Muscatine City Council approves $1.2 million in contracts; East 2nd Street decisions deferred to July 21
The Muscatine City Council approved more than $1.2 million in contracts and purchase orders on July 7, covering road work, police vehicles, building repairs, and equipment, while also authorizing demolition of three East 2nd Street properties. A week later, the council held evidentiary hearings on building safety appeals for the same block but tabled all decisions until July 21.
City Council — July 7
The council's largest award was a $928,765.50 contract to Manatts, Inc. for the 2026/2027 Hot Mix Asphalt Overlay project. Other approved items included:
- $205,000.00 purchase order for three 2026 Ford Interceptor police vehicles from Stiver's Ford.
- $299,270.00 purchase order for a 2025 automated refuse truck from Elliott Equipment of Davenport.
- $114,112.90 purchase order for Library Roof replacement to Top Choice Construction and Roofing.
- $57,872.00 contract for Clark House Fire Alarm System replacement to Crawford Company.
- $35,127.27 purchase order for a Deep-Tine Aerator for the Muscatine Soccer Complex.
- $2,745.05 retainage release for the City Parking Lot #7 Restoration Project.
The council approved the first reading of an ordinance on Prohibited Discharge Standards and authorized a contract with Heinz North America for the Ninth Extension to Wastewater Services and Rates. A contract with LS2 Group for Public Relations Services passed on a 4-3 vote.
The council approved a settlement payment in the case of Amber Allen versus the City of Muscatine; the amount was not specified in the minutes. It also approved demolition of 201, 203, and 205 East 2nd Street.
City Council — July 14
The council held evidentiary hearings on notices to vacate properties on the north side of the 200 block of East 2nd Street. No decisions were made. All matters were tabled and will return to the regular council meeting on July 21, 2026.
Construction Appeal & Advisory Board — July 8
The board continued discussion on deleting or amending Section R302.13 (Fire Protection of Floors) from the city building code. Staff recommended against the amendment, citing firefighter safety concerns. Staff reviewed FlameOFF Fire Barrier intumescent paint as an alternative compliance method and contacted Iowa City, Bettendorf, Cedar Rapids, and North Liberty about their deletion of the section. Minutes have not yet been published, so no action is confirmed.
Library Board of Trustees — July 15
The board considered an estimated $1,522 for Jenny Howell and Becca Fillmore to attend the 2026 Iowa Library Association Conference, authorization for the Library Director to set approximately two days of closure for roof installation, cancellation of the August 2026 monthly meeting, and review of Chapter 1 of the Board of Trustees Handbook. Minutes have not yet been published.
Art Center Board of Directors — July 10
The agenda listed a personnel report on the Director position and scheduling of the next board meeting for July 21, 2026 at noon. No substantive decisions or contracts were listed. Minutes have not yet been published.
Coming up
- **July 21 — Art Center Board of Directors:** Routine monthly meeting including a report on the June 28 Ice Cream Social that drew about 950 visitors, a pending Iowa Arts Council reimbursement, and review of the Code of Ethics and Collections Management Policy.
- **July 21 — City Council:** The council will vote on bills totaling $8,290,958.17 for March–May 2026, a $7,442.50 purchase order to Shelangoski Construction for street and right-of-way repair at 315 Parham St., a public hearing on appeal requests for downtown investors at 207–229 E. 2nd Street, the second reading of the Prohibited Discharge Standards ordinance, and a resolution approving the contract and bond for the 2026/2027 Hot Mix Asphalt Overlay Project.