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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Five presentations are on Council’s in-depth agenda

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

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 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

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Reception for retiring Police Chief scheduled February 27

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

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Seasonal employment positions open for 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa – A new year arrives and with it comes opportunities to join a staff dedicated to providing the best recreational opportunities for residents of and visitors to Muscatine. 

The Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department is recruiting dependable, hard workers to fill 2023 seasonal positions at a variety of locations including the Muscatine Soccer Complex, Kent Stein Park, Greenwood Cemetery, Park Maintenance, Muscatine Municipal Golf Course, and the Muscatine Aquatic Center. Opportunities are also available to lead and/or assist in various recreation programs sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department.

Current opportunities available include:

  • Golf Course Clubhouse Supervisor ($13.00/hr)
  • Seasonal Equipment Operator ($12.00/hr)
  • Seasonal Groundskeeper ($12.00/hr)
  • Lead Groundskeeper ($14.00/hr)
  • On-Site Supervisor ($12.00/hr)
  • Office Clerk ($11.00/hr)
  • Lifeguard ($12.00/hr)
  • Slide Attendant ($11.00/hr)
  • Cashier ($11.00/hr)
  • Recreation Program Instructor ($14.00/hr)
  • Sand Volleyball Supervisor ($12.00/hr)
  • Recreation Program Aide ($11.00/hr)

To apply for any of these positions complete an application on the City of Muscatine’s Career Center webpage. 

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

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

SIM-IA brings EMS training to Muscatine Fire Department

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Muscatine Fire Department staff took advantage of a unique opportunity over the course of the last three days, thanks to a unique program offered by the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Simulation In Motion-Iowa is a unique program designed to provide simulated clinical opportunities with state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained staff enhancing the education of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel.

“This is the first time that Muscatine Fire has ever used this training opportunity, Lt. Andrew McSorley, Critical Care Paramedic with Muscatine Fire, said. “This is very solid training and, from everyone’s responses, we will be doing ore of this in the future.”

The mobile simulation labs contain two areas that resemble the inside of an ambulance separated by a control room. Each of the two “ambulances” have a different medical training scenario for EMS personnel to experience.

The instructors are located in a control room that separates the two “ambulances” where they control the state-of-the-art manikins used in the training scenarios. Each manikin mimics a real individual in that they can talk, blink, breathe, have pulses, can bleed, vomit, or sweat, and just about anything else a real victim might be going through.

In one ambulance was an individual who had fallen 18 feet to the ground from a tree stand with a large stick penetrating one leg. In the other ambulance was a juvenile who was very sick.

Working in teams of two, the Muscatine Fire Department members were presented a scenario for each victim and then were evaluated on how they assessed and treated the victim. The instructor, acting as the victim, would interact with the MFD staff members as they proceeded with the assessment and treatment.

“We ran the entire department through various scenarios to work on skills that you may not get to do very often,” Lt. McSorley said.

After each scenario the instructors break down the session with the EMS personnel, going over what worked, what could have been done better, and what was learned.

“This is a realistic EMS training mobile unit that is 100 percent cost free to any EMS service upon request,” Lt. McSorley said. 

According to the Simulation in Motion-Iowa website, SIM-IA focuses on providing high, mid, and low fidelity simulation experiences to healthcare providers across the State of Iowa. While clinical simulations can be found in many formal education programs for students, simulation resources are often not readily accessible for certified and licensed providers.

Providing clinical simulations for healthcare professionals beyond their initial education provides opportunities to:

  • promote active and engaged learning of new procedures, equipment, and skills
  • experience clinical situations that may occur less frequently, especially in rural areas
  • practice essential teamwork and communication skills
  • discover procedural, resource, or access challenges before impacting patient care
  • ensure the highest quality care and evidence-based practice across the state

SIM-IA’s mobile program brings clinical simulations to the healthcare providers, in their clinical settings, rather than requiring travel to distant simulation centers. This unique feature allows more health care professionals to train together without disrupting staffing, patient care, and reduces both education and travel expenses. 

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

TIF Policy, nuisance updates on City Council In-Depth agenda

MUSCATINE, Iowa – City of Muscatine staff will provide two presentations to the Muscatine City Council during its In-Depth session Thursday (Dec. 8), the first on a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Policy for the City and the second on potential updates to nuisance regulations. The City Council meets at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall, 215 Sycamore Street, Muscatine, Iowa. 

A virtual session 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 attending in person. Instructions for joining the virtual session are listed below.

City Administrator Carol Webb and City Finance Director Nancy Lueck have drafted a TIF policy with input from the City’s TIF legal counsel. The purpose of the policy is to document the goals of the TIF program and to establish structure and objectivity for evaluating economic development projects. 

Incremental property taxes are the new property taxes generated by improvements to the project property. The amount of TIF funding available to a project is determined by multiplying the incremental property valuations by the year’s TIF tax rate. The TIF tax rate is determined by subtracting any protected levies (e.g., the debt service levies) from the consolidated tax rate of the property, while property valuations are independently determined by the Muscatine County Assessor unless determined by a minimum assessment agreement.

Establishing a standard policy and framework for economic incentives ensures that the City’s financial resources are used as efficiently and effectively as possible while accomplishing key City goals.

City staff will bring the policy forward for approval at a future meeting should City Council support the development of a City of Muscatine TIF Policy. 

More information on the proposed policy can be found by clicking HERE.

The second presentation by Community Development staff regards the addition of 10 additional nuisances to City Code, the appeal process and administrative fees. The proposed additions already qualify as nuisances under the current City Code, but the more specific code would make understanding, complying with, and enforcing regulations easier for property owners, community members, and City staff.

More information on the proposed updates to City Code can be found by clicking HERE.

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, December 8, 2022 | 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

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Pet registration available at Muscatine Humane Society Clinic April 8

MUSCATINE, Iowa – City of Muscatine staff will be at the Muscatine Humane Society Low-Cost Rabies and Microchip Clinic Friday (April 8), assisting pet owners in registering their pets. The Muscatine Humane Society event will be held from 3-6 p.m. in the Canine Activity Center located next to the Humane Society at 920 S. Houser Street.

 

The City of Muscatine suspended the first-year registration fee for neutered dogs and cats from March 19 through April 30 to promote pet registration within the city. The offer does not apply to non-neutered pets.

 

“The event is for dogs and cats,” Chris McGinnis, director of the Muscatine Humane Society, said. “Dogs must be on leash while cats must be secured in a pet carrier.”

 

Muscatine Human Society event 2022 (JPG)The Muscatine Humane Society will be offering rabies vaccination for $10.00, and microchipping (including microchip registration) for $15.00. The Society will also offer $10-$12 identification tags that will be engraved while you wait. Dr. Robert Hathaway, DVM, will be administering the vaccine.

 

“We have done this event with the city for many years now,” McGinnis said. “Last year we had about 70 pets come through in two hours. This year we hope to have 100 pets during the three-hour event.”

 

Proof of spay or neuter must accompany all pets attending the clinic and/or registering with the city.

 

All dogs and cats six (6) months of age or older are required to be registered with the City of Muscatine.

 

A pet license runs concurrently with the pet’s rabies vaccination. The pet license is required to be renewed annually with each yearly rabies vaccination. If your pet has received a two or three year vaccination, you must renew your pet license annually or pay the multiple years of license fees at the time of registration.

 

It is the responsibility of the owner to present proof the pet being registered is altered. The pet licensing requirement applies to all pets over six months of age. It excludes owners of seeing-eye dogs or owners who are confined to a wheelchair. Both are exempt from paying the pet fee; however they are still required to register their animals with the Finance office at City Hall.

 

Owners must provide a certificate from a licensed veterinarian certifying that the dog or cat has received a rabies inoculation and the date that the inoculation occurred. 

 

The annual cost of registration for a neutered pet is $5.00 but the annual fee is reduced to $3.00 for pet owners 65 and older. The fee for non-neutered pets is $25.00 per year with the annual fee reduced to $15.00 per year for pet owners 65 and older. 

 

The neutered pet first year fee will be waived if the pet is registered prior to April 30 with the Department of Finance and Records at Muscatine City Hall, 215 Sycamore Street, Muscatine.

 

The Department keeps a complete registry of all licensed dogs and cats, their breed, color and sex, along with the name and address of the owner, and the number of the license tag. The registry is used to verify compliance with City Code during investigations by the Muscatine Police Department Animal Control Officer.

 

Neutered pets who receive a two- or three-year rabies inoculation may be registered for two or three years (based on the rabies inoculation received) if the multiple year fee is paid at the time of registration (i.e., $10.00 for two-years; $15.00 for three-years). Multiple year registrations will receive the first-year discount through April 30 as part of the City’s pet registration promotion.

 

The license will be in effect until the anniversary date of the rabies vaccination of the animal and shall be renewable as determined by the animals’ vaccination schedule.

 

Revisions to Chapter 8 (Animal Regulations) of Title 6 (Police and Public Safety) of the City Code of Muscatine were recently approved by the Muscatine City County. The revised ordinance went into effect Sunday, March 13, 2022. Informative articles on changes to the Animal Control Ordinance will be published in the future.

 

For more information on pet licensing, call the Finance Department at 563-264-1550 or visit the Pet Licensing page on the City of Muscatine website.

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