Davenport committee reallocates roughly $40,000 in CDBG funds, holds Ward 5 liquor-license requests for more review

At its Jan. 22, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting, the Davenport City Council advanced a package of routine and substantive items to the consent agenda and approved reprogramming unspent Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds after two agencies returned part of their awards. Council members also left liquor-license applications for the Fifth Ward on the discussion list pending a staff memorandum and additional review.

The council authorized reallocating roughly $40,000 in CDBG funding that became available when two recipients — the Boys & Girls Club and an organization identified in the meeting transcript as Common Court — declined or returned part of their awards. "They weren't able to use all the funds, and so they've withdrawn from this year's application. That freed up roughly $40,000 which was voted on by the Citizens Advisory Committee to reapportion to four other agencies," said Bruce Berger, Director of Community and Economic Development. Berger said the CAC recommended approximately equal allocations of about $4,500 to each of four agencies that had submitted applications but were not fully funded.

Resident Paul Baskett asked for a plain-language explanation of the program and the reallocation. Dale Gilmore, who stated he is a Citizens Advisory Committee member, said the Boys & Girls Club moved a facility outside the city and used the first half of its award, then did not apply for the second half, which created the unspent funds. Gilmore described the application review as detailed — "Each application is about 14 pages" — and said the CAC scores and reallocates funds to ensure award dollars are spent within the program year.

On public safety matters, the council reviewed several beer-and-liquor license applications, including new licenses listed for locations on East Third Street and East Locust Street. Nicole Gleason, a city staff member, explained that one proposal — Ace of Spades — arises from subdividing an existing Save More building, which would create a new on-premises establishment and a separate carryout outlet. Mayor Mike Manson and Alderman Kelly urged staff to provide a fuller history and clarity on the type of businesses involved. Alderman Kelly expressed concern about a perceived concentration of liquor vendors in the Fifth Ward, saying, "When does the City of Davenport stop with all these liquor licenses?"

Council members voted to move most Public Safety items to the consent agenda but kept the Ward 5 liquor-license item (the Ace of Spades/Save More matter) on discussion for further review. Nicole Gleason told council staff would prepare a memo with permit history and current status before final action.

The public works docket, including contract awards and procurement for road and airport projects, and the finance docket, including a third consideration ordinance updating the city's automatic traffic enforcement code to reflect State of Iowa law and proposed water-rate adjustments, were placed on the consent agenda. Notable contract amounts cited in the meeting include an engineering services contract for the Water Pollution Control Plant bar-screen replacement to HR Green for $523,900; a contract award to Shive-Hattery for West Central Park Avenue reconstruction engineering services for $194,500; and a UV-lamp purchase for the water pollution control plant listed at $91,166. The council motioned to move all 10 public-works items and all finance items to consent, and those motions carried.

Councilors did not take final passage votes on the ordinances and contracts during this meeting; most items were advanced to the consent agenda for formal action at a subsequent meeting. Several items drew questions from councilors and the public and will return with staff-provided clarifications.

Ending: The committee meeting concluded after councilors voted to advance a broad slate of measures to consent and to hold Ward 5 liquor-license applications for additional review; staff committed to prepare a detailed memo on the contested liquor-license requests and permit histories before final council action.