City Letter of Support for William M Black DredgeboatCity of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 7.
Copyrighted
May 5, 2025
ITEM TITLE: City Letter of Support for William M Black Dredgeboat
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval of a letter
of support for the Dubuque County Historical Society's
application to the State Historical Society of Iowa's Historical
Resource Development Program (HRDP) grant program.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. Staff Memo
3. 25_04_23 Letter of Support for HRDP Grant Application for Wm. M Black
Dredgeboat
Page 118 of 326
THE CITY OF
DUBE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: City Letter of Support for William M Black Dredgeboat
DATE: May 1, 2025
Dubuque
AI WIN av
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Assistant City Manager Cori Burbach is recommending City Council approval of a letter
of support for the Dubuque County Historical Society's application to the State Historical
Society of Iowa's Historical Resource Development Program (HRDP) grant program.
The City's letter of support does not include any financial commitment.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
1�,A� k�4 S��,
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Page 119 of 326
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
DATE: May 1, 2025
RE: City Letter of Support for William M Black Dredgeboat
Dubuque
AI•Ameriw Cip
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to request City Council approval for a letter of support for
the Dubuque County Historical Society's application to the State Historical Society of
Iowa's Historical Resource Development Program (HRDP) grant program.
DISCUSSION
The City of Dubuque provided a letter of support the Dubuque County Historical
Society's application to the State Historical Society of Iowa's HRDP grant program. The
DCHS is seeking funding support to conduct a Marine Survey of the William M. Black as
step 1 toward the long-term preservation of The Black. The last survey was conducted
in 1994. A Marine Survey for a vessel is much like a Historic Structure Report for a
building. The Survey will provide 1) conditions assessment; 2) prioritization of most
pressing restoration and; 3) recommendations for treatment. If funded, the project will
likely need to include either dry docking the vessel or divers in the Ice Harbor. The City
and Army Corps will play a role/grant permission for whichever one is included in the
scope. Dry docking is preferred.
The City's letter of support does not include any financial commitment.
RECOMMENDATION
I respectfully request City Council approval of the attached letter of support.
Page 120 of 326
THE CITY OF
D UT B TE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
April 23, 2025
Kurt Strand, President & CEO
Dubuque County Historical Society
350 E. 3rd Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dubuque
City Manager's Office
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
AII•Aeerim!Ny
Dubuque, IA 52001-4845
Office (563) 589-4110
Fax (563) 589-4149
TTY (563) 690-6678
2007-2012.2013
ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org
2017* 2019
www.cityofdubuquc.org
SUBJECT: Letter of Support for HRDP Grant Application for Wm. M Black Dredgeboat
Dear Mr. Strand,
I am pleased to provide this letter of support on behalf of the City of Dubuque in support
of the Dubuque County Historical Society's application for a Historic Resource
Development Program (HRDP) grant to support a Marine Survey Report of the William
M. Black Dredgeboat, a National Historic Landmark property.
In our long collaboration with the Dubuque County Historical Society, stewarding the
William M. Black and the Mathias Ham House, a National Register of Historic Places
structure, we've recognized the power of working partnerships and the fundamental
significance of interpreting these historic structures and their importance to American
history and culture.
The City's Historic Preservation Commission has the responsibility to promote the
protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of such landmarks through outreach,
education, and design review.
The Dubuque County Historical Society's dedication to preserving and interpreting The
Black at your National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium offers enriching and
engaging experiences to visitors and residents, furthering the social and cultural
vibrancy of our community. We endorse your initiative to conduct a Marine Survey of
The Black to provide a road map for long-term preservation of this historic vessel.
We look forward to the collaborative process of enhancing and preserving this historic
landmark.
Sincerely,
4
,u
Cori Liurbach
Assistant City Manager
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Page 121 of 326