There will be a meeting to review the city budget on Thursday, February 7th at 6:00pm at the Genesis East Heart Institute on Rusholme. The city finance department will be on hand with a PowerPoint presentation and will be available to answer questions. Alderman Lynn, Frink, & Meeker will also be attending. Please plan on joining us.
Sincerely,
Jeff
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Ward Meetings-Other Activity
Yesterday I attended 1st Ward Alderman Nathan Brown's ward meeting. Good discussion on a variety of topics. Good attendance as well. Thanks Nate for allowing me to attend.
Ian Frink, Bill Lynn, and I will be hosting a budget meeting for the public (presented by our Finance Department) in early February at the Genesis Heart Institute. Details will be posted here, and published in the media. I also plan to hold a 6th ward meeting in the near future.
I met with Levee Commission Director Steve Ahrens on Thursday and received updates on riverfront activity. I also stopped by the Freighthouse on Saturday after Nate's meeting. Good to see some positive developments there. I think it's going to be a welcome change to that facility.
I also attended the Village of East Davenport Board meeting last week. Nice to see merchants in that area working together. I plan to stay actively involved with the group as they develop plans for their future.
On a side note, I attended the "First in the Nation Report" on workforce skills at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids on Friday. The Iowa City/Cedar Rapids community has done work-key assessments of a sample of the labor force in their area. They are using that information to help lure potential businesses. I asked the President of the college if they would be willing to share their study methodology with the eastern part of the state. He said "absolutely". This is a great example of business, education, and economic development officials working together to be proactive in addressing our workforce shortage. I have shared the study results with Eastern Iowa Community College, Davenport and Bettendorf Chamber and Economic Development leaders. I hope we can do something similar in our area.
Sincerely,
Jeff
Ian Frink, Bill Lynn, and I will be hosting a budget meeting for the public (presented by our Finance Department) in early February at the Genesis Heart Institute. Details will be posted here, and published in the media. I also plan to hold a 6th ward meeting in the near future.
I met with Levee Commission Director Steve Ahrens on Thursday and received updates on riverfront activity. I also stopped by the Freighthouse on Saturday after Nate's meeting. Good to see some positive developments there. I think it's going to be a welcome change to that facility.
I also attended the Village of East Davenport Board meeting last week. Nice to see merchants in that area working together. I plan to stay actively involved with the group as they develop plans for their future.
On a side note, I attended the "First in the Nation Report" on workforce skills at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids on Friday. The Iowa City/Cedar Rapids community has done work-key assessments of a sample of the labor force in their area. They are using that information to help lure potential businesses. I asked the President of the college if they would be willing to share their study methodology with the eastern part of the state. He said "absolutely". This is a great example of business, education, and economic development officials working together to be proactive in addressing our workforce shortage. I have shared the study results with Eastern Iowa Community College, Davenport and Bettendorf Chamber and Economic Development leaders. I hope we can do something similar in our area.
Sincerely,
Jeff
Monday, January 7, 2008
Goal Setting & Meeting Change
The Council voted tonight to combine the 4 committee meetings and the Committee of the Whole meeting. The vote was taken during our goal setting meeting.
The combined meeting will be held on alternate Wednesdays @ 5:30. This will allow more public participation in the committee meetings (previously held on Thursday afternoon when many people are working). In addition, all alderman will now attend all committee meetings. As a result, alderman will be better informed earlier in the process, and city staff can attend one meeting instead of 5 leaving more time to serve our citizens. The City Council meeting will be held on the alternate Wednesday @ 5:30.
In discussing our present meeting structure with citizens, many were confused about the committee meetings and were unable to attend due to work schedules. This change will help. The Council voted during the goal setting process so we can start the new meeting structure immediately.
The combined meeting will be held on alternate Wednesdays @ 5:30. This will allow more public participation in the committee meetings (previously held on Thursday afternoon when many people are working). In addition, all alderman will now attend all committee meetings. As a result, alderman will be better informed earlier in the process, and city staff can attend one meeting instead of 5 leaving more time to serve our citizens. The City Council meeting will be held on the alternate Wednesday @ 5:30.
In discussing our present meeting structure with citizens, many were confused about the committee meetings and were unable to attend due to work schedules. This change will help. The Council voted during the goal setting process so we can start the new meeting structure immediately.
Proud to Serve
I appreciate the opportunity to serve the citizens of the 6th Ward and the City of Davenport. I look forward to great things during the next two years and will use this site for updates and communications. Feel free to share your ideas and vision for our great city.
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