Katz named mayor pro tem

DAVENPORT-The longest tenured city councilmember is Patrick Katz, who has been in office here since the beginning of 2012. That fact prompted the local businessman to be nominated for mayor pro tem, a position that was vacant after Theresa Telford's term expired at the end of 2021.

Councilmember Cory Hollis nominated Katz for the position at council's Jan. 26 meeting, citing his experience on city council. Councilmember Heath Becker made the second, and the motion carried.

Mayor pro tem is a largely ceremonial position with the sole responsibility of running city council meetings if the mayor is absent.

Council also approved a last-minute resolution granting $18,000 to the Davenport Gun Club to help finish a new shooting range. The money will come from the city's tourism fund.

The city is still missing one councilmember after Nathan Hansen's late 2021 resignation, but four candidates are interested in filling the vacancy. Those candidates are expected to be interviewed in a public setting at council's next meeting Feb. 9. The exact interview format is still being discussed by mayoral and city staff.

Mayor Brad Sweet informed council that the city hired Delia Breedlove as the new librarian, replacing the retiring Zerita Hammond. The library is subsequently open for its regular hours.

Council's Feb. 9 meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in City Hall.