MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine City Council will hear three presentations from City of Muscatine staff during the November In-Depth meeting Thursday (Nov. 10). 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.
At the September 15, 2022, City Council meeting, the Council approved changes to City Code Title 7, Chapter 10, Snow Emergency Regulations, to facilitate a snow emergency policy. Muscatine Public Works Director Brian Stineman will lead a discussion on a proposed Snow Pushback Policy to deal with pushing snow back to the curb after snowfall events and mainline plowing have been completed.
Water Resource and Recovery Facility director Jon Koch, who also heads up the Stormwater Department, will follow with a presentation on the No Mow May Initiative. The Bee City USA program is designed to assist communities in establishing more pollinator habitats. Pollinator populations have been declining in part due to habitat loss, pesticide use and parasitic mites. Pollinators play an essential role in our ecosystems and help pollinate a third of the food on our plates. Introducing flowers into a lawn not only helps bees and other pollinators, but can also increase the resilience of your yard by promoting deeper roots, increasing soil health and reducing the need to fertilize.
This program would be directed by the Stormwater Department with property owners required to sign up for the program annually so that strict oversight and management is assured. They would be required to display signage to educate neighbors and passersby about landscaping choices. Height restrictions currently in code would be maintained and all the turf alternatives allowed will require clean mowed borders and maintenance to 3" or less.
Over the past year, the Muscatine Art Center, including members of the staff, the Board of Trustees, the Friends board, the Support Foundation Advisory Committee, volunteers, and others have taken an in-depth look at the operations and the hopes for the organization’s future. During this overview, Muscatine Art Center Director Melanie Alexander will highlight details of the plan as well as the insights and findings of de Novo Marketing, who conducted surveys, focus groups, and other meetings earlier in 2022.
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, November 10, 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