30 Jan 2013

Special City Council Meeting, January 30th at 5:30pm

By Jackie E. Holecek

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING

City of Davenport, Iowa

Wednesday, January 30, 2013; 5:30 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers

I. Moment of Silence

II. Pledge of Allegiance - Ald. Ambrose

III. Roll Call

IV. Discussion Agenda

1. Motion to direct the Council Negotiating Team on casino developer/operator negotiations as follows:

A. Enter into negotiations with Ingenus/FDP on a development agreement for further Council consideration:

Within the Ingenus/FDP negotiation, optimize deal points including:

i. Determine whether some other existing downtown property owner could more cost effectively deliver a small scale gaming parlor (approximately 10% the size of the Interstate casino)

ii. Conduct a cost/benefit analysis of multiple I-80 locations.

iii. Revised Interstate design.

B. Engage the DCIC to conduct intensive due diligence on Ingenus management team, and review management and operator options otherwise available, to determine the optimal scope of services and necessary fees.

C. Solicit competitive financing agreements with local financial institutions, as a potential source of capital to use in part, or in while, in lieu of issuing bonds.

D. Provide a report to the City Council on the status of negotiations not later than February 20, 2013.

2. Motion to direct the Council Negotiating Team on casino developer/operator negotiations as follows:

A. Enter into negotiations with both RSL and Ingenus/FDP on development agreements for further Council consideration.
Within the Ingenus/FDP negotiation, optimized deal points including:

i. Determine whether RSL, Atrium Holdings or some other existing downtown property owner could more cost effectively deliver a small scale gaming parlor (approximately 10% the size of the Interstate casino) than the proposed Ingenus/FDP new construction
downtown facility.

ii. Conduct a cost/benefit analysis of multiple I-80 locations.

iii. Revised Interstate design.

Within the RSL negotiation, optimize deal points including:

i. Provision of annual cash flow instead of equity.

ii. Provision of food, beverage and hotel accommodations for casino patrons at costs customary to casino operators.

B. Engage the DCIC to conduct intensive due diligence on management teams presented in both proposals, and otherwise available, to determine the optimal scope of services and necessary fees.

C. Solicit competitive financing agreements with local financial institutions, as a potential source of capital to use in part, or in whole, in lieu of issuing bonds.

D. Provide a report to the City Council on the status of negotiations not later than February 20, 2013.

VI. Public Comment

PLEASE NOTE: At this time individuals may step to the podium and upon giving your NAME and ADDRESS you may address the City Council. There is a five (5) minute time limit. Please end your comments promptly.

VII. Adjourn

30 Jan 2013

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action **Tuesday, January 29, 2013**

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO - January 29, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

 

Bill No.: HB 4177

An Act Concerning: Government

Allows home care and home health workers to become state employees for the purposes of collective bargaining.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 5019

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Extends the sunset date of the Making Home Affordable Program to Jan. 1, 2014 and clarifies the effective dates of previous amendments to the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987, the High Risk Home Loan Act and the Interest Act.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

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30 Jan 2013

Quad Cities Author Katie Ganshert At Upcoming Local Events to Celebrate Her Second Novel

By Nicholas Depew

Meet local author Katie Ganshert at a Quad Cities upcoming local book signing event, celebrating her second novel Wishing on Willows (Waterbrook Press, March 19, 2013) that continues the story in her debut novel Wildflowers from Winter.

The story of Robin Price as she deals with a three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories of her late husband, where Ganshert explores if second chances at life and love always involve surrender?

Meet Ganshert at one, or both, book signing events!

 

Saturday, March 23, 2013

1:00-3:00 PM

Books-A-Million

4000 East 53rd St

Davenport, Iowa 52807

Phone: 563.355.0705

 

Friday, April 5, 2013

6:30-8:00 PM

Dunn Brothers,

787 Middle Rd

Bettendorf, IA 52722

Phone: 563.345.6099

 

Although fiction, the real-life topics addressed by Ganshert provides readers thought provoking situations such as single-parenting, second chances and surrendering personal plans for God's plans.

Through Ganshert's skillful writing, readers are able explore their own life choices and concerns as they journey with the characters through their own situations.

30 Jan 2013

Trivia Night "Benefit for 4 Sisters" at Faith Lutheran

By Jared Johnson

Faith Lutheran Church, Moline, is hosting a "Benefit for 4 Sisters" trivia night on Friday at the church, 1611 41st St., Moline. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the games begin at 7 p.m. Cost is $10 per person. To reserve a table, please call (309) 797-1981. Walk-ins are also welcome. People can bring snacks or buy them at the event.

The "four 'sisters in Christ" at Faith Lutheran knew they could face serious illnesses on their own, but fellow parishioners wanted to lend them a hand.

29 Jan 2013

Saturday Cable Commission Meeting Agenda Notice

By Jackie E. Holecek
City of Davenport Cable Commission

Commission Meeting

Saturday, February 2, 2013

City Hall

Civil Rights Conference Room - 1ST Floor

226 W. 4TH Street

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Meeting Agenda

Discussion Topics

1. Summary of Public Access Seminar

2. Public Access Status Letter - Mediacom Response

3. Update of QCPATV Proposal Status

4. Finalize and Approve Annual Report to City Council

5. Set Potential Meeting Schedule

6. Other Business

Public Comments

Adjourn
29 Jan 2013

Non-Profit "Brews" New Fundraising Idea

By Rick Martin

Since 2009, government funding to non-profit organizations that provide human services has been in steady decline, forcing these service organizations to change much of their funding strategies or face a reduction in their ability to provide critical services to their communities. Competition amongst non-profits for the "donated" dollar is extreme: How can an individual not-for profit make itself standout from the crowd to garner more support and exposure plus increase donor dollars?

Known for their "outside the box" fundraising programs, senior center CASI (Center for Active Seniors, Inc.) in Davenport, Iowa, has" brewed" the prefect fundraising plan.

CASI has teamed up with a regional microbrewery, Great River Brewery, to create a new beer dedicated to seniors and senior services. The results: Owney Irish Red Ale. Owney, an old Irish name for "elderly" is being released in retail locations throughout the Quad Cities the week of February 4th.

Proceeds from the sale of Owney Irish Red Ale will be used by CASI to fund services for seniors in the Quad City community. Additionally, distributors Vanguard Distributing Co. and Stern Beverages are providing marketing materials used to promote awareness of CASI's programs and services.

Then on March 9, a formal tapping event is planned at Great River Brewery (332 E 2nd St., Davenport) beginning at 1:00 p.m. Area senior centers and the general public are invited to join in the festivities. Food will be provided by The Fountains Senior Living Community of Bettendorf.

We all have a senior in our life that needs our help. So toast CASI with a pint of Owney and support our senior services!

Founded in 1973, CASI is a multi-service nationally accredited senior center providing a variety of social, educational, support and wellness programs and activities designed for adults over the age of 60 and their families/caregivers.

- END -

29 Jan 2013

Statement from Governor Pat Quinn on U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's Decision

By Nafia Khan

CHICAGO - January 29, 2013. On behalf of everyone in his home state of Illinois, I congratulate Ray LaHood today for his outstanding service to our nation as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Standing alongside President Barack Obama, Secretary LaHood helped lead our nation through one of the most challenging times in history. Throughout his long career of service to the people of our state and nation, Ray LaHood has combined an unmatched ethic of public service with a strong vision to ensure our nation's prosperity in the 21st Century.

As U.S. Secretary of Transportation, LaHood looked to the future. He realized the importance of implementing sustainable practices to strengthen our country's infrastructure, helping the United States remain the best place to do business while making sure families can easily connect with each other across states and regions. He made unprecedented improvements in safety on our roadways, railways, transit systems and in our skies.

During the worst recession since the Depression, he provided remarkable leadership in helping to restore our economy by spearheading the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which invested $48 billion in our transportation system and put people back to work across the United States. Thanks to Ray LaHood, Illinois is a national leader in high speed rail. 

I was proud to stand next to Ray LaHood last October when we inaugurated high speed rail in Illinois and watched the speedometer on that train top 111 miles per hour. Illinois and the nation are picking up speed and heading toward a much brighter future, thanks to the hard work and visionary leadership of our friend Ray LaHood.

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29 Jan 2013

Save the Date for CASI's 31st St. Patrick's Day Race!

By Sarah Arp
Registration is now open for the Center for active Seniors, Inc. (CASI) 31st Annual St. Patrick's Day Race to be held on March 16, 2013 in downtown Davenport. The 2013 St. Patrick's Day Races marks the 3rd year that Russell Construction Company will be the Presenting Sponsor of the CASI event.

Register at CasiSeniors.org or at CASI (1035 West Kimberly Road, Davenport). This year's race includes the Iowa American Water ¼ Mile Tot Trot, Sears Manufacturing 1 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk and the Russell Construction 5K Road Race. Additionally, this year we're introducing two new "Live Uncommon" events: the Live Uncommon 1500 5-Person Relay and the Live Uncommon QC Cross Fit on the Plaza. Register for these events online only at CasiSeniors.org.

CASI relies upon volunteer support to assist with race activities - If you're not a runner but still want to be involved in this fun community event, sign up to volunteer! Call CASI at 563-386- 7477, ext. 0 and sign up! We have a great variety of volunteer positions available!

For more information, please call: Sarah Arp at CASI at: 563.386.7477, 229 (office) or 563.343.0038 (cell) or email at: sarp@casiseniors.org

CASI, 1035 West Kimberly Road, Davenport, Iowa. CASI is open Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm.

www.CasiSeniors.org

- END -
29 Jan 2013

Pleasant Valley High School Wins Iowa High School Science Bowl and Spot in National Finals

By Joe Hand

Obama Administration Highlights Importance of Investing in Next Generation of Leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Fields

Washington D.C. - Building on President Obama's efforts to help more students excel in math and science and his call for investments in a skilled American workforce, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Iowa Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that Pleasant Valley High School from Bettendorf, IA, won the Iowa High School Science Bowl on Saturday. Pleasant Valley High School competed against 40 other teams from across the state in one of the nation's regional competitions of the 23rd Annual U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl, and is now eligible to compete in the National Finals in Washington, D.C., at the end of April. The National Science Bowl brings together thousands of middle and high school students from across the country to compete on a range of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, astronomy, and math.

"Congratulations to the students at Pleasant Valley High School for their achievements in science, technology, engineering and math," said Energy Secretary Chu. "Providing opportunities like the National Science Bowl to challenge today's students is an essential part of keeping America competitive in a rapidly advancing world."

"Iowa is home to some of the most dedicated and brightest students, and I'm proud that Pleasant Valley High School students have once again demonstrated why Iowa is a leader in innovation," said Congressman Loebsack. "They demonstrated their knowledge of and the value of STEM learning, which will open up doors for them to secure good jobs and help make them our country's future leaders. I want to extend my congratulations to the team from Pleasant Valley High School and wish them luck in the National Science Bowl Finals."

The Department of Energy (DOE) created the National Science Bowl in 1991 to encourage students to excel in mathematics and science and to pursue careers in these fields. More than 200,000 students have participated in the National Science Bowl throughout its 22 year history, and it is the nation's largest science competition.

Over the next several months, more than 9,000 high school students and 5,000 middle school students will compete in 69 high school and 49 middle school regional Science Bowl tournaments.  Students, in teams of four or five, compete in a fast-paced Jeopardy-style format where they solve technical problems and answer questions in all branches of science and math.  Most teams are coached by teachers from the students' schools and spend several months preparing for the regional competitions.  Many states have one regional or statewide Science Bowl competition, while larger states, such as California and Texas, hold several regional competitions across their states.

Students from Pleasant Valley High School will be awarded an all-expense paid trip to the National Finals in Washington, D.C., which are scheduled for April 25-29, 2013. The regional tournaments, which host 15-50 teams, are sponsored by federal agencies, national laboratories, institutions of education, and non-profit organizations.

DOE's Office of Science manages the competition. More information about these events is available on the National Science Bowl website:  http://www.science.energy.gov/nsb/.

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29 Jan 2013

Biology student is awarded the Carey-Gillespie Scholarship

By Kathrynne Skonicki
ROMEOVILLE– Lewis University student Kimberly Teats of Erie was awarded the Carey-Gillespie Scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year. Teats is a freshman majoring in biology and minoring in Spanish. She is also a student athlete on the Women's Softball team.

The Carey-Gillespie award recipient must be a full-time student, participate in Lewis University's program of intercollegiate athletics, and maintain a 2.75 GPA while attending Lewis.

In addition to the Carey-Gillespie Scholarship, Teats was also awarded the Frank J. Lewis Scholarship for her freshmen year based on her outstanding high school academics and ACT score.

Kimberly Teats is the daughter of John and Jill Teats of Erie, Ill.

Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,500 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.

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