"All-Wards" Meeting Set for Dec. 12th
I will be having an "All Wards" Meeting from 6-8 pm, Tues., Dec. 12th, at the Rogalski Center on the campus of St. Ambrose University in the 5th Ward. The meeting is open to citizens from throughout the community. The agenda will include current topics before the council and any other subjects folks would like to discuss. Additional information, including a campus map, are located on my website, click here. If you wish to e-mail a topic to me in advance, send a message to ian@ianfrink.com or feel free to post a comment on the blog. Thanks, Ian
posted by Ian Frink @ 11:14 PM
20 comments
20 Comments:
Which letter or number designation on the campus map is for the Rogalski Center?
Thanks, looking forward to the meeting.
Building "L" (as noted above the map)!
I hope one topic is this bad reputaion we seem to have. SoLo has had a bad reputation for years and it seems it has spread to Downtown. While I don't share this fear of downtown, the talk is there. Real or imagined, if it's not changed it will stick around.
I want to know why you supported Pedcor Ian? Against the wishes and solid concerns of the tax payers. This was a bad judgement call and you need to explain so we can trust you again.
Anon. 6:44,
I supported Pedcor because of the company's track record in other communities. Pedcor has had a good history and was proactive in management practices, doing more than our city presently requires of complexes of this nature. I had also hoped that the development might spur more commercial activity along Kimberly. Also, the rent structures where in a range that would cater to working class individuals, etc.
Actually at one point, I told Pedcor I was voting against the development - just before the first reading, unless they could prove to me that the development could be of benefit to the area.
It was a tough call, we vote on a lot of sensitive issues and I voted for Pedcor in this instance.
That said; if I had it to do over I might not support something like that again - due to the public opposition.
I'm not sure if that is the answer you are looking for, but I'm not trying to sugar coat anything. This was what I based my vote on at that time. Thanks for the post, Ian
Even though I did not post the question, I do have to commend you on your starkly honest answer Ian. I have tracked the votes you have made and the arguments to support them, and I have only been impressed. You have taken a step out of the immaturity that that seems to consistently permeate the City Council. You are truly setting a great example for the city in front of the entire Quad Cities.
Anyone need a cigarette after reading that?
Ian,
Ian, With the 2007 budget process looming, do you forsee any cutbacks or layoffs within the projects/personel or is the city on course for increased taxes?
Need to continue to review city departments and processes to make all efficient and cost effective. Continue to trim fat to eliminate waste as Hamerlinck, Ambrose, and Meyer did last budget session. No need to increase taxes. Just have responsible departments and managers that are cost effective. Maybe institute bonus plans for departments that meet goal. Really need to take a hard look at Public Works. What happened to Hamerlink's idea for the ad hoc commitee to review Public Works?
Anon. 9:05,
Budget process looks better this year, departments have come in under budget and the revenue stream from fines, licenses, and permit fees is up. The preliminary thought is that we should be able to hold line on taxes/fees and still increase services a bit - of course, it is early - we will have more info in Jan.
Anon. 11:08,
A fair amount of cut backs have been made over the years. We are more efficient now than we have ever been. Plus the dollars we are investing in IT is saving money. It is tough to measure, but processes are becoming more efficient thanks to this department. I'm excited to see the next phases of IT development in the city. I'm not sure about the bonus plan, might be worth looking at. I feel hitting a budget is part of the job, I'm not sure it warrants a bonus outside of standard compensation increases. As for the ad-hoc committee, I haven't heard much on this front - maybe they will have more on this, but I am not aware of any results as of yet.
Thanks for the posts, Ian
Ian,
How is the city reparing for the influx of rental/housing needs for the 1000 troups/RIA coming to the QCA. What has been done to address the run down properties within the city, and what is being done to attract these people to Davenport? If the stats are correct, these troups will be with family (national avg. is 2.5 per). That could be some big bucks in tax revenue.
Anon. 6:25,
Good question - I'll look into this and see if I can post a response early next week. Thanks.
The troops should intentionally be attraced to the solo areas and we need to kick out the drug dealers and get these families to improve our neighborhoods. Replace crackheads with troops.
Ian - why can't we do a better job at holding landlords accountable for renting to criminals?
Anon. 1:31,
We have some plans in the works with the City Legal, DFD, the IT department, and a citizens group to work towards joint accountability for landlords and tenants. More on this will be coming to the forefront in January.
I said landlord accountabilty - what makes you think we need joint accountability. We need the landlords to take responsibility for their properties.
Do you not believe that any problems are more the renters' fault than the landlord's?
I am not saying landlords shouldn't be more accountable than they are, but I don't see why renters shouldn't be responsible for some things also.
To Quadcitiesimages,
Do keep in mind that rental property is a business. The city should in no way be running a private business. These "business'" already cost the taxpayers money due to fact the inspections are mandated by the state. It is Davenport's minimum code standards that are enforced, nothing more. Thats why our city looks the way it does. If you want a better city then the codes need to be revised and strengthened so that the city can have some teeth. Right now we have trash in the streets/yards, abandoned vehicles, houses with porches falling off, lots full of grass the city hasn't addressed, and crime running rampid.
The landlords need to be accountable due to the fact that a najority of these problem properties are rental and the landlords are milking the properties. Right now there is little enforcement within the city and afew city departments pointing fingers at each other when asked why things are the way they are.
This next budget should be very interesting, lets see if the council gets it right.
The worst rentals in this town are filled with people who could honestly care less. About anything - let alone how the property looks and how the neighborhood is. Landlords run a business and they need to run it well. They are responsible for who they rent to and how they maintain thier properties. The Landlord is ultimately responsible for the place in every way. They have to be the ones to make things okay. Yes - I think the tenants should be responsible, but simply put - what if they are not???? Why should the neighbors of that "business" suffer? What do you propose QCI?
What happens if someone in your building misbehaves? What do you expect of your landlord? How would you feel if they neighbor was dealing drugs and threatening you and throwing crap all over the hallway. What do you think shoudl happen? What is the role of your landlord in that situation? Do you expect them to deal with it? How woudl you feel if you were told to go yourself and talk with the neighbor? Would you? Would you want to? Do you think that it is your role to do so? What if the the landlord told you that it isn't his problem because he isn't responsible? Think about it QCI. This goes on all over this city and we are all getting tired of it.
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