[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6211824,"mediaKeyId","3689368-7f79d100c0c134d7c9113a9b2c25ddf4","parentId",3689368,"title","Downtown business owners urge longer parking limits, cite broken meters and ticketing delays","audioSeconds",538,"startMs",477000,"endMs",1015000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3689368-7f79d100c0c134d7c9113a9b2c25ddf4&start=477&end=1015","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3689368-7f79d100c0c134d7c9113a9b2c25ddf4/thumbnail_477000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6211824/Muscatine-City/Muscatine-County/Iowa/Downtown-business-owners-urge-longer-parking-limits-cite-broken-meters-and-ticketing-delays","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211824-19e8c539c1c13a2307d75911284fa7b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176134&Signature=aPodfHVuv4etyU9MEKkDotSS5tgBG4rn5iwdvNNKOJdW-o8GnLEWCxUNyo1Em5voTstM40E3FNx2CAcB-cgDw~967OK8xSEutb1670uaoOK~MmjFOk1K~hLV955~gKWpP1eVmXpfZebZJmK4qYZx7rjhr2Hvgv2siiLDrci6IiTh0PDeLIkYJ2yRH-h-nH46C-K-E9DPqnLgm8Lxk9SU03HHPcUzBKN0OLBZsGg0hK05bOuwARwcb~ftTG4MVvjuhl1uAAbUEEiWKujDMgMrPoDyMRDDfFvBZK7Nhfr~fM~QMHqLF-7u8NsiQSAPskHd85oLfDspvWWK7z4MlUnW4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Muscatine City, Iowa","date","2025-06-06T12:47:32Z","article","Business owners and residents at the June 5 Muscatine City Council meeting urged changes to downtown parking rules, saying current time limits and meter problems discourage customers.

Darryl Ravere, co‑owner of Merrill Soap Company, told the council he received a ticket for an ordinance he said he did not know about and said the city’s reimbursement process for faulty meters is slow. “There is a perception, don't come downtown, you're gonna get a ticket,” Ravere said. He asked the council to consider extending time limits on metered streets and to add signage to inform customers about time rules.

Tim Nelson, owner of Good Karma Creations, said vehicles without meters are being left in front of businesses for long periods because on‑street enforcement is light, particularly on weekends. That, he said, reduces customer turnover. \"When we have good traffic and good rotation, we tend to have a better day,” Nelson said.

Council member Osborne said he has repeatedly proposed extending downtown parking to three hours and eliminating meters; he criticized a city staff proposal — as presented by staff member Nancy — to double parking fines, saying public feedback to a recent online survey was strongly opposed to higher fines. \"First ticket's a warning. Second ticket is $10 like Nancy proposed. Third gets more, fourth gets more,\" Osborne said as an example of a stepped system he favors.

Council member Gordon questioned the reliability of a Facebook survey cited in the discussion and asked staff to validate the data. Council members asked staff to review options including extended time limits, changes to enforcement practices on weekends and improved signage. Osborne agreed to put a formal email to the council detailing his proposal and findings, and staff said they will review the parking survey and meter operations.

No ordinance or fee change was adopted at the meeting. Council members indicated they expect staff to return with data and recommendations for potential changes to downtown parking policy.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 5th, 2025 - Muscatine City Council Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Local business owners told the Muscatine City Council that current downtown parking limits, broken meters and slow reimbursement of erroneous tickets hurt commerce; council asked staff to review proposals including extended time limits and enforcement options.","taxTitle","Muscatine City, Muscatine County, Iowa","taxId",55544,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6211829,"Council approves first reading of trap-neuter-release ordinance after divided debate",2753,1085000,3838000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3689368-7f79d100c0c134d7c9113a9b2c25ddf4&start=1085&end=3838","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3689368-7f79d100c0c134d7c9113a9b2c25ddf4/thumbnail_1085000.jpg","/articles/6211829/Muscatine-City/Muscatine-County/Iowa/Council-approves-first-reading-of-trap-neuter-release-ordinance-after-divided-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211829-fcebdcbf3651f32f9b2b46b51dac61bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176134&Signature=DknPGuWqHKmw5xu1z7fOQY5UEWXyLwxn11JVXH7e1Vsc5i8UDBqZSjrNVCppX7~ZD69dA7uil3FLtTXYijfBz1CKWiHzvdQ4AauPwRNsFU7gwH61ky~1m3WEbD3-AdYUwpEuIxbfIejft~mghpX55GE2dOZDYZt6r5aYUL58NVqI6ISGx79YCG0VUs5E4j7DLrjJ0OuGELLDKZimXQ5sdZNBMpFu8LT8QRbGc8SqgmvRi0iGpDAHm9cOUiCaJuLWjroN5ZNgfMqcEb3JKSweaI77eD4C7dlYl7bOv~SyqYAcH7U9fbvNw0kHVpRWCawR4zcT1188~cgepD3LKijyBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Muscatine City Council on June 5 approved the first reading of an ordinance adding section 16, “community cats — trap, neuter, release,” to Title 6, Chapter 8 of the city code after public testimony and extended council debate.

Supporters and opponents used the public hearing to press starkly different views on TNR’s effectiveness. Resident William Veil, who spoke during the public hearing, cited national wildlife statistics and told the council, “An average feral cat is estimated to kill between 449 to 748 wild animals per year.” Richard Havel, another resident, said house cats should be controlled and licensed, arguing, “If you have a house cat, it should be licensed.”

Council members and city staff also debated the program’s likely short‑ and long‑term results. Courtney, the city’s animal control officer, confirmed that cats brought in from outside the city cannot legally be released in Muscatine, saying “It is not” legal. Assistant City Administrator Keyes and other staff told council members that annual intake at the Humane Society has been roughly steady at about 400 cats per year over recent years and that costs include intake plus kittens born at the facility.

Council member Gordon said TNR is “a tool in the tool belt” and noted the proposed ordinance would require organizations that perform captures and releases to register with the city and vaccinate animals for rabies. Council member Jendrick expressed strong opposition and called TNR ineffective for population control, saying the city needs a more restrictive licensing and containment regime and an “aggressive trapping program” combined with a euthanasia option.

The ordinance motion — to approve the first reading of the TNR code change — was made by Council member Gordon and seconded by Council member Conard. The first reading passed 6‑1: Council members Brockert, Conard, Lewis, Gordon, Osborne and Lampe voted yes; Council member Gendrick voted no.

No final adoption occurred at the June 5 meeting. The ordinance passed its first reading and will need to return to the council for subsequent consideration before it can be adopted. Council members said they expect further discussion and potential amendment in future meetings based on implementation experience and public input.

The matter drew substantial public interest and extended council discussion. Speakers, staff and council exchanged data and policy options about licensing, enforcement, euthanasia and costs; several council members encouraged trying TNR while monitoring results and reserving the right to change policy if outcomes do not meet city goals.","The Muscatine City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to allow registered organizations to conduct trap-neuter-release (TNR) for community cats, passing 6-1 after a lengthy public hearing and council debate about effectiveness, costs and animal control policy.","actionData","errors"]

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Downtown business owners urge longer parking limits, cite broken meters and ticketing delays

Council approves first reading of trap-neuter-release ordinance after divided debate