OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

Use casesAboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Davenport, Iowa/City Council
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Davenport City Council Meeting – September 24, 2026

City Council — Thursday, September 24, 2026
BodyDavenport, Iowa
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, September 24, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:20:07

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:05

All right, good evening.

0:07

I would like to call the city council meeting for Wednesday, September 23rd to order.

0:12

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

0:20

Thank you.

0:21

Would you please rise as Alder Milblunk will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

0:27

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

0:31

To the Republicans.

0:34

One nation, undervisible liberty, all right.

0:43

Thank you.

0:43

Brian, could you call the roll, please?

0:47

Ardun.

0:48

Vasquez.

0:50

Lean in.

0:51

Present.

0:52

Grip.

0:54

Newton.

0:55

Here.

0:56

Blunk.

0:56

Here.

0:57

Job Jin.

0:57

Here.

0:58

And Burkholder.

0:58

Here.

0:59

Nine present, Your Honor.

1:00

All right.

1:00

Thank you, Brian, and good evening.

1:01

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

1:04

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

1:08

We welcome your value, uh, value your comments and welcome your opinions.

1:11

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

1:18

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

1:23

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.

1:31

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

1:33

Before we uh begin, just a few reminders, just silence any cell phones uh in the audience so as not to disrupt the meeting.

1:40

Um there will be an opportunity to address the council during the public with business portion of the meeting later this evening.

1:45

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

1:52

And you will have five minutes to do so.

1:54

Thank you.

1:55

Well, an all-de-person move approval of the city council meeting minutes for September 9, 2026.

2:00

So moved.

2:01

All in favor say aye.

2:03

Aye.

2:03

Any opposed, same sign?

2:05

The minutes are approved.

2:06

Is there a city administrator update this evening?

2:09

Just a reminder that next week is a fifth Wednesday, so we will not be here next week.

2:13

Thank you.

2:14

All right, thank you.

2:15

Well, an Alder Person move approval of the report of the Committee of the Whole for September 16th, 2026.

2:20

So moved.

2:21

All in favor say aye.

2:23

Aye.

2:23

Any opposed, same sign?

2:25

Okay, those are approved.

2:27

We have five proclamations this evening and three presentations, so I've got a bottle of water here so as to make sure I uh don't rub my throat throat doesn't get too dry.

2:35

Our first uh proclamation will be read by Alder Woman Newton, and it's for Hispanic Heritage Month.

2:40

So I'll turn it over to her.

2:44

Thank you, Mayor.

2:47

City of Davenport, Iowa proclamation.

2:50

Whereas, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationally from September 15th to October 15th, a period that honors the rich cultural heritage, history, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████17%
Libraries██████████████14%
Community Engagement███████████11%
Government Accountability████████8%
Public Engagement██████6%
Hunger Relief█████5%
Sports And Recreation█████5%
Education█████5%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Davenport City Council Meeting – September 24, 2026

The Davenport City Council met on September 24, 2026 (the meeting was called to order on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, per the transcript; the provided date from the instruction is September 24). The session included five proclamations, three presentations, first readings of a rezoning and an information technology ordinance, a resolution supporting an economic development application, and a motion to fill a vacant Ward 2 council seat. The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of the September 9, 2026, city council meeting.
  • Approved the report of the Committee of the Whole from September 16, 2026.
  • Approved the consent agenda (routine items) by a unanimous roll-call vote (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Tom Engelman (President, Davenport Public Library Board of Trustees): Expressed opposition to the proposed IT ordinance amendments, arguing they would undermine the library’s independent governance. He requested that the library and Civil Rights Commission be explicitly excluded from the ordinance and that the city’s IT role be limited to technical and security matters, not purchasing or administrative control.
  • Judith Lee (Ward 2): Criticized the process for filling the Ward 2 vacancy, stating the timeline was too short, the public was not adequately notified, and the mayor may have already reached out to a potential appointee. She asked for transparency regarding why the previous alderman resigned.
  • Marine Mosai (Ward 2): Supported the appointment process, stating it avoids leaving the ward without representation and saves the cost of a special election. She encouraged the council to appoint a qualified candidate.
  • Paul Hardesty (Ward 3): Thanked the council for recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and proposed the adoption of a ceremonial flag he designed to symbolize home and unity, with the goal of rebuilding trust between citizens and government.
  • Marine Mosai (second appearance): Thanked the city for road construction and praised her alderman for being a responsive liaison.
  • David Anderson (Ward 4): Opposed the use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) from Flock Safety, arguing that the company retains data longer than stated and violates privacy. He urged the council to cancel the city’s contract.
  • Dott Richards (Ward 2): Echoed concerns about ALPRs and opposed a proposed data center in Northwest Davenport, citing potential noise, vibration, and long-term vacancy risks.

Presentations & Recognitions

  • Davenport Northwest Little League: Recognized for winning the Midwest Region championship and representing Davenport at the Little League World Series, finishing among the top U.S. teams.
  • Quad City River Bandits: Recognized for winning the 2026 Midwest League championship, going undefeated in the postseason (4-0) and finishing the regular season with a 70-57 record.
  • Summer Reading Program Winners: Hayes Elementary School (public school winner) and John F. Kennedy Catholic School (private school winner) were honored for highest student participation. Additionally, eighth-grader Maggie Conley won the teen citywide contest and collaborated to select new books for the library.

Discussion Items

  • Rezoning REZ 26-06 (4435 East 53rd Street): First consideration to rezone from C2 Commercial Transitional to C2 Corridor Commercial. No public comment. The council approved the first reading unanimously (9-0).
  • Information Technology Ordinance (Chapter 2.16 amendment): First consideration to centralize IT governance and address cybersecurity risks. The IT Director explained that the ordinance creates a shared risk model, not operational control over departments like the library. Council asked corporation counsel to review state law concerns raised by the library board. Approved first reading (9-0).
  • Resolution of Support – BIG Program (Infiltrator Water Technologies): Resolution supporting the company’s application for state incentives. Aldermen Lenin and Holloway praised the investment as a major win for Davenport. Approved (9-0).
  • Motion to Fill Ward 2 Vacancy: Motion establishing a process for appointment: applications due by October 2, 2026, special council meeting on October 7, 2026, and provision for electors to petition for a special election. Council debated the merits; some members noted that a special election would be costly and that the motion fully complies with Iowa Code. Approved (9-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Proclamations adopted for Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15), Fire Prevention Week (October 4–10), Metrocom NAACP Unit No. 419 Day (September 26), National Good Neighbor Day (September 28), and Hunger Action Day (September 29).
  • All three discussion agenda items passed as described.
  • The Ward 2 vacancy process was approved; the seat will be filled by appointment unless a valid petition triggers a special election.
  • The meeting adjourned after council comments.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening. I would like to call the city council meeting for Wednesday, September 23rd to order. At this time, we will have a moment of silence. Thank you. Would you please rise as Alder Milblunk will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. To the Republicans. One nation, undervisible liberty, all right. Thank you. Brian, could you call the roll, please? Ardun. Vasquez. Lean in. Present. Grip. Newton. Here. Blunk. Here. Job Jin. Here. And Burkholder. Here. Nine present, Your Honor. All right. Thank you, Brian, 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 welcome your value, uh, value your comments and welcome your 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'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 for being a part of tonight's meeting. Before we uh begin, just a few reminders, just silence any cell phones uh in the audience so as not to disrupt the meeting. Um there will be an opportunity to address the council during the public with business portion of the meeting later this evening. When speaking, please 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 will have five minutes to do so. Thank you. Well, an all-de-person move approval of the city council meeting minutes for September 9, 2026. So moved. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed, same sign? The minutes are approved. Is there a city administrator update this evening? Just a reminder that next week is a fifth Wednesday, so we will not be here next week. Thank you. All right, thank you. Well, an Alder Person move approval of the report of the Committee of the Whole for September 16th, 2026. So moved.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com