3 4 24 City Council Minutes1
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL SESSION
The Dubuque City Council met in special session at 5:30 p.m. on March 4, 2024, in the
second-floor Council Chambers of the Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th Street.
Present: Mayor Cavanagh; Council Members Farber, Jones, Resnick, Roussell, Sprank,
Wethal; City Manager Van Milligen, City Attorney Brumwell.
Mayor Cavanagh read the call and stated this is a special session of the City Council called
for the purpose of conducting a work session on the Sanitary Sewer Asset Management Plan.
WORK SESSION
Sanitary Sewer Asset Management Plan (SSAMP) Update on Consulting Engineering
Services
Civil Engineer Maxwell O’Brien presented on the Sanitary Sewer Asset Management Plan
and provided City Council with an update on the status of the program, review ed the results
from the preliminary analysis performed to date, and discuss ed the anticipated next steps for
the program. Mr. O’Brien responded to questions from the City Council regarding workplace
safety during implementation and incorporating the program into future budgeting. Responding
to a question from the City Council Nathan Kampman with HDR Engineering summarized the
use of risk-based decision making, strategy prioritization, and the various software that will be
used to refine program data.
There being no further business, Mayor Cavanagh declared the meeting adjourned at 6:10
p.m.
/s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, CMC
City Clerk
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
REGULAR SESSION
The Dubuque City Council met in regular session at 6:30 p.m. on March 4, 2024, in the
second-floor Council Chambers of the Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th Street.
Present: Mayor Cavanagh; Council Members Farber, Jones, Resnick, Roussell, Sprank,
Wethal; City Manager Van Milligen, City Attorney Brumwell.
Mayor Cavanagh read the call and stated this is a regular session of the City Council called
for the purpose of conducting such business that may properly come before the City Council.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRESENTATION(S)
1. The Public Safety Citizen Lifesaving Award Recognition: Fire Chief Amy Scheller
recognized the following individuals for receiving The Public Safety Citizen Lifesaving Award:
For efforts in providing immediate care to a fallen community member using CPR and the use
of a Hempstead High School AED: Student Drew Lewis, Hempstead coaches Damon Rogers
and Tyler Schaul, and Dubuque County Basketball Association Coach Haris Takes.
For the support of an AED program throughout the schools: Dubuque Community School
District (Superintendent Amy Hawkins and her team)
A special thank you to the city responders who teamed up to assist these students and
coaches which ultimately resulted in a positive outcome for one of our residents: Dispatchers
Michelle Gensrick and Jason Coxs. Responding members from the fire departmen t include
Larry Ewert, Adam Feyen, Chris Grue, Bryan McDonald, Doug Merkes, Brian Pape, and Austin
Schmit.
PROCLAMATION(S)
1. Irish American Heritage Month (March 2024) was accepted by Vicki Leonard on behalf of
the Ancient Order of Hibernians Dubuque Division #2.
CONSENT ITEMS
Kathy Gorman, 3005 Jackson St., requested Item No. 11 be held for separate discussion.
Motion by Resnick to receive and file the documents, adopt the resolutions, and dispose of as
indicated except for Item No. 11. Seconded by Farber. Motion carried 7-0.
1. Minutes and Reports Submitted: 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
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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. Upon motion the documents were received and filed.
2. Notice of Claims and Suits: Roger and Mary Rollinger for property damage; Brian Zeimet
for property damage. Upon motion the documents were received, filed, and referred to the City
Attorney.
3. Disposition of Claims: City Attorney advised that the following claims have been referred
to Public Entity Risk Services of Iowa, the agent for the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool:
Roger and Mary Rollinger for property damage; Brian Zeimet for property damage. Upon motion
the documents were received, filed, and concurred.
4. Approval of City Expenditures: Upon motion the documents were received and filed, and
Resolution No. 48-24 Authorizing the Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer to make certain
payments of bills that must be paid and approved for payment in accordance with City
procedures was adopted.
5. Authorized Depository Institutions: Upon motion the documents were received and filed,
and Resolution No. 49-24 Naming Depositories was adopted.
6. US Census Boundary and Annexation Survey: City Manager shared information and
raising awareness of the annual process for the U.S. Census Bureau Boundary and Annexation
Survey. Upon motion the documents were received and filed.
7. Acceptance of Grant of Easement for Storm Sewer Utility across Rabbit Hollow Nature
Conservancy, Inc. Property off of Rockdale Rd. in Dubuque : Upon motion the documents were
received and filed, and Resolution No. 50-24 Accepting a Grant of Easement for storm sewer
utility through, under and across part of Lot 2 of Rabbit Hollow Place # 5, in the City of Dubuque,
Iowa was adopted.
8. 2022 John F. Kennedy Road Sidewalk Installation Project : Upon motion the documents
were received and filed, and Resolution No. 51-24 Accepting the 2022 John F. Kennedy Road
Sidewalk Installation Project - Iowa DOT Project TAP-U-2100-703-8I-31 and authorizing the
payment of the contract amount to the contractor; and Resolution No. 52-24 Adopting the Final
Assessment Schedule for the 2022 John F. Kennedy Road Sidewalk Installation Project - Iowa
DOT PROJECT TAP-U-2100-703-8I-31 were adopted.
9. Seippel Road Water Main Relocation Project - Acceptance of Public Improvement
Construction Contract: Upon motion the documents were received and filed, and Resolution No.
53-24 Accepting the Seippel Road Water Main Relocation Project and authorizing the payment
to the contractor was adopted.
10. Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce’s Air Service Survey Results and Dubuque Air
Service Goals and Objectives: Upon motion the documents were received and filed.
11. 3000 Jackson Dubuque Brewing and Malting Project Update : Ms. Gorman spoke about
concerns with contractor activities occurring at the site, including sidewalk removal, litter, and
lack of street parking. Ms. Gorman also expressed concerns about lack of communication
regarding site actions. Motion by Resnick to receive and file the documents. Seconded by
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Farber. Responding to questions from the City Council, Assistant Housing and Community
Development Director Michael Belmont stated that contractors are responsible for notifying
utilities of sidewalk removal and scheduling a time for removal. In this case the contractor did
not provide notification of their intention to remove the area sidewalks. Mr. Belmont further
stated that a site visit will occur before partial site deconstruction and more substantial fencing
will be requested for deconstruction. The Assistant Fire Marshall is aware of the building’s
demolition schedule and has identified an available fire hydrant if necessary. City Council
Members thanked Ms. Gorman for providing input. City Council members acknowledged the
site activity’s impact on the area neighborhood and the ongoing process to resolve the buildings’
issues. Motion carried 7-0.
12. Letter of Support for Dubuque County Energy District : City Manager shared information
on the City Manager’s Letter of Support for the Dubuque County Energy District’s grant
application to The Funders Network’s (TFN) Partners for Places (P4P). Upon motion the
documents were received and filed.
13. Bloomberg’s Youth Climate Action Grant Application Submittal : Upon motion the
documents were received, filed, and approved.
14. Approval to Provide Matching Funding for a Historic Structure Report for Eagle Point
Park: City Manager recommended City Council approval to provide matching funding of $75,000
for the grant application to be filed by Heritage Works to the Jeffris Heartland Fund to develop
a Historic Structures Report (HSR) for the Alfred Caldwell designed buildings at Eagle Point
Park. Upon motion the documents were received, filed, and approved.
15. American Flood Coalition Membership Correspondence from the City of Dubuque to the
American Flood Coalition regarding the city's decision to join the coalition. The American Flood
Coalition is a nonpartisan group of political, military, business, and local leaders that have come
together to drive adaptation to higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding. The
coalition seeks to advance solutions that support flood -affected communities. Upon motion the
documents were received and filed.
16. Letters of Support for Ham House Interior Restoration & Preservation Project : City
Manager recommended City Council approval of letters of support and authorization for the
Dubuque County Historical Society (DCHS) to apply for two grants for interior restoration and
preservation at the Mathias Ham House. Upon motion the documents were received, filed, and
approved.
17. Request for City Council Ratification of Two Amendments to current Collective Bargaining
Agreements {DPPA and Teamsters (Bus Operators)}: Upon motion the documents were
received, filed, and approved.
BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
Applications were reviewed for the following Boards and Commissions. Applicants were
invited to address the City Council regarding their desire to serve on the following
Boards/Commissions.
1. Housing Appeals and Mediation Board: One, 3-Year Term through January 1, 2027
(Vacant term of Lenhart). Applicant: Jeff Lenhart, 1085 Main St. Mr. Lenhart spoke in support
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of his application and provided a brief biography.
PUBLIC INPUT
Kyle Cox, 924 Arrowhead, East Dubuque, IL., provided information on the Rockdale Flood of
1876 and his goal to establish a memorial park near the site of the flood on the flood’s 150th
anniversary of July 4, 2026. Mr. Cox shared details of upcoming events that will provide more
information about the history of the flood.
ACTION ITEMS
1. Greater Dubuque Development Corporation's 'You Can Be Great Here' Campaign
Progress Brochure: Motion by Resnick to receive and file the documents. Seconded by Jones.
Rick Dickinson, President and CEO of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation (GDDC)
provided an overview of GDDC’s 'You Can Be Great Here' Campaign Progress Brochure that
was distributed with City utility bills from February 14 through March 6, 2024. Responding to a
question from the City Council, Mr. Dickinson stated that the campaign’s two greatest
challenges are population growth and job growth. Motion carried 7 -0.
2. Prepared Live: Motion by Roussell to receive and file the documents and listen to the
presentation. Seconded by Wethal. Emergency Communications Center Director Jessica
George-Rethwisch shared information on a new web-based platform Prepared Live that
Emergency Communications Center went live with on March 4th, 2024. Responding to
questions from the City Council, Ms. George-Rethwisch stated that the system is currently used
by Grant County, Wisconsin, and Jones County, Iowa. The Emergency Communications team
will receive feedback on how often the system is used and additional program tiers with
additional features may be considered based on the quantity of system use. Motion carried 7-
0.
3. Approve Reimagine Comiskey Park-Phase 2 National Park Service Outdoor Recreation
Legacy Grant Application Submission: Motion by Sprank to receive and file the documents and
adopt Resolution No. 54-24 Authorizing the Mayor to execute an application for the National
Park Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program Grant and authorizing the
Leisure Services Director and the City Manager to approve the application . Seconded by
Wethal. City Council Members expressed enthusiasm for Phase 2 of the project. Motion carried
7-0.
4. 2023 Dubuque Police Department Annual Report: Motion by Roussell to receive and file
the documents. Seconded by Jones. Police Chief Jeremy Jensen highlighted information in the
report. City Council Members praised the Police Department’s professional standards, policing
conduct, and collaboration with community partners. Motion carried 7-0.
5. Central Avenue and White Street Corridor Traffic Study Recommendation for Selection of
Professional Consultant Services: Motion by Sprank to receive and file the documents and
approve the selection of Bolton & Menk, Inc. as the first-ranked Consultant and that the City be
authorized to negotiate a Professional Consultant Services Agreement to complete a corridor
study for Central Avenue and White Street and the feasibility of corridor s olutions based on
public engagement and a holistic approach using tra ffic calming and urban design elements.
Seconded by Farber. Responding to a question from the City Council, Traffic Engineer Justine
Hull stated that the study’s results are expected in November of 2024. City Council Members
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emphasized the need to improve the corridor and thanked community members Joe Kirk and
Terry Mozena for serving on the Consultant Selection Committee. Motion carried 7 -0.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Council Member Roussell reported on her service on the Hawkeye Area Community Action
Program (HACAP) Board of Directors and HACAP’s recent hiring of an employee fluent in
Marshallese.
Council Member Jones reported on the recent strategic planning session of the Dubuque
Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency, of which Mr. Jones is a board member.
Council Members Wethal and Farber respectively reported on attending the annual United
Labor Dinner. Ms. Farber remarked on a memorial statement made at the dinner in honor of the
late Nick Lucy.
Mayor Cavanagh reported on conducting joint presentations with Sustainability Director Gina
Bell that summarized their attendance at the United Nations Climate Change Conference
(COP28). Mayor Cavanagh stated that bold action would be essential to attract the necessary
resources to fulfill the city’s sustainability goals.
CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Jones to convene in closed session at 7:56 p.m. to discuss Purchase or Sale of
Real Estate – Chapter 21.5(1)(j) Code of Iowa. Seconded by Sprank. Mayor Cavanagh stated
for the record that the attorney who will consult with City Council on the issues to be discussed
in the closed session is City Attorney Brumwell. Motion carried 7-0.
The City Council reconvened in open session at 9:19 p.m. stating that staff had been given
proper direction.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Cavanagh declared the meeting adjourned at 9:19
p.m.
/s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, CMC
City Clerk