September/October 2024 City News NewsletterCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Consent Items # 07.
Copyrighted
August 5, 2024
ITEM TITLE: September/October2024 City News Newsletter
SUMMARY: City Manager providing a copy of the September/October 2024 City
News Newsletter.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
September/August 2024 City News Newsletter
Type
Supporting Documentation
Inside This Issue
2 I Join a Neighborhood
Association
Sustainable Dubuque
Community Grants Available
National Lead Poisoning
Prevention Week
3 I A Message from the City
Manager: Dubuque is
Iowa's 2024 Community of
Character!
2024 Water Quality Reports
Branching Out Dubuque
4 I New Faces & Retirements
Events Calendar
Seeking Public Input: CDBG
Community Survey
Park(ing) Day in Dubuque
Let'
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www.cityofdubuque.org
Get news and info by email or text:
Check out all the options at
www.cityofdubuque.org/notifyme
Attention Monday
Customers!
Due to Labor Day, your
trash and recycling will
be collected on:
Saturday,
August 31
21 BY
THE CITY OF
Masterpiece an the Mississippi
City of Dubuque
September/October 2024
Funding Available Through
Neighborhood Support
Grant Program
The City of Dubuque Office of Shared
Prosperity and Neighborhood Support is
accepting applications for the expanded
Neighborhood Support Grant Program.
Grants applications are welcomed on
an ongoing basis and awards have been
increased to a maximum of $2,500 each.
Previous grants had been capped at $750.
The Neighborhood Support Grant
assists neighborhood associations and
community groups with improving the
quality of life for residents. Grants are
available for eligible events, projects, and
other community initiatives that enhance
livability and strengthen neighborhood
pride. Examples include block parties,
bike racks, a neighborhood newsletter,
beautification efforts, youth and family
programs, and community gardens.
Applications are reviewed on the first
of every month throughout the calendar
year. Application materials are available
online at www.cityofdubuque.org/
neighborhoodsupport. For additional
information, contact the Office of Shared
Prosperity & Neighborhood Support at
563-589-4326.
Mouzon Named Dubuque's Community Impact Director
Dubuque City Manager Mike Van Milligen has appointed Antonio Mouzon as
community impact director for the City of Dubuque. Antonio has served as
director of the Dubuque Multicultural Family Center since June of 2023 and
began the new role in early July.
Previously, the City's community impact activities and staff, including the
AmeriCorps Program, community outreach and impact programs, equitable
fine and fee reform, and prevention and diversion services, were a division
of the City's leisure services department. The new department includes
the community impact staff and activities as well as the staff and activities of the Multicultural
Family Center.
Antonio holds a bachelor's degree in health, wellness, and recreation and a master's in
communications from the University of Dubuque. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in higher
education, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, from Azusa Pacific University in
Azusa, Calif.
HEY, NEIGHBOR!
Join or Start a
Neighborhood Association
Joining or starting a neighborhood
association and getting to know your
neighbors through meetings, projects,
and events offers many benefits:
• You make friends. Seeing familiar
faces on your walk and chatting
with a neighbor over the fence
creates happiness and long-lasting
friendships.
• You have someone who has your
back. Your neighbor may be able to
lend you a tool for your yardwork,
and you may be able to bring them
some vegetables harvested from
your garden.
• You get access to information and
resources. You can find out what's
happening on your street and in your
city.
Many hands make light work when
planning a block party or cleaning
up trash in your neighborhood.
Neighbors can have a shared
interest in an idea you have to make
the neighborhood even better.
Wondering if there's already an
association nearby?
Visit www.cityofdubuque.org/
neighborhoodsupport
to view a map of current/active
neighborhood associations.
Interested in starting an
association?
Visit www.cityofdubuque.org/
neighborhoodsupport
to fill out an interest form and view
the neighborhood association toolkit!
homeowners to create a safer and
healthier home.
Program participants may
qualify for up to $30,000 for
lead remediation plus an
additional $5,000 for other
household hazards, such as
moisture intrusion, allergens,
contaminants, pests, carbon
monoxide, radon, fall protection,
security, and more.
If you think you may have lead
paint, or other hazards throughout
your home, submit an interest form
at cityofdubuque.org/healthyhomes
or call 563-589-1724.
1
• Sustainable Dubuque
15 Grant Applications Due Sept.15
Sustainable Dubuque Community Grant applications are being accepted until
Sept. 15. Grants for up to $2,50o are available to assist non -profits, businesses,
clubs, organizations, and groups of passionate residents in implementing their
ideas to make Dubuque a more sustainable place and to support community
leadership in the Sustainable Dubuque initiative.
Grants may be awarded to any group or individuals
to implement a project that helps to achieve the
Sustainable Dubuque vision and includes a
component of community education and/or
engagement.
SUSTAINABLE
DUBUQUE
viable • livable • equitable
Review the grant guidelines, application form, and scoring rubric at
www.cityofdubuque.org/sustainability or call 563-690-6038.
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National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
OCTOBER 20-26, 2024
National Lead Poisoning Prevention
Week highlights the ways parents,
caregivers, and communities can
reduce children's exposure to lead
and prevent its harmful health effects.
Lead is an invisible threat. If your
house or apartment was built before
1978, you may have lead paint in your
home. Ask yourself:
• Is the air in your home clean?
• Do your children have breathing
problems, like asthma?
• Is there dampness in your home?
• Is there chipping or peeling paint?
Lead can cause learning disabilities,
hearing loss, attention deficit disorder,
and behavioral problems. High blood
lead levels are associated with lower
IQ and a decline of about 15% in
reading and math scores.
Have your child's blood lead level
tested. See your doctor or the Dubuque
Visiting Nurse Association (VNA),
located at 660 Iowa St.
The City's Housing and Community
Development Department provides
financial assistance for renters and
A Message from the
CITY MANAGER
Michael C. Van Milligen
The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University
annually recognizes Iowa individuals, organizations,
and communities that show the center's six pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS®:
trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. In
June, the Ray Center announced that Dubuque is the 2024 Iowa Community of
Character!
When the award was announced, Scott Raecker, executive director of the Ray
Center, said, "Dubuque is an inspiring example of how communities can work
together to promote positive values and make a meaningful impact on the lives
of all their residents."
The entire community should be proud of this recognition because it
acknowledges Dubuque's character, which is something all residents play a
role in defining. I see Dubuque's character demonstrated on almost a daily
basis through the commitment of City of Dubuque employees providing critical
services to residents. It's also evident in the passion of residents working
together to address challenges or to support issues important to them. I also
see it in the actions of the Mayor and City Council and the decisions they
make about the future of the community. Dubuque's business and non-profit
community also contribute significantly to the community's character in how
they support the city's quality of life and economy.
Dubuque was nominated by Robert Palmer, the former General Counsel
and Director of Government Affairs with the Iowa League of Cities. He said,
"Dubuque is a great city with a lot of heart and city officials that care. The
community has a story of population loss followed by stabilization, recovery,
and continued growth. The city officials are passionate about the wide variety
of residents they have and what it takes to meet their needs. Language barriers,
employment, and embracing cultural identity are challenges that has Dubuque
faced and overcame gracefully."
Congratulations, Dubuque,
on being the 2024 Iowa
Community of Character!
I believe the six pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS complement the City
of Dubuque's five pillars guiding the City's efforts to create an Equitable
Community (and Organization) of Choice: resiliency, sustainability, equity,
transparency, and compassion.
2024 Water Quality
Report Available
The City of Dubuque Water Department
has published the annual water quality
report for the Dubuque water supply.
The drinking water met all state and
federal water quality requirements and
had no drinking water violations in 2023.
The report is available online at
www.cityofdubuque.org/2024waterquality.
Printed copies are available by request by
calling 563-589-4291.
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BRANCHING
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The City, in partnership with Dubuque
Trees Forever, was awarded a U.S. Forest
Service grant for $1.5 million to be used
to plant thousands of trees over the next
five years.
Residents interested in receiving one or
more free trees are invited to fill out an
interest form at www.cityofdubuque.org/
branchingout or call 563-690-6038.
Also available online is
an interactive map where
residents can enter their
address to determine if
their property is located
in one of the four tree -
planting eligibility areas.
New Faces & Retirements
New City Employees
David Nauman Public Works
Jacob Schumacher Public Works
Reanna McCallister Emergency Communications
Elizabeth Jentz Parking
Bernadette Stark Public Works
Cade Allgeier Airport
Katrina Truitt Airport
Evan Gordon Parks
Kathleen Oltmanns Library
Charles Beckman Engineering
Megan Marty Public Works
Michelle Kim Sustainability
Kevin Ansel Public Works
Thea Dement Transit
Jessica Rooney Transit
Jennifer Raber Public Works
Mark Knockel Transit
New Board/Commission Members
Franco Menchaca Arts and Cultural Affairs
Pamela Birch Civic Center
Rick Baumhover Equity and Human Rights
Nikkole Nutter Equity and Human Rights
January Tylor Housing Appeals and
Mediation
Aaron Miller Long Range Planning
Recent City Retirees
David Haupert Police
Paul Davis Public Works
SEEKING PUBLIC INPUT!
CDBG Consolidated Plan Community Survey
Each year, the City of Dubuque receives Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The funds are administered to City departments and non-
profit agencies to assist persons of low- and moderate -
income; support housing, economic development,
neighborhoods, and public services; and meet urgent needs.
The Housing and Community Development Department
wants you to have a voice in how the City invests this
money. Fill out the online survey or call563-581-4403•
To fill out the CDBG Consolidated Plan
community survey, scan the QR code or go
to www.cityofdubuque.org/cdbgsurvey.
Calendar
September
2 City offices closed for Labor Day
(Trash and recycling collection on Saturday, Aug. 31)
3 City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
16 City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
20 2nd Annual Park(ing) Day in Dubuque, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
October
7 City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
21 City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at City Council
Chambers, Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th St.
The public has the option to view and participate in City Council
meetings in person at City Council Chambers or virtually (see
agenda for details). Meetings are aired live on CityChannel
Dubuque (Mediacom cable channels 8 and 117.2 and ImOn
channel 5), streamed live and archived on the City's website at
www.cityofdubuque.org/media, and streamed live on the City's
Facebooh page at www.facebooh.com/cityofdubuque.
2nd Annual Park(ing) Day in Dubuque
Friday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Main St.
The City's Sustainability Office is partnering with Dubuque
Main Street for the 2nd Annual Park(ing) Day in Dubuque!
Park(ing) day is a global event where people across the
world temporarily repurpose curbside parking spaces
and convert them into public parks and social spaces to
advocate for safer, greener, and more equitable streets for
people. Join the fun and make plans to stop by the event or
create your own Park(ing) space for Park(ing) Day! Plants,
flowers, seating, music, art, games — be creative and bring
your mini park vision to life!
Learn more at www.sustainabledubuque.org/parking-day.
City News is produced by the City of Dubuque Public
Information Office. Comments are welcome at
publicinfo@cityofdubuque.org or 563-589-4151.
September/October 2024 www.cityofdubuque.org