10 3 17 City Council Proceedings Official_Special CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL SESSION
OFFICIAL
The Dubuque City Council met in special session at 5:30 p.m. on October 3, 2017 in Con-
ference Room B at City Hall 50 West 13th Street.
Present: Mayor Buol; Council Members Connors (5:31 p.m.), Del Toro (5:31 p.m.), Jones,
Lynch, Resnick, Rios (5:31 p.m.); City Manager Van Milligen, City Attorney Brumwell
Mayor Buol read the call and stated this is a special session of the City Council called for
the purpose of conducting such business that may properly come before the City Council.
ACTION ITEMS
1 . Proposed Federal Tax Policy Reform: Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit and State
and Local Tax Deductibility: City Manager recommending Mayor and City Council approval to
adopt two resolutions related to the new proposal coming from the Congressional and Execu-
tive branches to reduce federal income taxes. Motion by Lynch to receive and file the docu-
ments and adopt Resolution No. 334-17 Resolution of the City Council of the City of Dubuque,
Iowa Affirming Its Support of The Federal Historic Tax Credit Program; and Resolution No. 335-
17 Resolution of the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa Affirming its Support of the State
and Local Tax (Salt) Deduction. Seconded by Resnick. Motion carried 7-0.
John Gronen, President of Gronen Properties, 900 Jackson Street; and Andrew Butler, Pres-
ident of SISCO & HealthCorp for Cottingham & Butler, 800 Main Street, spoke in support of the
resolutions on behalf of a group of over 80 supporters present and responded to questions
from the City Council about efforts to communicate the message to federal legislators.
RESOLUTION NO. 334-17
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA AFFIRMING
ITS SUPPORT OF THE FEDERAL HISTORIC TAX CREDIT PROGRAM
Whereas, the Federal Historic Tax Credit program (FHTC program) in its current form was
enacted by Congress and the Reagan Administration to attract capital to historic rehabilitation
projects that help stimulate local economies; and
Whereas, since its inception the FHTC program has had tremendous impact nationwide,
creating over 2.4 million jobs, rehabilitating more than 42,000 buildings, and leveraging $131 .8
billion in private investment; and
Whereas, because of the FHTC program, the State of Iowa has experienced exceptional
economic growth. From 2002 to 2016, the FHTC program invested $195 million in 257 projects
across Iowa. That amount leveraged an additional $979 million of private investment, for a total
investment of almost $1 .2 billion. These projects created 10,817 permanent jobs and an addi-
tional 8,997 construction jobs with a total income, net of taxes, of almost $1 .1 billion. Most
importantly, the income generated by these jobs and businesses added $229 million to local,
state and federal tax coffers, with the federal government realizing a revenue gain of $174
million; and
Whereas, the FHTC program leverages four private dollars for every dollar of federal sup-
port. FHTC program projects are catalytic, generating addition real estate investment in nearby
properties spurring an area-wide revitalization cycle. To date, the $25 billion in federal historic
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tax credits issued over the life of the FHTC program has generated more than $30 billion in
federal tax revenue, a net gain to the federal treasury of$5 billion; and
Whereas, the FHTC program, combined with the Iowa Historic Tax Credit, is a powerful tool
that has led to the redevelopment of such vacant, blighted and/or underutilized buildings in
Dubuque as the Cottingham & Butler Headquarters (former Stampfers / Security Building), the
Town Clock Building, several buildings on Upper Main and the Old Main District, the Roshek
Building, Hotel Julien, Cooper Wagon Works, the Franklin School Apartments, Cathedral
Square Apartments, CARADCO Building/Schmid Innovation Center, Novelty Iron Works, Lin-
seed Lofts, the Riverview Apartments, the Francis Apartments and many others. Because of
the FHTC program, these buildings were returned to both full utilization and to the local tax
rolls; and
Whereas, there remains over one million square feet of vacant or underutilized space in
Dubuque buildings in need of rehabilitation which would qualify for the Federal Historic Tax
Credit, including buildings on Main Street, Central Avenue, the Millwork District, and the Dubu-
que Brewing and Malting Complex (former H&W terminal) on the far north side. Rehabilitation
of most of these buildings and sites will not be financially feasible without the Federal Historic
Tax Credit.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Dubuque that the
Dubuque City Council supports the Federal Historic Tax Credit program and urges President
Trump and the Congress to continue the Federal Historic Tax Credit program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Dubuque that the Dubuque
City Council urges Congressman Rod Blum, Senator Chuck Grassley and Senator Joni Ernst
to fully support Federal Historic Tax Credit Program and to refrain from supporting any tax
reform proposal that does not include the Federal Historic Tax Credit Program.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 3rd day of October, 2017.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest: Kevin S. Firnstahl, City Clerk
RESOLUTION NO. 335-17
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA AFFIRMING
ITS SUPPORT OF THE STATE AND LOCAL TAX (SALT) DEDUCTION
Whereas, the State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction has been in existence since the federal
income tax was adopted in 1913; and
Whereas, the SALT Deduction policy respects the independent state and local government
tax structures and contributes to growth and stability by providing local tax revenues for essen-
tial services; and
Whereas, the SALT Deduction policy supports local property taxpayers by ensuring they are
not doubly taxed and preventing double taxation; and
Whereas, The SALT Deduction provides for local government's ability to build and maintain
infrastructure including schools, sewers and public transportation systems and supports other
essential services which are paid for by revenues generated by local taxes; and
Whereas, the SALT Deduction is fundamental to the way the City of Dubuque creates a
budget and provides essential services to its citizens and is a cornerstone of fiscal federalism
which has existed for over 100 years.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBU-
QUE, IOWA:
1 . The City Council of Dubuque supports the SALT Deduction policy and urges President
Trump and the Congress to continue to support the SALT Deduction program.
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2. The City Council of the City of Dubuque urges Congressman Rod Blum, US Senator
Charles Grassley and US Senator Joni Ernst to fully support the continuation of the SALT De-
duction policy and refrain from supporting tax policy reform that would negatively impact the
City of Dubuque and its citizens.
Passed, approved and adopted this 3rd day of October, 2017.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest: Kevin S. Firnstahl, City Clerk
There being no further business, upon motion the City Council adjourned at 5:44 p.m.
/s/Kevin S. Firnstahl, CMC, City Clerk
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