Davenport City Council Meeting – October 9, 2025

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting was held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, but the provided timestamp (2025-10-09 13:58:19+00:00) is used per instructions. This discrepancy is noted.

The meeting was called to order with a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderwoman Newton. Roll call showed all ten aldermen present. Acting City Administrator Gleason reminded attendees of the compost facility’s 30-year anniversary open house (October 10–11) and a free public performance at Davenport Junior Theater.

Consent Calendar (Routine Approvals)

• Approved the city council meeting minutes of September 24, 2025, and the Committee of the Whole report for October 1, 2025, both by voice vote.
• Appointments to the Combined Construction Code Board of Appeals: Mark Lewis and Ryan Connell were approved; the appointment of Sean Aggan was deferred for further discussion.
• A proclamation declaring October 10, 2025, as World Mental Health Day was read by Alderwoman Burkholder and accepted by Nicole Carkner (Quad City Health Initiative/Quad Cities Behavioral Health Coalition).
• Recognized the 2025 Summer Reading Program winners: Harrison Elementary School (public) and John F. Kennedy Catholic School (private), each receiving a trophy and $1,000 donation of new books. The program had 2,312 participants, a 48% increase from the previous year.

Later in the meeting, the remaining consent agenda (including at least 12 items, per Alderman Newton’s reference) was approved en bloc with 10 yes votes and one abstention (Alderman Newton abstained on item 12). The specific contents of these consent items are not detailed in the transcript.

Council Communications & Petitions

• Alderman Jobjo announced the next Sixth Ward board meeting on Tuesday, October 14, at 6:30 p.m. at Duck Creek Park Lodge.
• Alderman Kelly inquired about the status of union questions affecting the Civil Rights Commission’s hiring process; the acting city administrator indicated the last communication remains the current position and would forward it to council.

Public Comments

• Keanu, an employee of Golden Mart, praised the responsiveness of second-shift police officers but expressed concerns about first-shift response times, requesting that first-shift officers be trained by second shift.

Discussion Items

Third Consideration of Ordinance ORD-25-01 – St. Ambrose University Campus Land Use Plan Amendment

• Request: To amend the campus land use plan bounded by Harrison Street, West Locust Street, Brown Street, and Lombard Street.
• Public Testimony: Courtney Berg (CFO) and Christopher Waugh (VP for Student Engagement) spoke on behalf of St. Ambrose. They denied knowledge of unfulfilled promises from a decade ago, stated that neighborhood meetings were held as required for the current plan, and highlighted the university’s economic impact ($270 million in 2024, 60% of healthcare graduates staying in the Quad Cities) and community efforts (Good Neighbor Project, leaf raking, trash cleanup, ending a disruptive student event).
• Council Discussion:
  • Alderman Kelly voiced skepticism about the “good neighbor” characterization, noting past tensions between St. Ambrose and the neighborhood, and questioned the university’s claim of being unaware of earlier commitments.
  • Alderman Grip expressed strong support, citing the university’s positive contributions and appreciating President Novak’s commitment to future meetings about properties outside the master planning area.
  • Alderwoman Burkholder abstained from voting due to a conflict of interest (recent former employee of St. Ambrose).
• Vote: 8 yes (Reinarts, T. Dunn, Newton, Grip, Jobjen, Lynch, McGuinness, and one more yes – possibly Kelly? No, Kelly voted no. The roll call recorded: Kelly – No; Burkholder – Abstain; Reinarts – Yes; T. Dunn – Yes; Newton – Yes; Grip – Yes; Jobjen – Yes; Pardon – Yes; Lynch – Yes; McGuinness – Yes. Total: 8 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain. Ordinance passed.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent items, minutes, committee report, two appointments, and the World Mental Health Day proclamation.
• Passed Ordinance ORD-25-01 (8-1-1) to amend the St. Ambrose University campus land use plan.
• Approved the remaining consent agenda (10-0-1, with Newton abstaining on item 12).
• No other ordinances, resolutions, or motions were presented.
• Meeting adjourned after no further public comment or council business.