Davenport City Council Meeting – March 26, 2026

The City Council of Davenport, Iowa, held a regular meeting on March 26, 2026. The agenda was reordered to include proclamations and student recognitions before the city administrator update. The meeting featured a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) presentation, a monthly finance update, public comments, and approval of appointments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the city council meeting minutes for March 11, 2026, by voice vote.
• Approved the report on the committee of the whole for March 18, 2026.
• Approved all items on the consent agenda via roll call.

Proclamations and Recognitions

• Child Abuse Prevention Week: Proclaimed March 29–April 4, 2026, as Child Abuse Prevention Week in Davenport. Jessica Vera Mater, director of Every Child (formerly Child Abuse Council), accepted the proclamation and highlighted the agency’s programs.
• National Community Development Week: Proclaimed April 6–10, 2026, as National Community Development Week. Bruce Berger, Director of Community and Economic Development, accepted and noted that the city’s Citizens Advisory Committee reviews CDBG funds.
• Student Wrestling Champions: Recognized Maximus Purdy (Assumption High School sophomore, 2026 Class 2A 190-pound state champion) and Greta Bruce (Assumption High School senior, 2026 Class 1A 155-pound state champion, undefeated 44–0 season). Coaches also participated.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Beautily (2nd Ward): Expressed frustration that a formal ethics complaint filed March 7 regarding an alderman’s behavior had not been acknowledged. She stated the alderman had called her a “childish name,” used belligerent body language, and that council and the mayor remained silent. She requested an apology.
• Nate Trenneger (4th Ward): Described ongoing garbage issues from a nonprofit-owned duplex behind his home. He reported that repeated calls to the nonprofit and city click-fix requests had not resolved the problem. He asked city staff to directly contact the nonprofit to address the matter.
• Todd Herk (3rd Ward): Expressed support for the council and city clerk, criticized some public commenters as backed by national PACs, and shared his personal community service efforts. He urged the council to continue listening to residents.
• Chelsea Plaster (4th Ward, independent journalist): Raised concerns about the alleged diversion of a million-dollar bequest intended for municipal infrastructure to the Figge Art Museum, criticized the city attorney’s office for mounting legal liabilities, alleged due process violations in nuisance and infrastructure assessments, and accused city departments of evidence spoliation. She stated the public would not accept tax increases for severance or “hush money.”

Discussion Items

• City Administrator’s Update: FOIA/Open Records: City Clerk Brian Krupp presented an overview of Iowa’s public records law and how the city processes FOIA requests. He noted an upward trend in requests: 547 in 2025, and 175 in the first three months of 2026. The police department received 263 requests in 2025. He highlighted resource-demanding requests, such as one that produced 80,300 emails. The city updated its administrative policy to clarify that requests must be submitted through the designated portal, to bill for staff time after 30 minutes, and to retain requests for two years. Council members asked about tracking time, identifying unique requesters, and providing estimates. City Administrator Tim Gleason noted that 75% of the clerk’s time is spent on FOIA and that additional staff may be needed.
• CFO Finance Update: CFO Asha Gerlock presented financials as of February 28, 2026. Major revenues were in line with expectations; property taxes had a variance of less than 1%. Local option sales tax, road use tax, and hotel/motel tax together outperformed budget by about $4 million. General fund expenditures were at 64.4% of budget, below the expected 67% due to conservative budgeting. Enterprise funds—sewer, water, airport, golf—were self-sustaining; solid waste was expected to be self-sustaining by year-end. The River Center showed a $1.1 million loss, and the city is working with venue management to reduce subsidies. Both S&P Global (AA) and Moody’s (Aa2) reaffirmed the city’s bond ratings with a stable outlook, citing strong financial management and transparency. The CFO noted that the city issues 15-year bonds and pays them off quickly—$10 million of a planned April 2026 bond issue will be repaid in year one. Council praised the monthly updates and the city’s financial position.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations and student recognitions were approved.
• 20 appointments to various commissions (Citizens Advisory Committee, Civil Service Commission, Design and Review Board, Plan and Zoning Commission) were approved via voice vote.
• Council members announced upcoming ward meetings: Alderman Dunn (2nd Ward) on April 2, Alderman Blunk (3rd Ward) on March 27, and Alderman Holloway (7th Ward) on April 14. A special meeting on the Humane Society of Scott County was scheduled for March 27 at 5:00 p.m.
• No action was taken on the ethics complaint mentioned during public comments; the code of conduct committee was unable to convene.
• The council adjourned after final comments.