Connolly Ltr 4_18_2001City Manager's Office
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(319) 589-4110
(319) 589-4149 FAX
April 18, 2001
VIA E-Mail &
1sT CLASS MAIL
mike_connolly@legis.state.ia.us
The Honorable Mike Connolly
Senate Chamber
Iowa Capitol Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
Dear Senator Connolly:
Thank you for all of your support on legislative issues of interest to the City of Dubuque
during this session. Support on one significant issue last year has made a huge
difference to the City of Dubuque and I want to thank you for that. The Vision Iowa
Board recently voted to award America's River project $40 million. That would not have
happened if the original authorizing legislation had not passed.
At this time I want to ask your support on another issue. House File 582 puts additional
restrictions on the ability of cities to proceed with annexation. I agree with the original
bill as worked out in compromise by certain parties, including the Iowa League of Cities
and the Iowa Farm Bureau. However, a disturbing amendment was added by the
Senate Local Government Committee. The amendment requires the County Board of
Supervisors to vote on involuntary annexations. The Code of Iowa already contains
significant thresholds that cities must meet in order to receive approval from the CDB for
involuntary annexations. In fact, 50% of involuntary annexations have been rejected by
the CDB over the last 10 years. Adding another barrier to complete an involuntary
annexation is unnecessary. This requirement also places considerable political
pressure upon the county board of supervisors to vote against a city annexation,
regardless of the merits of that annexation.
Service People Integrity
Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
The Honorable Mike Connolly
April 18, 2001
Page 2
Please oppose this legislation that would further restrict the ability of cities to have
planned and managed growth.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:jh
cc: Mayor Terry Duggan
Dubuque City Council
Tom Bredeweg, Iowa League of Cities
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
The Honorable Mike Connolly
Senate Chamber
Iowa Capitol Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
The Honorable Thomas Flynn
Senate Chamber
State Capitol Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
The Honorable Pam Jochum
House Chamber
Iowa Capitol Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
The Honorable Pat Murphy
House Chamber
Iowa Capitol Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
The Honorable Robert Osterhaus
House Chamber
Iowa Capitol Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
The Honorable Paul Scherrman
House Chamber
State Capitol Building
Des Moines, IA 50319