Davenport City Council Meeting – February 26, 2026

Note: The transcript records the meeting date as Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, but the assigned date for this summary is February 26th, 2026. The summary below follows the assigned date.

The Davenport City Council met on February 26, 2026, with all 10 aldermen present. The meeting included a financial update from the CFO, a proclamation, approval of a vehicle purchase and a city administrator appointment, and public comment on code enforcement.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the February 11, 2026 city council meeting.
• Approved the report on the Committee of the Whole for February 18, 2026.
• Approved all items on the consent agenda en bloc.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carlton Wills (3rd Ward resident) addressed the council about code enforcement issues at properties on 1815 and 1817 (and 1823 and 25) in his neighborhood. He reported that new tenants are bringing in trailers, an RV, and garbage, parking on grass, and creating a junkyard-like condition. He urged the city to enforce codes more promptly. He stated he had spoken with public works and his alderman but felt action was not fast enough.

Discussion Items

Financial Update from CFO

• CFO Bosh presented a high-level review of fiscal year 2026 revenues, expenses, reserves, and liquidity as of February 2026 (unaudited).
• Major Revenues (all funds):
  • Property tax collections are trending $400,000 lower than budget, within acceptable limits.
  • Local option sales tax is outperforming by $3 million year-to-date.
  • Hotel/motel tax is more than 20% higher than budget, with a $351,000 positive variance.
  • Interest allocation revenues are allocated quarterly; third quarter to be allocated in April.
  • Smaller revenues (development fees, building permits, cable TV franchise fees, gambling profits) are trending lower but are not concerning.
  • Overall, the city has collected an additional $8.7 million (12% positive variance) compared to year-to-date budget.
• General Fund Revenues:
  • Property taxes (major source) are received twice a year; 53% of taxes received to date. The city has collected 57% of all general fund revenues as of January.
• General Fund and Trust & Agency Expenses:
  • General fund expenditures are at 56.7% of budget, below the expected 58% for month seven.
  • Trust & agency expenses are at 58.4%, slightly above the 58% mark.
• Enterprise Funds:
  • Sewer, solid waste, and clean water funds show year-to-date losses due to timing (seven months of expenditures vs. five months of revenues). Golf fund is seasonal and positive. Staff is working to make the River Center and parking funds self-sustaining, and changes have been made to the airport fund.
• Reserves & Liquidity:
  • CFO explained the importance of reserves: financial stability, cash flow management, budget stabilization, credit rating protection, and future planning.
  • The city’s general fund reserve policy is 17–25% of operating expenditures; currently at the maximum 25%.
  • Liquidity (current assets vs. current liabilities): governmental funds at 365% (policy 50%); business-type funds at 548% (policy 75%). CFO noted the policies may need review pending state property tax reform.

Proclamation: Women in Construction Week

• Alderman Burkholder read a proclamation recognizing the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Quad Cities Chapter 50 for its 65 years of service, and proclaiming March 1–7, 2026 as Women in Construction Week in Davenport.
• Representatives Sarah Colbries and Angie Searens accepted the proclamation and thanked the council. They highlighted NAWIC’s mission to enhance success for women in construction, scholarship programs, and community support (e.g., Humble Dwellings, Humility Homes, Our Gross House).

Resolution – Ford Vehicle Purchase

• Original resolution: purchase of one Ford Interceptor and one Ford Expedition from Stivers Ford for $104,752.
• Alderman Dunn moved to suspend the rules and amend the resolution to purchase two Ford Interceptors for $95,130 (using the same state contract). The amendment passed unanimously (10-0).
• The amended resolution then passed unanimously (10-0).

Resolution – Appointment of City Administrator

• Resolution appointing Timothy A. Gleason as the permanent City Administrator and approving an employment agreement.
• Alderman expressed support for the selection process and for removing the “interim” title. The resolution passed unanimously (10-0).

Ward Meeting Announcements

• Alderman Holloway (7th Ward) announced a ward meeting on Monday, March 9, 2026 at 5:30 PM at Firehouse Station #3.
• Alderman Leanan (8th Ward) announced a ward meeting on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM at the Eastern Iowa Library, with interim city administrator Tim Gleason and park administrator Becca Niles presenting concepts for a new playground at Green Acres Park.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (10-0): Minutes, committee report, consent agenda.
• Approved (10-0): Amended Ford vehicle purchase (two Interceptors, $95,130).
• Approved (10-0): Appointment of Timothy A. Gleason as City Administrator.
• Unanimous (10-0): Motion to enter executive session to discuss litigation strategy and employment conditions (pursuant to Iowa Code sections 25.51c and 2.19). The council adjourned into executive session and did not reconvene in open session.