2 16 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 16, 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: Housing and Community Development Department and public hearing for the
Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan, Planning Services Department,
Economic Development Department, Parking Division, and the Transit Division. City Council
had discussion with staff following each presentation.
PUBLIC HEARING
Upon motion, the rules were suspended allowing anyone present to address the City
Council.
2011 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan: Community Development
Specialist Aggie Tauke introduced members of the Community Development Advisory
Commission and presented the Community Development Block Grant Fiscal Year 2011
Annual Action Plan and budget. There were no public comments.
Upon motion the rules were reinstated limiting discussion to the City Council.
DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET REVIEW
Housing and Community Development Department: Housing and Community Development
Department Director David Harris presented the Fiscal Year 2011 budget for this department.
Responding to questions from City Council, Harris stated that the number of Family Self-
Sufficiency (FSS) program vouchers is workable. He stated that changes in the Section 8
program are already producing results and that the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-
Housing program is being outsourced to Project Concern. Harris added that if the number of
Section 8 program vouchers is reduced, it is unlikely the number can be increased in future
years. Van Milligen stated that he has frozen the issuance of new Section 8 program vouchers
and is recommending resources needed to make the system work more efficiently and other
options will be considered if the 900 cap on vouchers is not manageable. Community
Development Advisory Commission Member Ann Michalski, 1520 Altura Street, expressed her
concern over rescinding vouchers for the handicapped. Jenny Manders, 1990 Ellis Street,
expressed her concern over leaving unused funding “on the table” and the needs of the
elderly. Van Milligen stated that vouchers are not rescinded but processed on a preference
point system. More research is being done to define “disabled” to more readily serve
applicants adding that there are other programs available in addition to Section 8. Jerry Maro,
10366 Timothy Street, speaking on behalf of the Dubuque Landlords Association, stated that
landlords can benefit from renters receiving Section 8 if they are genuinely in need of the
program and added that the Association voted to support the City Manager’s recommendation
to place a freeze on issuing new vouchers and capping the number at 900.
Planning Services Department: Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens presented the
Fiscal Year 2011 budget for this department. Responding to questions from City Council,
Carstens stated that the City had received a water trail grant and defined the purpose of the
Certified Local Government contract, Section 106 Reviews and Phase VI Surveys as related to
the request for funding of the department’s one improvement package request.
Economic Development: Economic Development Director Dave Heiar presented the Fiscal
Year 2011 budget for this department. Connors, Jones, Braig, and Lynch agreed that the
requested improvement package providing $25,000 to the Convention and Visitors Bureau to
assist with expenses associated with the 2010 RAGBRAI should be reconsidered if funds are
available at the end of the current fiscal year. CVB Director Keith Rahe stated that RAGBRAI
has a positive economic impact on the community and explained that these funds are needed
for assistance with police, fire, trolleys, parking, fencing, security, etc. as actual event
expenses approach $85,000.
Parking Division: Parking Division Supervisor Tim Horsfield presented the Fiscal Year 2011
budget for this department. Responding to questions from City Council, Horsfield stated that
expanding the Locust Street ramp maintenance shop will result in the loss of only two parking
stalls. Lighting in the same ramp will be replaced with new, efficient lighting as part of a
scheduled lighting upgrade. Horsfield will consider naming opportunities and signage for the
City’s parking facilities if so directed.
Transit Division: Transit Manager Jon Rodocker presented the Fiscal Year 2011 budget for
this department. City Council discussed funding related to the RTA/Northeast Iowa Community
College shuttle bus and combining 2 part-time dispatcher positions into one full-time position.
Cindy O’Bryon, 784 Carriage Hill Drive, spoke in support of continued funding of the shuttle for
NICC on behalf of its students. RTA Director Mark Munson, 7600 Commerce Drive, stated that
the route has found a core ridership and a Green Jobs grant through ECIA may possibly help
fund their portion of the service in addition to rider fares and other RTA support. If NICC is
unable to contribute their portion, the service may be discontinued. City Council discussed the
benefits of the shuttle versus the City’s budget responsibility.
There being no further business, upon motion the City Council adjourned at 10:28 p.m.
/s/Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk
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