Friday, December 30. Registration fee is $25.00 for Muscatine residents and $30.00 for non-residents. The fee includes a tee shirt. Do not wait to reserve your spot: visit the Parks and Recreation Department office in the lower level of City Hall, register by phone at (563) 263-0241 or sign up online.

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

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

City working to catch up in leaf collection

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The fall leaf collection program conducted by the Department of Public Works (DPW) is behind schedule for the second round, and are still working to collect leaves in Zone 6, one of the most heavily tree ladened zones in the city. Once Zone 6, DPW crews will move into Zone 7 and then to Zone 8 to complete the second round.

Two crews are currently working in Zone 6 with a third truck anticipated to join the effort once personnel can be allocated to crew the truck from other projects.

Residents who have already raked their leaves to the curb are asked to be patient and that city crews will collect the deposited leaves as they move through each zone. An additional round of collection through the eight city zones is dependent on the weather.

Additional announcements will be made as the trucks move into additional zones. Residents are asked to be patient as the effort continues. For additional information or if you have questions, please email feedback@muscatineiowa.gov.  

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Fall leaf collection resumes after pause for winter weather

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The fall leaf collection program was resumed by the Department of Public Works (DPW) Thursday after pausing for the past three days due to the winter weather that moved through Muscatine earlier this week. 

Snow and ice control take precedence over all other work as trucks are outfitted with plows and salt boxes prior to the arrival of winter weather. Once the control efforts have been completed, the DPW trucks are washed down due to the accumulation of salt and put back into regular service. 

One leaf vacuum truck was out Thursday with one more truck joining the effort on Friday according to DPW officials. Leaf collection completed Zone 5 Thursday and will start in Zone 6 Friday working through zones 7 and 8 to complete the second round.

Residents who have already raked their leaves to the curb are asked to be patient and that city crews will collect the deposited leaves as they move through each zone. An additional round of collection through the eight city zones is dependent on the weather.

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Public meetings set to discuss Neighborhood Grants program

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine has announced the establishment of the Grandview Neighborhood Grant Program. The goal of the program is to promote neighborhood activities and other projects that build on community pride and connection in the south end of Muscatine. The program will be the subject of two neighborhood meetings with the first scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Community Room at the Musser Public Library and HNI Community Center.

The second neighborhood meeting will be at 6 p.m. on August 17 at the Musserville United Methodist Church, 1001 Oregon Street, Muscatine. City of Muscatine staff and members of the committee overseeing the program will also be available to answer questions from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 13) at the Muscatine Area Farmers Market in the 3rd Street parking lot, and from 5-7 p.m. on August 16 at the Muscatine Southend Farmers Market in the Dollar General parking lot (807 Grandview).

“The Grandview Neighborhood Grant Program will be funded from $50,000 in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds that were allocated by the City Council during the budget process for neighborhood revitalization in the Grandview Corridor,” Jodi Royal-Goodwin, Community Development Director for the City of Muscatine, said.

The Grandview Neighborhood Grant Program would encompass neighborhoods from Hershey Avenue to the Mississippi River and from Carver Corner to the U.S. Hwy 61 Bypass.

A total of $10,000 will be earmarked for Tier I Mini Grants with individuals being able to apply for up to $1,000 for projects such as neighborhood cleanups, community gardens, community spaces (e.g., benches, gardens, etc.), neighborhood events (e.g., picnics, outdoor movie nights, ice cream socials, neighborhood tool library or food pantry, or other similar projects that would instill sense of community.

Applications for the Tier I Mini Grants will be accepted from September 1 through October 31. Grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis, and projects should be completed within 90 days of the award. More details on the application process can be found at Neighborhood Grants.

A total of $40,000 will be awarded in Tier II property improvement grants. Applicants may apply for up to $10,000 but there is a 50 percent match requirement for the grant award. These improvements must include at least four properties, must be on the properties exterior, and visible from the street (e.g., facades, roofs, landscaping, windows, front entry doors, sidewalks, steps, retaining walls, etc.).

Applications for the Tier II Property Improvement Grants will be accepted February 1 to April 30, 2023. Grants will be awarded based on a defined scoring criteria.   More details on the application process can be found at Neighborhood Grants.

The Grandview Corridor Revitalization Project was launched in March 2021 with the goal of improving neighborhoods and enhancing Muscatine’s southern gateway. The Project includes five pillars: Grandview Avenue Reconstruction Project, Economic Development, Business Support, Recreational Amenities, and Residential Support.  

As part of the Residential Support Pillar, the City of Muscatine conducted neighborhood outreach meetings utilizing the Muscatine Heart and Soul engagement model. This model focuses on identifying what residents appreciate about living in Muscatine, what they like about living in their neighborhood, and what opportunities exist to strengthen those connections. 

A key theme that emerged in these community discussions was that residents would like to feel more connected to their neighbors and to feel more engaged with their community. In addition, the 2022 Muscatine Community Survey Results support neighborhood initiatives as a priority. 

While 72 percent of survey respondents stated they would like to feel more connected and engaged with their community, only 33 percent responded that the quality of those connections were excellent or good. The gap between importance and quality suggests that an initiative supporting neighborhood connections will be a good investment of ARPA funds.

Grandview Neighborhood Grant Program Flyer

Grandview Neighborhood Grant Program website

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Veteran educator joins Musser Library as Children’s Librarian

MUSCATINE, Iowa – You may recognize him from his MPL-TV/Channel 5 program “Mr. Taylor, Songs and Stories,” but now you can see him in person at the Musser Public Library (MPL) & HNI Community Center.

Emerson Taylor has joined the library staff as a Children’s Librarian, bringing a sense of fun and years of experience as an educator to entertain and inspire young MPL visitors.

“I’m super excited to join Musser Public Library and get kids excited about reading,” Taylor said. “I like the idea of being involved in our local community in a new and different way.”

“Mr. Taylor” has been singing and reading to local children on his show since 2020. Taylor said that while creating the show, he was so encouraged by the MPL staff that he started thinking about working for the library. 

Taylor has credentials and a well-developed sense of fun. He has a bachelor’s degree in special education and severe developmental disabilities from the University of Central Missouri. He said he would like to apply his knowledge by starting low-stimulation Storytimes at MPL geared to special-needs kids and their parents.

“We can create a no-judgment zone where these kids are celebrated and their inquisitiveness is encouraged,” Taylor said.

Emerson Taylor new Musser Library Children's Librarian (JPG)Taylor plans to keep positive ties to the school district. He explained this will probably mean doing story times and bringing his guitar into classrooms, with a focus on pre-K and kindergarten. 

The father of four, he enjoys interacting with all the young patrons of the library. 

“That is the easiest and most fun part of the job because I’m a big kid myself,” Taylor said.

Taylor came to the library from the Muscatine Community School District where he taught special education for two years.  In his 12-year career as an educator, he taught special education at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Previously, he worked in the Clinton (Iowa) Community School District where he developed an hour-long, musical, literacy-based program, singing and playing guitar for Read Across America Day. 

Librarians at Clinton Public Library heard about Taylor’s talents and asked him to kick off their summer reading program. And so, his professional connections to libraries began. 

Quad City magician/performer Rick Brammer, coordinator for the Iowa Library Talent Showcase, invited Taylor to perform for librarians looking for entertainment acts for their summer reading programs. Many of his bookings were canceled due to COVID, but in working on his online program, he created “Songs and Stories” and released the program on his Facebook page.

For more information, visit the Musser Public Library and HNI Community Center website, visit the Musser Public Library Facebook site, or call 563-263-3065. 

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Registration underway for summer Tee-Ball Program

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The 2022 Tee-Ball program will be held at Kent Stein Park this summer and the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department is inviting all five- and six-year-olds to register for the program. Tee-Ball is designed to teach the fundamentals of baseball and softball through coached practices and non-competitive games that are incorporated into the program. Players all hit from an adjustable batting tee. 

 

Participants must be age five (5) or six (6) during the 2022 calendar year. All participants will receive a Tee-Ball t-shirt with practices and games conducted at Kent Stein Park.

 

Registration is available online through the City of Muscatine website, in person at the Parks and Recreation office in the lower level of City Hall, or by phone at (563) 263-0241.

 

Do not miss out on the fun this summer if you are an adult as you can help bring America’s Pastime to Muscatine by volunteering to be a head or assistant coach for a Tee-Ball team. Each team will need at least two volunteer coaches. Any adult wishing to volunteer should contact the Parks and Recreation Department by phone at (563) 263-0241 or by email at parksoffice@muscatineiowa.gov. 

 

Participants can register for the Monday/Wednesday session (June 13 – July 11) or the Tuesday/Thursday session (June 14 – July 7). No practices or games will be scheduled for Monday, July 4. 

 

Do not wait to sign your all-star up for this program as space is limited for each session. Registration is open through June 2, 2022. There is a $30.00 fee for residents and a $35.00 fee for non-residents.

 

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

 

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Curbside bulky waste collection benefitting residents and City

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine implemented the Bulky Waste Collection Program in 2020 as a replacement for the annual Spring Cleanup Week and as an enhancement to the already established curbside waste pickup program.

 

Curbside bulky waste collection was previously offered to Muscatine and Fruitland residents for free three times a year, and a massive collection effort was staged in late April with a designated Spring Cleanup Week.

 

The current program eliminated Spring Cleanup Week and permits unlimited free curbside bulky waste collection throughout the calendar year from Muscatine and Fruitland residential refuse customers. Residents are limited to having two appliances collected free of charge per calendar year, however, with the Solid Waste Division picking up additional appliances for a fee that must be paid before collection.

 

The Curbside Bulky Waste Collection program has saved the city money and has, for the most part, eliminated the unsightly, oversized, and potentially hazardous piles of bulky waste that were normally scene throughout Muscatine prior to and during Spring Cleanup Week.

 

“The cleanup week collection required assistance from multiple divisions and the use of temporary workers,” Brian Stineman, Public Works Director, said. “And it took away resources that should have been used for roadway maintenance projects.”

 

In the past the City used 13 full time employees, nine temporary employees, and 14 pieces of equipment from the Department of Public Works along with eight full time employees, 17 temporary employees, and eight pieces of equipment from the Solid Waste Division to complete the collections during the designated Spring Cleanup Week.

 

“Going to a program where we schedule pickups on resident’s regular refuse collection day allows us to limit the workload to just two employees and one piece of equipment,” David Popp, Solid Waste Manager, said. “Having residents call in to schedule pickups makes better use of our time and of residents’ time.”

 

Residents wanting a curbside bulky waste collection will need to call 563-264-JUNK (563-264-5865) or email the Muscatine Transfer Station at bulkywaste@muscatineiowa.gov to schedule a pickup on the residents refuse collection day.

 

Please call by 3:30 p.m. at least two (2) days before your regular refuse collection day to schedule a curbside bulk waste pickup.

 

“If you call in and get the answering machine we will call you back,” Jennifer Calcott, Transfer Station clerk, said. “If you email us, we will call you. We are making every effort to talk with anyone who calls in to review the rules and set up a collection day. The most important thing for the public is to remember that you need to call in at least two business days ahead of your collection day to be put on the schedule.”

 

If residents have a large amount of bulky waste items they would like collected by the City, multiple pickups can be scheduled to keep the piles to a more manageable size for both the resident and City staff.

 

Once a pickup is scheduled with the City, residents will be permitted to place the unwanted items curbside the night before their regular refuse collection day or by 5:00 a.m. on the collection day.

 

Popp noted that scavengers are a problem when setting out bulky waste in terms of creating a bigger mess for his staff to cleanup and in terms of creating hazards in the taking apart of appliances and other items in the boulevard. Pieces of scavenged material such as nuts, bolts, and pieces of glass create hazards not only for the City workers but also for the residents.

 

“We may not see all the little pieces that the scavengers leave behind and that could create a hazard for the resident and their family,” Popp said.

 

Residents could also clean up the bulky waste themselves and haul the material to the Transfer Station where they would be charged a tipping floor fee.

 

A link to the Bulky Waste Collection page on the City of Muscatine website is located in the upper right half of the main page. You can also visit the Solid Waste Division page or visit the Transfer Station page for more information.

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