The Davenport City Commission voted Nov. 18 to send a public‑accommodations complaint identified in the record as PA0009325 to a public hearing after the director recommended further formal proceedings.

Director Lacy told commissioners the complainant in PA0009325 is “an African American man, with a disability,” who “encountered this public accommodation and needed an accommodation because he had been hospitalized,” and that witnesses and a video and audio recording corroborate the complainant’s account. Lacy said one respondent told staff the complainant “did not ask for an accommodation,” but that witnesses standing nearby and at least one recording documented the request.

“Under the law, a request for reasonable accommodation doesn’t have to be in a specific format,” Lacy said in explaining why staff found probable cause and recommended public hearing. Lacy added that third‑party witnesses reported they were aware of the complainant’s disability and his request for an accommodation.

Commissioner Holly moved to send the case to public hearing; the motion was seconded and the commission approved the move by voice vote. The motion was recorded as “we move this case PA0009325 to public hearing,” with the chair stating it was properly moved by Commissioner Holly and seconded by “commissioner board.”

The director told the commission the alleged denial of accommodation included comments that suggested staff suspected criminal activity based on the complainant’s race and the presence of pit bulls. Lacy recommended public hearing because the incident “could be repeated again in the future” and thus carry community impact beyond the individual complainant.

Next steps: the commission’s action sends PA0009325 to a formal public‑hearing process inside the commission’s enforcement framework; the hearing date and procedural details were not specified on the record and are “to be scheduled,” according to the director’s recommendation.

Because the record includes witness statements and at least one audio/video recording, the commission’s public‑hearing calendar will indicate whether the respondent files pre‑hearing responses, whether any settlement is pursued, and whether the hearing officer or panel issues findings following the hearing.