DAVENPORT, Iowa — Davenport staff and residents got to meet the final candidates for city administrator during a reception at the Figge Art Museum on Monday, Sept. 9.
Those candidates include:
- Robert Cowell, former city administrator for Roanoke, Virginia
- George Koczwara, village manager for Orland Park, Illinois
- Douglas Maxeiner, former city administrator for East Moline, and city administrator for Moline before that
- Jamie Miller, city manager for Paris, Kentucky
- and Robert Sivick, county administrator for the County of Whitfield, Georgia
The City of Davenport told News 8 candidates would not speak to media on camera during the reception.
Davenport resident Gale Francione said it's hard to get to know the candidates in a quick conversation, but she said she didn't see any red flags when speaking to them.
"The last 18 months or so of this town has been difficult for everybody," Francione said. "That needs to be straightened out, and I'm hoping the city administrator can help make that happen."
She'd like an administrator that's comfortable talking to all kinds of people. So would Alderwoman Mhisho Lynch.
"We’re just looking for a team player," Lynch said. "Somebody that wants to work with the community, somebody that has a vision, that can stay on track, can be a mediator or a pathfinder, and someone that we can all work with cohesively and interdependently."
Before tackling the city's problems, she said they need to get to know the city's people.
"Get to know the council, get to know the staff. Community engagement, get to know the people of Davenport, really get a feel for who we are, what we believe in, then they can start taking action," Lynch said.
She said her constituents are also looking for more transparency.
"They want to feel that they can trust our administration. So they're looking for trust, and they're hopeful," Lynch said.
Each candidate will go through five rounds of interviews this week by elected officials, community stakeholders and the selection committee. The committee will recommend three candidates to Mayor Mike Matson.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to a selection by Matson and a two-thirds vote from City Council, but the city said there's no set date for selecting a candidate. The committee could need additional interviews, and the city will need time to negotiate a contract.