MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine City Council will hear a proposal from City Administrator Carol Webb to designate a limited number of parking spaces in the downtown area for free, short-term curbside parking for restaurant pickup service during the virtual in-depth session Thursday night.
The Muscatine City Council In-Depth meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 10, with information on joining the virtual session listed below. The session will also be broadcast live on the City of Muscatine YouTube channel and be shown live on Muscatine Power & Water Cable Channel 2.
The Council will also review a draft of the City of Muscatine 2021 Strategic Plan and hear a presentation from the Flickinger Learning Center.
Small businesses, especially restaurants, have been impacted by various public health guidelines and restrictions since the public health crisis began in March 2020. Many local restaurants adjusted their business model to incorporate curbside service for their “to go” orders as inside dining was closed and then reopened with restrictions. Several of the businesses have been asking the City for ways to provide this curbside service without their customers receiving parking tickets, especially those facing metered parking spaces.
In recognition of this request, a curbside parking program in the downtown area was developed with the City partnering with the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GMCCI) to manage the program.
Restaurants who want to participate in the program will need to contact GMCCI to start the application process. The number and location of curbside parking spaces will be determined through collaboration between the restaurant, City, and GMCCI. The number and location will be based on whether that restaurant is offering curbside pickup only or a combination of curbside and dine-in service, and how many restaurants in the general vicinity are also making a request to participate. GMCCI will manage the acquisition and distribution of the temporary signage.
The program will continue through August 31, 2021, unless otherwise extended by the City Council. Applications for the program will begin once the City Council approves the resolution authorizing the parking change.
The City of Muscatine 2021 Strategic Plan outlines key objectives and strategies that align with the City’s priorities and comprehensive plan and was developed through a series of strategic planning retreats held in October that include the City Council, Mayor, and the Leadership Team of the City of Muscatine. A copy of the draft can be found attached to the Council agenda.
Click AGENDA to download the December 10, 2020, 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.
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/501344245. Citizens can also listen to the meeting with their phone by dialing +1 (872) 240-3212 and use the access code 501-344-245.
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 In-Depth Meeting
Thu, Dec 10, 2020 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (CST)
Please join my meeting from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/501344245
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 501-344-245
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