BETTENDORF, Iowa — The City of Bettendorf has two new city council members, who were sworn in at a Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
Nick Palczynski has served the 5th ward since January 2023, filling the vacant seat after Scott Webster was elected to the Iowa Senate. January 2024 marks the start of Palczynski's first full term.
"I continue to want to bring businesses to Bettendorf, and we have the opportunity now with the development that's happening out in the [TBK Sports Complex area], to really cement that as the new and upcoming location for Bettendorf businesses," Palczynski said.
Gregory Jager is new to serving the 3rd ward. Jager was the city attorney from 1985 to 2013 before entering private law practice. The City of Bettendorf website says he has suspended that practice while serving his new role as council member.
"I do think it'll be incumbent upon me to make sure that the residents are informed as to what's the basis for some of the council decisions," Jager said.
Both council members said they want to leverage social media and videos to achieve these goals, with the focus of communication.
"Get that message out there for our local businesses, and ensure that the information is readily available to the residents," Palczynski said.
"I want to make sure that we get information out on a timely basis and give people the opportunity to ask me questions about why we do what we do," Jager said.
New fire truck ordered
Also at the Jan. 2 city council meeting, the council approved the purchase of a new fire truck with a base price of $1,997,529. The new truck will have an aerial ladder that reaches 100 feet. The fire department said the new vehicle isn't expected to arrive until 2027 due to post-COVID supply chain issues, but that will be just in time for the department to retire its similar truck.
"It also helps for multiple-story structures. Getting people out, getting our personnel in, and suppression for multiple-story structures," Bettendorf fire chief Troy Said stated.
The department's current ladder truck is over 20 years old, which the chief said they plan on selling after the new truck arrives.