Davenport City Council Meeting - October 23, 2025
Davenport City Council Meeting - October 23, 2025
The Davenport City Council met on October 23, 2025, at City Hall. The meeting included a presentation honoring firefighters for a rescue, recognition of outgoing Fire Chief Carlson, approval of routine items, and public comments addressing legal issues, workplace allegations, and city services. The transcript notes the meeting was called to order on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, but the official record is dated October 23, 2025.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the city council meeting minutes for October 8, 2025 (unanimous).
- Approved the Committee of the Whole minutes for October 15, 2025 (unanimous).
- Approved all items on the consent agenda (unanimous roll call vote: all 10 members in favor).
Presentation and Recognition
- Fire Department Rescue Awards: The council recognized members of the Davenport Fire Department for rescuing three occupants from a structure fire at 2400 block of North Zenith on September 11, 2025. Fire Chief Carlson presented Distinguished Service Awards to Fire District Chiefs Scott Farnsworth and James Woods; firefighters Kyle McAvoy, Lieutenant Ryan Johnson, Ben Anderson, Anthony Murr, Captain Jeremy Shirk, Engineer Tara Jackson, Jared Dejeter, Engineer Mike Cress (absent), Kayla Jones, Captain Gabe Cousins, Engineer James Swanson (absent); and a Medal of Honor to Firefighter Dante Tremble for locating and assisting victims, directly saving lives. The mayor emphasized the bravery of first responders.
- Crime Reduction Success Story: The mayor read a statement from the governor’s office highlighting Davenport’s data-driven crime strategy as a national model, reporting a 40% decline in gun violence within one year and a 46% decrease in shots fired over five years. The strategy focused on 0.18% of residents responsible for over half of gun crimes.
- Farewell to Fire Chief: The mayor announced that this was Fire Chief Carlson’s last council meeting. The chief thanked the council and city staff for their support and credited the men and women of the department.
Council Member Remarks
- Alderman Newton provided a detailed timeline of events concerning the former city administrator’s settlement in 2023. She stated that a demand letter was received in September 2023, an executive session was held on October 4, 2023, and an agreement was signed on October 6, 2023, with public notification delayed until November 22, 2023. She cited a court order from Judge Mark Cleve finding that council members present assented to the settlement. She clarified that she and four other council members were not on council at the time.
- Alderman Kelly stated she voted no on the settlement.
- Alderman Rick Dunn requested the legal definition of 'assented to', which was provided as 'the expression of approval or agreement'.
- After public comments, Alderman expressed gratitude for the police and fire departments and their heroic work. Alderman Rick Dunn defended the use of the Medal of Honor award, noting his military service and stating the firefighters deserved the recognition.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Cheryl Shaina (3rd Ward): Questioned whether the city’s legal department had council authorization to continue appeals on qualified immunity in a lawsuit, stating it is costing taxpayers. She asserted that the claims should not qualify for qualified immunity.
- A resident from the 5th Ward: Delivered an extensive statement alleging a pattern of psychological warfare, menticide (systematic destruction of people’s minds), and racial discrimination by the council. She said she is a department head who has been isolated, discredited, and undermined. She claimed the council operates with two sets of rules ('black laws and white laws') and that a council member told her to 'humble herself.' She asserted that the council’s actions are constitutional violations and misuse of public authority, exposing the city to legal risks and erosion of trust.
- Brandy (5th Ward): Criticized the use of 'Medal of Honor' for firefighters, arguing 'Medal of Valor' would be more appropriate to honor military recipients. She also complained about a property abatement issue with the public works department, including an inspector canceling a scheduled visit and a contractor mowing the wrong yard.
Key Outcomes
- All routine approvals passed unanimously.
- Firefighters received formal recognition and awards.
- Council members clarified their roles in prior settlement decisions.
- The council voted to enter executive session (10-0) to discuss litigation and real estate transactions. The meeting adjourned following executive session without returning to open session.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good evening and welcome everyone. I call the city council meeting for Wednesday, October 22nd to order. A lot of things going on in the world, so we'll take a moment of silence for you to think about whatever it is you'd like to think about. Thank you, everyone. If you don't please stand and join Alderman Tim Dunn in uh leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic, for which it's a nation, under God, individual liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Mr. Krupp, if you'd be kind enough to call the roll tonight. Ardon? Here. Kelly. Here. McGinnis. Here. Brein Arts. President. Grip. Here. Newton. Here. Lynch. Here. T Dunn. Here. Job Jin. Here. And Burke Holder. Here. Ten present, Your Honor. Thank you, sir. So again, good evening and welcome everybody as we begin the meeting of the City Council. I'd like to welcome everybody in attendance and anybody who's watching through any particular electronic device. Respectfully welcome your comments and opinions. But as you share your thoughts, you're sharing them with your fellow Davenporters and everybody throughout the region. We're certainly happy you're participating in your city government, but as your participation, please reflect the common desire we all share to make Davenport a better place. I know there's a lot of pictures and things coming up with cell phones, but if you might be kind enough to put it on silent, uh simply it doesn't get in the way of anybody talking. If you want to address the council tonight, um there'll be a podium back. Um but the microphones above you, uh love to know your name, order, address. If you're not from here, we'd love to know where you're from. Please address the council as a body and not to any one individual. We'll be respectful of you. Please be respectful of us. Thank you. Miss Um Order Person please move approval of the city council meeting minutes for October 8th, 2025. So move. Second. Motion and a second. All in favor? Aye.
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