Minutes_Resilient Community Advisory Commission (RCAC) 09.07.23Copyrighted
March 4, 2024
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 01.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: Airport Commission of January 16, 2024; Arts and Cultural Affairs
Commission of December 27, 2023 and January 23, 2024; Cable
Television Commission of August 29, 2023; City Council Proceedings of
February 19, 2024; Historic Preservation Commission of February 15,
2024; Park and Recreation Commission of April 11, 2023; May 9, 2023;
June 13, 2023; August 8, 2023; October 10, 2023; November 14, 2023;
December 12, 2023; January 13, 2024; Resilient Community Advisory
Commission of September 7, 2023; October 5, 2023; November 2,
2023; December 7, 2023; Transit Advisory Board of September 14,
2023; Zoning Board of Adjustment of January 25, 2024; Draft Zoning
Board of Adjustment of February 22, 2024; Proof of Publication for City
Council Proceedings of February 5, 2024.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Type
City Council Proceedings of February 19, 2024
Supporting Documentation
Proof of Publication —February 5, 2024
Supporting Documentation
Park and Rec April 2023
Supporting Documentation
Park and Rec_May 2023
Supporting Documentation
Park and Rec_June 2023
Supporting Documentation
Park and Rec August 2023
Supporting Documentation
Park and Rec_October 2023
Supporting Documentation
Park and Rec_November 2023
Supporting Documentation
Park and Rec_December 2023
Supporting Documentation
Park and Rec_January 2024
Supporting Documentation
RCAC_September 2023
Supporting Documentation
RCAC_October 2023
Supporting Documentation
RCAC_November 2023
Supporting Documentation
RCAC_December 2023
Supporting Documentation
Transit September 2023
Supporting Documentation
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes Jan 2024
Supporting Documentation
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes Feb 2024
Supporting Documentation
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
Arts Commission Minutes December
Arts Commission Minutes —January
Cable TV Commission Minutes
Airport Commission Minutes
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
CITY OF DUBUQUE - COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: Resilient Community Advisory Commission (RCAC)
DATE: September 7, 2023
TIME: 5:00 pm
LOCATION: Jule Operations and Training Center (JOTC) Circle Conference Room, 949 Kerper Blvd.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Josh Chamberland, Katharine Connolly, Robin Kennicker, Lalith Jayawickrama,
Steven Drahozal, Adam Hoffman, Jake Kohlhaas
MEMBERS ABSENT: Dean Boles, Sandra Evans
STAFF PRESENT: Gina Bell, Amanda Lewis
Commissioner Kohlhaas called the meeting to order at 5:03pm.
TEST AGENDA
MINUTES APPROVAL: Kennicker motioned to approve the July minutes. Jayawickrama seconded.
Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
NEW BUSINESS
1. Paul Schultz — Concerns regarding food scrap composting program
Schultz is the Green Dubuque President and has been involved with waste diversion and composting for
many years. Schultz is advocating for support to expand curbside collection of food scraps and
composting at Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA) compost facility. Currently,
the food scrap program is used by more than 500 customers with a waiting list of 97 people. The City of
Dubuque has had a food scrap collection program for 15 years and there are 200 full scale composting
programs in United States. The City of Dubuque estimates about 102 tons of foods scraps comingled
with yard waste is collected each year. Without a formal composting permit from the Iowa DNR,
DMASWA can only collect 104 tons combined yard waste and food scraps. No new food scrap collection
was permitted after the limit was reached because it violated the permit. DMASWA agency applied to
renew the permit for the landfill but did not apply to be a permitted compost facility. DMASWA applied
for a permit in June, but the permit was not accepted, and the Iowa DNR sent a cease -and -desist letter
for the composting facility. DMASWA requested a delay to assess the feasibility, cost, and timeline to
become a permitted facility. In order for the City to continue the composting program, DMASAW will
need to apply to operate a permitted compost facility in October 2023. Schultz stated that many City
plans address the desire to increase landfill diversion, including the Climate Action Plan, which has a goal
of "50% landfill diversion of recyclables/compostables by 2030" and a "50% food waste reduction and
diversion". Green Dubuque is requesting DMASWA to assess the feasibility of applying for permit to
expand/update food waste diversion. Green Dubuque is asking the commission to act in a timely manner
pending the DNA permit deadline.
Question: Is there a current permit right now for food scraps?
Answer: Currently the facility is operating without a permit, as the DNR changed their regulations.
Question: How much of current program can be maintained if there isn't a permit?
Answer: 104 tons per year, combined yard waste and compost.
Question: What is going on with the permitting process?
Answer: Compost facility was a permit by rule facility (if you meet the conditions, it is permitted.) DNR
initially included a landfill permit if you had a composting facility. Now, there are many compost by rule
facilities and it is difficult for DNR to manage. DNR now requires facilities to apply for a permit by rule or
to apply to be a permitted facility. Interpretation of rules by DNR staff was that you could take up to 2
tons of food waste and unlimited yard waste per week. DMASWA has collected food waste and yard
waster for the past 12 years. Rules are now interpreted differently by DNR. To allow time to notify
citizens and participants, DMASWA asked for a 30-day extension. DMASAW contacted DNR again to ask
about the feasibility of making it a permitted facility. It would cost $7,000 to cover the cost of installing a
pad for compost. Additionally, DMASWA has started a study about the feasibility of becoming a
permitted facility. Environmental reporting has never shown negative impacts from what DMASAW is
currently doing. DNR determined that they would give a 90-day extension to continue to accept food
waste until October 19th. DMASAW needs clarification on DNR's interpretation of how to manage feed
stockpile. DMASWA will ask DNR for continued enforcement discretion to have time clarify this issue and
the costs associated to upgrade the facility to manage the feed stockpile. The earliest recommendation
will be in October.
Question: How much money is going to be invested to expand the landfill in the next 20-30 years?
Answer: DMASAW does not currently have a design for expansion and only rough estimates for costs
because without a plan, it is difficult to estimate cost.
Question: Have other municipalities been impacted by the new regulations?
Answer: DMASAW is not privy to DNR's information. Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines are permitted
facilities, but most smaller facilities are not permitted.
Hoffman motioned to send a letter to City Council in support of a permitted compost facility. Kennicker
seconded. Motion carried. Hoffman will draft letter.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Policy Work— Review ordinances and policies as they relate to Climate Action Plan and
determine subcommittees and where to focus plane height, urban agriculture, and tree canopy
Reports from Commissioners regarding Climate Action Plan (CAP) activities:
Bell discussed that the Planning and Health Department are reviewing the urban agriculture document.
Bell proposes that City staff meets to discuss this document and that the Planning and Health
Departments get added to the agenda when appropriate.
Next Steps:
Follow up to invite DMASWA and Public Works with meeting updates.
HOW DID I SHOW UP? COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
Jayawickrama is going to a conference in Ohio discussing microplastics in elephants.
Lewis mentioned that Park(ing) Day is happening, and people can volunteer online through Dubuque
Main Street on Volunteer DBQ or attend the event.
Kennicker discussed that Parks and Rec commission sent letter to City Council to get clarification for
names of City Parks. Commission was not aware that old park was under 'Sister City' guidelines and
commission will get more clarification.
Hoffman mentioned that there is a Hungarian soil scientist in Dubuque who will be working with
University of Dubuque staff and students.
Bell stated that over $10,000 in tree vouchers were given away. Dubuque Trees Forever will meet to
discuss their planting days in the fall. City of Dubuque's Sustainability Department was one of 12 chosen
cities to participate in Cities Forward Initiative and was pared with a Latin American city.
Motion to adjourn by all.
NEXT MEETING: The next commission meeting will occur on October 5, 2023, at 5 pm at the Jule
Operations and Training Center (JOTC) in the Circle Conference Room, 949 Kerper Blvd.
ADJOURNMENT: The Commission adjourned at 6:20pm.
Minutes approved by:l"
Jacob Kohlhaas, Commission Chair
Prepared by: aUAMA
Gina Bell, Community Coordinator