Le Claire council advances park rules, approves construction payments and contracts

Le Claire’s City Council met on July 6, 2026, and unanimously approved a slate of routine measures, including construction pay estimates and contracts, while holding public hearings on proposed park regulations and stormwater improvements.

The council opened a public hearing on proposed changes to Chapter 47 — Park Regulations, with written comments on file but no verbal public testimony. Council Member Bill Bloom asked whether a specific problem prompted the revision and how enforcement would be handled; Police Chief Shane Themas said enforcement would be complaint-driven and applied as needed. Mayor Dennis Gerard asked staff to add explicit language to the ordinance about which types of tobacco are covered and the perimeter of regulated park areas. The hearing closed with no public testimony and the council moved to advance the ordinance as recorded in the minutes (Ordinance 864).

Council approved Pay Estimate 6 for the Huckleberry Park Splash Pad & Playground Project, paying Valentine Construction $72,413.28. Mayor Gerard earlier noted the splash pad ribbon cutting was well attended amid recent hot weather. The council also approved Pay Estimate 3 to McCarthy Improvement Co. for the Wisconsin Street — 15th Street to Cody Road Project in the amount of $366,836.27.

On stormwater and public-works matters, council authorized the plans, specifications and solicitation of bids for the 12th & Davenport Street Storm Improvement Project and approved an engineering services agreement with Origin Design for the 35th St. Trail and I‑80 Bridge Project, not to exceed $139,500.

Public Works Director Lane Bleeker explained that the Territorial Road bump repair contract with CDMI Contractors, approved not to exceed $10,500, is scheduled to be completed before the start of the school year. The council also approved an omnibus amendment and assumption agreement related to the $6.6 million City of LeClaire Private School Facility Revenue Notes (St. Joan of Arc School Project), a procedural step to support a name change for the notes.

In appointments and events, the council confirmed Matthew Hentrich to an unexpired term on the Library Board through June 2028 and granted exclusive use of the northern Riverfront parking area and pavilion for the TugFest Fishing Competition on July 11, 2026. Melinda Woods, director of the Color Run, announced the 8th Annual Color Run for Aug. 1, 2026, and said organizers will post signage and provide volunteers to direct participants around construction zones.

All motions recorded in the minutes carried unanimously on roll-call votes. The meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 26-152 (Consent Agenda): moved by Amy Blair, seconded by Ryan Salvador; outcome: approved unanimously (4–0).
- Resolution 26-153 (Minutes approval): moved by Amy Blair, seconded by Ryan Salvador; outcome: approved unanimously (4–0).
- Ordinance 864 (Chapter 47 — Park Regulations): moved by Amy Blair, seconded by Ryan Salvador; record notes advancement (see minutes) and unanimous vote (4–0). Mayor requested added language on tobacco types and perimeter scope.
- Resolution 26-154 (Pay Estimate 6 — Huckleberry Park): moved by Amy Blair, seconded by Ryan Salvador; approved unanimously (4–0); amount $72,413.28.
- Resolution 26-155 (12th & Davenport plans/specs & bidding): moved by Sara Gravert, seconded by Amy Blair; approved unanimously (4–0).
- Resolution 26-156 (Origin Design agreement — 35th St Trail/I‑80 Bridge): moved by Sara Gravert, seconded by Bill Bloom; approved unanimously (4–0); not to exceed $139,500.
- Resolution 26-157 (Pay Estimate 3 — Wisconsin Street): moved by Sara Gravert; approved unanimously (4–0); amount $366,836.27.
- Resolution 26-158 (Territorial Road bump repair): moved by Sara Gravert, seconded by Bill Bloom; approved unanimously (4–0); not to exceed $10,500.
- Resolution 26-159 (Omnibus Amendment/Assumption Agreement — St. Joan of Arc revenue notes): moved by Ryan Salvador, seconded by Amy Blair; approved unanimously (4–0); relates to $6,600,000 notes.
- Resolution 26-160 (Library Board appointment — Matthew Hentrich): moved by Bill Bloom, seconded by Sara Gravert; approved unanimously (4–0); term to June 2028.
- Resolution 26-161 (TugFest Fishing Competition — riverfront exclusive use July 11): moved by Bill Bloom, seconded by Sara Gravert; approved unanimously (4–0).

Next steps

Staff were directed to: incorporate Mayor Gerard’s requested language on tobacco and perimeter into the park ordinance draft; proceed with advertising and bidding for the 12th & Davenport storm project; and execute the approved engineering and repair agreements. The council did not take votes that changed policy direction beyond approvals and authorizations included above.