Minutes_City Council Proceedings 01.06.25City of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
Copyrighted
January 21, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of January 6, 2025; Civil Service
Commission of December 11 and December 19, 2024;
Community Development Advisory Commission of November
20, 2024; Equity and Human Rights Commission of
December 17, 2024; Library Board of Trustees Update of
December 19, 2024; Resilient Community Advisory
Commission of November 7, 2024; Zoning Advisory
Commission of November 6, 2024; Proof of Publication for
City Council Proceedings of December 16, 2024.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 1 6 25 City Council Proceedings
2. Civil Service Minutes 12 11 24
3. Civil Service Minutes 12 19 24
4. Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes
5. Equity and Human Rights Commission Minutes
6. Library Board of Trustees Update
7. Resilient Community Advisory Commission Minutes
8. Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of 12 16 24
Page 24 of 740
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
REGULAR SESSION
The Dubuque City Council met in regular session at 6:30 p.m. on January 6, 2025 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
PROCLAMATIONS
1. Wahlert Catholic High School 2024 Iowa Class 3A Football Champions was accepted by Assistant
Principal and Football Coach Jamie Marshall and members of the football team on behalf of Wahlert
Catholic High School.
2. Human Trafficking and Modern -Day Slavery Prevention Month (January 2025) was accepted by
Mary Lechtenberg on behalf of the Tri-State Coalition Against Human Trafficking and Modern -Day
Slavery.
CONSENT ITEMS
Motion by Resnick to receive and file the documents, adopt the resolutions, and dispose of as
indicated. Seconded by Farber. Motion carried 7-0.
1. Minutes and Reports Submitted: City Council Proceedings of December 16, 2024; Civil Service
Commission of October 18, November 8, and November 13, 2024; Equity and Human Rights
Commission of November 12, 2024; Zoning Board of Adjustment of November 21, 2024; Proof of
Publication for City Council Proceedings of November 18 and December 2, 2024. Upon motion the
documents were received and filed.
2. Notice of Claims and Suits: Elijah Callahan for vehicle damage; Daniel Dunne for vehicle damage;
Elizabeth Gonner for vehicle damage; Amy Smith for vehicle 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: Lois Kamp for vehicle
damage; Amy Smith for vehicle 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. 1-25 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.
1
Page 25 of 740
5. 2025 Federal Legislative Priorities: Upon motion the documents were received, filed, and
approved.
6. Request to Change the Scope of Homeowner Assistance Programs Funded by Water Operating
Budget: City Manager recommended City Council approval to combine and revise the scope of the
homeowner assistance programs offered by the Water Department, and to proceed with the
implementation of the Leaking Lead Service Line Replacement Program, as outlined in the attached
document. Upon motion the documents were received, filed, and approved.
7. Finance Department Request for Full -Time Budget/Financial Accounting Analyst Position: Upon
motion the documents were received, filed, and approved.
8. Signed Contract(s): CDB Utility Contractors for the Park Hill Fiber Optic Path; CDB Utility
Contractors for the Shallow Well Field Fiber Optic Path; Conlon Construction Co. for the Iowa
Amphitheater at Schmitt Island Bid Package 2; Racom for the SCADA Security Camera System
Upgrade Project 2024. Upon motion the documents were received and filed.
9. Improvement Contracts / Performance, Payment, and Maintenance Bonds MDE, LLC for the 2024
SRF Green Alley Project; Portzen Construction Inc. for the Ruby Sutton Building Second Floor Remodel
Project; Tschiggfrie Excavating Co. for the Kerper Boulevard Lift Station Replacement. Upon motion
the documents were received, filed, and approved.
10. Acceptance of Dedication of Property for Future Right of Way Purposes from Switch Homes of
Dubuque, LLC — The Farm Subdivision: Upon motion the documents were received and filed, and
Resolution No. 2-25 Accepting The Dedication Of Property, Being Outlot E Of The Farm In The City Of
Dubuque, Iowa, From Switch Homes Of Dubuque, LLC, For Future Road Right Of Way Purposes was
adopted.
11. Keymont Drive Pavement Rehabilitation Project - Acceptance of Public Improvement: PROJECT
5521000018: Upon motion the documents were received and filed, and Resolution No. 3-25 Accepting
The Keymont Drive Pavement Rehabilitation Project And Authorizing Final Payment To The Contractor
was adopted.
ITEMS SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Motion by Sprank to receive and file the documents, adopt the resolution, and set the public hearing
as indicated. Seconded by Roussell. Motion carried 7-0.
1. Setting a Public Hearing for the Central Avenue and White Street Traffic Study Recommendation:
Upon motion the documents were received and filed and Resolution No. 4-25 Setting Date Of Public
Hearing On The Central Avenue And White Street Corridor Traffic Study Summary Report was adopted
setting a public hearing for a meeting to commence at 6:30 p.m. on January 21, 2025 in the Historic
Federal Building.
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.
2
Page 26 of 740
1. Building Code Advisory and Appeals Board: One, 3-Year term through January 1, 2027 (Vacant
Multidisciplinary Rep. term of Schoenhard). Applicant: Michael Shimkus, 4917 Twilight Dr. (Qualifies
for Multidisciplinary Rep.). Shimkus spoke in support of their application.
2. Community Development Advisory Commission: One, 3-Year term through February 15, 2027
(Vacant Low/Moderate Income Rep. term of Hammel Jr.); One, 3-Year term through February 15, 2028
(Expiring At -Large term of Boles). Applicants: Dean Boles, 1715 Geraldine Dr. (Qualifies for At -Large);
Dale L. Campbell Jr., 210 Jones St. (Qualifies for At -Large and Low/Moderate Income Rep.)
3. Equity and Human Rights Commission: Two, 3-Year terms through January 1, 2028 (Expiring
terms of Baumhover and Freiburger). Applicants: Rick Baumhover, 601 Garfield Ave.; Michaela
Freiburger, 1718 Diane Ct.; Traci Phillipson, 2120 Rhomberg Ave. Baumhover spoke in support of their
application.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Resolution Approving a Proposed Development Agreement with Dubuque and Jackson County
Habitat for Humanity: Motion by Roussell to receive and file the documents and adopt Resolution No.
5-25 Approving A Development Agreement By And Between The City Of Dubuque, Iowa And Dubuque
And Jackson County Habitat For Humanity, Including The Proposed Issuance Of Urban Renewal Tax
Increment Revenue Grant. Seconded by Wethal. In response to a question, Van Milligen cited Greater
Dubuque Development Corporation's (GDDC) housing study, which identified a shortage of 1,100 units
in Dubuque. Following the study, the City Council implemented various incentives to promote housing
development, which many recent developers have utilized. The City Council expressed enthusiasm for
the progress of this project. Motion carried 7-0.
2. Approving a Purchase Agreement by and between the City of Dubuque and Theisen's Warehouse,
LLC providing for the Sale of City -owned Real Estate: Motion by Jones to receive and file the
documents and adopt Resolution No. 6-25 Approving The Disposal Of An Interest In City Of Dubuque
Real Estate By Sale To Theisen's Warehouse, LLC Pursuant To A Purchase Agreement By And
Between The City Of Dubuque And Theisen's Warehouse, LLC. Seconded by Farber. Motion carried
7-0.
3. Proceedings for the Public Hearing on the Issuance of Not to Exceed $24,250,000 General
Obligation Bonds, Series 2025ABC: Motion by Farber to receive and file the documents and adopt
Resolution No. 7-25 Taking additional action on proposals to enter into Loan Agreements and
combining Loan Agreements. Seconded by Sprank. In response to a question, Chief Financial Officer
Jennifer Larson outlined the next steps, noting that the bond sale is scheduled for March 3, with the
results to be presented at the City Council meeting that evening. Larson stated that the bond sale is
not anticipated to impact the city's bond rating. Larson also stated that, although the city typically issues
debt annually, no debt was issued in 2024, with the issuance deferred to 2025. The City Council
recommended including the city's debt reduction policy in future memorandums on bond sales. Van
Milligen confirmed that this information will be incorporated when this bond sale is next presented to
the City Council. Motion carried 7-0.
PUBLIC INPUT
Rick Dickinson, President and CEO of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, thanked the City
Council for supporting Public Hearings No. 2 and 3 and thanked Dubuque Bank and Trust (DB&T) for
their cooperation with the City regarding Action Item No. 1.
3
Page 27 of 740
ACTION ITEMS
1. DB&T Interest Earnings Press Release: Motion by Jones to receive and file the documents.
Seconded by Resnick. City Council Members expressed gratitude to city staff and DB&T for
collaborating to resolve the interest earnings discrepancy. This effort led to DB&T recently paying the
City over $2 million in interest earnings following a review of the banking services agreement between
the City and DB&T from 2007 to the present. The City Council confirmed that the amount paid by DB&T
is accurate and clarified that earlier figures cited by others were incorrect due to unknown variables at
the time. The City Council also highlighted steps to prevent a recurrence, including assigning a city staff
member to monitor accounts and modifying the scope of the Investment Oversight Advisory
Commission through Action Item No. 2. Motion carried 7-0.
2. Code of Ordinances Amendment — Title 2 Chapter 3 Investment Oversight Advisory Commission:
Motion by Jones to receive and file the documents and that the requirement that a proposed ordinance
be considered and voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which it is to
be passed be suspended. Seconded by Resnick. City Council members commended the change,
emphasizing its importance in enhancing oversight of the city's cash management practices. Motion
carried 7-0.
Motion by Jones for final consideration and passage of Ordinance No. 1-25 Amending City Of
Dubuque Code Of Ordinances Title 2 Boards And Commissions, Chapter 3 Investment Oversight
Advisory Commission. Seconded by Resnick. Motion carried 7-0.
3. Mayor and City Council Appointments to Boards and Committees: Motion by Roussell to receive
and file the documents and refer to the City Council for discussion. Seconded by Sprank. No changes
were made to any board or committee appointments. Motion carried 7-0.
4. HEART Partnership Video: Motion by Sprank to receive and file the documents and view the video.
Seconded by Wethal. A video on the HEART Partnership was shown. It can also be viewed on the City
of Dubuque YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h—HNnBKFdyY. Motion carried 7-
0.
5. Lincoln Playground CDBG Project Ribbon -Cutting Video: Motion by Roussell to receive and file
the documents and view the video. Seconded by Jones. A video summary of the grand opening of
Lincoln Elementary School's new playground, a project which received nearly $630,000 in Community
Development Block Grant funds, was shown. The video can also be viewed on the City of Dubuque
YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/-t43rJlZlhc. Motion carried 7-0.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Council Member Jones reflected on the recent passing of Former President Jimmy Carter, Loras
alum Greg Gumbel, Former Heritage Works President and CEO Duane Hagerty, Cynthia Louise Nelms
Byrne, Morgan Frazer, George Holland, and Lloyd Gudenkauf. Jones reported on a recent Dubuque
Main Street event, William Intrilligator being awarded the Telegraph Herald's 2024 First Citizen Award,
and a recent Dubuque 365ink article about upcoming initiatives in Dubuque. Jones also mentioned the
upcoming Special Olympics Iowa Winter Games and the posthumous induction of Paul Gorrell and
John Powers to their hall of fame.
Council Member Sprank reported on upcoming neighborhood association meetings.
Council Member Wethal reported on visiting Island Social and the New Year's Day hike at Mines of
Spain.
0
Page 28 of 740
Mayor Cavanagh reported on the Special Olympics Iowa Winter Games, the Dubuque Racing
Association's (DRA) upcoming celebration of their 40th anniversary, and the upcoming state legislative
session.
CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Jones to convene in closed session at 7:51 p.m. to discuss Purchase or Sale of Real
Estate — Chapter 21.5(1)(j) Code of Iowa. Seconded by Roussell. Mayor Cavanagh stated for the record
that the attorney who will consult with the 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 8:09 p.m. stating that staff had been given proper
direction.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Cavanagh declared the meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
/s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, CMC
City Clerk
5
Page 29 of 740
MINUTES
Government Body: CITY OF DUBUQUE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Date: December 11, 2024
Time: 4:15 PM
Place of Meeting: City Hall — Conference Room A — 50 W 13t" St.
Present: Commissioners Carla Heathcote, Scott Crabill, Dan White (virtual)
Also present: Police Captain Scott Baxter, Assistant Fire Chief Josh Knepper, City Clerk Adrienne
Breitfelder (virtual), Assistant City Attorney Jason Lehman, Kyle McCoy (Attorney — virtual), Holly
Corkery (Attorney - virtual), Chris Gray (Telegraph Herald)
Commissioner Heathcote called the meeting to order at 4:17 p.m.
Approval of minutes from the November 13, 2024 meeting. Motion by White to approve the
minutes as submitted. Seconded by Crabill. Motion carried 3-0.
2. City of Dubuque's Motion in Limine regarding Aidan Carr's Civil Service Appeal Hearing. Attorney
Corkery, retained to provide a legal opinion on the motion, summarized the motion and sought the
commission's direction on how to proceed. The commission decided to hear arguments from both
parties. Attorney Lehman presented arguments in favor of the motion, while Attorney McCoy
argued against the motion to the Commission. After some discussion by the commissioners, a
motion was made by Heathcote to deny the Motion in Limine. Seconded by White. Commissioner
Crabill announced his intent to abstain, citing his absence from the upcoming hearing. Motion
carried 2-0 with Commissioner Crabill abstaining.
3. Police and Fire Department Reports. Assistant Fire Chief Josh Knepper provided information on
staffing/new hire numbers and recent testing that was conducted. Police Captain Scott Baxter
spoke about the Precision Policing Center, staffing/new hire numbers and future testing for the
position of Police Officer.
4. Adjournment. Motion by Heathcote to adjourn at 4.48 p.m. Seconded by Crabill. Motion
carried 3-0.
Submitted by Pamela McCarron, Permit Clerk
Page 30 of 740