Six presentations on Thursday’s City Council agenda; special in-depth business meeting to follow

The Muscatine City Council will hear six presentations during the In-Depth meeting Thursday (June 9) in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall, 215 Sycamore Street, Muscatine, Iowa. A special business meeting will be conducted following the in-depth session.

A virtual meeting will be 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 in attending in person. Details for joining that virtual meeting are listed below.

John Dabeet will begin the presentations Thursday with an update on the Sister Cities project. Muscatine currently has eight sister-cities with a ninth in the works. Participating communities include Drohobych, Ukraine, Kislovodsk, Russia, Parana/Crespo, Argentina, Ichikawamisato, Japan, Ramallah, Palestine, Lomza Poland, Ludwigslust, Germany, and Zhengding, China. Current efforts are to establish a sister city in Liberia. To find out more, tune in to the City Council meeting or visit Muscatine Sister Cities.

Sergeant John Hesseling of the Muscatine Police Department will follow with a presentation on the Muscatine Special Operations Response Team (MSORT) that was founded in 2001 in response to the ever-increasing number of encounters with armed resistance.

Public Works Director Brian Stineman will have a presentation regarding the current policies and procedures for sidewalk repairs and installation in Muscatine, and discuss the goals his department is working towards in overcoming the current limitations to the policy.

Assistant Community Development Director Andrew Fangman will provide an overview of the draft version of the Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan, a map-based plan that depicts existing, planned, and needed improvements to bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

Stineman will return to the podium to provide an update on the development of plans for the reconstruction of a portion of Fulliam Avenue.

The in-depth portion of the night will conclude with an overview of fireworks policies and enforcement for consumer sales and usage provided by Assistant Fire Chief and Muscatine Fire Marshall Mike Hartman.

A special business meeting will be held after the in-depth meeting wraps up and includes a public hearing on the proposed amendment to the Consolidated Muscatine Urban Renewal Area. The amendment includes:

  • A proposed development agreement with Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc.
  • A proposed development agreement with Kent Corporation for the redevelopment of the former McKee Button Factory; and,
  • A proposed development agreement with Merge, LLC, for a mixed use (commercial and multi-residential) building at 1056 Hershey Avenue.

A second public hearing will be held on the development agreement with Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc., to construct a Love’s Travel Stop and the related public infrastructure at 2417 Grandview Avenue.

 A resolution on approving the Urban Renewal Plan Amendment and a resolution approving the development agreement with Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc., will be considered later in the meeting.

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.

Information on the presentations and other agenda items can be found by clicking AGENDA to download the City Council agenda and/or attachments.

The best way for the public to participate virtually is to log on or dial in to the GoToMeeting session, mute your device, watch the session on YouTube or Cable Channel 2. 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 the GoToMeeting virtual meeting to pose a question to the Mayor, Council, or staff member.

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 Meeting | Thursday, June 9, 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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