Resident urges Hawarden council to review possible conflict in Catalyst Grant program

John Greece, a Hawarden resident, urged the City Council to investigate what he described as a potential or perceived conflict of interest in the city's Catalyst Grant program and asked the council to place the item on its next agenda.

Greece told the council he submitted a packet with four items: an incomplete conflict-of-interest declaration form completed by the community and economic development director, project assurance forms, a copy of the grant agreement, and an email in which the director said ownership changes were not an issue. He said the declaration "identifies an actual potential or perceived conflict involving her spouse's business and one of the original building grant recipients," and that the form in the packet was not signed and appeared incomplete.

Greece said two of the four original grant projects lacked a project assurance signed by the current owners, which he said could mean the grants were out of compliance after ownership changes. He cited ownership changes in February 2005 (Willow building) and June 2005 (old lawyers building) and said he found no evidence city files contained signed project assurances for those later owners.

He told the council he was not trying to assign blame but to encourage the city to "get the paperwork in order" and to seek written mitigation or waivers from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) if necessary. He recommended that, going forward, staff implement a clear mitigation plan and require recusal or reassignment when a severe conflict exists.

The council did not take formal action on the matter at the meeting; the mayor thanked Greece for his comments. Greece specifically requested the issue be placed on a subsequent council agenda for formal review. The council's next meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2026, where the item may be considered.