11 3 08 City Council Proceedings Official_Special Session
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
OFFICIAL
The Dubuque City Council met in special session at 5:00 p.m. on November 3, 2008
in the Historic Federal Building.
Present: Mayor Buol, Council Members Braig, Connors, Jones, Lynch, Resnick,
Voetberg, City Manager Van Milligen, City Attorney Lindahl
Mayor Buol read the call and stated that this was a special meeting of the City
Council called for the purpose of discussing the East / West Corridor Study.
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos provided an explanation of the background and purpose
of the study. He stated that the purpose of the work session was to solicit the City
Council’s input on the study so a final detailed report can be made.
Will Sharp and Tara Kramer from HDR Engineering, Inc., of Omaha, Nebraska,
provided a slide presentation on the results of the study, which included the study
schedule, data collection, traffic projections, corridor screening process, and a travel
demand module.
A summary table of 18 scenarios was reviewed and discussed. HDR Engineers
recommended a more detailed study of key corridors, which include Asbury Road,
Loras Boulevard, University Avenue, and Pennsylvania Avenue. Strategies and issues
for each key corridor where reviewed. Discussion was given to the “complete streets”
concept (auto/bike/hike) and the incorporation of green initiatives. City Council asked
that bike lanes be considered in the process. Mr. Sharp and Ms. Kramer responded to
questions from the City Council. Discussion was given to the issues of:
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high-cost property and right-of-way acquisition,
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affects of future population growth on traffic patterns,
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the issue of street parking in the key corridors,
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pedestrian traffic flow,
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projected changes in commuting habits,
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advances in mass transit and automobile technology, and
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future downtown residential development.
The City Council concurred that it was not feasible to purchase blocks of homes or
business, and many of the scenarios were outside the acceptable realm. City Council
preferred the concept of key-area or “spot” improvements that fit within the current right-
of-way or with limited right-of-way purchases in addition to lane and intersection
redesigns that incorporate traffic control devices.
HDR Engineers will process the City Council’s recommendations and provide an
updated and detailed report in about one month.
There being no further business, upon motion the work session adjourned at 6:20
p.m.
/s/Kevin S. Firnstahl
Assistant City Clerk
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