Updates on capital projects, Code Blue program, utility franchise fees on tonight’s City Council agenda


An update on the various capital projects either completed or ongoing during the 2021 construction season will be presented to the Muscatine City Council Thursday (Sept. 9) along with a discussion of the Muscatine Police Department’s Code Blue Program, and a discussion on the Utility Franchise Fee used by the City of Muscatine.

The Council meets at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Council Chambers of Muscatine City Hall. A virtual meeting will also be held in conjunction with the in-person session for those who want to view the proceedings or make a comment but do not want to attend in person. (Details below).

Public Works Director Brian Stineman will present an overview of current construction projects across the city providing background information on each project along with project highlights. Four major capital projects are currently underway in Muscatine including the Park Avenue 4-to-3 Lane Conversion Project (due to be completed at the end of September) and the 2nd Street Streetscape Project (due to be completed in early October).

Two other capital projects are in the first or two years’ worth of construction activity including the Grandview Avenue Reconstruction Project and Phase 5 of the West Hill Sanitary and Storm Sewer Separation Project.

Muscatine Police Lieutenant Ryan Buss will open the meeting with a discussion of the Code Blue Program. “Code Blue” is a call to action for fellow MPD officers to provide assistance to a family or individual that has experience a traumatic event such as an unexpected death or a house fire. Several local restaurants and organizations have partnered with MPD to assist these individuals in their time of need since its inception in 2020.

Finance Director Nancy Lueck will wrap up the evenings presentation with a discussion on the Utility Franchise Fee.

Thursday’s City Council meeting in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall is open to the public. Citizens attending the meeting are asked to follow current CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommendations for wearing a mask indoors whether vaccinated or not. The City of Muscatine does not require wearing a mask, but does urge the public to follow Public Health and CDC recommendations when possible.

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 September 9, 2021, 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.

Muscatine City Council Regular Meeting | Thu, September 9, 2021 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (CDT)

Join the meeting from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone by clicking the following link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/419206597

You can also use your phone by dialing +1 (646) 749-3122, follow the prompts, and type in Access Code 419-206-597 when prompted.

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/419206597

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.