Neighborhood Stabilization Program (DREAM PLUS)
 During this quarter, 32 homeowners and 22 rental property applicants were awarded the opportunity to participate in the DREAM-Plus program.  Staff is currently meeting with each recipient to develop a work-plan. Repairs and construction will start in the spring of 2023. At this time, the Community and Economic Development Department is recruiting a Project Coordinator, with a construction related background, to assist with the execution of each work-plan. 

Vacant and Abandoned Properties
Staff and council liaisons continue to work through and outline the best approach for overall project impact, which is proposed to include a number of strategies. Staff will present a proposed program to the City Council for consideration in Q4 2022 or Q1 2023. 

Coordinated Assessment Program (Formerly Known As The Youth Assessment Program)

The Coordinated Assessment Program (CAP) recently celebrated its first full year of programming. Launched in September 2021, the CAP has had 389 youth referred to the program, with 330 assessments completed. Of these assessments, 147 youth were connected to services. The majority of those referrals were received from the Davenport Community School District.

In their second year of programming, the CAP Advisory Committee will work with community partners to increase trust with system-involved families and increase the voluntary participation rate in the program.

CAPQC continues to see referral needs that include helping families meet basic needs, teaching life and parenting skills, counseling, therapy, and medication management services. For more information, please visit the CAPQC Website. 

d interventions to address juveniles participating in group violence in our community.  

Group Violence Intervention (GVI)
Partners of the Group Violence Intervention strategy, including law enforcement, community members, and social service providers have completed over 50 custom notifications to group-involved individuals at the highest risk of violent victimization and offending throughout the summer. In October, partners will be trained by the National Network for Safe Communities on hosting call-ins, a communication strategy to address entire groups at once. 

In addition, GVI partners are collaborating with the Davenport Community School District to address group violence within the school district. Utilizing principles from the GVI strategy, partners are developing a full continuum of services an

Neighborhood Parks | Play
ARPA projects are well underway in the Parks & Recreation Department. Staff continue to focus on managing the design, delivery, and installation of multi-sport courts, splash pad amenities, and playgrounds. 

Multi-sport courts for Cork Hill, Van Buren, and Herrington are near design completion. After further research and review, Origin has recommended that City staff remove the existing asphalt at Cork Hill and Van Buren Parks. This effort will eliminate additional costs that may be associated with installation. 

Both Dohse and Cork Hill splash pads are anticipated to open summer of 2023. Construction at Cork Hill will likely take place in spring 2023.  At this time, City staff is organizing the first public input session for the Dohse design. Feedback from this public engagement session will guide the design principals for the layout of the splash pad.  

Playground material for Harbor Road, Lafayette, and Whalen is expected to be delivered by the end of the year. All three playgrounds are scheduled to be installed in spring 2023, if not sooner. 

Emeis Park will receive a ninja warrior-style playground, in addition to an inclusive playground. City staff are working to identify elements of play for students to preference as part of the design phase. Once City staff has had an opportunity to go through a preferencing exercise, this playground will go out to bid, with the installation of the new playground fully completed by fall 2023.

MSL | Destination Play & Event Lawn
In late August, City staff hosted two public engagement opportunities for the visioning of Main Street Landing. Over 300 citizens participated in the events held at the Skybridge and Freight House Farmers’ Market. 

In addition, an online survey was available for those unable to attend in person. The survey captured the responses of 322 citizens. This public engagement process allowed citizens to envision the design and features of Main Street Landing.  

The second wave of public engagement will take place in November 2022. This public input opportunity will focus on play elements. SASAKI will focus on collecting feedback from children and parents to gather information on active play environments, towers and structures, and sensory experience elements.    

Public Wi-Fi Hot Spots
The City has completed the installation of all equipment needed to kick-start the initial phase of project Wi-Fi. Metronet is on track to complete their part of Phase 1 by November 2022. Phase 2 will begin in December 2022, which includes City staff verifying general connectivity, ensuring protective barriers are in place to mitigate explicit content usage, and enabling access points that allow staff to track utilization in each park. Over the next several months, a communication strategy, user policies, and signage will be developed and shared with the public to provide seamless connectivity. Project Wi-Fi is anticipated to be completed and accessible in the spring of 2023. 

Fairmount Library Community Center
The Schematic Design Phase has been completed with OPN. This phase included analyzing floor plans and mass images on the property. The Schematic Design Phase also helped to determine that a standalone building was the best solution, considering the constraints of the flood zone and the square footage of the proposed community center. 

The Design Development Phase began in October 2022 and will conclude at the end of November 2022. During this phase, OPN will provide 50% plans, detailing renderings of the interior and exterior, and an updated cost estimate. The next phase will include the creation of the construction documents. Bidding is expected to take place in January 2023 pending City Council approval.  

A second public input opportunity will also be available in the spring of 2023, following Council approval of bid submissions. At that time, community stakeholders will have an opportunity to reconnect to solidify programming needs and hours of operation.

MLK Plaza Contribution
Friends of MLK continue to fundraise as they further develop their scope of work.  A grant application to the Enhance Iowa Board was submitted with a presentation scheduled in October.  A phased approach to the design of the Plaza is set to begin in spring 2023. Further information on the Friends of MLK organization can be found here: https://www.fomlk.com.

Library Social Worker
This quarter focused on community engagement, meeting patron’s needs via one-on-one sessions, and fostering partnerships that add value and resources to library patrons. 

For the reporting period of July through September 2022, Library Social Worker, Quinn O’Brian has assisted four hundred and seven (407) patrons. 
 
Walk-ins continue to be the most preferred method of Library patrons, with a total of one hundred and eighty-six (186) patrons compared to one hundred and thirty-one (131) patrons who scheduled an appointment. The reporting period saw ninety (90) phone calls from patrons needing assistance that could not make it to the Library.

The number of first-time Library users seeking assistance from the Library Social Worker for this quarter was 14.74% (60). Housing instability, homelessness, unemployment, food insecurity, and legal issues remain the most requested areas for assistance.

In addition to one-on-one assistance, O’Brian is responsible for creating partnerships with local community groups. A recent partnership with Tapestry Farms provided the opportunity to bring Library services to our immigrant population. In addition, the Library teamed up with Rock Island Library for the MLK Family Fun Day outreach event, bringing in over 300 participants. 

O’Brian has assisted nine hundred and thirty-four (934) patrons and forged 44 partnerships with community organizations since the start of her role.  

Pre-K Literacy Initiative
Since adding the Pre-K Literacy Coordinator position, the library has seen 656 new sign-ups for the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. Of those enrolled, 154 have read 250 books, 104 have read 500 books, and 70 have read 750 books. 

“Our daughter, Louella, completed the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program when she was 2 years old. Lulu loved tracking her progress with the star chart! We’ll never forget her excitement as she reached the halfway mark in August, 2021. Her passion for reading is amazing and this early literacy program was a fun way to bond with her. Now, we get to share the same experience with our 5 month old son. We love the library and everything they offer our community!” - Chelsea Robinson Family

Duck Creek Sewer Interceptor
Preliminary engineering plans are at the 75% completion mark, with the City scheduled to receive 90% plans for review by the end of November. All necessary permit documentation has been submitted and is awaiting approval. This task could take up to 3-6 months for the appropriate federal and state agencies to review. While this is underway, the City has begun the process of acquiring the 46 easements necessary to perform the project. 

Multi-Modal – N/S Path
The City’s consultant, Snyder and Associates, has completed the environmental fieldwork for wetland and stream delineations. They are now reviewing this data and the proposed trail project’s impact on the surrounding area. This step is important for permitting and preliminary design purposes. Meanwhile, topographical survey work is underway and scheduled to be completed later in the fall. A finalized conceptual design is slated to be presented to City staff at the end of October. Pending its approval, the consultant will begin preliminary engineering design work. 

Regional Transitional Housing
Having already been a recipient of $1,533,897 in HOME-ARP funding, City staff drafted a plan to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability in Davenport, leveraging the $600,000 in ARPA funding allocated by City Council. This plan, known as the HOME-ARP plan, was created and completed following HUD guidance. Staff has begun soliciting input on this concept through the City website, public libraries, and City Hall.  

Flood Mitigation Stage 22
HR Green has completed the hydraulic modeling of the nearby sewer system, analyzed the improvements the proposed project will have on the system, and shared these results with the City. This information is being utilized as they begin preparing preliminary engineering design work.