Submission of EPA Grant Application for the Dubuque Community Resilience Hub ProjectCity of Dubuque
City Council
ACTION ITEMS # 2.
Copyrighted
November 18, 2024
ITEM TITLE: Submission of EPA Grant Application for the Dubuque
Community Resilience Hub Project
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval of a grant application
to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s
Community Change grant program.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. Staff Memo
Page 1342 of 1454
Dubuque
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Submission of EPA Grant Application for the Dubuque
Community Resilience Hub Project
DATE: November 14, 2024
Technical Grant Analyst/Assistant Justin Thiltgen is recommending approval of a grant
application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Community Change
grant program. This grant presents an opportunity to fund and expand Dubuque's
climate resilience and economic prosperity initiatives, targeting neighborhoods most
affected by environmental challenges. The City's application leverages over a decade of
experience in community development projects, notably those addressing climate
resilience and equity in low- and moderate -income neighborhoods. This wealth of
experience and expertise ensures the success of the proposed Dubuque Community
Resilience Hub Project, designed to advance Dubuque's community resilience,
environmental sustainability, and economic opportunity.
This effort was developed by a team of city leaders and staff across departments,
including the Office of Sustainability, Department of Public Health, Economic
Development Department, Public Information Office, the Office of Shared Prosperity
and Neighborhood Support, and the Office of Grants and Strategic Partnerships and the
Dream Center and their team including Gronen Properties. The City partnership with the
Dubuque Dream Center remains central to this work.
The funding requested will provide critical support for the creation of a Dubuque
Community Resilience Hub, enhancing the resilience, health, and economic vitality of
Dubuque's most vulnerable neighborhoods. The collaborative efforts of the city
departments and partnership with the Dubuque Dream Center will drive long-term
improvements for Dubuque's residents and ensure comprehensive support for
Dubuque's resilience against climate and environmental challenges. This funding will
enable the city and the Dubuque Dream Center to collaboratively address climate
resilience, health disparities, and economic opportunity in the most impacted
neighborhoods, reaffirming the City of Dubuque's commitment to a more equitable and
sustainable future.
Central to this effort, the Dubuque Dream Center has consistently played an essential
role in supporting low-income and marginalized families within targeted neighborhoods.
Page 1343 of 1454
Their community trust, proven success, and expanding local programming are not just
instrumental, but integral to this grant's success.
The proposed Dubuque Community Resilience Hub Project includes three (3) key
components:
1. The Dubuque Resilience Hub: To be housed at the Dubuque Dream Center (in
the former Fulton School), the resilience hub will serve as a central resource for
emergency shelter, climate -related disaster preparedness, and community
support.
2. The Dream Center Job Training Program: In collaboration with the Dubuque
Dream Center, this program will train area residents, particularly unemployed and
underemployed individuals and high school apprentices, in sustainable
construction, energy efficiency, and environmental health skills, positioning them
for career opportunities in high -demand sectors.
3. Green and Healthy Homes Program: This element targets housing retrofits
across 75 housing units in the project area to improve energy efficiency, indoor
air quality, and overall housing stability. This component will create safer,
healthier homes for low-income residents.
The proposed partnership and project support mutual goals such as economic
development, environmental stewardship, and community enhancement.
The project application has requested a grant amount of $19,882,221, allocated across
three key project components. First, $717,460, covering necessary staff costs, benefits,
travel, office supplies, and testing supplies essential to the program's operation.
Second, Contractual Services amount to $2,589,690, including fees for development
coordination, healthy homes support, additional contract services, and radon testing.
Finally, Construction and Other Costs comprise the most significant portion, totaling
$16,575,071. This includes the construction of a community resilience hub including an
addition to Fulton School.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval of the U.S. EPA Community Change Grant Application.
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
v
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
2
Page 1344 of 1454
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Director of Strategic Partnerships
Justin Thiltgen, Technical Grant Analyst/Assistant
Robert (JJ) Kimble, Dubuque Dream Center Executive Director
Alexis Steger, Housing & Community Development Director
3
Page 1345 of 1454
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Justin Thiltgen, Technical Grant Analyst/Assista
Dubuque
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CC: Teri Goodmann, Director of Strategic Partnerships
Robert (JJ) Kimble, Dubuque Dream Center Executive Director
Alexis Steger, Housing and Community Development Director
DATE: Thursday, November 14, 2024
SUBJECT: Submission of EPA Grant Application for the Dubuque
Community Resilience Hub Project
Background
In close collaboration with key City departments and the Dubuque Dream Center, the
City of Dubuque's Housing and Community Development Department has completed a
grant application to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Community
Change grant program. This grant presents an opportunity to fund and expand
Dubuque's climate resilience and economic prosperity initiatives, targeting
neighborhoods most affected by environmental challenges. The City's application
leverages over a decade of experience in community development projects, notably
those addressing climate resilience and equity in low- and moderate -income
neighborhoods. This wealth of experience and expertise ensures the success of the
proposed Dubuque Community Resilience Hub Project, designed to advance
Dubuque's community resilience, environmental sustainability, and economic
opportunity.
This effort was developed by a team of city leaders and staff across departments,
including the Office of Sustainability, Department of Public Health, Economic
Development Department, Public Information Office, the Office of Shared Prosperity
and Neighborhood Support, and the Office of Grants and Strategic Partnerships. Our
partnership with the Dubuque Dream Center remains central to this work-, this statutorily
required and mission -aligned collaboration ensures project benefits reach residents
most impacted by environmental injustices in Dubuque.
Page 1346 of 1454
Discussion
The funding requested will provide critical support for the creation of a Dubuque
Community Resilience Hub, enhancing the resilience, health, and economic vitality of
our most vulnerable neighborhoods. The collaborative efforts of our city departments
and partnership with the Dubuque Dream Center will drive long-term improvements for
Dubuque's residents and ensure comprehensive support for our community's resilience
against climate and environmental challenges. This funding will enable the city and the
Dubuque Dream Center to collaboratively address climate resilience, health disparities,
and economic opportunity in our most impacted neighborhoods, reaffirming our
commitment to a more equitable and sustainable future.
Central to this effort as the City's statutory partner, the Dubuque Dream Center has
consistently played an essential role in supporting low-income and marginalized families
within targeted neighborhoods. Their community trust, proven success, and expanding
local programming are not just instrumental, but integral to this grant's success.
The proposed Dubuque Community Resilience Hub Project includes three (3) key
components:
The Dubuque Resilience Hub: To be housed at the Dubuque Dream Center (in
the former Fulton School), the resilience hub will serve as a central resource for
emergency shelter, climate -related disaster preparedness, and community
support. This hub will provide a safe, accessible space for residents during
extreme weather events and deliver preparedness training, resources, and
ongoing community support. In addition to climate -related emergency support, it
may serve as a heating and cooling center and host workshops on disaster
preparedness and community health.
2. The Dream Center Job Training Program: In collaboration with the Dubuque
Dream Center, this program will train area residents, particularly unemployed and
underemployed individuals and high school apprentices, in sustainable
construction, energy efficiency, and environmental health skills, positioning them
for career opportunities in high -demand sectors. This workforce development
initiative will foster job growth in emerging green industries and promote
economic stability in disadvantaged communities.
3. Green and Healthy Homes Program: This element targets housing retrofits
across 75 housing units in the project area to improve energy efficiency, indoor
air quality, and overall housing stability. These upgrades will reduce mold,
asbestos, lead, radon, and other indoor pollutants while improving HVAC
systems, insulation, and other energy -efficient features. This component will fund
health and energy efficiency improvements to create safer, healthier homes for
low-income residents.
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Page 1347 of 1454
The proposed partnership and project support mutual goals such as economic
development, environmental stewardship, and community enhancement. The City of
Dubuque benefits from this partnership by leveraging shared resources, knowledge,
and expertise, which enhances the city's ability to deliver services, promote sustainable
development, and improve the quality of life for residents. This collaboration also
strengthens the city's position as a proactive and innovative community, fostering trust
with partners and increasing its appeal as a forward -thinking, attractive location for
future investments and projects.
The program consists of three main elements, each with its timeline. First, the Healthy
Homes component will begin with assessments and improvements to local housing to
address environmental and health risks, aiming to complete these upgrades within the
first 18 months. Second, the Community Resilience Hub construction will start shortly
after the grant is awarded and is expected to be completed by the end of the second
year, providing a centralized location for community resources and emergency support.
Finally, workforce development and training, focused on equipping residents with green
construction skills, will run throughout the program, with training cohorts beginning early
and continuing to expand over the three years to ensure community members are ready
for new job opportunities created by these initiatives.
The project application has requested a grant amount of $19,882,221, allocated across
three key project components. First, Personnel, Fringe, Travel, Equipment, and
Supplies total $717,460, covering necessary staff costs, benefits, travel, office supplies,
and testing supplies essential to the program's operation. Second, Contractual Services
amount to $2,589,690, including fees for development coordination, healthy homes
support, additional contract services, and radon testing. Finally, Construction and Other
Costs comprise the most significant portion, totaling $16,575,071. This includes the
construction of a community resilience hub, participant support costs, training
subawards, and other critical expenses to ensure the program's success. These
components are essential to address project requirements and ensure effective
implementation of the proposed initiatives.
Recommendation
Approval is respectfully requested to submit the completed Dubuque Community
Resilience Hub Project Community Change Grant application to the US Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
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