MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department will host a job fair from 10 a.m. to12 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, in the Clubhouse at the Muscatine Municipal Golf Course looking to recruit dependable, hardworking individuals to fill seasonal positions for the spring and summer of 2023.
A variety of opportunities are available including lifeguards, slide attendants, cashiers, equipment operators, office clerk, Golf Clubhouse supervisors, gas dock attendants, recreation program leaders, seasonal maintenance laborers, groundskeepers and College Search Kickoff program assistants.
Come out to the Golf Course to talk with current staff, review open positions, and fill out an application. Interested persons may also fill out an application ahead of time by visiting the Career Center on the City of Muscatine website.
For more information, please contact the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Two new exhibitions opening at the Muscatine Art Center in February will focus on people. In the ultra-realistic work of Marc Sijan, the spotlight is on the individual facial characteristics that make human beings so similar, yet so unique. In the second exhibition, photographic portraits by Bob Campagna are joined with stories to capture the experiences of the first residents and staff members of Clark House as they built a community in the 1970s.
“Both exhibitions present real people and provide an opportunity for visitors to consider how these people experienced their world,” Muscatine Art Center Director, Melanie Alexander said. “Work by Marc Sijan has been presented twice before at the Muscatine Art Center, and people are always blown away by the level of detail from the pores to the veins.
“Bob Campagna is also familiar to many in Muscatine,” Alexander said. “He was the City’s first Low Income Housing Director in the 1970s, but many know him through his photography and his work with Muscatine students to create the windows and doors of Muscatine posters.”
Marc Sijan is one America’s leading hyper-realist sculptors. Sijan has received international recognition and has presented over 50 one-man museum exhibitions. His exhibitions often set attendance records whenever his work is exhibited. The exhibition in Muscatine features eight life-size figurative sculptures and opens on February 9.
Bob Campagna’s “Faces of Hope: The Original Residents of the Clark House” will open February 16 on the middle floor of the Stanley Gallery at the Muscatine Art Center. “Faces of Hope” includes portraits of most of the original residents of the Clark House, and it also explores the stories as remembered by those involved in managing aspects of the building project, selecting the first residents, assisting those first residents with move in, and establishing an environment that created a sense of community. In addition, the exhibition details some of the efforts to preserve the historic Alexander Clark house.
“The move of the historic Alexander Clark house was a dramatic moment,” Alexander said. “Beyond the logistics of moving and preserving the Alexander Clark house, there are a series of displays highlighting the story of Alexander Clark and sharing what makes Alexander Clark significant on a national level.”
Alexander Clark was Iowa’s most prominent Black citizen of the 19th century and a national leader in the cause of equal rights. His career culminated with service as U.S. ambassador to Liberia. Born free in Pennsylvania in 1826, he settled in Muscatine at age 16. He worked as a barber and acquired timberland along the Mississippi River and sold firewood for steamboats. He invested in real estate and amassed considerable wealth, becoming one of the town’s most accomplished residents.
Clark emerged as a civil-rights leader while in his early 20’s. He was a delegate to the National Convention of the Free People of Color in 1853, connecting with national leaders such as Frederick Douglass in the fight for equal rights. During the Civil War, he played a major role in the formation of Iowa’s only Black regiment.The Iowa Supreme Courts’ ruling in Clark’s lawsuit against segregated schools in 1868 affirmed the right of all Iowa children to attend public school regardless of race, religion, nationality, or appearance. Clark was also active in Republican politics and won acclaim as “the Colored Orator of the West” for his speeches on suffrage and universal rights.
Clark became the second Black graduate of the University of Iowa School of Law in 1884 at the age of 58. His son, Alexander, Jr., was the first Black graduate of the law school in 1879. Clark’s access to Black audiences swelled when, in 1882, along with his son Alexander, Jr., and fellow attorney Ferdinand L. Barnett, he purchased The Conservator, Chicago’s first Black newspaper. He served as the editor and became the sole owner in 1884. In 1887, he chaired the executive committee of the National Colored Press Association, connecting him to prominent journalist and activist Ida B. Wells.
A series of programs connected to the “Faces of Hope” exhibition will be presented in February and March. At 5:30 p.m. on February 16, local historian Dan Clark, who serves on the Alexander Clark Foundation, will join author Rachelle Chase for a discussion on efforts to reach school children, scholars, and the general public with the story of Alexander Clark. Chase is currently completing the middle school book, The Time I Was Susan Clark.
The Alexander Clark Foundation is working with a consultant and scholars to attain national significance through the National Register of Historic Places for the Alexander Clark house.
At 5:30 p.m. on February 23,, the Darwin Turner Action Theatre will perform at the Muscatine Art Center. The event is presented in partnership with Global Education at Stanley Center and the University of Iowa Arts Share program. The group was originally established in 1968 as Black Action Theatre.
The series concludes at 5:30 p.m. on March 23 with Bob Campagna discussing his memories of the Clark House and 1970s Muscatine.
All programs are offered free of charge and take place at the Muscatine Art Center. Reservations are not necessary.
Both “Faces of Hope” and “Marc Sijan: Ultra-Realistic Sculptures” will be on view through April 9, 2023.
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The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday evenings until 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free of charge. Donations are appreciated. Visit www.muscatineartcenter.org for more information about programs and events.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Lucas Street will be reduced to one lane of traffic from Newell to Logan starting Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, as Phase 5 work on the West Hill Sanitary and Storm Sewer Separation Project (WHSSSP) resumes.
Underground sewer replacement work resumes next week with the westbound lane closed at Logan and at Newell. Westbound traffic will be detoured onto Logan, to Newell, and back to Lucas. Eastbound traffic will not be affected by the lane closure.
While work resumes on Phase 5, Department of Public Works staff and Stanley Consultants are wrapping up preparation for Phase 6. A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 10, to introduce Phase 6A of the WHSSSP. The meeting will be an open house format and held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10, in the City Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall.
The meeting is specifically for residents directly affected by the project and to answer any questions they may have regarding their easement agreements. The general public is also welcomed to attend.
Residents on Sycamore Street from East 8th Street to West Fulliam and those on West Fulliam from Sycamore Street to just west of Nelson Drive will be mostly affected by Phase 6A along with some residents on 9th, 10th, and 11th streets between Sycamore Street and Iowa Avenue.
If you have a question, comment, or request, visit Muscatine Connect, or download the app from the AppStore or GooglePlay.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Lucas Street will remain closed to through traffic from North Houser Street to Westwood through January 13, 2023, weather permitting. Needham Excavating has completed installation of sewer and water connections for the Muscatine Community School District Centralized Kitchen that is currently under construction, and is now preparing the section for repaving.
The current forecast indicates that the next available day to pour concrete will be January 9, which means that the section could be reopened to traffic at the end of the day on January 13. That schedule is depending on the weather, however.
Westbound traffic on Lucas is currently detoured north on Houser and then west on Cedar. Eastbound traffic on Lucas is detoured south on the U.S. 61 Bypass to Hershey then east to Houser.
If you have a question, comment, or request, visit Muscatine Connect, or download the app from the AppStore or GooglePlay.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine will host a public meeting January 10 to introduce Phase 6A of the West Hill Sanitary and Storm Sewer Separation Project. The meeting will be an open house format and held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10, in the City Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall.
The meeting is specifically for residents directly affected by the project and to answer any questions they may have regarding their easement agreements. The general public is also welcomed to attend.
Residents on Sycamore Street from East 8th Street to West Fulliam and those on West Fulliam from Sycamore Street to just west of Nelson Drive will be mostly affected by Phase 6A along with some residents on 9th, 10th, and 11th streets between Sycamore Street and Iowa Avenue.
If you have a question, comment, or request, visit Muscatine Connect, or download the app from the AppStore or GooglePlay.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Lucas Street will be closed to traffic from North Houser Street to Westwood starting January 3, 2023. The closure is expected to last approximately one week. Needham Excavating has requested the street closure to install sewer and water connections for the Muscatine Community School District Centralized Kitchen that is currently under construction.
Westbound traffic on Lucas will be detoured north on Houser and then west on Cedar. Eastbound traffic on Lucas will be detoured south on the U.S. 61 Bypass to Hershey then east to Houser.
If you have a question, comment, or request, visit Muscatine Connect, or download the app from the AppStore or Google Play.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine will once again assist Muscatine and Fruitland residents in the recycling of their live Christmas trees. Starting on January 4, 2023, the Solid Waste Division will be collecting live Christmas trees placed curbside as part of their yard waste collection service.
There are many types of Christmas trees including live, flocked, and artificial. Flocked trees are live trees that have been coated with a white, snow-like spray. Each type of tree has different disposal options, so please take a moment to determine how to properly dispose of your tree.
Unflocked live trees will be collected by the City of Muscatine on the resident’s refuse collection day starting on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, and continuing through Friday, January 27, 2023. The trees must be placed next to the curb for collection.
To prepare the unflocked live tree for curbside collection, remove all ornaments, wires, and decorations from the tree along with any stand or other metal objects. Do not place the tree in a plastic bag. Trees taller than five feet should be cut into two sections.
Flocked and artificial trees along with wreaths are considered garbage items and cannot be recycled. These items can be taken to the Muscatine Transfer Station for disposal or residents can call the Transfer Station to schedule a curbside pickup.
For more information on recycling Christmas trees or how to prepare the live tree for collection, contact the Transfer Station at (563) 263-9689.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine Department of Public Works (DPW) will conduct an on-line public surplus auction January 4, 2023, through January 18, 2023. Randy Moeller, Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance Supervisor for the City of Muscatine, has indicated that two surplus pickup trucks will be available.
All items are available to bid on through the auction web site www.publicsurplus.com starting January 4, 2023, and running through 3 p.m. on January 18, 2023. Potential bidders can go to that website, search for Iowa, and then City of Muscatine for the auction items. You must register to view items and to bid on items.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Musser Public Library and HNI Community Center will be operating reduced hours on Friday (Dec. 23). Musser Library will open at 10 a.m. and close at 2 p.m. due to the weather conditions.
The library will be closed on Saturday (Dec. 24), Sunday (Dec. 25), and Monday (Dec. 26) for the Christmas holiday. The library will resume normal hours on Tuesday (Dec. 27). Normal hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m-2 p.m.; Sunday 12-4 p.m.).
For more information visit the LIBRARY website or call 563-263-3065
MUSCATINE, Iowa – There will be no refuse or yard waste collections on Friday (Dec. 23) or Monday (Dec. 26), and no Bulky Waste Collection Thursday-Tuesday (Dec. 22-27).
There will be no change to the curbside recycling collection schedule, although Republic will begin their Thursday recycling collection route (Route B) two hours early due to the potential winter storm.
Residents on the Friday route will have their refuse collected on Thursday (Dec. 22), along with residents on the regular Thursday route. Residents on the Monday route will have their refuse collected on Tuesday (Dec. 27), along with residents on the regular Tuesday route.
The Muscatine Transfer Station will be closed on Friday (Dec. 23), Saturday (Dec. 24), and Monday (26) for the Christmas holiday. The facility will resume regular hours of operation on Tuesday (Dec. 27). Transfer Station hours are Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with the last load on the scale at 3:15 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m.-12 p.m. with the last load on the scale at 11:45 a.m. The Compost Facility is currently closed for the season.
For more information, visit the SOLID WASTE DIVISION page on the City of Muscatine website or call 563-263-9689. Visit the CURBSIDE BULK COLLECTION page on the City of Muscatine website to schedule a collection or call 563-264-5865. For more information about the facility, visit COMPOST SITE on the City of Muscatine website.
MUSCATINE, Iowa –City of Muscatine offices will be closed on Friday (Dec. 23) and Monday (Dec. 26) for the Christmas holiday. All offices will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday (Dec. 27).
REFUSE COLLECTION UPDATE
The Muscatine Transfer Station will be closed on Friday (Dec. 23), Saturday (Dec. 24), and Monday (26) for the Christmas holiday. The facility will resume regular hours of operation on Tuesday (Dec. 27). Transfer Station hours are Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with the last load on the scale at 3:15 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m.-12 p.m. with the last load on the scale at 11:45 a.m.
There will be no refuse or yard waste collections on Friday (Dec. 23) or Monday (Dec. 26), and no Bulky Waste Collection Thursday-Tuesday (Dec. 22-27).
Residents on the Friday route will have their refuse collected on Thursday (Dec. 22), along with residents on the regular Thursday route. Residents on the Monday route will have their refuse collected on Tuesday (Dec. 27), along with residents on the regular Tuesday route.
There will be no change to the curbside recycling collection schedule.
For more information, visit the SOLID WASTE DIVISION page on the City of Muscatine website or call 563-263-9689. Visit the CURBSIDE BULK COLLECTION page on the City of Muscatine website to schedule a collection or call 563-264-5865.
The Compost Facility is currently closed for the season. For more information about the facility, visit COMPOST SITE on the City of Muscatine website.
MUSCABUS NOT IN SERVICE DEC. 24, 26)
Muscatine Transit (MuscaBus) will not be in service on Saturday (Dec. 24) or Monday (Dec. 26). Regular service will resume Tuesday (Dec. 27).
For more information visit the TRANSIT page on the City of Muscatine website or call 563-263-8152.
LIBRARY CLOSED DECEMBER 24-26
The Musser Public Library and HNI Community Center will be closed on Saturday (Dec. 24), Sunday (Dec. 25), and Monday (Dec. 26). The library will resume normal hours on Tuesday (Dec. 27). Normal hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m-2 p.m.; Sunday 12-4 p.m.).
For more information visit the LIBRARY website or call 563-263-3065
ART CENTER CLOSED DECEMBER 23-26
The Muscatine Art Center will be closed Friday (Dec. 23) through Monday (Dec. 26). The Art Center will resume normal hours of operation on Tuesday (Dec. 27). Normal hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 1-5 p.m.). The Art Center is normally closed to the public on Mondays.
For more information, visit the ART CENTER website or call 563-263-8282.
POLICE, FIRE READY TO ASSIST
The Muscatine Fire Department and Muscatine Police Department will be staffed, and the Department of Public Works will have staff on-call. For non-emergency issues during City office closures, please call 563-264-1550, Public Safety at 563-263-9922, or Public Works at 563-263-8933. In the case of an emergency, always call 911.
CLUBHOUSE, PRO SHOP HOURS AT GOLF COURSE
The Muscatine Municipal Golf Course is closed for the season. The Clubhouse and Pro Shop will be closed Friday (Dec. 23), Saturday (Dec. 24), and Sunday (Dec. 25). Holiday hours for the Clubhouse and Pro Shop are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 21 and Dec. 22, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 27, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Dec. 29 and 30, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on January 2.
Please contact the Muscatine Municipal Golf Course at (563) 263-4735 for more information. You can also visit the GOLF page on the City of Muscatine website.
CITY PARKS OPEN (WEATHER PERMITTING)
All City of Muscatine parks, including the Muscatine Dog Park, Muscatine Pollinator Park, and the Muscatine Trail System, will be available for the public’s use. The public is urged to use caution while enjoying City of Muscatine recreational opportunities.
For more information about City parks and amenities visit the PARKS & RECREATION page on the City of Muscatine website. If you have questions concerning Parks and Recreation programming or facility rentals, please call 563-263-0241 and leave a message, or email parksoffice@muscatineiowa.gov. A staff member will respond as quickly as possible.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine City Council will be asked to authorize a Destination Iowa Grant application during its regular meeting Thursday (Dec. 15) that may lead to the design and construction of the Muscatine Indoor Sports Complex. 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 staff presented the concept of an indoor sports complex to the Muscatine City Council on December 1, with the City Council supporting the concept and allocating $600,000 in 2024 bond proceeds for the design and construction of the facility. The City has since received funding commitments from the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors and two private donors.
The facility will be located on the north end of the Soccer West complex on South Houser Street. The Destination Iowa Grant, if awarded, will provide additional revenue for the project along with the financial commitments made by the City of Muscatine, Muscatine County, and private individuals.
The Council will also be asked to approve a Letter of Acceptance to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) for funding to replace the bridge over Mad Creek on Park Avenue West. The bridge is in need of replacement and will have a weight limit implemented during the design of its replacement. The DOT will fund the bridge replacement while the City will pay for the engineering design.
A public hearing will be scheduled for January 5, 2023, for a Sewer Lining Project that is currently in development by the Department of Public Works. Several aging sections of sewers are in need of replacement but the high construction costs would make replacement of these sections prohibitive. A cured-in-place liner is being discussed as a low-cost but effective alternative to actual replacement of the pipes.
Also on the agenda:
Approval of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Audit for the year ended June 30, 2022;
Approval of the Tax Increment Financing Policy;
Awarding a contract to KE Flatwork, Inc., to replace the tipping floor at the Transfer Station;
Approval of renewing the School Resource Officer agreement with Muscatine Community School District; and,
Approval of a professional services agreement with Watersmith Engineering for the Kent Stein to Sunset Housing Trail connector.
Information on these 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 15, 2022 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CDT)
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.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Muscatine’s historic Weed Park will be shining brightly again this holiday season with stunning displays of Christmas wonder from December 12 through December 26. Viewers may drive through the park and witness the spectacle from 5:30-7:30 p.m. daily beginning at the Washington Street entrance and proceeding to the Colorado Street exit.
The elves in the Muscatine Parks and Recreation office have been busy since early fall working with local community organizations and businesses to help spread heart-warming joyfulness this holiday season. These volunteer groups have made Weed Park come to life with beautiful light displays that will help make Muscatine’s spirits bright.
This is the second year for the Festival of Lights in Weed Park with almost twice as many displays this year to delight park visitors.
Everyone will have the opportunity to get into the spirit of giving by donating a non-perishable goodwill food item that may be dropped into containers at the Washington Street entrance. All donations will be used to benefit local food pantries.
If you want to share your holiday spirit but just haven’t found a way to do that, it is not too late to adopt a display site. Volunteers may design their own light display near any available Weed Park shelter, gardens, and structures for the enjoyment of all this December. Interested organizations or businesses may submit their application by contacting the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241 or by emailing parksoffice@muscatineiowa.gov.
For additional information, contact the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241.
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)
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.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Municipal Golf Course will be closing for the season at the end of the day on Sunday (Dec. 4). The Clubhouse will remain open throughout the winter months for event rentals, simulator play, golf lessons, and stocking up on necessities from the Pro Shop.
Winter hours are: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. The clubhouse will be closed on Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the winter months.
Get ahead on the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping by finding the perfect gift for the golfer on your nice list. The Pro Shop has a variety of staples to stock up on for the 2023 season.
Keep an eye out for upcoming monthly events on the new Simulator. Lessons and casual play may be scheduled by calling the Pro Shop at (563) 263-4735 or via email at bkuddes@muscatineiowa.gov.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Three Muscatine Police officers will be honored with a Lifesaving Award, a new Police Chief will be officially named, and discussion on a proposed indoor soccer complex in Muscatine are on the Muscatine City Council agenda for Thursday (Dec. 1).
The City Council meets at 6 p.m. Thursday 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.
Muscatine Police officers Jacob Elliot and Kassy Middaugh along with Corporal Todd Koch will be awarded the Muscatine Police Department Lifesaving Award by Muscatine Mayor Brad Bark. In two separate incidents, the officers used their CPR training to revive male victims who were unconscious and not breathing. Both victims regained a pulse and were breathing when Muscatine Fire Department paramedics arrived on the scene.
Muscatine Patrol Captain Anthony (Tony) Kies was selected as the next City of Muscatine Police Chief upon the retirement of current Police Chief Brett Talkington on February 28, 2023. The highly competitive selection process had over 30 candidates interviewed with the top six invited to Muscatine for face-to-face interviews on Nov. 18. Captain Kies selection is contingent on approval by the Muscatine City Council.
City Council will be asked to endorse the Soccer West Indoor Sports Facility Concept Plan and to support the use of $600,000 of 2024 bond proceeds for facility design and construction. The facility will offer various opportunities for indoor field access for soccer and other youth and amateur sports. The air-supported structure will include synthetic turf and other ancillary structures including restroom and concession facilities.
The $4 million project will be funded by a combination of local government funds, grant funds, and private donations. The community grant writer is currently working on two grant applications that are due in December. The City will operate and maintain the facility, but the community will also benefit from the economic activity generated by the facility that is estimated to be $3.8 million annually.
In other action, the Council will be asked to approve two purchase orders to Heuer Construction. The City of Muscatine learned from the Iowa Department of Transportation earlier this year that the city is responsible for maintaining several stormwater intakes and pipe sections on U.S. Highway 61 between 2nd Avenue and Grandview Avenue, and on Park Avenue between U.S. Highway 61 and Colorado Street.
Five sections on Highway 61 and eight sections on Park Avenue have been deemed hazards to the motoring public and need to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Heuer Construction was the only DOT approved contractor who returned a bid for this work.
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 1, 2022 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CDT)
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.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – A portion of 2nd Street in Downtown Muscatine will be closed to vehicular traffic from 12-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, for the annual Jingle & Mingle (formerly Holiday Stroll) event. East 2nd Street will be closed at the Mulberry Roundabout and West 2nd Street will be closed at the Pine Street intersection.
Intersecting side-streets (Walnut, Cedar, Sycamore, Iowa, and Chestnut) will be closed at the #1 alley (between Mississippi Drive and 2nd Street), and at the #2 alley (between 3rd and 2nd streets).
No parking will be allowed in the closed section starting at noon on Friday, Dec. 2. Access to all businesses will be maintained with parking available in Riverside Park, city parking lots, and on city streets north of the closed section.
Drivers should use Mississippi Drive or 3rd Street to detour around the street closure.
MUSCATINE, Iowa –City of Muscatine offices will be closed on Thursday (Nov. 24) and Friday (Nov. 25) for the Thanksgiving holiday. All offices will reopen for regular hours on Monday (Nov. 28).
Thanksgiving is the most traveled holiday and the City of Muscatine urges everyone to use extra caution and plan enough travel time to avoid becoming anxious about arriving late and to accommodate any delays due to road conditions. Also view these Fire Safety Tips from the National Fire Protection Association for a safe holiday.
Muscatine Transit (MuscaBus) will not be in service on Thursday (Nov. 24) or Friday (Nov. 25). Red and Blue Routes will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday (Nov. 26) with regular service resuming Monday (Nov. 28).
For more information visit the TRANSIT page on the City of Muscatine website or call 563-263-8152.
The Musser Public Library and HNI Community Center will be closed on Thursday (Nov. 24) for Thanksgiving Day, and will resume normal hours on Friday (Nov. 25). Normal hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m-2 p.m.; Sunday 12-4 p.m.).
For more information visit the LIBRARY website or call 563-263-3065
The Muscatine Art Center will be closed on Thursday (Nov. 24) and Friday (Nov. 25). The Art Center will resume normal hours of operation on Saturday (Nov. 26). Normal hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 1-5 p.m. The Art Center is normally closed to the public on Mondays.
For more information, visit the ART CENTER website or call 563-263-8282.
The Muscatine Transfer Station will be closed on Thursday and Friday (Nov. 24-25). The facility will resume normal hours of operation on Saturday (Nov. 26). Transfer Station hours are Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with the last load on the scale at 3:15 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m.-12 p.m. with the last load on the scale at 11:45 a.m.
For more information, visit the SOLID WASTE DIVISION page on the City of Muscatine website or call 563-263-9689.
The Compost Facility will be closed on Thursday (Nov. 24) but will resume normal hours of operation on Friday (Nov. 25). Compost Facility hours are Sunday-Friday 12-5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
For more information about the facility, visit COMPOST SITE on the City of Muscatine website.
There will be no refuse or yard waste collections on Thursday (Nov. 24) or Friday (Nov. 25), no Bulky Waste Collection Wednesday-Monday (Nov. 24-28), and no curbside recycling collection on Thursday (Nov. 24).
Visit the CURBSIDE BULK COLLECTION page on the City of Muscatine website to schedule a collection or call 563-264-5865.
REFUSE COLLECTION – There will be no curbside refuse or yard waste collection on Thursday (Nov. 24) or Friday (Nov. 25). Residents on the Thursday route will have their refuse collected on Wednesday (Nov. 23), along with residents on the regular Wednesday route. Residents on the Friday route will have their refuse collected on Monday (Nov. 28), along with residents on the regular Monday route.
RECYCLING COLLECTION – There will be no curbside recycling collection on Thursday (Nov. 24). Residents on the Thursday “B” route will have their recycling collected on Friday (Nov. 25). Residents on the Friday “B” route will have their recycling collected on Saturday (Nov. 26). Regular service will resume on Monday (Nov. 28).
The Muscatine Fire Department and Muscatine Police Department will be staffed, and the Department of Public Works will have staff on-call. For non-emergency issues during City office closures, please call 563-264-1550, Public Safety at 563-263-9922, or Public Works at 563-263-8933. In the case of an emergency, always call 911.
The Muscatine Municipal Golf Course will be closed on Thursday (Nov. 24), and will resume regular hours on Friday (Nov. 25), weather permitting. Please call the Clubhouse at 563-263-4735 to book a tee time. You can also visit the GOLF page on the City of Muscatine website.
All City of Muscatine parks, including the Muscatine Dog Park, Muscatine Pollinator Park, and the Muscatine Trail System, will be available for the public’s use. The public is urged to use caution while enjoying City of Muscatine recreational opportunities.
For more information about City parks and amenities visit the PARKS & RECREATION page on the City of Muscatine website. If you have questions concerning Parks and Recreation programming or facility rentals, please call 563-263-0241 and leave a message, or email parksoffice@muscatineiowa.gov. A staff member will respond as quickly as possible.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine City Council will be asked to approve the Annual Street Finance Report for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 during the Council’s final meeting before the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, (Nov. 17), one of several housekeeping items that are on the Council agenda.
The City Council meets at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall, 215 Sycamore Street, Muscatine, Iowa. A virtual session is offered 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.
The City Street Finance Report is required by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) of all cities, and shows all street-related expenditures and related funding sources. Street related expenditures for the past fiscal year were $13,395,606 and that was up from $10,561,544 in Fiscal Year 2020-2021 and $9,385,512 in Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
Street-related costs in the General Fund (ongoing street maintenance) accounted for $3,009,908 in the past fiscal year, and street-related debt service on principal and interest for outstanding bond issues came in at $1,551,188.
Capital Project expenditures for Fiscal Year 2021/2022 came in at $8,496,825 and include: $5,569,960 for the Mississippi Drive/Grandview Avenue Corridor Project; $934,329 for street resurfacing, $837,063 for the 2nd Street Streetscape Project, $1,022,405 for the Park Avenue 4-to-3 Lane Conversion Project; $23,072 for the 67th Street Sidewalk Project engineering design; and, $109,996 for the right-of-way purchase for the new Love’s Truck Stop access road.
A major funding source for street expenditures is Road Use Tax ($3,289,871 in FY2021-2022). Additional funds came from Local Option Sales Tax ($774,940), Public Works charged for services ($122,410), and a federal grant from FEMA ($20,728) for windstorm cleanup.
Among the other items on the agenda is:
Swearing in of Firefighter Donald Petersen;
Resolutions for internal advances of funds for Tax Increment Urban Renewal Projects;
Resolutions for annual appropriation for Tax Increment Financing Rebate obligations;
Adoption of the Iowa League of Cities Record Retention Manual as the official schedule for the City of Muscatine; and,
Approval of an agreement with DOT and acceptance of an ARPA grant for MuscaBus.
To view the complete report and agenda summary along with other agenda click AGENDA to open 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, November 17, 2022 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CDT)
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.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Greenwood Cemetery will be conducting maintenance of the grounds from 8 a.m.to 1 p.m. on Monday, October 31. The City of Muscatine has announced that, for the safety of the public, the grounds at Greenwood will be closed to the public during this maintenance period.
Please contact the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241 for more information.
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Alexander Clark was Iowa’s most prominent Black citizen of the 19th century and a national leader in the cause of equal rights. His career culminated with service as U.S. ambassador to Liberia. Born free in Pennsylvania in 1826, he settled in Muscatine at age 16. He worked as a barber and acquired timberland along the Mississippi River and sold firewood for steamboats. He invested in real estate and amassed considerable wealth, becoming one of the town’s most accomplished residents. 
