All right, good evening, and welcome to the city council meeting for Wednesday, May 13th, 2026.

At this time, we will have a moment of silence.

Thank you.

Please rise.

Alderman Jokin will be leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

One nation.

All right, thank you very much.

At this time, uh the clerk will please call the roll.

R Done?

Here.

Basket?

Here.

Holloway.

I'll come back to him.

Lean in.

Present.

Grip.

Here.

Newton.

Here.

Blum?

Here.

T Dunn.

Here.

Joked.

Here.

And Burke Holder.

Okay.

And Holloway.

You say it again, Holloway.

All right, thank you very much.

Thank you.

Please call me.

All right, thank you.

And thank you for everyone that's here this evening.

We'd like to welcome you to tonight's city council meeting.

Those of you that are here in person or those watching online or on a mobile device.

We value your comments and opinions.

Please remember that when you address the council, you are also sharing your thoughts with fellow Davenport residents and viewers throughout the region.

City Council meetings are live streamed and recorded for later viewing on the City of Davenport's YouTube channel.

Again, we appreciate your engagement in city government.

Ask that your participation reflects our shared goal of making Davenport an even better place for all of us here tonight and everyone that lives in all parts of our town.

Again, thank you for being part of our meeting.

Before we begin, just a few reminders, any devices that you have that make any noises, please silence those as they can disrupt our audio.

There will be an opportunity to address the council during the public with business portion of the meeting later this evening when speaking.

Simply come to the podium, wait to be recognized by the mayor, and address the council as a whole and not to any one individual.

And you'll have five minutes to do that when the time uh comes up on our agenda.

Well, an older person move approval of the city council meeting minutes for April 22nd, 2026.

So moved.

Second.

We've got a motion and second.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed, same sign.

All right, those are approved.

Is there a city administrator update this evening?

Yes, Your Honor.

We have our um traditional presentation for employee recognitions for this month, um, and then followed by the CFO finance update.

So we'll kick it off with the employee recognition.

So we have a lot of new employees this month, so bear with me for just a moment here.

Um in our public works department, we have Brandy Summers, who's a custodian, Alec Lewis, a new laborer, Devin Martins, a new laborer, Victor Garcia, Packer Driver Loader, Scotty Pierce, Packer Driver Loader, Mickey Johnson, plant operator at our water pollution control plants, Thomas Wingle, uh library part-time van driver, Ashley Jakey, an enterprise process analyst, Lucas Hodgerson, Code Enforcement Officer One, Jason Shippy, Code Enforcement Officer 1.

Nicholas Arugolo, police officer, Cheryl Glider, police officer, Connor Pop, police officer, Bennett Vanderheyden, police officer, Mike Rogenbuck, um has been promoted to construction inspector along with Thomas Kennight, and Dylan Otts has been promoted to a street heavy equipment operator.

Loder Gamble has been promoted to a transit operator from a part-time operator, and Chris Holcomb has been promoted to forestry technician.

And then we've had a couple of retirements from um the fire service.

We have Ron Lofgren and Troy Holmberg as from our transit operations, Kathy Swanson, and from our science division, Lenny.

I'm sure many of you saw him painting all around town for the last 40 years.

So uh Lenny um retired after 44 years of service.

Thank you for that.

All right, thank you.

And then now Basha will come up for her CFO presentation.

Good evening.

Thank you.

Good evening, Vasha Girl at CFO, and I'm here to present actually on the March financials.

It's a little behind.

But here we go.

So first I'd like to review major revenues for all of the funds.

Once again, the um the largest revenue source for the city are property taxes and collections to date are with the line for budget.

Currently, we are within about 5%.5% of budget, which is has a variance of about $350,000.

Local option sales tax, road use tax, and whole time motel tax revenues continue to come in strong due to conservative budgeting practices.

So they continue to outperform our budgeted line items.

Also, the assistant finance director, Jim O'Ding continues to do an excellent job investing city funds.

And for the first three quarters, the city earned about $6.9 million in interest investments.

And our budget was about $1.3 million.

So he continues to do an excellent job in investing cities funds.

A few revenue types are lower than expected.

The level development fees, building permits, and came cable franchise fees.

Overall, the revenues are performing well and are about 13.5% higher than expected budget numbers.

So you will see that update, and that should be closer to the budget numbers.

Do we have any questions on major revenues?

No.

Next, we have general fund revenues.

Once again, the general fund revenues are performing well.

We should we are done with about 75% of the year as of March 31st.

And on this particular slide, when we look at property taxes, we have only collected about 59%.

But once again, the second half of property taxes comes in in April, and you'll see that update with the April CFO update, financial update.

But otherwise, all the other revenues are performing with within the 75% that we expect.

Next, we have the general fund and trust and agency fund expenditures.

The general fund expenditures continue to be in line with budget through March.

Once again, we expect to have about 70% of the year completed, and we are within those variances.

The only expenditure that you see on there between both funds is the inner departmental expenditures are higher than the expected 75% due to 100% of those expenses being reported in July.

Any questions?

No.

Next, we have our enterprise funds.

Just a quick reminder, these are funds that act like a business within the city.

And these funds charge user fees, and these user fees are expected to support the function of that particular enterprise fund.

Most of the funds are performing as expected.

Just a few highlights.

Also, we continue to work with venue works to minimize the loss at the River Center fund at the river center.

So that particular fund continues to not perform as well as we would like, but it is performing better than it did last year.

So that's some good news.

VenueWorks, the management company that manages that facility, actually has submitted a new plan, and staff is currently reviewing that plan.

And we continue to work with outside partners to lower or eliminate the River's Edge subsidy currently.

Any questions?

No.

So the next portion of the slides is going to be reviewing the new legislation.

Bill 2472 on property tax reform.

So Bill 2472 passed both chambers.

Actually, last weekend, Sunday, May 13th, they worked diligently to make sure that property tax reform is passed.

And now it is waiting the governor's signature in order for it to become law.

All of the provisions primarily take effect in fiscal year 2028.

So that's the budget that we're gonna start working on July 1st.

Um and beyond it will impact assessment year assessment year 2026, and that assessment year will set the budget numbers for the fiscal year 2028 budget.

That particular the bill reflects a balanced middle ground approach between strict revenue caps and more flexible revenue caps.

Okay.

So fiscal year 2028 through fiscal year 2030, the combined general fund levy.

We call it sometimes the CGFL growth is capped at 2% for the budget year.

Um cap excludes values attributed to new growth.

Um and fiscal year 2031 and beyond the combined general fund levy will have to be limited to the lesser of the two, either eight dollars and ten cents or it can grow by two percent.

So it has to be lesser of the two.

So if growth is at 2% and we get to $8.15 levy, we're gonna have to take a haircut and have less growth.

Um but the good news is the calculation continues to exclude new growth.

So we're gonna be able to capture all of the new growth.

Um valuation framework based on prior year valuations, and they define um new valuations as new construction property additions or improvements, and new boundaries.

Do we have any questions on that particular slide?

So the next slide kind of talks about our levies.

Um there are only two levies that got impacted by this particular bill and act and received limits, which like I mentioned before was the general fund levy, has a cap of two percent, and then also the transit levy has a three percent growth, and it does not include the no new growth is counted for this particular levy.

So it's just this straight three percent, and that levy continues to be capped at 95 cents.

The other levies that are not impacted by this bill is the debt service levy.

There's no cap, the trust and agency levy, which is the levy that pays for employee benefits, and tort slash property insurance levies also have no caps and no growth restrictions.

Next, um we have the residential property tax provisions.

Um the bill converts homestead credit into a homestead exemption.

How does that impact the city currently?

Um the homestead credit, the state makes us whole.

They will no longer do that with the exemption, and they increase the exemption to a minimum of $5,500 and a maximum of $20,000.

Um, and the maximum exemption is um indexed to inflation using a cumulative adjustment factor.

Um the bill retains existing military and senior property tax exemptions, maintains the current rollback calculation, um, and has a floating multi-residential rollback rate and it's phased in over three years.

Um, as well as it increases elderly and disabled rental credit from $1,000 to $1,500.

Any questions on that?

Um do we have any way of formulating what the impact of the homestead credit going to an exemption would be in our budget since the state will no longer be making us hold for that?

Um so it really depends.

Um just because we still have that growth available to us at 2%.

Um but I can certainly research that and see how much what the impact is.

So yeah, just at your convenience, I'm just curious if there's a way to know what that impact looks like with some certain okay.

The next slide is the tax increment financing impact of this bill.

The bill um sets a 23-year sunset on all future TIFF districts.

Um it limits some of our perpetual TIFFs that we have.

Um the increment usage for perpetual TIFFs will be kept at 60% after 20 years.

Um the school foundation will receive $5.40 currently.

We're able to draw down all of the increment for schools, but that will be limited.

Um it is eliminated in perpetual TIFFs after 20 years and then eliminated in future TIFF projects.

Um this particular um change actually happens starting um July 1st of 2027.

Some of the other provisions within the bill, we had um provisions on our debt, which are which typically the city has general obligation bonds.

Um cities are restricted from issuing property tax backed debt for operating expenses.

This is something that the city does not do.

We do not pay for operating expenses with gender obligation bonds.

The only caveat and something that we're gonna have to research is what impact it has if we have capital improvement projects and we charge um engineer costs to those capital improvement projects.

Are are those still going to be eligible, or do they consider a personnel expense that works on capital projects to be an operating expense?

Um the general fund on assigned fund balance is allowed to be at 34% at CAP.

As you all know, the city policy for our general fund on assigned fund balance is 25% from 17 to 25 percent, and we're currently um max at the 25 percent level.

Um something that they also added to the bill is commercial industrial property tax backfill will be eliminated as of fiscal year 2028, so we will no longer receive that backfill.

However, the good news for this is is that the city stopped relying on this backfill a while back, and um we have zero dollars budgeted in backfill in fiscal year 2027.

Yes, oldman grip.

As far as the general fund unassigned balance, the council had set policy at 25 percent based on the basically advice that we've been given from our financial advisor.

Financial advisor and the GOA, government finance officer association.

So based on the up to 35, are you going to revisit that with the advisor and look at it or you still feel good that 25 is where we should be?

I still feel good at having it at 25.

There's different vehicles that the city can use, having an unassigned fund balance.

We also have a category within the financial statements of assigned assigned fund balance, and those will give us additional flexibility that is needed.

Um the assigned fund balance is designated by the CFO, and if we know that we have future expenses that haven't been budgeted, we can do that under the assigned fund balance.

I know the the crowd is very riveted by finance talk.

So can you can you explain uh what uh unassigned fund balance is for everybody's knowledge?

Yes.

So the city um has operating expenses in our general fund.

Um we have a what we call a big G and a little G, and the unassigned fund balance, we take 25% of our operating expenditures, and we make that amount to be our unassigned fund balance.

It is essentially a savings account for a rainy day fund for the city.

So if we have an unexpected event happen, um we have that funding available, and we don't have to worry about paying for the unexpected event, we just go in and take action.

Um so essentially it is our savings account to keep the city going.

And 14 years ago, we had little to nothing in that uh that balance, and now we're up to 25 percent, which is the recommendation from our financial advisor and the body that kind of tells you what a what a healthy practice is.

So that's a big win for the city.

I think that is a great win.

Um that we can process payroll without issues, um, is definitely um allows me to sleep at night.

I know that um 14 years ago um it was difficult for us to even make payroll, so we are in a really good financial um space.

Are there any other questions for our finance director?

All right, I don't have a question, I've got a comment.

So thank you for providing the information on the property tax reform.

That is a lot to go over there.

Um I know I think I'll I will personally be reaching out to you to just sit down and get a better understanding for myself, and I don't know if at some point after we read through this, if I think the council thinks going into more detail and having questions answered together might be a good idea.

Maybe we could look into it, but a lot of questions don't want to ask them now.

But uh thank you for presenting the information.

Excellent, thank you.

Thank you.

And I I would just say it's not a question that's a comment as well that you know, knowing what some of the bills contained uh you know earlier in the session and what could have happened to cities.

Um this is certainly not the worst case scenario that was perhaps being proposed by the state.

So I think there's still to Alderman Gribb's point a few things that we need to kind of um measure impact and see what it's actually going to do to us when it's once it finally takes effect.

But I think at the end of the day, could have been a lot worse.

Certainly there's some things that probably cause us a little concern, but I think they're I think they're manageable.

So that's the message I think we would want to leave with the public is um we we are on strong financial footing, and and while this does change things for us, um it certainly is manageable for us and our our team.

So thank you.

Thank you very much.

Uh anything else from Nicole?

Okay.

Uh we need to uh approve the report on the committee of the whole for May 6th, but before doing that, I understand there's a correction that needs to be made uh in that report, and I will turn it over to our deputy city clerk Brian Krupp.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Um I noticed I forgot some information from the executive session last week.

Alderman's Tim Dunn and Rick Dunn did step out of the room at 627 and they returned at 657.

I provided a copy of the corrected uh committee of the whole report for all of you.

I highlighted the correction.

Um that's simply what it is.

Okay.

Uh and so what we'll do now is entertain a motion to approve the amendment, and then we will take a roll call on that.

So, first uh is our motion to approve the amendment to the committee of the whole report.

So moved.

Second.

All right, it's been moved and seconded.

Brian, would you call the roll on that uh change, please?

Holloway.

Burkholder?

Yes.

That's good, yes.

Correct?

Yes, Job June?

Yes.

R Dunn?

Yes.

Leanan?

Yes.

Newton, yes, blunk, yes.

And Tita.

Yes.

Thank you.

That's been approved now.

We'll alder person move approval of the report on the committee of the whole for May 6, 2026 as amended.

So move.

Second.

All right, all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed, same sign.

The report is approved.

Okay, we have four proclamations this evening.

Um the first one will be for affordable housing month, and it will be read by Alderman John Blanc.

Alderman Blunt.

Thank you, Mayor.

Whereas access to safe, decent and affordable housing is fundamental to the health, stability, and well-being of individuals, families, and neighborhoods, and whereas stable housing supports educational success, workforce participation, and economic development, strengthening the overall vitality of our community.

And whereas communities across the Quad Cities region spanning both Iowa and Illinois share common housing challenges that transcend state lines and require coordinated regional solutions, and whereas local governments, housing organizations, developers, and community partners play a critical role in expanding housing opportunities for Professor Varying existing housing stock and supporting residents in achieving housing stability, and whereas affordable housing month provides an opportunity to raise awareness, foster collaboration, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that all residents have access to housing that is safe, decent, and affordable for them.

And now, therefore, we, Jason Gordon, mayor, and the City Council of Davenport, Iowa, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as affordable housing month in Davenport and encourage all residents, organizations, and stakeholders to support efforts that expand housing opportunities and strengthen our community for current and future generations.

Dated this 13th day of May 2026.

I move the proclamation.

Second.

All in favor.

All in favor.

Aye.

All opposed.

The proclamation is approved.

I will present this to Leslie Kilgan.

She is the director of the Quad City Housing Coalition.

One, two, three.

Would you like to say anything?

Oh, sure.

I didn't wasn't sure I could.

Thank you very much.

Can you hear me, everyone?

My name's Leslie Kilganan.

I am the director of the Quad Cities Housing Council.

Um, we are the resource development arm for a consortium called the Quad Cities Housing Cluster, where the local housing trust fund, the regional housing trust fund for Scott Muscatine counties and the Quad Cities.

The cluster is made up of more than 60 members, primarily uh service providers, for-profit, not for profit developers who are working to provide affordable housing uh resources and solutions.

So we, as the funder, we support those efforts and fund everything from shelter to affordable homeownership for those at uh moderate to extremely low income categories.

Uh, very quickly, I won't bury the lead.

Uh as everyone knows by now, we really do have an affordable housing crisis in the in the quad cities, but we're not alone because it's happening nationally.

As many one as one in seven households in the United States spends more than half of their income on their housing.

That makes them severely cost burdened, cost burdened is when you spend more than 30% of your income on your housing.

So you don't have to be low income to be cost burdened, but of course, extremely low peep income persons and families are or more extremely cost-burdened.

Um since 2020, rent has risen in the country 27%, and the national average of rent this year, 2026 is the highest on record.

So I don't want to just focus on problems, I want to focus on solutions, and that is really what uh the housing council and cluster do.

We collaborate, we coordinate, we pool our resources, we identify an issue.

And so I really um thank you for this opportunity.

Thank you for uh recognizing Affordable Housing Week and for the City of Davenport's support of the housing council uh in the past.

And I'm excited to work together.

I'm looking forward to the strategic initiatives and issues you're talking about and finding ways that we can continue to collaborate so that everyone in our community uh has a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home.

Thanks so much.

Thank you again for being here.

Thank you.

Our second proclamation is uh with regard to mental health awareness month, and that will be read by Alderman Jobjin.

I'll turn it over to you.

Thanks, Mr.

Mayor.

Whereas mental health plays a critical role in individual wellness and the health of our community, and there is a great opportunity to work together to support the mental well-being of all citizens, and whereas Quad Cities Behavioral Health Coalition seeks to advance the behavioral health of residents in the Quad Cities with a vision that the region is known for outstanding, comprehensive, and coordinated behavioral health services that are accessible to all in a timely manner, and whereas the 2024 community health assessment indicates that the Quad Cities has a higher rate of death by suicide and a greater percentage of the population being treated for mental health than the national average.

And whereas in 2022, the Federal Communications Commission launched 988, now known as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, excuse me, to make crisis support more accessible nationwide, and whereas the Quad Cities Behavioral Health Coalition, in partnership with community organizations, works to raise awareness and educate the public about resources available to positively impact behavioral health throughout the Quad Cities, and now therefore we, Jason Gordon, mayor, and the City Council of Davenport, Iowa, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as mental health month in Davenport, encourage all citizens to work together to strengthen mental well-being throughout the community by education, raising awareness of available resources, and connecting individuals individuals to services when mental health concerns arise.

And now therefore, we Jason Gordon Mayor and the City Council of Davenport, Iowa, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as Mental Health Month in Davenport and encourage all citizens to work together to strengthen mental well-being throughout the community by education, raising awareness of available resources and connecting individuals individuals to services when mental health concerns arise.

Did the 13th day of May 2026?

I move the proclamation.

Second.

I have a motion and second.

All in favor?

Aye.

All opposed, same sign.

Proclamation passes.

Here to accept our Rich Whittaker, CEO via French Community Health Care and Nicole Kirkner, Executive Director, Quad City Health Initiative.

I'll meet each at the podium.

I apologize on behalf of Nicole Carkner.

She's sick and was not able to make it.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

There you go.

Take a picture.

Three.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Well, this is a great day in the history of the world because mental health has never had a better place in our in our society, in our our conversations about health care, about what makes us happy as individuals.

And it's it's a great day too here in the city of Davenport because a proclamation like this has been read and accepted by the city council and by our mayor.

You know, one of the things that we we recognize as we accept and become more aware of mental illness as part of the human experience is that we all have stuff.

And that and that we all can work together and live together and be the kind of people that make it easier for people who have mental illness to get the help they need, to have the support they need, and to work together with us in our workplaces and uh have fun with us at our places of recreation and have a home right next to us in our neighborhoods.

Thank you so much for your support.

All right, moving along, our third proclamation is bike month, and it'll be read by Alderman Grip.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Uh, whereas throughout the month of May, National Bike Month, the City of Davenport will uh celebrate biking and the freedom, joy, and well-being it brings while recognizing the power of increased bicycle use to enhance the quality of life for all.

Whereas May 11th through the 17th, 2026 is bike to work week, and May 15th, 2026 is bike to work day.

Whereas bike month helps increase awareness of bicycling, educates the community about the benefits of bicycling for commuting and recreation, and promotes alternative forms of transportation such as walking and bicycling to reduce congestion congestion on streets and roads, decrease pollution, lessen dependence on fossil fuels, and improve the health and well-being of all people.

Whereas encouraging year-round use of bicycles for transportation and recreation has been shown to boost Davenport's economy, attracting visitors to local restaurants, hotels, retail businesses, cultural and scenic attractions, and supporting our parks and trail systems.

And whereas Bike Month also promotes greater public awareness of bicycle safety and education to reduce collisions, injuries, and fatalities, thereby improving safety and health for all road users.

Now, therefore, we, Jason Gordon, mayor, and the city council of Davenport, Iowa, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as bike month in Davenport and encourage all residents to participate in bike month activities, explore the city by bicycle, and embrace biking as a healthy, sustainable, and enjoyable mode of transportation and recreation.

Dated this 13th day of May 2026.

I move the proclamation.

Second.

Sorry.

There's a motion and a second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Are there any opposed?

The proclamation passes.

That's what I get for thinking ahead.

I was going to say, happened to just be down at Union Station here a few hours ago, and for the public's general knowledge, there are 20 free bicycles at Union Station that you can go to and check out for free and ride along our paths and on our riverfront.

Absolutely free courtesy of Visit QC.

So just another way to celebrate bike month in the city of Davenport.

This proclamation is going to be accepted by Mike Schertz, Christina Reyes, and Ken Garrison on behalf of the Quad Cities Bicycle Club.

I'll meet you out front.

This is time.

Okay, we got a full three.

So thank you all for all your advocacy for bicycling in the Quad Cities.

And we're looking forward to getting that North South Trail opened up for the community this summer.

And I hope to see you out there for the river cutting for that.

We'll take a picture and then give you an opportunity to speak.

Perfect.

Okay, do that.

Ready?

One, two, three.

All right.

Welcome to say a few words.

Thank you.

Okay.

Thank you very much.

I'm being half of the uh biking community.

And Kyle talked uh hit on quite a few of the points.

Bicycling is more than just bicycling.

It has health effects, economic, and a lot of other things.

We have good trails, and people come to town to bike and they do rent the bikes.

And so that's a great thing to come to Davenport and see what we have to offer.

Throughout the year, we uh do many things, uh especially at Christmas time.

We give bikes about a hundred and some to needy families.

And so biking is more than just being on a bicycle, it's a state of mind, it helps mental health.

Um we see families out on the trail, and that's great.

So it's just uh more than just being on a bike, like I said, and we like to promote it and different things.

So my partner here's got comments too.

Thanks, Mike.

I'd like to thank the council for what they do for biking in in not just Davenport, but the connectors that are made that the entire Quad Cities is able to connect the trails from from Davenport to Rock Island and uh the new Goose Creek connector is is very much anticipated.

I was working the other day at the bike to work week, and some folks were asking, you know, when's it going to be done?

What's what's going on?

So on behalf of the Quad City Bicycle Club, uh, there are also members uh here that are part of the Parks and Trails Committee with Davenport, and on behalf of Fork, which is the Friends of Off-Road Cycling.

Uh, we appreciate what you allow all of us to do to make the bicycling community better.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

Uh and our last proclamation is uh with regard to public works week, and it will be read by Alderman Rick Dunn.

Thank you, Your Honor.

The proclamation reads, whereas the services provided in our community by the public works department and neighborhood services and engineering and capital projects departments are an integral part of our citizens' everyday lives, and whereas the support of an informed and understanding citizenry is vital to the efficient operations of public works systems and programs such as building inspections, rental inspections, environmental inspections, composting, engineering, facility maintenance, fleet maintenance, forestry, natural resources, solid waste collection, sewer and street maintenance, parking, transit, and water pollution control, and whereas the health, safety, and comfort of this community greatly depends on these essential facilities and services, and whereas the quality and effectiveness of these facilities as well as their planning, design, and construction is vitally dependent on the on the efforts and skills of our staff, and whereas the efficiency and qualified and dedicated personnel who staff the public works development neighborhood services and engineering and capital projects departments are materially influenced by the citizens and the council's attitude and understanding of the importance of the work they perform.

And now, therefore, we Jason Gordon, Mayor, and the City Council of Davenport, Iowa do hereby proclaim May 17th or May 2023, 2026 as Public Works Week in Davenport and call upon all residents and civic organizations to learn learn more about the vital role of public works and neighborhood services and to recognize and appreciate the daily contributions of our dedicated employees who enhance the health, safety, comfort, and overall quality of life in our community.

Dated this 13th day, May 2026.

And I move the proclamation.

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed, same sign.

This proclamation is moved, and I believe our public works director will meet me at 24.

Thank you.

Mayor and Council, thank you for this recognition.

Um, per usual, over the next couple of weeks, we'll be hosting a meal for our staff in appreciation in recognition of public works week.

Additionally, we're approaching the 30 year anniversary of our building on 46th Street.

So we're in the planning stages to have an open house event next year to celebrate public works week um and that facility.

So thank you so much.

All right, thanks again to everyone who came down to receive those proclamations.

Uh and moving along on our agenda.

Uh, one of the great privileges, and it truly is a privilege of being mayor is to swear in new police officers, and tonight I'll have that opportunity.

We're going to welcome six individuals who have chosen to serve and protect our community with honor and integrity.

I did briefly get to shake their hands before the meeting started, and I thought to myself that they look younger than they did when I was in Alderman some years ago, but I think actually what's happening is I'm just getting older.

Um, but they do they do look like a great crop of incoming officers, and we're very proud tonight to welcome you into our family, the city of Davenport's family, into your uh brothers and sisters in the Davenport Police Department.

So with that, I'm going to meet Chief Benning at the uh podium here, and we're going to swear in some new police officers.

Good evening.

Major Greg Benning, serving as your interim chief of police.

Uh, I'd like to thank by I'd like to start by thanking Mayor Gordon, members of the city council, distinguished guests, family members, friends, and everyone else joining us today.

Your presence makes this moment even more meaningful.

Tonight we have the honor of welcoming six new Davenport police officers as they take their oath of office and formally begin their careers serving our community.

This is a proud day for them, for their families, and for our department.

These officers recently graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy after 16 weeks of rigorous training.

They are now completing their post academy preparation and will soon enter the 16-week field training officer program, where they will learn directly from experienced officers who model the professionalism, integrity, fairness, and compassion that define the Davenport Police Department.

This next phase will challenge them, shape them, and prepare them to serve with confidence and purpose.

Service to the community is at the heart of what we do.

These new officers are stepping into a role that requires intelligence, courage, empathy, and dedication, and we are proud to have them join our team.

I also want to take a moment to recognize the families and friends who stand behind these officers.

Your support, encouragement, sacrifice, and service make their service possible.

You share this commitment, and we are grateful for everything you do to help them succeed.

Which is especially fitting that today's ceremony takes place during National Police Week, a time when we honor all those who have served and who are serving.

We remember those who gave their lives in the line of duty, and we reaffirm our commitment to carrying their legacy forward with honor.

To our six new officers, you are joining a department that believes in you, supports you, and is invested in your success.

The work ahead will not always be easy, but it will matter.

And you will never do it alone.

We are excited to have you on our team, and we look forward to the great things you will do.

Welcome to the Davenport Police Department.

First up is Officer Amanu Amadu Ndaye, who was born and raised in Sinegal.

He moved to the United States in 2016 and graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in public safety administration.

He is currently working on his second master's degree in chaplaincy as a master of divinity.

He became a United States citizen in 2025 and proudly serves in the United States Air Force.

In his free time, he enjoys helping the African community in the Quad Cities, spending time with his family, traveling, playing soccer, collecting books, and running.

His uncle Cherno will be pinning his badge.

You raise your right hand.

I state your name.

I'm on that.

Do solemnly swear.

That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

And the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

And the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

And that I will faithfully.

And impartially.

And impartially.

Do the best of my to the best of my ability.

To the best of my ability.

Discharge all the duties of a police officer.

Discharge all to do a police officer.

Of the city of Davenport.

Go ahead.

City of Davenport.

County of Scott.

County of Scott.

State of Iowa.

State of Iowa.

As now or hereby after required by law.

I now we have to require by law.

Alright.

Congratulations.

It's trickier than it looks.

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

Sorry, I don't turn around.

Okay.

Ready?

One, two, three.

And what are you doing?

Congratulations.

Next up we have Officer Joseph Sylvia.

Joseph Sylvia was born and raised in North Carolina.

Growing up, he spent most of his time in and around the ocean whenever possible.

He graduated from Cape Fear Community College with degrees in marine technology and general education.

Joseph then spent five years working as an offshore offshore surveyor in the Arctic, West Africa, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Joseph and his wife moved to Iowa in 2025, where he decided to pursue a career in law enforcement.

In his free time, he enjoys church activities, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family.

His wife Sadie will be pinning his badge.

I state your name.

I Joseph Juliet.

Do solemnly swear.

Do solemnly swear.

But I will support the Constitution of the United States.

And I will support the Constitution of the United States.

And the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

And the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

And I will faithfully.

And I will faithfully.

And impartially.

And impartially.

To the best of my ability.

To the best of my ability.

Discharge all the duties of a police officer.

Discharge all the duties of the police officer.

Of the city of Davenport.

Of the City of Davenport.

County of Scott.

County of Scott.

And the state of Iowa.

And the state of Iowa.

As now or hereafter required by law.

As now or hereafter required by law.

Alright.

Congratulations.

Like a pressure.

Turn the wrong one.

Thank you.

Next we have Officer Abram Warner.

Abram Warner was born in Rock Island, Illinois and grew up in the Quad City area.

He graduated from Sherard High School, Black Hawk College, and the University of Illinois in Urbana, Chicago, Urbana, Chicago.

Champaign, I'm sorry.

With a bachelor's degree in history.

He previously worked for the National Park Service as a park ranger.

He enjoys playing guitar, the outdoors, reads religious philosophy books, volunteers, and lifts weights for hobbies.

His wife Layla will be pinning his badge.

Alright.

Raise your right hand with me.

I state your name.

I Abram James Warren.

Do solemnly swear.

Do solemnly swear.

That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

And the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

And the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

And I will faithfully.

And I will faithfully.

And impartially.

And impartially.

And to the best of my ability.

And to the best of my ability.

Discharge all the duties of a police officer.

Discharge all the duties of a police officer.

Of the city of Davenport.

Of the City of Davenport.

And the County of Scott.

In the County of Scott.

And State of Iowa.

And the state of Iowa.

As now or hereafter required by law.

As now or hereafter required by law.

Alright.

Congratulations.

Don't worry about that one.

Sorry, bye.

Next up we have Officer Travis Coleman.

Travis Coleman was born and raised in Erie, Illinois.

He graduated from Erie High School in 2019.

After high school, he earned his associate's degree in science from Blackhawk Community College in Moline, Illinois.

He then transferred to the University of Wisconsin, earning a bachelor's degree in forensic investigation in 2023.

Officer Coleman worked for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections prior to moving to Davenport in 2025.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family, going to the gym, and listening to music.

His wife Tiffany will be pinning his badge.

All right.

I state your name.

I Travis Coleman.

Do solemnly swear.

Do you solemnly swear?

But I will support the Constitution of the United States.

I will support the Constitution of the United States.

And the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

And the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

And I will faithfully.

And impartially.

And impartially.

To the best of my ability.

To the best of my ability.

Discharge all the duties of a police officer.

Discharge all the duties of the police officer.

Of the city of Davenport.

And City of Davenport.

County of Scott.

County of Scott.

State of Iowa.

And State of Iowa.

As now or hereafter, required by law.

As now or hereafter required by law.

All right.

Congratulations, sir.

Officer Robert Clark.

Robert Clark was born and raised in Frankfurt, Illinois.

He attends he attended St.

Ambrose University where he pursued a double major in criminal justice and sociology.

While at St.

Ambrose, Robert was a dedicated member of the football team where he was a three-year starter, served as team captain, and earned all conference honorable mention his junior year.

In his free time, Robert enjoys spending time with his family and cheering on his favorite teams, the Chicago Bears and the Chicago White Sox.

His wife Madeline will be pinning his badge.

Raise your right hand with me.

I state your name.

And the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

And the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

And I will faithfully.

Now faithfully.

And impartially.

And to the best of my ability.

To the best of my ability.

Discharge all the duties of a police officer.

Sir Governor Duties as a police officer.

Of the City of Davenport.

State of Iowa.

As now or hereafter required by law.

And now we're hereafter as far by law.

Congratulations, sir.

One, two, three.

All right.

Congratulations on you.

Officer Seth Solis.

Seth Solitz was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, and graduated from Assumption High School in 2023.

He attended Kirkwood Community College where he studied fire science.

During his times at Assumption and Kirkwood, Seth was involved in baseball, football, and power lifting.

In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends, working out, and spending time with his family.

His mother Melissa will be pinning his badge.

All right.

I state your name.

I Seth Solis.

Do solemnly swear.

Do solemnly swear.

But I will support the Constitution of the United States.

And the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

And I will faithfully.

And I will faithfully.

And impartially.

And impartially.

To the best of my ability.

To the best of my ability.

Discharge all the duties of a police officer.

Discharge all the duties of a police officer.

Of the city of Davenport.

Of the City of Davenport.

County of Scott.

County of Scott.

And the state of Iowa.

In the state of Iowa.

As now or hereafter, required by law.

As now or hereafter required by law.

Congratulations, sir.

That's pretty quick.

One, two, three.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

In closing, I just want to say that these officers obviously represent the future of our department.

And I think it's a bright future.

Thank you.

All right.

Thank you very much, Chief.

We'll pause just for about 20 seconds.

I think the officers and their families will be uh going for some photos in the lobby.

So we'll give you a second to clear out.

Oh yeah.

Neither need me.

Yeah, that's I'll keep it too much.

That's going to be the song.

I didn't know that.

No more than that.

All right.

Moving along on our agenda, we are at petitions and communications from council members.

Alderman Vasquez.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

I would like to announce that my next ward meeting will be this Monday, May 19th at 6:30.

But this one will be across the street at the police community room.

So everybody's welcome to come, bring your opinions, your ideas, and let's talk about the city of Davenport and our ward.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any other comments?

Uh Alderman Blunk.

The uh River Street neighborhood meeting is tomorrow evening here in the council chambers at 5.30.

We'll be discussing the proposal to realign River Street with McClellan Boulevard and River Drive.

That's going to be at 5:30 tomorrow here in the council chambers.

The next ward meeting for the fifth board will be coming up uh this Monday at the Grilled Cheese Bar in the village of East Davenport.

That's going to start at 5:30.

Have special guests too, Brian Seals.

He is the deputy director of the Waste Commission of Scott County.

And that's going to be on Monday, 5:30.

Excuse me, 6 o'clock, excuse me.

6 to 7 at the Grilled Cheese Bar in the village of East Davenport.

All right.

Thank you, Alderman Block.

Anyone else on council?

All right.

Seeing and hearing no one.

Next item is individual approval of items on the discussion agenda.

And we have one item this evening, and that's the resolution adopting the 26-27 City Council Strategic Priorities.

Is there anyone from the public that would wish to comment on this topic?

All right.

Seeing and hearing uh no one.

Anyone from council?

Sorry.

Well, an Alder Person move the resolution.

So moved.

Second.

All right.

Is there a discussion from council members?

I know we did talk about it a little bit last Wednesday when it was on the committee of the whole.

All right.

Seeing and hearing no one.

Brian, would you please call the roll?

Fall away.

Yes.

Vasquez?

Yes.

Lean in?

Yes.

Blunt?

Yes.

R done?

Yes.

T Dunn?

Yes.

Newton?

Yes.

Job Jen?

Yes.

Griff?

Yes.

And Perkholder.

Yes.

10 yeses, Your Honor.

All right.

Thank you.

Is there a motion for approval of all items on the consent agenda?

So moved.

Second.

All right.

Motion and a second.

Brian, also call the roll on this, please.

I just need to clarify if Newton did you second that.

Thank you so much.

I thought.

Burkholder?

Yes.

Blunk?

Yes.

Halloway.

Yes.

Lean in.

Yes.

R done?

Yes.

Job Jen?

Yes.

T Dunn?

Yes.

Newton.

Yes.

Vasquez?

Yes.

And yes.

And yes, is your honor.

All right.

Thank you.

Other ordinances, resolutions, and motions.

We don't have any items this evening.

Uh so we are at the public with uh business portion of the meeting.

Is there any public with business that we wish to address counselor?

Please step forward.

State your name, your ward or address, and you will have five minutes.

Judith Lee, Second Ward.

Good to see you all again.

Um to talk about a couple of things that I have addressed counsel on and have received no reply, nor seen anything come up on the agenda.

One is the 227 LeClair.

Um the developer was put on notice to have some things done by certain times by council as well as by the Iowa DNR.

None of that has happened.

One of them was December 31st.

One of them was May 5th.

December 31st was you folks.

May 5th was the report was due at Iowa DNR on the results of the contamination sampling.

Contamination sampling hasn't even started.

There's been no activity over on that site that I can see.

The whole thing is supposed to be done by the end of this year.

But I have not seen anything public.

I have not seen anything on the agenda.

There may have been some stuff happening that is not available to the public.

If it is, since this is a public issue, it should be made available to the public.

And I turned right around and I gave the information I got from staff through Freedom of Information Act to Council.

So the Freedom of Information Act is very important, and I'll be talking about that another time from the folks.

And the policy that was not put before you or the public for discussion and vote.

And you folks are the ones who set policy.

The other one is my concern about the Quad City night meet that's going to be throughout the Harrison Street ramp.

I asked a series of questions in March, got no answers.

A lot of them have to do with liability, have to do with safety, have to do with alcohol.

They are hiring someone that does not have an alcohol license.

So the people who are giving the night meet who are sponsoring that are going to have to get a light alcohol.

I can't imagine they're just serving Mountain Dew at this thing.

It's very clear it's still on the Facebook page, and it's going to be throughout the entire ramp.

I have no idea how much you're charging for this, how we're covering liability, who's doing the cleanup.

The folks who are providing the drinks out of Moline need alcohol, not alcohol, but electricity and water.

There's no idea how that's going to be done.

I asked you again that series of questions.

I got no answer from staff.

I got no answers from you.

And I think those are all valid questions.

I think it's important that I I've heard for years.

You folks ask a public question, and you did it tonight at large.

Oh, you can tell me about it later when it's not public.

The information about the budget and what's happening with the legislature.

Oh, you could explain that to me later.

You don't have to do it publicly now.

As a matter of fact, nobody knew that this update was going to be on this agenda.

Because it's not on the agenda, which surprised me.

I had no idea.

And yet you've got folks here saying, well, explain it to me outside of the public eye, because that's where I want to hear it.

You don't have to explain it to me now.

I cannot believe how this council is going along with not making things public.

Oh, you can I I I got your email.

Thank you very much, staff, for explaining it to us, without ever explaining your public question to us in the public.

I I just cannot believe how you think that that is a way to run a government.

What it appears to me is that this city government of Davenport is run for itself and for the folks who are important to you.

You what I call your overlords.

But I don't see anything that is of much approach for bringing the public in.

I was hopeful at the beginning, but I'm not so hopeful now.

I'm just seeing more and more being done behind the scenes, and I just don't understand why you think that is the way to go.

So I just wanted to get up and make a couple of things public that have not been made public because I think it should be.

And I also think my questions should be answered.

I asked a simple question, and it has to do with what your city administrator said on March 25th about Mr.

Crook.

No answer.

Thank you very much.

Is there anyone else from the public that would wish to address counsel?

Just step forward, state your name and water address.

My name is Terry Bush.

I live in uh Third Ward and Thornwood Avenue, but uh I wanted to bring up this subject to the council.

The other day I saw on my phone on Facebook, they had a police officer and an elderly gentleman, and they were talking about handicapped parking spaces.

Okay.

Well, this is something I never thought I'd need, but I guess I I do now.

So I try to find a handicapped place to park, and it's it's kind of hard.

You know, people you but anyway, there's no one people that park in these spots that aren't handicapped.

There's no one enforcing this law.

Now my understanding, the police department can't go into the Walmart parking lot and write a ticket to somebody that's illegally parked in the handicapped spot.

Now I'm certainly correctable on that.

I don't know that for sure, but that's my understanding that the police can't go on private property and issue tickets and things like that.

But anyway, uh when you need a handicapped spot, and some person is just part parking there, and they know there's no penalty for them parking there.

There isn't any police coming in there checking it.

I know on my handicap placard I got from the Iowa Department of Transportation, it's got a number on it, it's got a date on it.

So I guess you could probably check that with uh hanging on, you know, hanging on the the mirror.

But anyway, I'd like to see uh I guess my question is can the police go into the Walmart parking lot and issue tickets to people that are illegally parked in handicapped spots?

I don't know.

That my understanding they can't and actually the I would say probably 75% of all the handicapped parking in this city is in a parking lot like Walmart or places like that, you know.

That and so anyway, I would like to see some way the police could check on people illegally parked in handicapped spots so I can get a place to park.

And if they're parked there illegally, I'd like to see them get a tow truck and get them out of there.

So that's uh maybe see if you guys get you guys to look at that and check with the police department to see if they can go in there and check the check these handicapped placards.

So anyway, that's all I got.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else from the public this evening that would wish to address counsel?

All right, seeing and hearing no one.

Are there any final comments from members of council?

All right, seeing and hearing no one.

I I would just say maybe could we I don't answer his question tonight, but maybe we could just give his name and and follow back up with him just to get clarity on whether or not we can take it in a private parking lot.

Uh okay.

Uh well the person moved to go into executive session to discuss a real estate transaction pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.51 J.

So move.

Second.

All right.

A motion has been moved and seconded to go into executive session.

Uh before I ask for the roll call, council will adjourn from executive session.

So we will not return to the council chambers this evening.

So with that, I'll ask Brian to call the roll.

Burkholder, yes, Griff, yes, Blum, yes, Newton, yes.

T Dunn?

Yes, R done, yes, lean in, yes, Holloway, yes.

That's good, yes, and joke it.

Yes, and yes, is your honor?

All right, thank you.