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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Council to conduct public hearing on Community Cats ordinance

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine City Council will conduct a public hearing on a proposed revisions to a City of Muscatine ordinance regarding “Community Cats” on Thursday (June 16) in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall, 215 Sycamore Street, Muscatine, Iowa.

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. 

During the past year discussions relating to allowing the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) of free-roaming cats have been held. The purpose of the TNR program is to limit the growth and/or reduce the population of feral/free-roaming cats in the community. Revisions to City Code are needed to allow an outside professional organization to conduct a TNR program. The proposed revisions would provide new code language to enable a TNR program including new definitions and Community Cat requirements.

The first reading of the proposed ordinance is tentatively scheduled for July 7. That date may change depending on the direction Council would prefer once comments from the public, staff, and council members are heard.

The second reading of an ordinance establishing a TIF District for the proposed Development Agreements with Kent Corporation (for redevelopment of the former McKee Button Factory) and Merge, LLC (for development of a mixed-use project) will be heard by the Council Thursday. 

The Council will also be asked to set two public hearings on July 7, the first for the proposed 67th Avenue Sidewalk Improvement Project and the second regarding an application for Community Development Block Grant Funds that will support the Mulberry Neighborhood Revitalization Pilot Project.

Thursday’s City Council meeting is open to the public. 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 City Council agenda and/or attachments. 

The best way for the public to participate virtually is to log on or dial in to the GoToMeeting session, mute your device, watch the session on YouTube or Cable Channel 2. 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 the GoToMeeting virtual meeting to pose a question to the Mayor, Council, or staff member.

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.

Muscatine City Council Meeting | Thursday, June 16, 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.

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

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Final reading on three proposed ordinances on May 19 Council agenda

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The final readings of three proposed ordinances are on the agenda for the Thursday (May 19) Muscatine City Council meeting along with a resolution approving the issuance of General Obligation Bonds. 

The in-person meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall, 215 Sycamore Street, Muscatine, Iowa. A virtual meeting is also offered for those who want to view the proceedings or make a comment but cannot attend in person. Details for joining that meeting are listed below.

The final readings of an ordinance adopting Cargo Container Regulations, an ordinance amending the Weeds and Vegetation Management section of City Code, and an ordinance regarding zoning changes to the 1900 block of Stewart Road are on the May 19 agenda. The Cargo container and the Weeds and Vegetation Management ordinances have been revised following comments by City Council members during the May 5 Council meeting.

Once approved by Council, the ordinances will be published, implemented, and added to the current City Code.

Susan Gerlach of Public Financial Management, the City’s Financial Advisor for the May 2022 bond issue, will report to City Council on the bids received, the recommended successful bidder, and the bond rating Moody’s Investors Service has assigned to the City for the bond issue. The Council will be asked to approve awarding the bid on the bonds.

The estimated total bond issue is for $6.2 million with $2.5 million earmarked for the Grandview Avenue Reconstruction Project. Other projects that are part of the bond issuance including $1.08 million for a new fire engine, ambulance, and “demo” ambulance, $200,000 for the vehicle wash bay at Public Works, $200,000 for building demolition projects $338,500 for playground and Aquatic Center repairs, $450,000 to replace the tipping floor at the Muscatine Transfer Station, $725,000 for the local share of the Park Avenue 4-to-3 Lane Conversion Project, $195,000 for flood damage improvements, and $274,000 for deferred building maintenance projects.

Thursday’s City Council meeting is open to the public. 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 City Council agenda and/or attachments. 

The best way for the public to participate virtually is to log on or dial in to the GoToMeeting session, mute your device, watch the session on YouTube or Cable Channel 2. 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 the GoToMeeting virtual meeting to pose a question to the Mayor, Council, or staff member.

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.

Muscatine City Council Meeting | Thursday, May 19, 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.

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

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Public Hearing on proposed City budget set for Thursday

MUSCATINE, Iowa – A public hearing on the proposed City of Muscatine budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and a public hearing on Amendment 1 for the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 City budget are on the agenda for the Muscatine city Council meeting Thursday (March 17). 

 

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 proposed budget for 2022/2023 totals $62,172,479. This includes $36,568,089 in governmental fund expenditures and $25,604,390 in business-type/enterprise fund expenditures. Of the total proposed budget, $9,940,200 is for capital projects in both governmental and business-type funds. A public hearing on the proposed budget must be held before the Council can address the resolution adopting the budget.

 

The City Council recently completed the budget review process for the fiscal year 2022/2023 budget. As part of that review, revised estimate revenue and expenditure amounts for the current year (2021/2022) were also reviewed by City Council. Each year, these revised estimate amounts become Amendment #1 to the current year budget. A Public Hearing must be held prior to the Council considering the resolution to adopt Amendment 1.

 

The Council will also be asked to set a public hearing on a proposed ordinance that would strike Title 6, Chapter 9 of the City Code of Muscatine regarding the keeping of pit bulls. This is the first step of the process. The public hearing would be held on April 7.

 

Several other public hearings will be set by Council Thursday including five more on April 7 concerning an ordinance establishing vacant and non-residential property maintenance regulations, the use of Community Development Block Grant Funds for a Community Needs Assessment, the plans, specifications, and form of contract for the Tipping Floor Resurfacing Project at the Muscatine Transfer Station, on an ordinance change to allow residency outside of Iowa for Civil Service covered employees, and on the plans and specifications to widen a portion of the taxi lane at the Muscatine Municipal Airport.

 

The Council will be asked to schedule three public hearings on April 21 including one on an ordinance regulating cargo containers in residential areas, one on an ordinance revising weed and vegetation management regulations, on the 2023 Consolidated Funding Application for MuscaBus.

 

Thursday’s City Council meeting is open to the public. 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 March 17, 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 In Depth Meeting | Thu, Mar. 17, 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.