2 10 10 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, 2010
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 2011 Departmental Budgets were presented by staff from the following
City departments: Water Department, Water Pollution Control Plant, Public Works,
Engineering. City Council had discussion with staff following each presentation.
Water Department: Water Department Manager Bob Green presented the Fiscal
Year 2011 budget for this department. Responding to questions from City Council,
Green stated that hydroelectric power has been considered, addressed the issue of
chemical additives reaching the river, and explained that the increase in Miscellaneous
Service expenses was due to an under estimate in FY 2010.
Water Pollution Control Plant: WPC Plant Manager Jonathon Brown presented the
Fiscal Year 2011 budget for this department. Responding to questions from City
Council, Brown stated that the majority of the Miscellaneous Services expense is
related to the cost of depositing the ash generated by the plant in the landfill. Van
Milligen clarified that the City is self-insured with Health Choices as the administrator
and budgetary increases are related to the rising costs of health care. Brown stated that
the old incinerators will go off-line approximately two years after construction begins on
the new anabolic digesters, and a location for disposing of bio-solids will be determined
during that time.
Public Works: Public Works Director Don Vogt presented the Fiscal Year 2011
budget for this department. Responding to questions from City Council, Vogt stated that
the herbicide used for weed control along the flood walls is approved by the IDNR and
is not used near the water line. Vogt also explained that the majority of the
Miscellaneous expense is related to the cost of salt and asphalt, and the Gardener
position is a shared position between the Public Works and Leisure Services
Departments, which performs seasonal snowplowing or landscaping duties.
Engineering: City Engineer Gus Psihoyos presented the Fiscal Year 2011 budget for
this department. Braig stated that it is important to take advantage of training and
conference opportunities if funds become available. Responding to questions from City
Council, Assistant City Engineer Bob Schiesl itemized the costs related to the Brunskill
Road bridge replacement. Psihoyos stated that the pedestrian overpass at the
Northwest Arterial and Pennsylvania Avenue is still being looked at but seems to be
cost prohibitive. Civil Engineer Deron Muehring explained that the buildings affected by
the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project are intended to be relocated or
deconstructed by the bidders.
There being no further business, upon motion the City Council adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
/s/Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk
1t 2/15
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
OFFICIAL
The Dubuque City Council met in special session at 6:30 p.m. on February 10, 2010
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 2011 Departmental Budgets were presented by staff from the following
City departments: Water Department, Water Pollution Control Plant, Public Works,
Engineering. City Council had discussion with staff following each presentation.
Water Department: Water Department Manager Bob Green presented the Fiscal
Year 2011 budget for this department. Responding to questions from City Council,
Green stated that hydroelectric power has been considered, addressed the issue of
chemical additives reaching the river, and explained that the increase in Miscellaneous
Service expenses was due to an under estimate in FY 2010.
Water Pollution Control Plant: WPC Plant Manager Jonathon Brown presented the
Fiscal Year 2011 budget for this department. Responding to questions from City
Council, Brown stated that the majority of the Miscellaneous Services expense is
related to the cost of depositing the ash generated by the plant in the landfill. Van
Milligen clarified that the City is self-insured with Health Choices as the administrator
and budgetary increases are related to the rising costs of health care. Brown stated that
the old incinerators will go off-line approximately two years after construction begins on
the new anabolic digesters, and a location for disposing of bio-solids will be determined
during that time.
Public Works: Public Works Director Don Vogt presented the Fiscal Year 2011
budget for this department. Responding to questions from City Council, Vogt stated that
the herbicide used for weed control along the flood walls is approved by the IDNR and
is not used near the water line. Vogt also explained that the majority of the
Miscellaneous expense is related to the cost of salt and asphalt, and the Gardener
position is a shared position between the Public Works and Leisure Services
Departments, which performs seasonal snowplowing or landscaping duties.
Engineering: City Engineer Gus Psihoyos presented the Fiscal Year 2011 budget for
this department. Braig stated that it is important to take advantage of training and
conference opportunities if funds become available. Responding to questions from City
Council, Assistant City Engineer Bob Schiesl itemized the costs related to the Brunskill
Road bridge replacement. Psihoyos stated that the pedestrian overpass at the
Northwest Arterial and Pennsylvania Avenue is still being looked at but seems to be
cost prohibitive. Civil Engineer Deron Muehring explained that the buildings affected by
the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project are intended to be relocated or
deconstructed by the bidders.
There being no further business, upon motion the City Council adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
/s/Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk
1t 2/15