2 10 09 City Council Proceedings Official_Special
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
OFFICIAL
The Dubuque City Council met in special session at 6:30 p.m. on February 10, 2009 in the
Historic Federal Building.
Present: Mayor Buol, Council Members Braig, Connors, Jones, Lynch, Resnick, Voetberg,
City Manager Van Milligen
Mayor Buol read the call and stated this is a special session of the City Council called for
the purpose of discussing various City departmental budgets.
Fiscal Year 2010 Departmental Budgets were presented by staff from the following City
departments: Water Department, Water Pollution Control Plant, Public Works Department, and
the Engineering Department.
City Council had discussion with staff on the following budget areas:
Water Department: Upon questioning by City Council, Water Plant Manager Bob Green
stated that the current 47 percent plant capacity allows for an approximately 30 percent
increase before an expansion is needed. Phase I of the meter replacement program focuses
on the accuracy of information from meters over 30 years old. Phase II focuses on the
accuracy of meters 8-10 years old and is currently in progress. Metals from replaced meters
and tanks are recycled. The Water Department is working with the City’s Planning Services
Department to monitor the need for future water towers and pumping stations in annexation
areas. The fire hydrant painting program was stepped up to ensure the longevity of hydrants,
and they are painted as time allows. In order to protect the integrity and safe operation of
hydrants, private citizens and civic organizations are no longer allowed to paint them.
Water Pollution Control Department: Upon questioning by City Council, WPC Manager
Jonathon Brown stated that the current percentage of Biological Oxygen Demand and
Biosolids is good enough to satisfy permit requirements, but there is room for improvement.
These percentages can be impacted by inordinate amounts of rainfall, which causes washout
of solids through the facility. This will be addressed with the upcoming facility redesign. The
WCP goal is to achieve 96-97 percent efficiency. Brown informed Council that water pollution
control plants cannot be designed to achieve a 100 percent level of treatment. Brown believed
that the update of the lab and administrative areas would be included in the first phase of the
facility plan.
Public Works: Upon questioning by City Council, Resource Management Coordinator Paul
Schultz clarified that revenues for solid waste collection are going down and not the sticker
cost projections. Fees have remained steady; however, some customers may have less need
for collection services due to producing less garbage, not racking leaves, etc. The Alley Cart
program may also be impacting those revenues due to its greater capacity. Schultz stated that
recent feedback has indicated fewer problems with the Alley Cart program than originally
anticipated. Street and Sewer Maintenance Supervisor John Klosterman stated that the
herbicide sprayed along the floodwall is approved by the Corps of Engineers for use along
water and is applied during late summer when there is the least threat of rising water. Public
Works Director Don Vogt addressed the recycling policy for compact fluorescent light bulbs
stating this is still a new concept to area citizens, which has resulted in on-going public
education and additional drop off areas. Assistant City Engineer Bog Schiesl stated that the
Engineering Department will hire a management firm to assist in evaluating management
options for the Ice Harbor Marina. He will know more about the issue of additional
maintenance labor as plans for the marina progress. Vogt added that the Code Red
emergency notification service helped improve the City’s odd/even snow route plowing
program over last year based on the input he received.
Citizen input: Theotoros Giannakouros, 1640 Lawndale Street, requested City Council
replace the methane recovery plan for the landfill in the 2010 budget as he believed it to be a
viable source of cleaner, renewable energy. Don Vogt stated that there are state mandates
that must be complied with first, but the Methane Recover study is still being considered by the
Dubuque Metropolitan Solid Waste Agency. As a Council representative for the DMSWA
Jones added that the agency believes this to be a good idea, but that due to the agency’s
budget process, this issue does not appear in this year’s budget. Mr. Giannakouros stated that
he is witnessing positive effects of sustainability and eco-literacy within the community in terms
of better practices.
Engineering: Upon questioning by City Council, Traffic Engineer Dave Ness elaborated on
the intersection camera equipment used for traffic data collection at City Hall and clarified that
this equipment is not used for traffic enforcement. Engineer Deron Muehring stated that
replacement of the Four Mounds septic system is under design and installation will begin after
the spring thaw. He will talk to Four Mounds Manager Chris Olson about the possibility of
installing an outside public restroom. City Engineer Gus Psihoyos stated that storm sewer
replacement on Sunset Ridge will be done next year in conjunction with the street’s
reconstruction. He is currently working with residents on alternative placement options.
Psihoyos agreed to reconsider the installation of traffic signals on Locust and Bluff Streets
thth
where they intersect with 6 and 7 Streets and as they relate to the Downtown Traffic Study,
Ecumenical Towers, IBM, and future parking facilities. He will also explore the concept of Bike
Box markings at intersections city-wide as part of the street striping program. Citizens should
contact the Engineering Department to request modifications in street markings. The Catfish
Creek North Fork Sanitary Sewer project is in the permit phase and is expected to begin in
March or April. It will take about two years to complete. Psihoyos explained that infrastructure
in the Millwork Historic District would be done like any street reconstruction project and in
conjunction with the district’s budgeted street and streetscaping projects. Psihoyos stated that
citizens should hire a private contractor to determine the stability of retaining walls not in the
public right of way.
There being no further business, upon motion the City Council adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
/s/Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk
1t 2/18