The federal district court decision ordering the removal of lemurs and tigers from the troubled Cricket Hollow Zoo near Manchester, Iowa, last October was upheld today (4/11) by the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The federal appellate court in St. Louis ruled that Lisa Kuehl, Tracey Kuehl, Nancy A. Harvey, John T. Braumann and the non-profit animal rights group, the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), had legal standing to file the lawsuit to stop the mistreatment of the animals under the Endangered Species Act.

Bettendorf residents may be only a sideyard setback variance away from getting their own Dunkin' Donut Shop.

Developers have asked the Bettendorf Board of Adjustment for a variance to a 25-foot buffer yard at 3592 Middle Road, just east of the Taco Bell restaurant. The board will consider the request at its Thursday (4/12) meeting.

Bettendorf's already busy Middle and Devils Glen Road corridor would get yet another gas station – a 16-pump Kwik Trip – and a standalone Starbuck's Coffee shop if recommendations by the city's planning and zoning commission are approved by the city council.

The city council will consider both developments at its Tuesday (4/3) meeting.

Bettendorf is expected to take the first step this week in developing a plan to replace the city's aging fitness facility, pool and community center.

Proposals have been received from four recreational planning consultants and the city's park board is expected to award the contract at a special meeting Thursday (3/22).

All four proposals would cost approximately $100,000 and lead to creation of a recommendation on the future of the Life Fitness Center, Splash Landing Aquatic Center and the Herbert D. Goettsch Community Center.

Bettendorf aldermen are expected to approve a new budget Tuesday (3/6) which maintains the existing tax rate thanks to higher residential property assessments and a successful early retirement offer projected to trim the city payroll by $730,000 annually.

The council already has approved the first reading of fee increases for solid waste (5 percent), storm water (8.5 percent) and sewer (7 percent) services.

Rivermont Collegiate officials are returning to the Bettendorf Planning and Zoning Commission today (2/21) with a slightly modified plan to build a 4-story classroom and dormitory building.

This time, however, the private school won't need to seek a land use change or rezoning to accommodate the expansion.

City planners now say the building is an "accessory use" for the property, which doesn't necessitate either a land use change or rezoning of the property.

Calling it a "perfect storm" that created a $912,000 projected budget shortfall, Bettendorf city officials are recommending the council hike property taxes 10 percent in the coming year, plus increase stormwater fees 8.5 percent, sewer fees 7 percent and solid waste fees 5 percent.

The increase in property tax would mean the average resident with a home assessed at $215,000 would pay approximately $147 more annually. The higher sewer, stormwater and solid waste fees for an average user of those services would see an approximate annual increase of $31.

The sports complex being built at Forest Grove and Middle Roads is asking the Bettendorf Board of Adjustment to approve an extra large sign so motorists won't miss it as they whiz by on Interstate 80.

The sports facility – initially known as the Bettplex and recently renamed TBK Bank Sports Complex – wants a sign nearly four times larger than the permitted 300 square feet.

The city's board of adjustment will consider the request for a variance to permit the 1,146 square foot sign at its Thursday (2/8) meeting.

The substantial and controversial Bettendorf school district plan to spend more than $62-million for a second new elementary school and district-wide building improvements could require hefty increases in property taxes for homeowners, particularly if the state 1-cent sales tax for schools isn't renewed soon by the state legislature.

The school district has identified dozens of building projects, including construction of a new $14-million three-section elementary school that would be needed if Jefferson and Mark Twain Elementary Schools are closed.