March/April 2025 City News NewsletterCopyrighted
March 3, 2025
City of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 10.
ITEM TITLE: March/April 2025 City News Newsletter
SUMMARY: City Manager providing a copy of the March/April 2025 issue
of the City News newsletter that was issued with City utility
bills from February 12 - March 5.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. March - April 2025 City News
Page 147 of 629
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Grant��Applications
Due March 15
City Awarded $5.2 million
to Continue Lead Paint
Removal Efforts
Branching Out Dubuque:
Free Trees Available
31 A Message from the City
Manager: Partnerships
FY2026 Budget Public
Meetings: Provide Your Input!
41 New Faces & Retirements
Events Calendar
Youth Climate Action Fund:
Call for Applications
Yard Waste/Food Scrap
Collection Resumes
March 31
Let's Be • •
f On O
www.cityofdubuque.org
Get news and info by email or text:
Check out all the options at
www.cityofdubuque.org/notifyme
City News is produced by the City
of Dubuque Public Information
Office. Comments are welcome at
publicinfo@cityofdubuque.org
or 563-589-4151.
March/April 2025
NOWHIRING SEASONAL POSITIONS
Summer jobs for ages 15 and up!
Now is the time to find your summer job! The City of Dubuque
offers more than 250 summer and seasonal positions with the
Recreation Division, Parks Division, City pools, Bunker Hill Golf
Course, Port of Dubuque Marina, AmeriCorps, and Multicultural
Family Center. A seasonal job with the City can be a great fit for
many people:
• For high school students age 15 and up or college students
on summer break, a seasonal job can provide on-the-job
experience as well as the opportunity to make money.
• If you have little to no job experience, a summer job can help
boost your resume for future employers.
• Seasonal jobs can also be a good way for retirees and other
professionals or former professionals to earn extra income.
AVAILABLE POSITIONS INCLUDE:
• Lifeguard
• Bunker Hill clubhouse staff
• Playground leader
• Groundskeeper
• Marina attendant
• Equipment operator
• Pool manager
• Park ranger
• Pool cashier
• Forestry laborer
• Pool laborer
• Landscape crew member
• Concessions worker
• Park fee collector
• AmeriCorps member
• Tennis instructor
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See job descriptions, hourly rates, and apply at
www.cityofdubuque.org/seasonaijobs or scan the QR code.
TAKE
CHARGE
BATTERY RECYCLING
The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid
Waste Agency has placed special
collection containers at the following
locations to offer a convenient way to
recycle batteries, tablets, phones, and
cords.
• City of Dubuque Municipal Services
Center, 925 Kerper Court
• Carnegie -Stout Public Library, 360
West llth Street
• Dubuque County Library - Asbury
Branch, 5290 Grand Meadow Drive
In addition to these locations, the
Regional Collection Center located at
the landfill accepts batteries and battery
containing devices.
For more information, visit
www.dmoswa.org/wastesearch or call
563-557-8220.
BRANCHING
VD U=--
Free Trees Available!
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 check the
eligibility area and fill out an interest
form at www.cityofdubuque.org/
branchingout or call 563-69o-6038.
City Awarded Nearly $5.2 Million to Continue
Lead Paint Removal Efforts
Everyone deserves a safe and healthy home.
The U.S. Housing and Urban
lead paint in your home. Ask
Development Department has
yourself: is the air in your home
awarded the City nearly $5.2
clean and healthy? Do your
million dollars to support the
City's ongoing lead -based paint
children have breathing problems,
like asthma? Is there chipping or
reduction program.
peeling paint in your home?
The Lead & Healthy Homes
Program provides financial
assistance, in the form of a three-
year forgivable loan, to single-
family and rental residential
properties built before 1978. To be
eligible, occupants must meet
income guidelines and children
under the age of six must reside at
or visit the home. Properties that
have previously participated in the
program can still be eligible for
additional grant funding.
The program addresses lead
hazards and other environmental
health and safety hazards, which
may include moisture intrusion,
allergens, contaminants, pests,
carbon monoxide, radon, fall
protection, security, and more.
If your house or apartment was
built before 1978, you may have
Program participants may
qualify for up to $30,000 for lead
remediation plus an additional
$5,000 for other household
hazards.
If you think you may have
lead paint, or other hazards
throughout your home,
submit an interest form at www.
cityofdubuque.org/healthyhomes
and City staff will follow up with you.
For questions, call 563-589-1724.
Sustainable Dubuque
15 Grant Applications Due March 15
Sustainable Dubuque Community Grant applications are being accepted until
March 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 ky
Sustainable Dubuque vision and includes a S U S T A I N A B L E
component of community education and/or DUBUQUE
engagement. viable • livable • equitable
Review the grant guidelines, application form, and scoring rubric at
www.cityofdubuque.org/sustainability or call 563-690-6038. Page 149 of 629
A Message from the \ Fiscal Year 2026 Budget
CITY MANAGER Public Meetings
The City's annual budget public input
Michael C. Van Milli en meetings provide an opportunity for
g residents and stakeholders to learn more
about the recommended budget and
share their input. Meetings are held at
Partnerships are not a new concept for Dubuque. City Council Chambers, Historic Federal
"Planning, Partnerships and People" have been the Building, 350 W. 6th Street. Public input
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hallmark of success in this community for decades and is accepted after each department's
some say they are the "secret sauce" for Dubuque's progress. presentation. Residents can also provideinput at www.cityofdubuque.org/
FY2026budget.
The following quote from Mayor Brad Cavanagh's presentation at the
December 13, 2024, announcement by the University of Dubuque that they are Schedule
opening an 800-student new medical school in downtown Dubuque, the John The recommended budget materials will
and Alice Butler School of Osteopathic Medicine, illustrates the success that be available at www.cityofdubuque.org/
FY2026budget in March, before budget
these partnerships have enabled: meetings begin, and at the Reference
Desk at the Carnegie -Stout Public Library
"With the Field of Dreams project Chaplain Schmitt Island at 360 W. llth St. For more information, call
redevelopment over 2,400 new housing units being proposed, 563-589-4398.
numerous industrial expansion projects, redevelopment of the • Tuesday, March 25, 6:30 p.m.
Central Avenue corridor, major expansion projects proposed by the Public hearing to establish maximum
Dubuque Museum of Art, the Dubuque Community Y, the National FY2026 Property Tax Levy
Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, the Historic Millwork • Monday, March 31, 6:30 p.m.
District projects, three new hotels under construction, the recent FY2026 budget document
announcement by University of Dubuque of a major expansion of presentation
their aviation program, and now this, our region is experiencing • Wednesday, April 2, 6:30 p.m.
a major renaissance. When, in the 1980s, they asked, 'Will the last City Manager's Office, City Council,
person to leave Dubuque please turn out the lights,' could they have City Attorney's Office, City Clerk, Public
envisioned this 40 years later?" Information Office, Human Resources
Thursday, April 3, 6:30 p.m.
I am convinced Dubuque has taken partnerships to a new level and is Health Services, Library, Airport, Office
reaching "escape velocity" thanks to the strength and diversity of a variety of of Shared Prosperity & Neighborhood
Support, Office of Equity and Human
collaborations formed to foster growth and enhance quality of life. Rights, Finance
What do I mean by "escape velocity?" When a rocket is launched, a • Tuesday, April 8, 6:30 p.m.
tremendous amount of fuel (energy) is needed during the liftoff stage. As Housing & Community Development,Purchase of Services, Planning
the rocket continues to climb and gain speed, it eventually breaches Earth's Services, Economic Development
atmosphere and is no longer affected by gravity - it has reached escape
velocity and advanced to the next stage of the mission. • Wednesday, April 9, 6:30 p.m.
Parks, Recreation, Grand River Center,
Ice Center, Five Flags Civic Center
I believe Dubuque is approaching the critical point where the community will
no longer be affected by "gravitational" forces and is instead in control of its • Thursday, April 10, 6:30 p.m.
own destiny and ready for its continued evolution as an equitable community Emergency Management, Emergency
Communications, Police, Fire
of choice.
• Tuesday, April 22, 6:30 p.m.
I whole heartedly agree with the statement Mayor Cavanagh made at a Information Technology, Water, Water
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce event in December, when he said, "We & Resource Recovery, Public Works
are in the midst of a renaissance in the Tri-State region. We've got our foot on • Thursday, April 24, 6.30 p.m.
the gas, and we aren't looking back at this point" Community Impact, Transportation
Services, Engineering
Dubuque is experiencing a renaissance 40 years in the making, let's all go s Monday, April 28, 6.30 p.m.
together on this awe-inspiring journey! Public Hearing to Adopt FY2026 Budget
Page 150 of 629
New Faces & Retirements
Calendar
New City Employees
Jared Ostwinkle
Police
Scott Smith
Transit
Nathan Dunker
Airport
Kannon Still
Airport
Kyle Feckler
Airport
Roberto Colorado
Public Works
Hector Hernandez- Information Technology
Gutierrez
Recent Retirees
Deb Stephenson Library
New Board/Commission Members
Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission:
David Barba
Gail Chavenelle
Aaron Hefel
Equity and Human Rights Commission:
DeLano Cain -Watson
Youth Climate Action crogrants
CALL FOR A PPL ICA TIONS
Microgrants of $1,000 - $5,000 are available
for youth ages 15-24 to design and oversee ^Okirav
climate action initiatives. From mobilizing
tree -planting or public education campaigns
to launching recycling or waste reduction
initiatives to participating in preparedness
programs, projects can vary in scope and must align with
Dubuque's 5o% by 2030 Climate Action Plan. Written
applications may be submitted online by Tuesday, March
4, or Friday, March 28. Following each deadline, a selection
committee will review applications and choose microgrant
recipients.
Ideas can also be presented in person at Earth Tank, a Shark
Tank -style event on March 4. All projects presented will be
considered for microgrant funding. In addition, two projects
will receive a cash prize: one chosen as the audience favorite
and another selected for best aligning with Dubuque's
Climate Action Plan.
Learn more and apply at sustainabledubuque.org/ycaf or call
563-845-8591 to discuss your climate action idea!
March
3 City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
17 City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
25 Public hearing to establish maximum FY2026
Property Tax Levy, 6:30 p.m.
31 FY2026 Budget Document Presentation, 6:30 p.m.
April
2 FY2026 Budget Public Hearing #1, 6:30 p.m.
3 FY2026 Budget Public Hearing #2, 6:30 p.m.
7 City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
8 FY2026 Budget Public Hearing #3, 6:30 p.m.
9 FY2026 Budget Public Hearing #4, 6:30 p.m.
10 FY2026 Budget Public Hearing #5, 6:30 p.m.
21 City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
22 FY2026 Budget Public Hearing #6, 6:30 p.m.
24 FY2026 Budget Public Hearing #7, 6:30 p.m.
28 Final Hearing to Adopt FY2026 Budget, 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 five on CityChonnel
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
Focebool page at www.facebook.com/cityofdubuque.
Yard Waste/Food
Scraps Collection
Resumes March 31
Regular yard waste and food
scraps collection for current subscribers starts Monday,
March 31. Customers have the following options for
curbside collection of yard waste and food scraps (these
items can be combined):
• 64-gallon City -issued cart - $10/month
• Annual Yard Waste Decal - $40
• Single -use yellow stickers for cans, bags, or bundles -
$1.50 each (or sold on sheets of five for $7.50) Sold at
most discount and hardware stores in Dubuque
Visit www.cityofdubuque.org/yardwaste for a complete list
of retailers.
For questions or more information, call 563-589-4250 or
visit www.cityofdubuque.org/yardwaste.
March/April 2025 www.citq.4UPEP29