MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine City Council will be provided a list of six items that can be deferred or placed for further review by the City Administrator during the Thursday, June 18, 2020, regular city council meeting. The list was created by Finance Department staff following a review of the potential impacts from the business closures resulting from the COVID-19 health crisis.
The Muscatine City Council will meet in a virtual session at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 18. Details on attending the virtual meeting are listed below.
Finance Director Nancy Lueck noted that staff and the City Council have been reviewing and discussing the projected impacts to both the current Fiscal Year 2020 budget and the upcoming Fiscal Year 2021 budget. At the June 11 In-depth meeting each department head presented information on potential impacts of budget reductions on services to residents.
Recommended to be deferred until future revenue levels are determined is the FY20-21 Pavement Management program, the hiring of three new firefighters and a Human Resource Generalist to positions created in the FY20-21 budget discussions, and the allocation of merit pay to qualifying staff members. Various budgeted department expenditures will also be reduced when possible, and all budgeted capital outlay items will be reviewed by the City Administrator before purchasing (any over $5,000 also need Council approval).
Another recommendation is that all permanent fulltime and permanent part-time positions that become vacant will be reviewed by the City Administrator before being authorized to be filled.
The Council is also expected to approve the list of 19 businesses that will receive Economic Assistance for Muscatine Small Business Loans in Phase 2 of the program. A total of 27 applications were received for Phase 2 but eight had already received money in Phase 1. Council approved up to $400,000 in funding for the program with $183,767 going to 75 businesses in the first round and $47,500 to 19 businesses in the second round.
Click AGENDA to download the June 18, 2020, City Council agenda and/or attachments.
How to attend, speak at virtual meeting –
Meetings of the Muscatine City Council have been held by conference call since Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds proclaimed a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency on March 19, 2020. To join the conference call by computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone click on the following link
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/220638085. Citizens can also listen to the meeting with their phone by dialing +1 (872) 240-3412 and use the access code 220-638-085.
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 Regular Meeting
Thu, Jun 18, 2020 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (CDT)
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Access Code: 220-638-085
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