City of Blue Grass, Iowa

City Hall Hours

The Mayor of Blue Grass has canceled tonight's meeting (6-1-20) for everyone's safety. At this time, the meeting has not been rescheduled. If the meeting is rescheduled, notice will be posted. We thank you for your cooperation during this unprecedented time.

For immediate release:

Attention Blue Grass Residents:

The Mayor of Blue Grass has issued a curfew beginning at 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. until further notice. This curfew is Scott County wide – we ask that all residents to respect this curfew and stay in their homes and shelter in place. Please lock your all your doors, vehicles, garage, etc. Keep all valuables out of sight and keep all exterior lights on during the evening hours to illuminate your premises.

We ask that all residents remain off the streets as of 9:00 p.m.; however, if you have to commute to/from your place of employment or you are a Government Official this does not apply to you. Be cautious and remain mindful and be on alert. Residents may continue their daily activities outside of the curfew hours.

If you see anything that looks suspicious, please call “911”.

We will get through this if we all work together. Please stay safe!

If you have any questions, please call me at either (563) 381-4700 or (563) 349-1359. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely, Mayor Brad Schutte

ATTENTION RESIDENTS!!!

AS OF MONDAY, JUNE 1^ST, CITY HALL WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. IF YOU ARE PAYING YOUR UTILITY BILL, WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO USE OUR ONLINE PAYMENT PROCESS AND THAT YOU DROP ALL PAYMENTS IN THE UTILITY BOX ON WEST ORPHED STREET. IF YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO COME INTO CITY HALL WE ASK YOU TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING. PLEASE ONLY ONE CUSTOMER AT THE COUNTER AT A TIME. THIS WILL HELP PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS AND EMPLOYESS. THANK YOU. PLEASE BE SAFE. HOURS WILL BE 8:00 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M.

IN ORDER TO HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF THE COVID-19 VIRUS:

The City has moved their Council meetings to the Public Safety Building, located 606 W. Mayne Street in order to adequately social distance. The City asks that participants attending in-person wear a face mask and if they are showing any symptoms or are sick, that they be responsible and not attend. The City will still be offering attendees to participate via electronically.

If you wish to participate via electronically for the June 1, 2020 meeting, please join from either your computer, tablet or smartphone:

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/980840469 or by dialing your phone 1-571-317-3122

using access code: 980-840-469.

We thank you for your cooperation during this difficult time. The City Council meeting minutes will be published accordingly and available on the City’s website: www.bluegrassia.org and

published in the Quad City Times.

TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 (coronavirus)

We have implemented several new policies and procedures, which follow recommendations from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Preventative (CDC) and are committed to doing everything we can to make the City of Blue Grass a safe environment as all Departments have implemented handwashing and sanitizing procedures to take place multiple times during the day and are very diligent in taking preventative measures.

After reviewing the latest updates from the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control, we decided to take the following course of action for the interim.

We are encouraging our staff to apply diligence to hygiene practices, including hand washing for 20-30 seconds regularly throughout the day, as well as being aware not to touch their face.
We have implemented social distancing measures and temporary policies, such as refraining from handshakes, hugging, etc.
In order to reduce public gatherings, all meetings of the Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Park Board will be held electronically. On each Agenda posted, there will be a phone number to call along with a specific code which will allow you access to the meeting.

We will get through this initial period of uncertainty. The spread of the virus will decline at some point. But, in the meantime, let's ensure we reduce the risk for all. All of these practices help fight the spread and we want Blue Grass to feel safe and protected.

More than ever, thank you for your cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions, please call City Hall (563) 381-4700. Thank you.

RESIDENTS: The City has been contacted by Iowa American Water Company as they are unable to transmit meter readings; therefore, the City will be "estimating" your utility bills. Once we are able to obtain a read, your read will reflect the correct usage. IAWC is updating us daily. Thank you for your cooperation. If you wish to submit your monthly read, please telephone City Hall (563) 381-4700 - We apologize for any inconvenience - thank you.

CENSUS JOBS! $21.00 per hour for Scott County

Earn extra income while helping your community. The Census is hiring for a variety of temporary jobs including census takers, recruiting assistants, office staff and supervisors. Pay rates are $21.00 per hour for Scott County jobs. Apply for one of thousands of temporary #2020CensusJobs.

Apply online at https://www.2020census.gov/jobs external link . For more information or help applying, please call 1-855-JOB-2020. #2020Census

Drop your "box tops" off at City Hall to help the Blue Grass Elementary School earn more money. Let's partner with the elementary school and give them a hand by dropping off your "box tops" at City Hall (which can be found on most General Mills products-check the date, make sure they are not expired). Thank you for your support!

Blue Grass Residents: Just a friendly reminder, please remove all refuse containers within 24 hours after the designated collection day. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Republic Services is asking that residents leave at least 3 foot or more space between your garbage and recycling cart in order for the driver to successfully dispose of its contents. Thank you.

Blue Grass Municipal Code: 8.14.140 Refuse Containers ─ Location for and penalty.
D. Residents are to return their refuse and recycling containers onto their premises and removed from the street and/or alley within 24 hours of the designated collection day or the Residents shall be issued a municipal infraction and upon conviction shall be subject to a penalty of $25.00. This includes removal of refuge and recycling containers from all sidewalks, boulevards, curbs and rights of way. Residents whose refuse and/or recycling service was interrupted or missed on the designated collection day shall remove their container immediately and shall not be penalized. (Amd. 17-05, eff. 11/27/17)

Chapter 9.40 FIREWORKS: As used in this section “Consumer Fireworks” shall mean and include “Consumer first-class consumer fireworks and second-class consumer fireworks as those terms are defined in Iowa State Code §100.19, subsection 1. Consumer Fireworks includes, but is not limited to, such items as: Aerial shell kits and reloadable tubes; Chasers; Helicopter and aerial spinners; Firecrackers; Mine and shell devices; Missile-type rockets; Roman candles; Sky rockets and bottle rockets; Multiple tube devices that are manufactured in accordance with American Pyrotechnics Association 87-1, section 3.5.

Consumer fireworks does not include “Novelties” as defined and enumerated in chapter 3 of the American Pyrotechnics Association’s standard 87-1 or “Display Fireworks” as defined and enumerated in chapter 4 of the American Pyrotechnics Association’s standard 87-1 as published in December 2001.

Dates and Times as specified. Consumer Fireworks may be used on July 3 and July 4 from 2 p.m. until 11 p.m. and on the night of December 31 from 10 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. The Council may approve by Resolution special occurrences in its discretion for additional dates and times. The special occurrence dates and times so approved do not carryover from year to year.

Permit. A permit to use display fireworks may be issued by the Blue Grass Fire Department’s office pursuant to the criteria and standards adopted from the Uniform Fire Code.

Penalty and Enforcement. Use of any Consumer Firework at a date or time other than those allowed pursuant to subsection B or the use of Display Fireworks without a permit is prohibited and punishable as a simple misdemeanor as follows:

First Offense $125 Second Offense $200 Third and Subsequent $325

Public Notification

Vehicles, recreational vehicles, motor homes, boats with trailers, buses, trucks, utility, construction and enclosed trailers, camping trailers, travel trailers and hauling trailers:

A. Vehicles, recreational vehicles, motor homes, boats with trailers, buses, trucks, utility, construction and enclosed trailers that comply with Chapter 8.16 Junk and Abandoned Vehicles, may be parked on residential driveways or parked adjacent to an existing driveway with a four foot setback from any curb, sidewalk or street edge as to not obstruct the view of pedestrians and/or residents exiting their property. No more than a total of two of the following types shall be permitted for each family living on the premises: recreational vehicles, motor homes, boats with trailers, buses, trucks, utility, construction and enclosed trailers, camping trailers, travel trailers or hauling trailers. Said recreational vehicles, camping trailers, travel trailers, hauling trailers or boat trailers may be parked or stored on any driveway or parked adjacent to an existing driveway during the months of April 1^st through October 31^st only. Said recreational vehicles, camping trailers, travel trailers, hauling trailers or boat trailers shall not be parked or stored during the months of November 1^st through March 31^st unless they are located behind the front yard building line, except as authorized on appeal to the Zoning Board of Adjustments. A 16’ (sixteen foot) utility trailer or a 16’ (sixteen foot) pull behind pop-up camper may be stored directly behind the residence all year round. To determine a front yard building line, see Frontage and yard requirements, Chapters 17.24.060; 17.28.060 and 17.32.060, with the exception of a corner lot. For purposes of this section, corner lots shall have a front yard building line only on the side of a property where the front door to the residence is located. Under no circumstances shall a recreational vehicle or camping trailer, travel trailer, hauling trailer or boat trailer be parked or stored in the public right-of-way or City Street. Refer to Chapter 10.24.130. Certain Subdivision covenants shall also apply to this chapter. (Amd. 10-08, eff. 07/26/10) (Amd. 16-07, eff. 07/13/16)

B. Trucks and trailers. No truck exceeding sixteen thousand and one pounds (16,001#), licensed, or utility type trailer or construction type trailer exceeding 16’ (sixteen foot) shall be parked or stored in any residence district, with the exception of utility company service trucks, unless the truck is parked or stored in an enclosed garage. (Amd. 05-05, eff. 09/29/05) (Amd. 16-07, eff. 07/13/16)

C. Vehicles, boats with trailers, recreational vehicles, motor homes, buses, trucks, utility trailers, construction trailers, camping trailers, travel trailers, hauling trailers, boat trailers and enclosed trailers under no circumstances will be parked on the front yard. (Amd. 16-07, eff. 07/13/16)

Golf Cart/ATV/UTV Application

images/files/users/aschmidt/GolfCartATVUTVRegistrationApplication.pdf

New Golf Cart Ordinance:

images/files/users/aschmidt/Ch10.70GOLFCARTS.pdf

New ATV Ordinance:

images/files/users/aschmidt/Ch10.80ALL-TERRAINVEHICLES.pdf

New UTV Ordinance:

images/files/users/aschmidt/Ch10.90UTILITYTASKVEHICLES.pdf

Municipal Code Book

2017 08 28 Blue Grass Municipal Code

The last update was implemented October 1, 2018; therefore, Amendments made after that have not yet been implemented. Please contact City Hall if you have any questions or inquries. Thank you.

Notice:

CENSUS ADDRESS CANVASSING OPERATION

Be aware that Address Canvassing is commencing.

Census workers will be working throughout communities until October 18th, verifying locations of houses, apartments, shelters and other places where people could live or stay.

The purpose of Address Canvassing is to ensure the census address list is accurate and complete for the 2020 Census.

When will Census Bureau employees be in my neighborhood?

Census Bureau employees will be in your neighborhoods knocking on doors from early August through mid-October.

How do I know the person at my door works for the Census Bureau?

Census employees will have:

Badges with photo IDs
Black canvas bags and laptops with 2020 Census Logos

How is the Census Bureau informing the public of the Address Canvassing operation?

The Census Bureau will work with local authorities to inform the public about when Census Bureau workers will be in your area.

Who can I contact to find more about Address Canvassing in Iowa?

Chicago Region (AR, IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, WI):
312-579-1500
Chicago.rcc.partnership@2020census.gov

CENSUS 101

What is a census and why is it important?

Once a decade, America comes together to count every resident in the United States, creating national awareness of the importance of the census and its valuable statistics. The decennial census was first taken in 1790, as mandated by the Constitution. It counts our population and households, providing the basis for reapportioning congressional seats, redistricting, and distributing more than $675 billion in federal funds annually to support states, counties and communities’ vital programs — impacting housing, education, transportation, employment, health care and public policy.

HOW THE CENSUS BENEFITS YOUR COMMUNITY

Federal funds, grants and support to states, counties and communities are based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race and other factors. Your community benefits the most when the census counts everyone. People in your community use census data in all kinds of ways, such as these:

Residents use the census to support community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life and consumer advocacy.

Businesses use Census Bureau data to decide where to build factories, offices and stores, and these create jobs.

Local government officials use the census to ensure public safety and plan new schools and hospitals.

Real estate developers and city planners use the census to plan new homes and improve neighborhoods.

The next census is coming in 2020. Counting an increasingly diverse and growing population is a massive undertaking. It requires years of planning and the support of thousands of people.

Ultimately, the success of the census depends on everyone’s participation. The Census Bureau depends on cross-sector collaborations with organizations and individuals to get people to participate.

The 2020 Census is important for you and your community, and you can help.

Learn more about the 2020 Census.