MUSCATINE, Iowa — The Downtown Action Alliance is working to get the Holiday Stroll a bit more wintery with the possible addition of a synthetic skating rink this year.

The annual event, which will be from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, will feature live, decorated storefront windows, snacks and open businesses.

Ann Meeker entertained questions from City Council members at Thursday’s meeting regarding the possible new addition.

“We’re trying to provide an activity for young people at the Stroll,” Meeker said.

The 40-by-20 foot rink is synthetic, requiring no water or below-freezing temperatures, Meeker said. It’s put together like a puzzle and everyone from hockey players to professional ice skaters have used such rinks for practice.

If the Downtown Action Alliance’s fundraising is successful, the rink will be placed at the end of Second Street near Pine Street.

A parking lot at the end of Second Street would be obstructed, but another entrance is available, Meeker said. Musco Lighting has agreed to provide lighting for the night of the Stroll and the rink would be open until noon the following day.

Interim city administrator Randy Hill said this year is the 25th year of the Holiday Stroll and organizers are working extra hard to “get people in the holiday spirit.”

A Downtown Action Alliance meeting with city staff would be scheduled before any final decisions are made, Hill said.

Fourth Ward councilman Bob Bynum questioned the participation of the stores this year, as many didn’t participate last year.

“Everyone has been advised of the plans,” Meeker said. “Our downtown manager [Rachel Horner Brackett] has been keeping in touch with downtown businesses.“

In other City Council news

n The Muscatine City Council welcomed a new firefighter to the Muscatine Fire Department at Thursday’s meeting.

Firefighter John Applebaum was sworn in by Mayor Dick O’Brien with city attorney Harvey Allbee

presiding.

“We’re happy to have you with us,” O’Brien told Applebaum.

Members of the Musca-tine Fire Department lined the back of the chamber room, applauding Appelbaum as he shook hands with the mayor and council members.

“It’s nice to see all you folks here,” O’Brien told the firefighters.

n The Council unanimously approved the sale of unimproved city property to Toyota of Muscatine at 3000 Iowa Highway 38 N. The value of the property is $9,933.

n The Council unanimously approved the completed work and final payment for the landfill cell Phase III and IV, which provided new cells in the Muscatine County Landfill. The final cost of the project was $1.28 million.

Third Ward councilman Jerry Lange expressed concern about the nearly $68,000 in five change orders required for the project, adding roughly 6 percent more to the original price. However, First Ward councilman Philip Fitzgerald said most city projects have a 10 percent contingency for instances like change orders.

“This will put us out in the future,” Second Ward councilwoman Marie Press said. “We won’t have to build cells for quite a while.”

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reviewed and approved the new cells and completed work.

n The Council unanimously approved the application by the Muscatine Fire Department for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, or SAFER, grant. The national grant has $210 million available to eligible departments.

The grant deadline is Friday, Dec. 18. The five-year grant pays a portion of salaries for newly hired firefighters with the city obligated to absorb the entire cost for all positions awarded in the fifth year. Fire chief Jerry Ewers said the grant will cover 80 percent of the salary for the first year, and decrease 20 percent every year until the fifth year.

At this time, there is no commitment on the city’s behalf, but authorization to apply for the grant. Ewers said the level one salary for a new firefighter, including benefits, is around $62,000. The grant limits a total of $105,425 per position over the performance period. Ewers said he will know more after the application process is complete.