2 15 18 City Council Proceedings Official_Special Budget 4 CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL SESSION
OFFICIAL
The Dubuque City Council met in special session at 6:00 p.m. February 15, 2018 in the
Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th Street.
Present: Mayor Buol, Council Members Del Toro, Jones, Larson, Resnick, Rios; Shaw; City
Manager Michael 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 Fiscal Year 2019 budgets.
FISCAL YEAR 2019 DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET REVIEW
Fiscal Year 2019 City departmental budgets were presented by staff from the following
departments/Divisions:
Purchase of Services: Erica Haugen, CDBG/HCV Supervisor for the Housing and
Community Development Department. During public input, Paul Schultz, 1008 Victoria Street,
and President of Green Dubuque, asked the City Council funding and support of the formation
of the Dubuque County Food Policy. Paula Connors 818 S. Grandview Avenue, expressed
support of the policy on behalf of the Dubuque Winter Farmer's Market. Following Q& A, the
City Council agreed with the City Manager and Ms. Haugen, that the request is best submitted
through the FY2020 Purchase of Services grant competition once the organization formulates
an eligible grant submission.
Five Flags Center: Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager. During public input, Five Flags
Center Commission Chairperson McKenzie Hill expressed her support of the requested
security and LED lighting upgrades. FFC Commissioner Tyler Dougherty spoke in support of
the Mobile Units requested in the Capital Budget stating that they can be used around the City.
Mark Wahlert, 1525 Douglas Street, and Executive Director of the Dubuque Symphony,
addressed the Council about the impact Five Flags Center has on downtown. Staff responded
to questions from the City Council.
Grand River Center (Conference Center): Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager. During
public input, John Stewart, Board Member for the Multicultural Family Center, asked if the
proposed improvements to the audio/visual system would resolve issues experienced at the
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day breakfast event. City Manager Van Milligen explained that the
referenced issue was more staffing issue than a problem with the actual system. Staff
responded to questions from the City Council.
Park Division: Stephen Fehsal, Park Division Manager. During public input, Jennifer
Tigges, 4927 Wildflower Drive, stated that the skatepark will serve other "wheeled" devices
such as bikes and possibly customized wheelchairs and added that she is confident the funding
match will be achieved. City Manager Van Milligen noted that Creek Wood Park is being
developed through the use of Housing TIF funding that is not available in other areas of town
for park development. Staff stated that a report regarding Integrated Pest Management is
forthcoming from staff, and that plans for a park at English Ridge is dependent upon
construction of an access road in conjunction with the SW Arterial project.
Recreation Division (Multicultural Family Center, AmeriCorps and Recreation): Dr. Farris
Muhammad, MFC Director; Dan Kroger, Recreation Division Manager. Staff responded to
questions from the City Council about how the Port of Dubuque Marina slip rentals won't
compete with regional marinas and what work is being done to assist with the possible
displacement of the Winter Farmer's Market with the MFC moving into the former Colts
Building. During public input, Marlene Waller, President of the MFC Board, provided examples
of MFC program successes, spoke in support of the recommended development of the former
Colts Building space, and supporting moving the MFC assistant director position to full-time.
There being no further business, upon motion the City Council adjourned at 9:43. p.m.
/s/Kevin S. Firnstahl, CMC, City Clerk