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City of Muscatine Press Releases

City of Muscatine declares Snow Emergency Feb. 16-17

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.

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Public Works crews keep pushing back snow

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Snow plows were back on the streets early Wednesday and received some help from the rising temperatures. Crews worked to pushed back snow to the curb in all areas of Muscatine to allow for the melting snow to filter into the storm inlets.

Public Works officials said that this was a difficult storm to move snow due to the extreme cold and wind that accompanied a total of nearly five inches of snow. However, crews were able to make at least one pass through every street and alley in Muscatine before the temperatures climbed above freezing to aid in the snow removal effort.

Public Works crews will continue to monitor street conditions and will add salt and/or sand as needed due to the temperature fluctuations.

If you have a question, comment, or request, visit Muscatine Connect, or download the app from the AppStore or GooglePlay. 

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Changes to snow emergency regulations on Council agenda

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Revisions to the current City of Muscatine Snow Emergency Regulations will be the subject of a Public Hearing during Thursday’s (Aug. 18) City Council meeting. 

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 its December 21, 2021, in-depth session the City Council agreed to move forward with updating City Code to allow for a snow emergency ordinance that would prohibit parking on posted snow routes. The potential revisions to the ordinance were presented to City Council at the July 15,2022, in-depth meeting with the Council agreeing to proceed with the revisions.

The Snow Emergency Regulations were changed in 2013 from essentially posted snow routes that would become no parking areas when a snow emergency was declared so that plows could more easily remove snow from the street. The change implemented the alternative side of the street parking policy with the thought that it would result in more vehicles being moved off the street to allow for more efficient snow removal of the streets to the curb lines.

The alternate side parking provision in the current ordinance has proven to be difficult to enforce and difficult for the public to understand and comply with. The proposed revisions to the ordinance would bring back the posted snow emergency routes where parking would be prohibited during snow removal. In addition, the revised ordinance clarifies when a snow emergency would be declared along with added sections on stalled vehicles, removal and impounding of vehicles, and citation on vehicles.

In other business Thursday, the Council is expected to:

  • Set a public hearing for September 1 on potential environmental impacts for West Hill Sanitary & Storm Sewer Separation Project Phase 6;
  • Set a public hearing for September 1 on ATV/UTV Ordinance revisions;
  • Approve the contract and bond for the 67th Avenue Sidewalk Improvements Project;
  • Approve a purchase order for a modular restroom building at Taylor Park;
  • Approve payment of economic assistance for certain small businesses in the Grandview Corridor;
  • Approve issuing purchase orders for three projects at the Weed Park Aquatic Center; and,
  • Approve a legal retention agreement for City Attorney services..

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. 

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.

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, August 18, 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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