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8 10 10 Work Session Staff MemoMasterpiece on the Mississippi To: PURPOSE Michael C. Van Milligen City Manager DATE: August 6, 2010 MEMORANDUM FROM: Crenna Brumwell, Assistant City Attorne Mark Dalsing, Chief of Police David Harris, Director of Housing & Community Development RE: Safe Community Task Force Recommendation for City Council Work Session - Current Status of Projects Related to the Recommendations and On -Going Projects The intent of this memorandum is to provide an outline of the on -going and proposed efforts within the City of Dubuque organization to address the recommendations of the Safe Community Task Force. The format addresses the first set of Task Force recommendations which were presented to the City Council in February 2010, followed by the most recent recommendations. The Safe Community Task Force recommendation is followed by an informational response. As this information is reviewed it is important to remember that several important initiatives and partnerships exist to impact these issues such as: • Sustainable Dubuque, • Dubuque 2.0, • Every Child Every Promise, • Dubuque Works: Destination for Opportunity, • Washington Neighborhood Reinvestment Strategy, • Newly formed Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation, • Multicultural Family Center, • Future Talk, and others. It is recognized by organizations like the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, the Dubuque Area Landlords Association, the East Central Intergovernmental Association, Every Child Every Promise, Dubuque Main Street, the Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation, Dubuque Empowerment, 1 Dubuque Initiatives, United Way, and the many social service agencies that maintaining a safe community is not just a City issue, but it is a community issue. A significant number of memorandums from department and division managers as well as a few community organizations are attached to further expand upon the material which we have summarized. FEBRUARY 2010 RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Reduce the time between rental inspections for problem properties. RESPONSE: Legal staff is researching the efforts of other municipalities' use of this approach. We intend to develop a "habitual violator" ordinance for City Council consideration which would qualify designated properties for more frequent inspections. 2. Do not allow property owners to receive city, state, or federal funding unless their properties are in compliance or the owner is actively working towards compliance. RESPONSE: The Economic Development Department has several financial assistance programs available to property owners. These programs would be a logical first place to begin implementation of this recommendation. The first program to be placed under this recommendation was the second round of the Downtown Housing Incentive Program. This Program received nine applications for assistance. As a follow up to each application, every property owner was required to complete a certification form. This form was then distributed to each department that oversees compliance with City Codes. The various departments informed Economic Development if any properties identified had any Code issues and whether the property owner was actively working to get the property back into compliance. The implementation of this recommendation helps to advance the City's sustainability initiative. Encouraging compliance of City Codes improves the Social /Cultural Vibrancy component in two ways. First, helping to ensure safe buildings in the community improves the livability for residents. Second, buildings with Code deficiencies are encouraged to be improved, making more quality options for housing and business. This improves the equitability within the City. Additionally, the rehabilitation staff in the Housing & Community Development Department adopted this as a policy and now will require any rental property owner to comply with this policy directive. 3. Conduct an expanded crime study to include: a. Comparisons with like communities. b. Longitudinal study of changes in crime rates. c. Multivariate study of arrest records. 2 d. Comparison of actual crime profile in Dubuque with public perception. e. Contextualizing research findings within current criminology and policy literature. f. Evidence -based recommendations for effective policy and programming related to crime prevention and community safety within the discussion section of the research report. RESPONSE: Northern Illinois University (NIU) has been commissioned to complete a comprehensive crime study. The study is well underway includes a review of incident data, housing data, arrest data, a literature review, and a perception survey. The data provided to NIU was gathered from the Iowa Department of Public Safety, the Police Department, and the Housing Department. The perception study information will include the results of a survey of five - hundred (500) community members. The results of the study are expected this fall and will be revisited by the Safe Community Task Force for the addition of recommendations. 4. Allow the Task Force to act as conduit for accurate information to public, specifically by: a. Conveying crime statistics compiled by Captain Russ Stecklein to the general public; and b. Documenting and investigating the effectiveness of existing and new efforts to curtail criminal activity in Dubuque, such as Community Oriented Policing, Territory Accountability Design, and the designation of a dedicated police officer for Section 8 housing investigations. RESPONSE: The Police Department and City have provided the Safe Community Task Force with any and all crime, Community Oriented Policing (COP), territory accountability design (TAD), and Section 8 data that was requested. The COPs are tasked with establishing relationships in neighborhoods. The budget of the Police Department from FY'08 through FY'12 included a plan for the additional of fifteen (15) sworn officers. Five of the fifteen officers will be assigned to the COP Unit. Three officers have been added to date; two specialize in traffic enforcement and the third is assigned to the Housing & Community Development Department for Section 8 investigations. The two positions to be filled will add an additional traffic enforcement specialist and a school- resource officer. The additional staff and relationships developed result in open channels of communication. This allows for the accurate sharing of information in the community and provides a direct link between citizens and the police. 3 5. Create ways to encourage people to light up their own property and surrounding public property. RESPONSE: New street lights at all 38 possible alley- street locations from 12 to 20 Streets in the Washington Neighborhood have now been installed. An incentive program was developed to encourage the installation of lighting in the Washington Neighborhood at alleys and in front yards. An expansion of this program into other neighborhoods could be evaluated for implementation. The Engineering Department has researched the costs to install mid -block lights in neighborhoods. Alliant Energy will provide the pole and light fixture at mid -block locations for a monthly fee. This fee includes the rental of the pole and fixture, energy cost, and maintenance cost. Below is a summary of the current monthly costs per light. Lamp Size Luminaire Rate New Pole Rate Total 100 Watt $6.70 /month $7.38 /month $14.08 /month If another pole is required, there will be an additional cost of $7.38 /month For a year the average cost would be $168.90 per light. If there is an existing pole to mount the street light, the pole cost is $2.57 /month. These rates are based on a secondary wire being installed to a maximum distance of 150 feet. Any distance in excess of 150 feet would have additional monthly wire costs. It should be noted that some abutting property owners may not want the light in front of their residences. Engineering has received some residents concerns to placement of mid -block lights due to light potentially shining into bedrooms at night. The Parking Department is currently evaluating parking ramps to determine where upgrades are possible as a way to increase visibility at these public facilities. 6. Install surveillance cameras in high crime areas in public places. RESPONSE: The Dubuque Police Department, 911 Center, and Informational Services have met to discuss the cameras. The Police Department and 911 Center have evaluated target areas for cameras and Informational Services is looking into the infrastructure and costs related to such systems. Cameras: Based on calls for service and supervisory input, the following areas have been identified as potential locations for cameras: Entrances and exits to and from the City - Both Highways 151/61 and Highway 20 bridges, Highway 52 North and South, Highway 20 West, and Highways 151/61 South; as well as the NW Arterial, and other "main" downtown intersections. This would most likely be accomplished through expansion of the City's existing traffic camera system. Law Enforcement would most likely use 4 these systems in post -crime investigation to document offender arrival, departures, and timeline activities, as has been done in a variety of cases. Parks - Comiskey has been identified as a primary park of concern. Additional parks would include Jackson and Orange as primary areas with Allison - Henderson, Flora, and AY McDonald as secondary. Streets - The 1200 to 1600 blocks of Bluff and Locust (which would also encompass the Boys and Girls Club area), including the area of 17th and West Locust, have consistently been high call areas and would be primary "street" locations. Other areas might include the 20th Street area from Central to and including 5 Points, lower Loras Blvd., the Town Clock Plaza area, lower Main, and Central Ave. business district. One facet that would take additional review is staffing for real -time monitoring versus "as needed" and /or using recorded images only for later review as needed. Another concern could be raised about privacy issues and government rights. 7. Install 911 emergency kiosks. RESPONSE: The 911 kiosks are undergoing a simultaneous review. 911 Kiosks: The above camera areas would also fall under areas where a 911 kiosk could be considered. 911 Center Director Mark Murphy ran calls for service for the existing 911 kiosks between 01/01/06 to 12/31/09 and found there were 122 calls made from the kiosks. The majority of these were categorized as "911 Hangups" that were "Handled by Officer" as a response and most could probably be attributed to people pushing the help button out of curiosity or play. Those that were requests for police service included cold vandalism, a pedestrian injury, spills, disruptive kids, and other similar low impact crimes. Only a handful would be categorized as "emergency calls" had they gone through a regular call into the 911 Center. Costs, feasibility, and effectiveness of the kiosks would probably need additional review. 8. Reduce the time allotted for correcting property violations from the current two years. RESPONSE: In April, amendments to the Housing Code were approved by the City Council to reduce time allowed by the housing inspector and the Housing Code Appeals Board to no more than nine months. 9. Encourage development of planned communities through mixed -use zoning. RESPONSE: In addition to residential zoning mixes, the Unified Development Code allows upper story housing in office, commercial, and industrial districts. These zoning 5 regulations promote both a mixed -use and a mixed - income approach to neighborhood development. The City's Building Codes accommodate mixed development as well. JULY 2010 RECOMMENDATIONS Enforcement: 1. Develop and implement a juvenile curfew ordinance to use as a tool to help reduce crime. Research utility, efficacy, and enforcement issues, taking the following suggestions into consideration: • The Police Department would not conduct curfew sweeps of the community. • There would be a designated and staffed location to hold juveniles who violate the curfew. Contact with parents or a responsible adult would not be handled by Police. (It is critical to keep the officers on the street and not deploy them as babysitters). Penalties for curfew violations could include fines, community service requirements, and parenting classes. RESPONSE: The adoption of a juvenile curfew is being reviewed by the Dubuque Police Department and will take continued review for legislative changes and implementation issues. One area of particular impact is resources necessary to enforce a curfew. If juvenile offenders are taken into custody they would need to be released to a parent or responsible adult. This can prove to be a time consuming endeavor which could tie up Police resources. It has also been suggested that the Police Department implement a curfew in an "as needed" type of enforcement. This would benefit the Police Department's available resources but could also create claims of selective enforcement as well as result in legal challenges as to the constitutionality of such laws on one side, and complaints of not enough enforcement by another side. The Police Department has begun looking into community resources available to assist in enforcement of a curfew ordinance. The City Attorney's Office has a significant amount of research related to curfews which was gathered in the past. Updated information is being gathered and the sum of the information will be reviewed with the Police Department, other organizations, and the City Council as necessary to determine the possibility and logistics of a curfew ordinance in Dubuque. 2. Provide additional resources for the Community Policing Program. RESPONSE: The unit is currently staffed by a Captain and four corporals for the day -to- day COP unit. Additionally, the COP Division is staffed by two traffic officers with a third planned; and three School Resource Officers (one corporal and two officers) with an additional officer planned. Expansion of COP philosophy is a constant work in progress. Through attrition, promotion, and other movement, to date nearly 40% of the supervisory staff has served in the COP Division and are allies in spreading the COP 6 philosophy. In addition, the use of TAD has made all supervisors more accountable to find solutions to problems in their assigned territories. The unit has expanded several times since its inception. Once we are able to fill the vacant positions we will have a better understanding of the division's needs. 3. Direct Police Department to enforce noise ordinances more aggressively. RESPONSE: Beginning with Chief Dalsing's promotion on February 2, 2010, staff meetings have been held with the majority of the Police Department personnel to discuss department goals and expectations. Traffic and noise enforcement are discussed as part of these expectations. The additional resource of traffic officers and TAD projects will help increase enforcement efforts. 30% of all TAD special projects in 2009 were geared towards citizen requests for extra traffic enforcement and this trend is expected to continue, if not increase. In the first six months of 2010, noise enforcement for traffic is up 28% in the department. Additional research is being done by the City Attorney's Office on strategies used in other communities for combating noise issues and complaints. An informational brochure may be one way to share information with the community on noise related complaints. 4. Direct Police Department to enforce traffic ordinances more aggressively. RESPONSE: Beginning with Chief Da!sing's promotion, staff meetings have been held with the majority of the department personnel to discuss department goals and expectations. Traffic and noise enforcement are discussed as part of these expectations. The additional resource of traffic officers and TAD projects will help increase enforcement efforts. 30% of all TAD special projects in 2009 were geared towards citizen requests for extra traffic enforcement and this trend is expected to continue if not increase. In the first six months of 2010, noise enforcement for traffic is up 28% in the department. 5. Give the Safe Community Task Force and Police Department the opportunity to respond to the Northern Illinois University crime study report and recommendations due at the end of September, which may result in additional recommendations. RESPONSE: As mentioned in the response to the first set of recommendations, the Police Department has actively cooperated with the crime study and provided information as requested. Once the final report is in and the SCTF and Police Department have had a chance to review the material, more action might be taken towards this recommendation. 6. The Safe Community Task Force recommends its continued existence to monitor the implementation and progress of its recommendations through quarterly progress reports from City staff and special meetings as 7 necessary. The SCTF further recommends that the City Council consider creation of a Safe Community Commission. RESPONSE: The City Attorney's Office has created a template for boards and commissions during an ongoing project to establish consistency amongst boards and commissions. Input from the Safe Community Task Force will used in conjunction with City Council input to develop the mission, terms, powers, and duties of a crime - related commission. The Police Department will cooperate with City Council direction that comes from this recommendation to assist and staff a crime related commission. A proposed timeline for establishing a commission is as follows: September 7, 2010 - Ordinance establish the Safe Community Task Force presented to the City Council for consideration and adoption. September 10, 2010 - Press release issued regarding the application process for membership on the Commission and applications sent to current Safe Community Task Force members. October 1, 2010 - Application deadline. October 18, 2010 - Safe Community Advisory Commission presented to City Council for review / applicants. November 2, 2010 - City Council appointments of applicants Community Advisory Commission. December 1, 2010 - Staggered terms of Commission begin. First meeting - To be determined Housing Code Enforcement applications interview of to the Safe As discussion of the task force recommendations relates to rental property it is necessary to be aware of the Dubuque Area Landlord Association (DALA). A few years ago, Brendan Houlihan, then Director of Governmental Affairs for the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, initiated monthly meetings between the DALA and City of Dubuque staff, including the City Manager. The on -going meetings have led to a very constructive dialogue which continues to this day. 8 7. Support landlords in evicting problem tenants for cause. RESPONSE: The Housing & Community Development Department currently cooperates and shares information with landlords and their attorneys. All files are public information except medical and financial information of Section 8 participants. Inspectors testify in court when subpoenaed. Inspections are performed when requested by landlords, in order to verify complaints against tenants. The on -going meeting with the DALA resulted in an expanded effort by the Dubuque Police Department to notify landlords of issues with tenants. Previously the Dubuque Police Department sent notifications to landlords in limited situations. This notification process has been expanded to include approximately thirty (30) to forty (40) types of police calls which affect quality of life in neighborhoods. This information can be used by landlords in making a case for an eviction. 8. Mandate that landlords conduct renter background checks, using the City's free service. RESPONSE: The Police Department offers this service free to landlords. A new part- time position will be filled soon which will be dedicated to this process. Should the Council adopt such a policy change, the Department will conduct the background checks as necessary. The City Attorney's Office created the form which landlords will submit to the Police Department to process the free background checks. The City Attorney's Office will also be working with the newly hired employee in the Records Division and COPs to evaluate background check services and determine which company offers the best information. 9. Establish threshold number of complaint calls that will place a problem property in priority category. Establish policies and processes for immediate response and resolution of problems involving those properties. RESPONSE: The City Attorney's Office will revisit and reevaluate the previously proposed Property -in- Need -of- Assistance Ordinance and work with the Dubuque Area Landlord Association and Neighborhood Associations to determine if any elements of the proposed ordinance can be salvaged and what additional elements they would like to see be included. Other communities will be researched for different models to draw from for a best practices approach. 10. Tie frequency of property inspections to landlord's history of cooperation with Code compliance. Establish a threshold number of problem complaints that will trigger a meeting among the landlord, the tenant, and representatives of the Housing and Police Departments. 9 RESPONSE: The City Attorney's Office is researching tiered inspection models used by other communities for evaluation of the Housing Commission, Housing & Community Development Department Staff, and the City Council. 11. Intensify exterior code enforcement efforts. Encourage City employees across departments to identify and report property code enforcement problems and establish ways to reward employees. RESPONSE: The City Attorney's Office recently met with both Housing and Building Inspectors for the purposes of reviewing some inspection models used by other communities. Specifically, staff reviewed a stoplight type system used by Rock Island, Illinois. Rock Island performed a comprehensive inspection cycle of all property in the community. The inspections included reference sheets for both exterior and interior inspections. The inspection sheets contain black, red, yellow, and green sections. Any violations falling into a red or black section result in a building being immediately posted as not habitable until the violations are corrected. Violations falling under the yellow or green sections are provided with certain periods of time for correction. As Rock Island is a much smaller community, Dubuque may not have the resources to use this system in exactly the same way. However, we believe it can be modified to become an effective tool for staff. Specifically, inspectors can identify the most serious concerns they would have from an exterior and interior perspective related to their field of expertise (plumbing, electrical, structural, etc.) The most serious issues can then be put into a format for other City staff, who may occasionally be at or in properties throughout the community in the course of their duties, such as Police Officers, Fire Department staff, Transit, and Public Works employees. This will allow for referral of the most serious issues on a pro- active basis to the correct department. Further discussion on this will occur and the City Attorney's Office may explore providing a training session for employees. The Housing & Community Development Department has a designated neighborhood inspector who began in the Washington Neighborhood in 2008. He has completed more than 800 inspections to -date, resulting in 760 units brought into Code compliance. He is now performing comprehensive rental inspections in the north end and point neighborhoods and including all areas east of Central Avenue. The inspector goes block -by- block, inspecting every rental property which is not involved in the Section 8 program. To duplicate the intensity of this coverage in the rest of the downtown, however, is more labor- intensive than Housing currently has staff capacity for. The rest of the downtown (west of Central Avenue) is much more densely populated with rental units. With the addition of this inspector and implementation of an automated inspections management system (Permits Plus), the previous seven -year cycle for completion of the City's 7,600 rental units has been reduced to five years. We expect further improvement in performance as the system is continually enhanced. 10 Council- approved Code amendments in April of this year now allow a maximum of nine months for extensions of time to complete required repairs. Previously, up to two years was allowed, through time granted by the inspector and the Housing Code Appeals Board. In addition, we are researching an "administrative court" model which may further streamline and professionalize the appeals process. Increased enforcement in vacant and abandoned buildings has resulted in removal of 29 long -term, chronic problem properties from the VAB list, since 2007. All VAB properties are licensed and inspected annually. Currently, only 25 residential buildings remain listed. The Housing Department has also proposed a program of intensified enforcement, with a trial implementation in the Washington Neighborhood. This would include homeowner properties which would receive an exterior inspection with a voluntary compliance check -list of observed Code violations. Additionally, owners would be offered an interior "healthy home assessment ", which would check for safety and health - related problems in the home. Compliance with violations would again be voluntary. This proposal will be considered by the City Council on the August 16, 2010 Agenda. 12. Create a data clearing house limited to verifiable and factual information that landlords and tenants can share and reference when making their rental decisions. RESPONSE: The City Attorney's Office created a form for the Records Division to use on collection of data. The Police Department will continue to work with the newly hired staff person to evaluate this system and determine whether modifications are necessary. The City is exploring this through Crenna Brumwell in the City Attorney's Office. The Police Department would be a partner in developing any such project and this would most likely be a duty of the part-time records clerk assigned to landlord background checks. 13. Develop and offer frequently a training program on code enforcement and property management for all landlords. Require all landlords to attend the program; issue only temporary occupancy permits /licenses until training has been completed. RESPONSE: The City Attorney's Office and Police Department are working with other City departments to evaluate the addition of programming for landlords and property managers in the community. The annual Crime Free Multi- Housing Program offered by the Police Department would continue, but an expansion involving quarterly evening sessions is being explored to cover topics requested by landlords or emerging community issues related to landlords, tenants, citizens, and the city. 11 Section 8 Program The City Council has addressed community concerns about the real or perceived impact of the Section 8 program on the community by: 1. Decreasing the desired number of Section 8 vouchers in the program to 900 2. Limiting voucher eligibility to Dubuque residents 3. Increasing the staff capacity of the Family Self Sufficiency Program 4. Adding a Police corporal position working within the Housing & Community Development Department to investigate Section 8 violations Additional recommendations include supporting and providing resources to: • Increase public understanding of the Section 8 Program • Increase participation of Section 8 residents in effective self - sufficiency programs • Provide training to housing commissioners to increase their leadership, public relations and community building skills • Implement an Exception Rent Program to avoid concentrated pockets of poverty • Develop a stronger role for the Resident Advisory Board to encourage residents of subsidized housing to give feedback on proposed new policies and procedures and to cultivate leadership within the low income residential community • Provide community service credits for participation in effective programs that foster self sufficiency • Continue to provide resources to FSS program based upon evidence of success RESPONSE: First, public education and information are important parts of understanding the role of the Section 8 assisted housing program in the community. The Public Information Office proposes a CityChannel 8 program on Section 8 to better explain the program and address myths and misperceptions. A representative from the Housing Department would be interviewed on camera. An article with the same information could be in a future City newsletter. In the Housing Department, all of the recommendations from the SCTF are being considered as part of the "Section 8 Management Plan" now in development. Housing is working on this internally as a priority and reviewing that work monthly with staff and with the Housing Commission. For the last several months, the City Manager, Housing Department, City Attorney's Office, and the Police Department have met weekly to evaluate and develop Housing policies. Exception Rents: Housing will be able to make determinations about our financial ability to establish an exception rent program when the year -end Section 8 reconciliations are completed. The Period 13 report is being released this week by the Finance 12 Department. Housing staff is working closely with Finance to develop these numbers as quickly as possible. When the remaining calendar year (voucher program year) numbers are known, a budget for exception rents can be formulated. Commissioner Training: Housing has proposed a program of trainings for Housing Commissioners to gain more understanding of the Section 8 Program and be better able to advocate and educate the public. Resident Advisory Board: The Board meets quarterly throughout the year. This is an advisory group of Section 8 Program participants. Several initiatives will be implemented in the coming months, including recruiting for an expanded Board, leadership training, and holding meetings more frequently. Housing will also attempt to use the Board to hold monthly informational sessions with other Section 8 tenants, to exchange ideas in an informal setting, obtain feedback, and gain suggestions for program initiatives to support participants to prepare for employment and move from welfare dependence. Self- Sufficiency Training: The Council approved funding for a second Family Self - Sufficiency Program coordinator, which will enable Housing to double the number of participating families. The new coordinator begins employment with the City on August 9, 2010. This additional staff will also allow us to continue and expand the Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin' by World training to more Section 8 participants. To date, 99 people have graduated from this 20 week curriculum. Currently in development is a business plan for a new "Circles" program to be supported in part with City Council approved funding to contract with the national "Move the Mountain" network. The Circles model involves pairing Getting Ahead Program graduates with community mentors, who provide long -term support and assistance with access to resources and employment. This initiative will be co- sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and includes funding to hire a Circles Coach to coordinate program activities. Neighborhood Engagement and Social Capital 1. Human Relations - The SCTF believes that in order to achieve its goals there will need to be a major City -wide human relations effort. The human relations effort will have these objectives: a) Increase tolerance and mutual understanding among the diverse segments of the population. The adoption of educational initiatives that foster community solidarity and global citizenship should be among the first practical steps taken by our City. 13 b) Implement appropriate measures that safeguard the rights and opportunities of all. RESPONSE: In March of 2009, the Training and Workforce Development Coordinator was hired. The Coordinator is involved in implementing the components of the Intercultural Competency Strategic Plan which include reviewing and modifying the City's recruitment efforts in order to attract a larger number of women and people of color to apply for City positions and in developing training programs for City employees that focus on increasing our ability to interact with the public and co- workers as our community workforce continues to change. A reorganization of the Human Rights Department will be proposed at the August 16, 2010 City Council Meeting. The proposal suggests shifting the enforcement of the Human Rights Ordinance to the City Attorney's Office. Complaint investigations would be handled by the City Attorney's Office. The Human Rights Department goal would be early intervention and mediation opportunities for parties who seek assistance. If mediation fails and /or a party chooses to pursue a formal investigation instead of mediation, the Human Rights Department would assist them with filing that complaint but would not make legal determinations. The Human Rights Commission would remain intact to perform their existing duties, including handling public hearings, and the City Attorney's Office would take those cases forward as they do now. The reorganization provides the current Human Rights Department Staff and Workforce and Training Coordinator Andre Lessears to focus on: Conflict engagement through performing equal employment opportunity counseling; adding /expanding mediation opportunities both internally for City employees and externally for the community; further building the capacity of the Dubuque Dispute Resolution Center for neighborhood disputes. Intercultural competence /systemic change through coordination of intercultural conflict efforts, including steering, training, and employee engagement teams; working with local organizations and businesses to assist them in developing their own intercultural competence programs. Community engagement through leverage and increase of partnership efforts in the community to improve the ability to build unity through diversity and prevent fractures. This would include capacity building with the Multicultural Family Center and faces and voices, and with other organizations that choose to improve their intercultural competence in long -term, strategic ways. Workforce development through continued work with Personnel Director Randy Peck on employee recruitment and retention issues and expansion of work with employee involvement teams. These teams are designed to address sources of 14 conflict and service delivery concerns within departments by engaging employees directly in decision - making and resolution. The Leisure Services Department is also reorganizing some staffing to focus on directing and coordinating programs for youth and a few adult programs with an emphasis on providing programs and services to targeted neighborhood community members. This will be accomplished through not only programs Leisure Services offers but also partnering with community organizations of Dubuque. Emphasis will be given on coordinating efforts with the Multicultural Family Center. The staff reorganization will allow for concentrated efforts to evolve ideas, impact neighborhood engagement, and increase social capital. Over the past year, the Multicultural Family Center has been working to increase neighborhood engagement and social capital. Programs have sought to increase tolerance and mutual understanding, foster community solidarity, and increase community involvement. A sample of programming includes: • Taste of the World • Future Talk (summer education and employment program) • Community and Police Dialogue on Race offered by Human Rights • Housing Townhall Meeting offered by Human Rights Commission 2. Develop a Neighborhood Watch program. RESPONSE: Neighborhood Watch is a copyrighted program. The Police Department will need to review the current program and requirements with the City Attorney's Office, neighborhood associations, and citizen's groups to determine if the program meets Dubuque's needs at the present time. Neighborhood Watch is not the only program which involves the community to create safe neighborhoods. Other programs can be evaluated to find the right fit for Dubuque. Whether Dubuque reinstitutes a Neighborhood Watch program or not, the Public Works Department proposes that it remove all current Neighborhood Watch signs and erect new, redesigned units in the neighborhoods where the residents have newly- affirmed their support of the program or developed or adopted program. At the current time, it is unknown how many of the current Neighborhood Watch signs have active support and may be ineffective as a deterrent to criminal behavior. One aspect of a neighborhood watch program to be considered is the installation of security cameras and 911 kiosks to deter crime and improve the feeling of security in neighborhoods and parks. The camera and kiosk information has been previously provided. 3. Increase resident participation using such vehicles as clean -up campaigns, neighborhood picnics, new neighbor welcome events, and other strategies developed by residents. 15 RESPONSE: The development of a comprehensive brochure for new residents to help them be more informed of Dubuque policies is a suggestion that has come up on numerous occasions to welcome individuals. A brochure could cover basic policies like City utilities; refuse and recycling; quality of life ordinances the City has related to loud music, loud vehicles, pet waste and other issues that have been discussed by the SCTF. The brochure could also include information on civic engagement opportunities provided by the City. The publication could reach every new utility customer at City Hall and also be made available to new and existing employers to provide for their employees. Kiosks at the Historic Federal Building and community organizations would facilitate this information sharing as well. The City website does currently provide a "New Residents Guide" at http:// www. citvofdubuque .org /index.aspx ?NID =1204, but it is basically a listing of referrals. A project of this nature would involve multiple departments and involve printing costs. Over the past year, the Multicultural Family Center has been working to increase neighborhood engagement and social capital. Programs have sought to increase tolerance and mutual understanding, foster community solidarity, and increase community involvement. Additionally, the Multicultural Family Center has the following programs to welcome new families to the community: • Welcoming Program • English Language Learner Classes (NICC) • Spanish Choir • Marshallese Dancing This year the Center plans to expand its programs to focus more on family programs, cultural programs, and welcoming programs. The welcoming programs will include a welcome dinner hosted every other month by the Center. If grant funding is received, the dinner will be open to families that have joined the community within the last two years. The event will include dinner, guest speakers, an overview of programs and services in the community, transit and community maps, question and answer session, and time for networking. Through encouragement and support of neighborhood organizations and neighborhood based non - profit organizations; the City has actively promoted resident participation. The City has provided both technical assistance and grant funding (in low and moderate income neighborhoods) through the Community Development Block Grant funded Neighborhood Grant Program and the Community Building Grant Program. Following is a listing of some of the neighborhood -based events of the past few months. Events that are new this year are indicated with an asterisk. August 2010 *Street Jam, August 6 *National Night Out Event at Comiskey Park *Movie at Comiskey Park, August 18 16 Music in Jackson Park, August 8 North End Neighborhood /garage sale & fund raiser, Comiskey Park Langworthy Neighborhood Annual Block Party Crescent Community Health Fair, Aug 14 *Bike Safety Rodeo, Jackson Park, August 21 *Neighborhood Ice Cream Social, Comiskey, sponsored by Holy Spirit Pastorate July 2010 *Point Neighborhood - Fireworks gathering Music in Jackson Park (event postponed due to rain) *Movie in Comiskey Park Hilltop -Ivy League Neighborhood Picnic June 2010 *Eat N Greet Event- Orange Park, Washington Street Music in Jackson Park June 13 Hilltop Ivy League Neighborhood Clean -up May 2010 Valley View Neighborhood (clean -up Pot Luck) Marshall Islands Constitutional Day Anniversary @ Prescott School *Point Neighborhood "junque in the trunk" fundraiser Langworthy Neighborhood Clean -up (and coffee /juice) April 2010 Downtown Neighborhood Clean -up /cookout at Boys and Girls Club 4. Cultural Competency Training should be offered periodically to businesses and the community at- large. It should be mandatory for City board and commission members as well as for City staff. RESPONSE: Reorganization of the Human Rights Department will be proposed at the August 16, 2010 City Council Meeting. The proposal suggests shifting the enforcement of the Human Rights Ordinance to the City Attorney's Office. This provides the current Human Rights Department Staff and Workforce and Training Coordinator Andre Lessears to focus on: Conflict engagement through performing equal employment opportunity counseling; adding /expanding mediation opportunities both internally for City own employees and externally for the community; further building the capacity of the Dubuque Dispute Resolution Center for neighborhood disputes. Intercultural competence /systemic change through coordination of intercultural conflict efforts, including steering, training, and employee engagement teams; 17 working with local organizations and businesses to assist them in developing their own intercultural competence programs. Community engagement through leverage and increase of partnership efforts in the community to improve the ability to build unity through diversity and prevent fractures; this would include capacity building with the Multicultural Family Center and faces and voices, and with other organizations who choose to improve their intercultural competence in long -term, strategic ways. Another way to spread intercultural competency information is via CityChannel 8. Short vignettes featuring cultural competency stories from City employees or citizen volunteers could be utilized to share information. 5. The Human Rights Department should receive continued support. In addition the City should devote resources to a human relations initiative that could include programs in the arts, cultural programs, and other strategies that promote respect and understanding among residents. RESPONSE: Over the course of the upcoming year the Multicultural Family Center plans to offer at least one cultural event a month. The goal will be to allow individuals to share their culture, traditions, and norms in a safe and respectful environment while fostering understanding and awareness of the diversity in this community. Cultural programs for this fall, winter, and spring may include Dia de la Raza, Independence Day celebrations, Native American heritage month celebration, Las Posadas, Chinese New Year, Taste of the World, Juneteenth, and GLBT awareness month event. 6. Support a welcoming program for all new renters through community based organizations (such as GDDC provides for new families coming to Dubuque). RESPONSE: The Multicultural Family Center has the following programs to welcome new families to the community: • Welcoming Program • English Language Learner Classes (NICC) • Spanish Choir • Marshallese Dancing The welcoming programs will not be limited to renters, but will include all new residents of the community. This year the Center plans to expand its programs to focus more on family programs, cultural programs, and welcoming programs. The welcoming programs will include a welcome dinner hosted every other month by the Center. If grant- funding is received, the dinner will be open to families that have joined the community within the last two years. The event will include dinner, guest speakers, an overview of programs and services in the community, transit and community maps, question and answer session, and time for networking. 18 A CityChannel 8 program may also be a way to share information with citizens new to the community. Management of Physical Environment: 1. Install Street lights in the middle of the block to brighten up the streets at night and increase visibility for residents. RESPONSE: New street lights at all 38 possible alley- street locations from 12 to 20 Streets in the Washington Neighborhood have now been installed. Existing street lights in the Washington Neighborhood have been upgraded to use brighter bulbs. The Engineering Department has researched the costs to install mid -block lights in neighborhoods. Alliant Energy will provide the pole and Tight fixture at mid -block locations for a monthly fee. This fee includes the rental of the pole and fixture, energy cost, and maintenance cost. Below is a summary of the current monthly costs per Tight. Lamp Size Luminaire Rate New Pole Rate Total 100 Watt $6.70 /month $7.38 /month $14.08 /month If another pole is required, there will be an additional cost of $7.38 /month For a year the average cost would be $168.90 per light. If there is an existing pole to mount the street light, the pole cost is $2.57 /month. These rates are based on a secondary wire being installed to a maximum distance of 150 feet. Any distance in excess of 150 feet would have additional monthly wire costs. It should be noted that some abutting property owners may not want the Tight in front of their residences. Engineering has received some residents concerns to placement of mid -block lights due to light potentially shining into bedrooms at night. 2. Improve Dubuque neighborhoods by: a) Encouraging home ownership, b) Encouraging a mixed income approach to neighborhood development, c) Creating (or re- creating) a sense of place through good design. All buildings using city, state, or federal dollars should be required to meet these objectives and all projects should be required to meet the City's sustainability goals. RESPONSE: The Economic Development Department has several financial assistance programs available to property owners. These programs would be a logical first place to begin implementation of this recommendation. 19 The first program to be placed under this recommendation was the second round of the Downtown Housing Incentive Program. This Program received nine applications for assistance. As a follow up to each application, every property owner was required to complete a certification form. This form was distributed to each department that oversees compliance with City Codes. The various departments then let Economic Development know if any properties identified had any Code issues and whether the property owner was actively working to get the property back into compliance. The implementation of this recommendation helps to advance the City's sustainability initiative. Encouraging compliance of City Codes improves the social /cultural vibrancy component in two ways. First, helping to ensure safe buildings in the community improves the livability for residents. Second, buildings with Code deficiencies are encouraged to be improved, making more quality options for housing and business. This improves the equitability within the City. The SCTF suggestions for improving neighborhoods are all cornerstones of the Housing Department's approach to housing and community development. All buildings using public funds are required to meet the objectives and meet the City's sustainability goals. The City has zoned the vast majority of the community for residential development, from single- and two- family to multi - family. With the adoption of the Unified Development Code in 2009, single- and two- family homes now are permitted in the R -3 and R -4 multi- family districts. This Code change encourages home ownership city -wide. The City's Building Codes accommodate a variety of home ownership, from detached single - family to attached townhouses to condominiums. The Code retains the zoning provisions adopted in 1993 that allow non - conforming residential structures, such as homes in a commercial or industrial zone, to be rebuilt and renovated. This Code provision has enabled people to remain in their homes and make home improvements that also improve their neighborhoods. The Historic Preservation Housing Grant Program and a low interest Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund provides grant funding for low and moderate income qualifying homeowners, while homeowners at any income level can qualify for the loan program. Both programs have been extended to Conservation Districts, Individually Designated Historic Properties, and City Landmarks. In addition to the residential zoning mix described above, the Code allows upper story housing in office, commercial, and industrial districts. These zoning regulations promote both a mixed -use and a mixed - income approach to neighborhood development. The City's Building Codes accommodate mixed development as well. Creating a sense of place through good design can be broken down into four separate areas of analysis, which involve the Building Services Department as well as Planning & Zoning Department, buildings, Section 106, streetscapes, and sustainability. 20 BUILDINGS: The City Council mandates the design review for exterior renovations of buildings in Historic Districts as well as City Landmarks and Individually- Designated Historic Properties regardless of the funding source. Design review applications are handled by Planning Services staff, with Historic Preservation Commission review for material changes in appearance. Code compliance, site inspections, and enforcement of these design reviews is handled by Building Services staff with assistance as needed from Planning Services staff. The City Council also mandates design review of exterior building alterations in the Port of Dubuque and the Historic Millwork District regardless of funding source. These design reviews are handled by Planning Services staff. As of June 2009, the City Council mandated design review of exterior building alterations and public works projects, such as streetscapes, in the Downtown. The Downtown Design Guidelines must be followed, unless a waiver is granted by the Commission, for all projects using city, state, or federal dollars. Design review applications are handled by Planning Services staff, with Commission review for material changes in appearance. Code compliance, site inspections, and enforcement of these design reviews is handled by Building Services staff with assistance as needed from Planning Services staff. SECTION 106: For projects receiving federal funds outside the Historic Districts and the Downtown, a "Section 106" review is required. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act mandates a review of the potential impact to historic resources from the expenditure of federal funds. The Planning Services staff is able to conduct Section 106 design reviews in -house for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funded programs. These programs include the City's Community Development Block Grant funded housing rehabilitation program and the lead -based paint programs. For projects using other federal funding sources, Planning Services staff prepares reports for the State Historic Preservation Office to conduct the Section 106 reviews. Design Guidelines used for HUD - funded and other federally- funded projects are less defined than the design guideline manuals used in the Historic Districts and the Downtown. Compliance with the Secretary of Interior's Standards guides these design reviews. STREETSCAPES: The City Council mandates design review of public works projects in the Historic Districts and the Downtown, regardless of the funding source. The Planning Services staff signs off on simple projects that comply with the applicable design guidelines, and the Commission advises the City Council on significant projects. Historic District Public Improvement Program funds are a matching grant program for neighborhoods to retain and re- create their sense of place. HDPIP 21 funds have been used for streetscape improvements in all five historic districts such as historic street lights, benches, trash receptacles, planters, and signs. A similar design review process was adopted in 2009, for public works projects in the Downtown, using the Downtown Design Guidelines Manual. Old Town Neighborhood Site Design Guidelines were established in the 2009 Code for new development in Conservation Districts and Conservation Planning Areas. They provide form -based guidelines in Dubuque's older neighborhoods, where strict application of "suburban style" site design standards for new commercial, industrial, and residential development are difficult to apply due to the dense development patterns of these older urban areas. SUSTAINABILITY: Historic preservation can be considered the "poster child" of sustainability. While the design review process and Code provisions described above foster historic preservation, the City's Building Code options also foster sustainability goals. The adoption of preservation minded codes gives owners, contractors, architects, and the Building Services staff alternatives when dealing with existing buildings. It also reduces the barrier (real and /or perceived) of codes when owners are contemplating renovation of their downtown buildings. 3. Create an ordinance prohibiting the boarding of windows and doors facing streets. RESPONSE: Through a Commission initiative and the City Manager's direction, staff in the Planning Services, Building Services, Housing and Community Development, and City Attorney's Office have discussed, researched, and drafted an ordinance addressing boarded -up windows and doors in Historic Districts and Conservation Districts. The Commission advocated for this ordinance to reduce blighting conditions in these districts. The Commission encountered resistance to this proposed ordinance from impacted property owners and the Dubuque Main Street Board of Directors. Learning of the SCTF's interest in this type of ordinance, the Commission directed Planning Services staff to share their efforts with the Task Force. Related to properties outside of historic and conservation districts, the Housing Department and Building Services Department codes and policies provide some basis for preventing boarded up windows and are used regularly by inspectors. The City Attorney's Office is able to expand the ordinance to include all property in the City. Additional models can be gathered for evaluation. 4. Develop and enforce policies consistent with the "preservation briefs" to maintain historic properties. RESPONSE: The Technical Preservation Services (TPS) of the National Park Service (NPS) provides information and guidance on the care of historic buildings. TPS helps home owners, preservation professionals, organizations, and government agencies 22 preserve and protect this nation's heritage by providing readily available materials -- guidance pamphlets and books, videos, and NPS web home page -- on preserving, restoring, and rehabilitating historic buildings. Preservation briefs are just one of the publications provided by the TPS. The TPS is one of a number of resources the Commission and City staff use when advising or reviewing a project. Other standards for review include the Architectural Guidelines Manual and the Streetscape and Landscape Guidelines Manual for the Historic Districts, and the Downtown Design Guidelines Manual. All documents, including those published by the TPS, are founded on principles outlined in the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The City website currently offers links to all the resources listed above, including the TPS. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards are not technical or prescriptive, but are intended to promote responsible preservation practices that help protect cultural resources. For example, they cannot, in and of themselves, be used to make essential decisions about which features of the historic building should be saved and which can be changed. But once a treatment approach is selected, the Standards provide philosophical consistency to the work. The four treatment approaches are Preservation, Rehabilitation, Restoration, and Reconstruction. The Architectural Guidelines, Landscape Guidelines, and Downtown Design Guidelines Manuals expand on these basic rehabilitation principles as they apply in Dubuque. The TPS publications are, as one might expect more technical in nature, offering more in depth and detailed information and guidance on the care of historic buildings. The City Attorney's Office requested Planning & Zoning staff to research the preservation briefs related to the proper "mothballing" of historic structures. The attached preservation brief outlines the process. Assistant City Attorney Crenna Brumwell met with Planning & Zoning staff on August 5, 2010 to review the preservation brief for possible implementation. The TPS preservation brief on "mothballing" is inconsistent with the SCTF recommendation to prohibit boarded up windows and doors. The "mothballing" preservation brief lists boarding up windows and doors as a proper way to seal and preserve a building. The brief is also inconsistent with the City's vacant or abandoned building ordinance which is used to ensure the maintenance of and encourage the re -use, rehabilitation and renovation of structures. 5. Increase the number of trash receptacles on the street. RESPONSE: The Public Works Department proposes that a significant portion of the $30,000 budgeted for FY'11 for the purchase and installation of litter and recyclables receptacles in the downtown area go toward the placement of receptacles in the residential areas abutting the downtown. The Health Services Department responds to complaints on a regular basis and enforces regulations regarding garbage, weeds, and environmental nuisances. 23 Additionally, Health Services works closely with Police, Housing, Planning, and Public Works to address physical environment and Health Department enforcement issues. 6. Increase the number of neighborhood clean -ups and educate the community on city waste disposal policies in an effort to clarify the purpose of neighborhood clean -up programs. RESPONSE: The Public Information Office and Cable TV division are currently working with Paul Schultz, Resource Management Coordinator, to create a CityChannel 8 program on proper solid waste and recycling methods for curbside collection. The Public Works Department is evaluating a budget request to fund additional support for neighborhood cleanup campaigns, using the resources of its solid waste collection and DMASWA solid waste management activities. These resources would include solid waste collection trucks, dump trucks, recyclables drop -off receptacles, access to solid waste disposal and recycling facilities, its partnership with the local chapter of Keep Iowa Beautiful — Keep Dubuque County Clean and Green, and its many related front- line workers and management support personnel. The Public Works Department would recommend continuation of the annual asphalt overlay program for street improvements and expansion of the alley cart program which can have a dramatic impact on neighborhood aesthetics. Providing an incentive for neighborhoods to act may be as simple as a contest to select the most improved landscape in a neighborhood or at private homes. This could improve neighborhood aesthetics, bolster relationships, and reduce enforcement. The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency offers free use of litter cleanup equipment to community organizations . in Dubuque County. The litter cleanup equipment includes gloves, safety vests, litter tongs, and disposal bags. Volunteers are asked to complete a liability waiver form and cleanup information form. Free pickup and disposal of the collected materials can be arranged ahead of tine through the Public Works Department and the Dubuque County Road Department. Keep Dubuque County Clean and Green citizens group is the local affiliate of Keep Iowa Beautiful. Its focus is on litter and illegal dumping prevention, waste reduction, and community beautification in the rural and urban areas of Dubuque County. KDCCG is made up of representatives from several city and county agencies and civic groups, as well as individuals interested in community improvement and environmental stewardship. The City has also funded a number of neighborhood beautification efforts initiated by neighborhood groups including landscaping improvements in the Washington Street traffic diverters, flower planting /landscaping at Grant Park, Jackson Park, Avon Park, 11th Street gateway, and the 2nd Street Island across from Cathedral. 24 The Community Development Advisory Commission could review the Neighborhood Grant Program. One possibility for the Commission to consider would be to prioritize funding for proposed projects which address one of the recommendations of the Safe Community Task Force. Research and Facts The crime study previously recommended by the SCTF and approved by the City Council is in progress and will be completed by Northern Illinois University in late September. The study authors will analyze crime and survey data which will: 1) Clarify crime data and crime trends in Dubuque; 2) Identify demographic and other characteristics most strongly related to the sorts of crimes that have increased significantly in the past few years, and 3) Compare these data with the public's perception of the nature of crime and criminals in Dubuque. The study asks these questions: • Does the perception of criminal activity and its causes in Dubuque match what is actually happening? • What policies or strategies are effective in decreasing crime, especially within categories of crime with significant recent increases in arrests? • If there are community perceptions of increased criminal activity but no evidence to support the perception, what policies or strategies can effectively address the concerns? RESPONSE: The Police Department has actively cooperated with the NIU crime study and provided information as requested. NIU staff has contacted Assistant Chief of Police Terry Tobin and the PO's technology staff numerous times for data, and Chief Da!sing met with one of the people doing the study, George Graves, on July 15, 2010 to discuss crime trends and response as well as giving him a tour of the City's development areas and target areas of concern. The Police Department has provided the SCTF with any and all crime, COP, TAD, and Section 8 data that was requested and will do as requested and needed in the future. CONCLUSION City staff looks forward to reviewing the above information and related attachments with the City Council to answer questions and received direction. Thank you. cc: Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager (without enclosures) Phyllis Russell, Management Fellow (without enclosures) Department and Division Managers (without enclosures) 25