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Record of Proceedings

Davenport City Council Meeting - September 10, 2026: Zoning, Centennial Bridge, and Settlement Approval

City Council — Thursday, September 10, 2026
BodyDavenport, Iowa
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, September 10, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:32:15

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:01

All right, good evening, and I would like to call the city council meeting for Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 to order.

0:07

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

0:15

Thank you.

0:16

Please rise as Alderman Holloway will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:21

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:29

Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:36

All right, thank you.

0:37

Brian, can you call the role, please?

0:43

Sorry, I'm having issues unmuting Alder Woman Newton.

0:48

So she is connected.

0:51

So I'm gonna do R done.

0:53

Here Vasquez, Holloway, present, lean in, present.

0:56

Grip.

0:57

Here.

0:57

Newton is connected via Teams.

1:00

Blunk.

1:01

Here.

1:02

T Dunn.

1:02

Here.

1:03

Job Jen.

1:03

Here.

1:04

And Burkholder.

1:05

Here.

1:05

10 present Your Honor.

1:06

All right.

1:06

Thank you.

1:07

And good evening.

1:07

I'd like to welcome everyone to tonight's city council meeting.

1:10

Those of you here with us in person or watching online or on a mobile device.

1:14

We value your comments and opinions.

1:16

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

1:23

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

1:29

We appreciate your engagement in city government and ask that your participation reflects our shared goal of making Davenport an even better place for everyone.

1:36

Thank you again for being part of tonight's meeting.

1:39

Just a reminder to silence any phones or tablets that might make noise during the meeting.

1:58

And you'll have five minutes to do so.

2:00

Thank you.

2:00

Well, an all-person move approval of the city council meeting minutes for August 26, 2026.

2:07

All right.

2:07

All in favor say aye.

2:09

Aye.

2:09

All right.

2:10

Any opposed, same sign.

2:11

Those minutes are approved.

2:12

Is there a city administrator update this evening?

2:15

Yes, sir is Mayor.

2:17

First cycle.

2:18

So we have employee recognition.

2:22

And we're gonna hold for one second.

2:26

We actually have a fair number.

2:28

We have four new police officers.

2:30

Uh Yalga, Matthew, Gage, uh, our new members along with Ryan.

2:38

And then uh Packer Driver Loader for uh public works is Chris, and then Laura's a new administrative assistant here at City Hall.

2:49

And then promotions.

2:50

Uh Kari uh was promoted to the assistant finance director uh working for Basha Gurloch.

2:57

And then Tom also was promoted up into a position of uh purchasing manager, and then Jason Allerbach uh was promoted to uh police captain.

3:09

And then also uh David Preston uh was promoted into the maintenance specialist position.

3:15

Then we have a couple of retirements, uh both with the fire department.

3:23

There we go.

3:24

Uh Zach had uh 22 years uh for the uh Davenport Fire Department, Kelly had 21 years, and they both uh retired this past month.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████████22%
Public Engagement██████████████████18%
Procedural████████████████16%
Pending Litigation███████████████15%
Government Accountability██████████████14%
Planning And Development█████████9%
Youth Programs██2%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Economic Development█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Davenport City Council Meeting - September 10, 2026: Zoning, Centennial Bridge, and Settlement Approval

The Davenport City Council met on September 10, 2026. The meeting began with employee recognition for new hires and promotions across city departments. Key agenda items included an update on the Centennial Bridge project, amendments to the electrical code, and a proposed settlement. The council approved a $397,500 settlement in a discrimination lawsuit, passed a zoning amendment for body modification establishments, and authorized parade permits for North High School's homecoming. A proclamation declaring Big Brothers Big Sisters Month was also approved.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of the August 26, 2026 city council meeting.
  • Approved the report on the Committee of the Whole for September 2, 2026.
  • Approved a proclamation declaring September 2026 as Big Brothers Big Sisters Month.
  • Approved a consent agenda including routine items.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Carlton Wills (Ward 3) spoke on the electrical code amendment, urging the council to hold off until the state adopts its own code, citing safety concerns such as minimum wire size and receptacle requirements that would be lost.
  • Judith Lee (Ward 2) opposed the settlement agreement (RM25-234), alleging conflicts of interest, abuses of power, and undocumented allegations. She urged the council to let the case go to court.
  • Kinda Dixon (Ward unspecified) echoed opposition to the settlement, asking the council to let the judicial system handle it.
  • Cheryl Shagna (Ward 3) opposed the settlement, stating the council should "stop this pattern of just giving away money" and noted a lack of investigation into harassment allegations.
  • Mike Meredith (Ward 4) opposed the settlement, insisting the council should listen to constituents and take the case to court.
  • Christine Alexander spoke about her past experience with the city regarding missing documents and code issues, linking to broader transparency concerns.
  • Joyce Miller (Ward 3) requested an update on the Modern Woodmen audit.
  • Additional speakers raised issues about police reliance on video evidence, Flock cameras, and compensation for victims of the building collapse.

Discussion Items

  • Centennial Bridge Project Update: Tony Paceltis (Parsons) and Michael Keene (IDOT) presented two alternatives: E2 (replacement slightly west of the existing bridge) and E7 (relocation to Marquette Street). E2 has lower cost ($237 million vs $295 million) and fewer impacts. The public preferred E2 (39% support) over E7 (15% support). The next public meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2026, to announce a preferred alternative. The existing bridge will remain open until the new bridge is built. An aesthetics committee will be formed to honor the historic design.
  • Second Consideration of Ordinance ORD 26-02 (Body Modification Establishments): Approved after suspension of rules, allowing such establishments as a permitted use in the CV Village of East Davenport Zoning District. Council voted 11-0.
  • Second Consideration of Ordinance Amending Electrical Code: Approved to conform local code to state code. Public comment raised safety concerns, but council proceeded with a unanimous vote.
  • Resolution Approving Global Release and Settlement RM25-234: The council approved a $397,500 payment to settle claims by Mallory Bagby. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed. The vote was 6-5, with Mayor Gordon casting the deciding yes vote. Council members Newton, Burkholder, Grip, Lenin, and Vasquez voted no.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved the settlement agreement for RM25-234 (6-5 vote).
  • Approved ordinance ORD 26-26 on body modification establishments (11-0).
  • Approved the electrical code amendment (11-0).
  • Approved street closure and noise variance for North High School's homecoming parade on September 24, 2026.
  • The city administrator acknowledged the city is in "an organization in crisis" and recommended hiring an additional attorney and a part-time special advisor, though no council action was taken on that.
  • The council will continue discussions on rental code deficiencies and affordable housing.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening, and I would like to call the city council meeting for Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 to order. At this time, we will have a moment of silence. Thank you. Please rise as Alderman Holloway will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right, thank you. Brian, can you call the role, please? Sorry, I'm having issues unmuting Alder Woman Newton. So she is connected. So I'm gonna do R done. Here Vasquez, Holloway, present, lean in, present. Grip. Here. Newton is connected via Teams. Blunk. Here. T Dunn. Here. Job Jen. Here. And Burkholder. Here. 10 present Your Honor. All right. Thank you. And good evening. I'd like to welcome everyone to tonight's city council meeting. Those of you here with us in person or watching online or on a mobile device. We value your comments and opinions. Please remember that when you address this 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. We appreciate your engagement in city government and ask that your participation reflects our shared goal of making Davenport an even better place for everyone. Thank you again for being part of tonight's meeting. Just a reminder to silence any phones or tablets that might make noise during the meeting. And you'll have five minutes to do so. Thank you. Well, an all-person move approval of the city council meeting minutes for August 26, 2026. All right. All in favor say aye. Aye. All right. Any opposed, same sign. Those minutes are approved. Is there a city administrator update this evening? Yes, sir is Mayor. First cycle. So we have employee recognition. And we're gonna hold for one second. We actually have a fair number.

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