Dial Land Development LLC, of Omaha, Neb., is seeking modification of Bettendorf's land-use plan to allow construction of a mixed used development on the northeast corner of 53rd Street and Devils Glen Road. The proposed development, called Village Pointe, would include four-story buildings with lower-level commercial storefronts and residential units on the upper three floors. The proposed land-use/zoning changes which would pave the way for the development are scheduled to go before the city's Plan and Zone Commission Wednesday (January 10).

The tranquil Middle Park Pond provides a wintering home for geese rather than a haven for ice-skaters as unseasonably warm temperatures in the 40's and 50's have kept the lagoon from freezing so far this season.

Unofficial Minutes of the December 18, 2006 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education (pending Board approval)

The Board of Directors of the Bettendorf Community School District, in the County of Scott, State of Iowa, met in open session according to Iowa law for their regular Board meeting at the Administration Center, 729 21st Street, Bettendorf, Iowa, on December 18, 2006. President Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Colleen Skolrood, Board Secretary, verified that the meeting notice had been posted and mailed to the media as required by law.

Members present: Directors Anderson, Crockett, Justis, Mayer, Weigle. Members absent: Directors Ehrmann, Tinsman.

Other officials present: Marty Lucas, Superintendent; Carol Webb, Assistant Superintendent; Maxine McEnany, Director of Business and Financial Services; Celeste Reuter, Director of Communications; Joe Slavens, Treasurer; Cindy Ferguson, BEA Representative; Cara Voelliger and Nick Hunt, Student Representatives; and Colleen Skolrood, Board Secretary.

Motion by Director Mayer, seconded by Director Crockett, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0-2.

PV Board Minutes 12.18.06

MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President Dayman. Members present: Adams, Dayman, Huegel, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr, and Witters. Absent: None. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, and Chris Harvey.

AGENDA APPROVED: Motion by Schurr, second by Witters that the Agenda be approved as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Two women and a child enjoy a walk along the riverfront in Leach Park. The unseasonably warm weather the past two weeks melted all the snow from an early winter snowstorm. With the winter solstice arriving Dec. 21, temperatures are expected to be more like fall than the middle of winter.

Bettendorf used its height and inside defense to defeat intercity rival Pleasant Valley, 54-45, Tuesday night (12/12) in a contest of state-ranked teams.

The Spartans, last year's state 4A tourney runner-up and ranked seventh this season, kept the contest close in the first half with good outside shooting and a tenacious defense, but it wasn't enough to offset a significant height advantage and inside presence of Bulldog bigmen Joe Speth, Chris Bitter, Mike Thompson and Troy Rorer.

Bettendorf opened up an 11-point margin in the third period, but saw the lead cut to five early in the fourth before getting to the line to pad the final margin of victory.

Bettendorf is ranked ninth in the 4A poll, but is certain to move up after notching its third win of the young season without a loss.

In the girls varsity match-up, Pleasant Valley came back from a five-point half deficit to win going away, 41-31. The Bulldogs scored only 10 points in the second half, after looking in control the first two quarters.

For additional photos of the games, click on the "Read More" link below.

The steel work on the new Armstrong Elementary School, Bettendorf, provides a structural outline of the $9-million facility along Central Avenue at 33rd Street. For a webcam of the construction site, CLICK HERE.

Unofficial Minutes of the December 4, 2006 Special Meeting of the Board of Education (pending Board approval)

The Board of Directors of the Bettendorf Community School District, in the County of Scott, State of Iowa, met in open session according to Iowa law for their regular Board meeting at the Administration Center, 729 21st Street, Bettendorf, Iowa, on December 4, 2006. President Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Colleen Skolrood, Board Secretary, verified that the meeting notice had been posted and mailed to the media as required by law.

Members present: Directors Anderson, Crockett, Ehrmann, Tinsman, Weigle. Members absent: Directors Mayer, Justis. Other officials present: Marty Lucas, Superintendent; Maxine McEnany, Director of Business and Financial Services; Celeste Reuter, Director of Communications; and Colleen Skolrood, Board Secretary.

PV Board Minutes 12.04.06


MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by President Dayman. Members present: Dayman, Huegel, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr, and Witters. Absent: Adams. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, Chris Harvey, Bill Barker, Debbie Menke and Ray LaFrentz.

Residential construction in Bettendorf is down 18 percent through November, compared to the same 11-month period last year.

A total of 147 residential building permits were issued through November, compared to 180 for the same period in 2005. For November, 11 permits were issued compared to 22 in 2006.

While residential construction has slowed, commercial construction through November totaled $48.7 million, up dramatically from $10.6 million for the same 11 months in 2005. Because of the much higher commercial construction, city revenues from permit fees is up nearly $150,000 so far in 2006, totaling $692,929.

To download a complete building permit report, CLICK HERE.