Two public hearings on Council agenda for November 19

Muscatine City Hall. (File photo)

Press Release:

The Muscatine City Council will conduct a public hearing on the use of funds from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) received by the City of Muscatine and a public hearing on the discontinuation of the Convention & Visitors Board when the Council meets in a virtual meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020.

The Muscatine City Council meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 15, with information on joining the virtual session listed below. The session will also be broadcast live on the City of Muscatine YouTube channel and be shown live on Muscatine Power & Water Cable Channel 2.

The meeting will begin with a presentation on Vision2020 by Cheryl Plank.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) established an opportunity for non-entitlement cities or counties to apply for CDBG grant funds to support infectious disease response. Muscatine partnered with the United Way, Muscatine Center for Social Action, and the Salvation Army and was awarded a $53,004 grant.

The main purpose of the grant application was to increase food service delivery capacity. Funds were also requested for Trinity Public Health to provide psychological first aid training to mental health providers, and to purchase IPads to support patient connections along with increased telehealth services.

A public hearing is required by the grant agreement to discuss specific information regarding the use of funds, the needs of low- and moderate-income families within the community, and the regulations that must be adhered to.

A presentation by Community Development Director Jodi Royal-Goodwin will precede the public hearing.

The second public hearing concerns the discontinuation of the Convention and Visitors Board that was established in Muscatine City Code. The City of Muscatine and the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GMCCI) will enter into an agreement to establish a Tourism Committee to provide tourism and marketing services to the City of Muscatine.

The first reading of an ordinance striking Title 2, Chapter 13 of the Muscatine City Code (Convention and Visitors Board) will be held later in the Council meeting. The ordinance must be approved by Council before the agreement can be authorized and allow GMCCI to establish the Tourism Committee.

The public is welcomed to comment during each public hearing. A chat box will be open during the virtual meeting for individuals to notify Council members that they would like to comment. The Mayor will also ask for comments and those wishing to comment should announce their intention at that time.

Click AGENDA to download the November 19, 2020, 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.

How to attend, speak at virtual meeting –

Meetings of the Muscatine City Council have been held by conference call since Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds proclaimed a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency on March 19, 2020.

To join the conference call by computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone click on the following link

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/429386485.

Citizens can also listen to the meeting with their phone by dialing +1 (872) 240-3212 and use the access code 429-386-485.

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 Regular Meeting
Thu, Nov 19, 2020 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (CST)

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/429386485

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212

Access Code: 429-386-485

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/429386485

 

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