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Muscatine council approves ordinances, project contracts and demolition bids; sets multiple public hearings
Summary
At its March 6 meeting the Muscatine City Council approved a series of ordinances, resolutions, contracts and hearings covering zoning, street and park projects, demolitions and procurement; most measures passed unanimously while one zoning ordinance drew a 6-1 vote.
The Muscatine City Council on March 6 approved multiple ordinances, resolutions and contracts covering zoning changes, street and park projects, demolition work and several future public hearings.
The council adopted the third and final reading of an ordinance rezoning the southwest corner of the Muscatine Community College campus and approved a second ordinance creating a new CF (Community Facility) zoning district. It also waived the third reading and adopted changes to park code regarding fishing in the Weed Park Lagoon.
Why it matters: the package moves multiple public-works and land-use actions forward simultaneously — from design approvals for park and road projects to property deconstructions and contract awards — and commits local funds and state grant funds for specific demolitions and rebuilds.
Key outcomes (votes and details):
- Ordinance (rezoning) — third and final reading: rezoned the southwest corner of the Muscatine Community College campus. Motion to adopt passed with all ayes.
- Ordinance (CF Community Facility District) — third and final reading: adopted on third reading; vote recorded as 6 ayes, 1 nay (Council member Osborne cast the lone nay).
- Ordinance (parks: Weed Park Lagoon fishing rule) — waived third reading and adopted on second and final reading; all ayes.
- Resolution adopting plans and specifications for the Lake Park Boulevard Bridal Deck overlay project — adopted with all ayes.
- Resolution accepting completed work by Higher Construction Inc. for the Grandview Avenue Reconstruction Project — adopted with all ayes.
- Resolution awarding contract to Salzco LLC for demolition at 718 East Seventh Street, amount $12,650 — adopted with all ayes. Community Development Director Jody Bridal Goodwin said the demolition will be paid with a nuisance grant from the state and that the Muscatine Community School Association (MCSA) will use other grant funds to rebuild a house on the site.
- Resolution awarding contract to Solisco LLC for demolition at 506 Spring Street, amount $9,650 — adopted with all ayes.
- Resolution awarding contract to Top Choice Construction and Roofing as city general contractor for minor city construction projects — adopted with 6 ayes, 1 nay (see separate coverage for procurement debate).
- Resolution approving revision to the purchase agreement for 539 Hagerman Drive related to the West Hills Sewer Separation Project, phase 6d — adopted with all ayes.
- Resolution approving updated parks and recreation fee schedule — adopted with all ayes.
- Change order No. 2 for the Muscatine Indoor Sports Complex project — approved with all ayes.
- Purchase order to Fears Friars and Sons Tree Service for tree removal tied to West Hills Sewer Separation phase 6d, amount $27,000 — approved with all ayes.
- Multiple resolutions setting public hearings for March 20, 2025, including: an amendment to mirror the state historic building code in the city building code; plan reviews for West Hills Sewer Separation phase 6d; Folium Avenue reconstruction phase 3; cured-in-place pipe liner project; and snow-removal equipment at the Muscatine Municipal Airport — all adopted with all ayes.
- Motion to enter closed session under Iowa code as read on the record — approved unanimously.
Meeting context and follow-ups: many items were handled on unanimous consent or passed with minimal discussion; the meeting contained one prominent policy debate (CF zoning district) that generated a single recorded dissent and related public comment at earlier hearings. Several capital projects listed for March 20 public hearings will return to council for additional votes after plan reviews. Staff identified the funding source for specified demolitions (state nuisance grant) and confirmed MCSA plans to rebuild on at least one site.
