Test

My question is if they own homes in the area why are they uninhabited? Vacant homes are the root of a lot of undesireable activities, instead of trying to figure out how to save them money on homes they no longer live in wouldn't it be nice to know why they no longer live in them?
 

A lot of the problem is that the state of Iowa taxes retirement and the older folks leave for more desireable states. Who wants to give up 25% of the money that you worked hard to accumulate just to have the state of Iowa take it.
 

The medians on Kimberly haven't been mowed yet this year, except for the ones that the neighbors have gotton sick looking at so they go mow them themselves. Park and rec did this last year too. They let the grass and weeds get to a foot high, then blew all the ''hay'' into the street. Secondly: Please check the newly planted trees along Kimberly east of Hillandale and west of Thornwood. Some have died, and some have been hit by cars during the ice storms. One tree is leaning at a 90 degree angle. Lastly: Just east of Thornwood, where silver creek goes under Kimberly, the stormwater basin has a sinkhole. I reported it to public works two times, and all that has happened was on my second complaint last summer, they came out and put up a baracade over a nice sized hole. Just look for the baracade right by the Creek Sign.
 

This is happening in three situations which I know of. In the first an elderly person has entered an assisted living complex. She holds onto her home with hopes of someday returning, however, her rehabilitation is complicated and there is concern if her wounds will ever heal and allow her to do so. While the estate is in her name her children drive from out of town to check on the property. In this situation it is unlikely anyone will live in the house for some time. Is a garbage bill justified?

In a second situation an elderly gentleman has passed away and it will be some time until his children come to an agreement on the estate. Until they do, the house sits empty. Should they have to pay a garbage bill here?

In a third situation a couple from the second ward leaves every summer for their second home in Anchorage, Alaska where they spend roughly four months. They can either pay the Vacation Fee from the garbage service at $35 or pay for the service they will not utilize during this time for $38. I have been asked why they can’t just wait and start their service when they return. The city saves money by those who choose not to receive our services. Why do we bill them for saving us money?
 

Anonymous:

I see what you are talking about. I will report these and find out why they were not taken care of when you called. If you see anything else please report them here or give me a ring at 563-529-4857.
 

Is the city in charge of mowing the medians, or the state?
 

The state pays the city of davenport to maintain Kimberly Road, which includes the medians, and the parks department has been given the task of mowing and keeping Kimberly looking nice.
 

Anonymous:

Thanks for supplying this answer. I was waiting on a reply from Malin.
 

On the topic of requests not completed yet, I reported 3 weeks ago, on Hickory Grove Road, just south of the bridge that is south of Hillandale, that the gravel had washed out along the side and needed to be filled in. The road is very narrow through there, and it's actually dangerous. Alderman Hammerlink, did you know that Steve Ahrens was attempting to get that little portion widened before he was voted out? That came from about a year ago when one of our senior citizens got her tire caught in the rut in the narrow section of pavement and was launched into the creek. Since that accident, the road has not been widened, nor any type of guard rail installed to keep that type of accident from re-occurring. My request may still be on the waiting list, but maybe you could push for a little gravel, and for long term plans, maybe a repair to that area to make it safer with all the increased traffic on Hickory Grove since the WalMart and others have opened in the area.
 

Anonymous:

Thanks for the additional list and the watchful eye. I did not know Ahrens was working on the bridge on Hickory Grove. I will request and find out how far Ahrens got and what it will take to resolve the issue. Please feel free to report any other items you see.
 

Shawn - just to make sure you know exactly what area I was trying to describe, let me try it again, as it is not the bridge itself. Going south on Hickory Grove, past Hillandale, go over and past the creek bridge, go about 200 feet farther, where it narrows to two lane for about 500 feet, before it becomes a 4 lane that was just blacktopped. It is the 500 feet of 2 lane that is very narrow, with the gravel on both sides of the road. Beyond the gravel is the creek where the lady went into the creek. Also, if you wanted to talk to Steve Ahrens directly about this, I believe he works at St. Ambrose administrative offices. Thanks Shawn, and sorry about the confusion about where this problem is located.
 

Anonymous:

Sorry, I was confused there. I will check into it. If you want a copy of the memo I receive back from staff give me a ring at 563-529-4857.
 

If possible, could you post the response from staff on this webpage? It would be safe to say that hundreds, if not thousands of cars pass that spot everyday, and other neighbors have commented on how dangerous it is, so possibly many other readers of the blog would be interested.
Thanks alot for your wonderful follow thru.
 

Anonymous:

I will try to post the memo. Otherwise, I can at least paraphrase. All of these documents are public knowledge so you can also request one from City Hall.
 

"Just east of Thornwood, where silver creek goes under Kimberly, the stormwater basin has a sinkhole."

I would think that would be a state DOT problem. Remember Kimberly is a state highway and maintained by the state (including snow removal and grass cutting) dispite what some people report here. (Park dept does not cut it)
 

Anonymous:

You are correct on Kimberly being a DOT and State issue, however, I think the city can do more in drawing the state's attention to the problem. I was told in some cases the city will cut the grass on Kimberly and the State will be billed. I am checking on if that claim is true.
 

Alderman Hamerlinck, if you would call ROBIN at the Park and Rec office at 326-7812, she can verify that it is Parks and Recs that is tasked with mowing. Please call her so you can verify this info first hand.
 

Anonymous:

I spoke with Robin from Parks and Rec. and you are correct. They said they will have them mowed by the end of this week. Thanks for the tip.
 

Thanks Steve!
 

West Kimberly medians are really a mess. Possibly we could turn lemons into lemonade by placing a sign on each median that states: "DAVENPORT - THE DANDELION CAPITAL OF THE WORLD."