Council adopts multiple contracts, property vacations and sets West Hill hearing

MUSCATINE, Iowa — The Muscatine City Council on Oct. 7 approved a series of routine resolutions, contract awards and property vacations and set a Nov. 18 public hearing on environmental review for West Hill Phase 6.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the agenda and to approve the consent agenda, which the clerk said included bills totaling $2,603,043.35. Several individual resolutions and procurement actions were handled without extended discussion.

Key council actions included adoption of a resolution setting a public hearing on Nov. 18, 2025, for West Hill Phase 6 environmental impacts. The council also adopted a set of resolutions vacating undeveloped right-of-way and deeding it to adjoining property owners (Smalley Street and two Clymer Street parcels), each approved unanimously.

The council awarded a contract and bond to Boulder Contracting LLC for the Lake Park Boulevard over Mad Creek bridge deck overlay in the amount of $165,504.30 and accepted completed work by Higher Construction Inc. for the Folium Avenue Reconstruction Project Phase 3, authorizing release of retainage in the amount of $22,673.76.

Members approved plans and specifications for the Muscatine Marina confined disposal facility relocation project; council discussion noted the project is to be bonded and that funding will be a combination of TIF and bond proceeds (finance director to confirm final price).

Other approvals included: - Work order No. 9 to Bolton & Menk (professional services) for the Muscatine Community Airport, amount not to exceed $57,000. - Amendment No. 3 to the professional services agreement with Martin Gardner Architecture PC for the downtown revitalization project (ongoing design services). - Issuance of a purchase order to Diamond Doctors of Iowa for replacement of infields at Kent Stein Park, $38,700. - The appointment of Richard Hammond as finance director (swearing-in to occur as noted by city staff).

All motions on these items passed with unanimous votes as read during the meeting. Specific roll-call yes votes were read aloud as "aye" for each item; no recorded nays or abstentions were announced.

The council closed a public hearing on plans and specifications for the Muscatine Marina confined disposal facility relocation project after receiving no public comments.

Several items were described as routine and enacted by a single motion; council members stated they would remove any item from the consent agenda for separate discussion if requested.

The council adjourned following the completion of the agenda.

Ending: The council scheduled follow-up on several items (including providing the final marina project price) and set the West Hill Phase 6 environmental public hearing for Nov. 18, 2025.