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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Davenport City Council Meeting – September 11, 2025

City Council — Thursday, September 11, 2025

BodyDavenport, Iowa

SessionCity Council

DateThursday, September 11, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:24:43

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Good evening.

0:02

I call the city council meeting for Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 to order.

0:06

At this time, we will have a moment of silence or whatever's on your on your heart or on your mind.

0:26

Thank you.

0:27

Please stand and join Alderman Kelly as he leads us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:42

Indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:48

Good evening.

0:49

As we begin this meeting of the City Council, I would like to welcome all of you in attendance, also those who are viewing the meeting on your computer or mobile service.

0:57

We respectfully welcome your comments and opinions.

1:00

Please keep in mind that you when you talk to council, you're also sharing your thoughts with fellow Davenporters and with viewers throughout the region as the city council meetings recorded and available online for viewing.

1:12

We are happy for you participating in your city government, and we ask that your participation reflect the common desire we all share to make Davenport an even greater place for all citizens.

1:22

For those in attendance and those watching at home, I thank you for joining us.

1:26

We all thank you for joining us.

1:29

And I I'm going to finish this and then we'll go to the roll call.

1:33

I apologize.

1:34

Thank you.

1:35

At this time, we will ask that you turn off or silence your cell phones and other electronic handheld devices just so they don't interfere with anyone who may be speaking.

1:43

You will have an opportunity to address the city council on items not on the agenda under the public with business portion of the meeting, which will occur toward the end of the meeting.

1:52

When addressing the council, I ask that you step to the podium and please come very close to the podium because that microphone is that green thing above you.

1:59

We won't we will not it will not be recorded if we don't get it there.

2:03

Um step to the podium, wait to be recognized, and speak to the council as a body and not to any single member.

2:10

You were asked to limit your remarks to no more than five minutes, and I would ask that everyone observe, and I know you all will, the common accepted roles of courtesy, decorum, dignity, and good taste.

2:20

Thank you.

2:21

And now, Mr.

2:21

Krupp, would you please call the role?

2:24

R Dunn here.

2:25

Kelly, Reiner, present.

2:27

Greg here.

2:28

McGinnis here, Newton, here.

2:30

Lynch, here, T Dunn, here.

2:32

Job Judd here.

2:33

And Burkholder.

2:34

Here.

2:35

Ten.

2:35

President.

2:36

Mayor Pro Tem.

2:37

Thank you.

2:37

Will an Alderman make uh approval make a move to approve the minutes of the City Council for August 27th, 2025?

2:46

We have a motion and a second.

2:47

All in favor say aye.

2:49

Aye.

2:49

Opposed?

2:50

No opposed.

2:52

So that um that's the minutes are approved.

2:55

Um, is there a city administrator?

2:58

Nothing CBR.

3:00

Okay, thank you.

3:00

Will an alder person move approval of the reporter on the committee of the whole for September 3rd, 2025?

3:08

There's motion and a second.

3:09

All in favor, say aye.

3:11

Aye.

3:11

Opposed, same sign.

3:13

That report is also approved.

3:15

We have one proclamation this evening, and that proclamation will be read by Alderwoman Jade Burkholder.

3:20

Alderwoman Burkholder.

3:22

Thank you.

3:23

The City of Davenport, Iowa proclamation, whereas 21,000 pregnancies in the United States end in stillbirth each year.

3:31

And whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the annual number of stillbirth exceeds the total deaths from the five leading causes of death among children aged zero to fourteen combined.

3:46

And whereas the CDC reports that expectant parents in certain age groups, geographic locations, and those carrying multiple space and increased risk of stillbirth, and whereas disparities in the birth outcomes persist with black native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, Hispanic and American Indian or Alaskan, Alaska Native families at high risk of losing a baby at to stillbirth.

4:13

And whereas stillbirth is a devastating loss with profound and lasting impacts on the families who endure it.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Safety██████████████████18%

Procedural█████████████████17%

Government Accountability██████████████14%

Affordable Housing███████████11%

Community Engagement██████████10%

Procurement██████6%

Pending Litigation██████6%

Budget Equity Analysis████4%

Mental Health Awareness████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Davenport City Council Meeting – September 11, 2025

The Davenport City Council met on September 11, 2025, at 4:13 PM. The meeting began with a moment of silence, Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call (10 members present). Minutes from August 27, 2025, and the Committee of the Whole report for September 3, 2025, were approved unanimously. A proclamation was issued declaring September 19, 2025, as Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, read by Alderwoman Burkholder. A new police officer, Aaron Morgan, was sworn in. The council then proceeded to discussion items and public business.

Consent Calendar

Approval of City Council minutes for August 27, 2025 (unanimous).
Approval of the Committee of the Whole report for September 3, 2025 (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

Christopher Waugh (St. Ambrose University representative) addressed questions about the campus land use plan, explaining stormwater detention, landscaping, and no current plans to expand beyond the institutional boundary or demolish homes in the next 10 years.
Chris Witter (5th Ward resident) expressed skepticism about St. Ambrose’s expansion and questioned the need for additional parking given declining enrollment.
David Ezra Siddhartha (1st Ward) strongly criticized city staff for authorizing the emergency demolition of 314 Gane Street without prior council approval, alleging it was illegal and that a council member had a conflict of interest regarding the property owner.
Judith Lee (2nd Ward) argued the demolition expenditure ($231,300) could have been put before the council in a special meeting, accusing staff of usurping council authority and putting the city at legal risk.
Paul Bosquez (3rd Ward) echoed concerns about staff overreach and urged the council to take control of spending, also calling for stricter landlord inspection rules.
Cheryl Shagna (3rd Ward) questioned the city's safety justification given the 2023 building collapse, asked about competitive bidding, and criticized the timing of the demolition.
Keanu (employee of Golden Mart) expressed distress over inadequate police response to a disruptive individual, highlighting mental health needs and asking for more support for homeless and mentally ill residents.
Dale Gilmar (6th Ward) urged the city to remove damaged gondolas from Modern Woodman Stadium and unplug the Ferris wheel during the off-season to save utility costs.

Discussion Items

St. Ambrose University Campus Land Use Plan Amendment (ORD 25-01) – First consideration. Christopher Waugh answered council questions about stormwater plans, landscaping, future property purchases, and the university’s commitment to being a good neighbor. Alderman McGinnis requested assurance that St. Ambrose would not buy properties outside its boundary; Waugh said he could not guarantee but would return with more clarity. The ordinance passed 10-0 and moved to second consideration.
Five-Year Lease with BZ Holdings (Boozy’s Bar and Grill) at the Freight House – Approved unanimously. Alderman Kelly inquired about oversight of rental properties; staff indicated ongoing discussions about a property management role and improved notification to council.
Ratification of Emergency Demolition Purchase for 314 Gane Street – $231,300 contract with Valley Construction. Public speakers criticized the lack of prior council approval. Alderman McGinnis abstained (had volunteered on the building without compensation). Alderman Newton requested a timeline and recovery plan; staff noted they would lien the property and explore personal recovery options. The resolution passed 6-2 (Kelly and Burkholder voted no, McGinnis abstained).
Special Occurrence Permit for Mobile Food Unit at 1407 West Fourth Street – Approved 9-0. Public comment raised safety concerns due to traffic. Staff confirmed the permit is for one year, hours limited to 11 AM–9 PM Monday–Friday, and the operator must remove the truck when not operating.

Key Outcomes

St. Ambrose ordinance passed first consideration (10-0).
Boozy’s lease approved unanimously.
Emergency demolition ratification approved 6-2-1 (Kelly and Burkholder opposed, McGinnis abstained). Staff will pursue cost recovery via lien and other legal means.
Food truck permit approved 9-0.
Joint session with Civil Rights Commission – Council directed staff to schedule a joint session soon to address status updates, after Alderman Newton’s request was seconded.
Executive session – Council voted unanimously to enter closed session to discuss a real estate transaction (Iowa Code §21.5(1)(j)). The meeting adjourned thereafter.

Note: The meeting was recorded and will be available online.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I call the city council meeting for Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 to order. At this time, we will have a moment of silence or whatever's on your on your heart or on your mind. Thank you. Please stand and join Alderman Kelly as he leads us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Good evening. As we begin this meeting of the City Council, I would like to welcome all of you in attendance, also those who are viewing the meeting on your computer or mobile service. We respectfully welcome your comments and opinions. Please keep in mind that you when you talk to council, you're also sharing your thoughts with fellow Davenporters and with viewers throughout the region as the city council meetings recorded and available online for viewing. We are happy for you participating in your city government, and we ask that your participation reflect the common desire we all share to make Davenport an even greater place for all citizens. For those in attendance and those watching at home, I thank you for joining us. We all thank you for joining us. And I I'm going to finish this and then we'll go to the roll call. I apologize. Thank you. At this time, we will ask that you turn off or silence your cell phones and other electronic handheld devices just so they don't interfere with anyone who may be speaking. You will have an opportunity to address the city council on items not on the agenda under the public with business portion of the meeting, which will occur toward the end of the meeting. When addressing the council, I ask that you step to the podium and please come very close to the podium because that microphone is that green thing above you. We won't we will not it will not be recorded if we don't get it there. Um step to the podium, wait to be recognized, and speak to the council as a body and not to any single member. You were asked to limit your remarks to no more than five minutes, and I would ask that everyone observe, and I know you all will, the common accepted roles of courtesy, decorum, dignity, and good taste. Thank you. And now, Mr. Krupp, would you please call the role? R Dunn here. Kelly, Reiner, present. Greg here. McGinnis here, Newton, here. Lynch, here, T Dunn, here. Job Judd here. And Burkholder. Here. Ten. President. Mayor Pro Tem. Thank you. Will an Alderman make uh approval make a move to approve the minutes of the City Council for August 27th, 2025? We have a motion and a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? No opposed. So that um that's the minutes are approved. Um, is there a city administrator? Nothing CBR. Okay, thank you. Will an alder person move approval of the reporter on the committee of the whole for September 3rd, 2025? There's motion and a second. All in favor, say aye.

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