Setting a Public Hearing - Petition to Vacate Certain Street and Alley Right of Way Easements in Julien Addition, in the City of Dubuque, Iowa For Vacating Petition from Elaine Reiss and Doug BlongCity of Dubuque
City Council
Copyrighted
June 16, 2025
ITEMS SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Setting a Public Hearing - Petition to Vacate Certain Street
and Alley Right of Way Easements in Julien Addition, in the
City of Dubuque, Iowa For Vacating Petition from Elaine
Reiss and Doug Blong
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council set a public
hearing for July 7th, 2025, in response to a request from
property owners Elaine Reiss and Doug Blong (of common
address 2501 Harriet Street) for the vacating of certain street
and alley right of way easements in Julien Addition, in the
City of Dubuque, Iowa.
RESOLUTION Resolution Of Intent To Vacate And Dispose
Of City Interest In Certain Street And Alley Easements In
Julien Addition, City Of Dubuque, Iowa
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s), Set Public Hearing for
DISPOSITION: July 7, 2025
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. 1 reiss blong street & alley ease vacate memo set PH
3. 2 Resolution of Intent to Vacate reiss blong street alley easements
4. 3 Exhibit A reiss blong row ease area to be vacated
5. 4 EXHIBIT B LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF RIGHT OF WAY AREA REISS BLONG
6. 5 2025-05-06_Vacate RequestLetter
7. 6 cc area map reiss blong harriet
8. 7 Notice —of Public_Hearing_reiss blong street & alley ease vacate
Page 326 of 1053
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Setting a Public Hearing - Petition to Vacate Certain Street and Alley Right
of Way Easements in Julien Addition, in the City of Dubuque, Iowa
For Vacating Petition from Elaine Reiss and Doug Blong
DATE: June 10, 2025
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos is recommending City Council set a public hearing for July
7t" 2025, in response to a request from property owners Elaine Reiss and Doug Blong
(of common address 2501 Harriet Street) for the vacating of certain street and alley right
of way easements in Julien Addition, in the City of Dubuque, Iowa.
Per the attached vacation petition letter from property owners Reiss and Blong, they are
requesting that the city vacate the existing city street and alley right of way easements
so that they can consolidate several of their existing properties into one property. Reiss
and Blong plan to convert the consolidated area into a prairie use and protect the
property from being developed in the future.
The areas to be vacated will not affect other adjacent landowners as Reiss and Blong
own the property on both sides of the right of ways or the subject right of way areas are
inaccessible to the neighboring property owners due to extremely steep topography.
The city has no plans to open or improve said street and alleys and has agreed to
vacate the right of way easements at no cost to Reiss and Blong. Reiss and Blong will
be responsible for all costs for publication and filing fees.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM-sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Nate Kieffer, PE/PLS
Page 327 of 1053
THE CITY OF
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
SUBJECT: Setting a Public Hearing - Petition to Vacate Certain Street and Alley Right
of Way Easements in Julien Addition, in the City of Dubuque, Iowa
For Vacating Petition from Elaine Reiss and Doug Blong
DATE: June 4, 2025
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum requests the City Council set a public hearing for July 7t", 2025 in
response to a request from property owners Elaine Reiss and Doug Blong (of common
address 2501 Harriet Street) for the vacating of certain street and alley right of way
easements in Julien Addition, in the City of Dubuque, Iowa.
BACKGROUND
Per the attached vacation petition letter from property owners Reiss and Blong, they are
requesting that the city vacate the existing city street and alley right of way easements
so that they can consolidate several of their existing properties into one property. Reiss
and Blong plan to convert the consolidated area into a prairie use and protect the
property from being developed in the future.
The areas to be vacated will not affect other adjacent landowners as Reiss and Blong
own the property on both sides of the right of ways or the subject right of way areas are
inaccessible to the neighboring property owners due to extremely steep topography.
The city has no plans to open or improve said street and alleys and has agreed to
vacate the right of way easements at no cost to Reiss and Blong. Reiss and Blong will
be responsible for all costs for publication and filing fees.
DISCUSSION
The attached plat shows the alley right of way area proposed to be vacated. The alley
right of way area to be vacated is described as Lot 186A Finley's Addition in the City of
Dubuque, Iowa. The street right of way area to be vacated needs to be platted. The
Atwell Group has prepared the attached vacation plat.
RECOMMENDATION
I am recommending that a public hearing should be held on July 7t" 2025, for the
vacation of and disposal of city interest in the street and alley right of way easements as
shown and described in Exhibits A and B attached.
Page 328 of 1053
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request that the City Council set a public hearing for July 7t", 2025 for the
vacation of and disposal of city interest in certain street and alley right of way
easements in Julien Addition, in the City of Dubuque, Iowa through adoption of the
enclosed resolution.
Prepared by Nate Kieffer, PE/PLS
2
Page 329 of 1053
Prepared by Nate Kieffer, City of Dubuque Engineering 50 W. 1311 St. Dubuque IA 52001
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk, City of Dubuque 50 W. 1311 St. Dubuque, IA 52001
RESOLUTION NO. 219-25
RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO VACATE AND DISPOSE OF CITY INTEREST IN
CERTAIN STREET AND ALLEY EASEMENTS IN JULIEN ADDITION, CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA
Whereas, in circa 1865 the Final Plat of Julien Addition in the City of Dubuque,
Iowa, was recorded in page 0-76 of Deeds in the Dubuque County Recorder's Office;
and
Whereas, upon said plat the owners dedicated the streets and alley right of ways
as shown on said plat to the public. Said plat grants to the public easements for street
purposes only and specifies that the fee ownership of the lands under the streets belongs
to the adjacent lot owners; and
Whereas, Elaine Reiss and Doug Blong (Reiss and Blong) are the owners of the
following real estate in the Julien Addition in the City of Dubuque, Iowa:
LOT 1 REISS-BLONG PLACE; LOTS 173 THRU 178, LOTS 191 THRU 198, 209
THRU 216, LOTS 201, 202, 205 & 206 ALL IN JULIEN ADDITION; and
LOT 1 PETRICK PLACE; LOTS 127 THRU 130, LOTS 145 THRU 154, LOTS 159
THRU 168 & LOTS 179 THRU 182 ALL IN JULIEN ADDITION
and;
Whereas, Reiss and Blong have petitioned the City to vacate and dispose of its
interest in said street and alley right of way easements adjacent to their property
described above as shown on the attached Exhibit A and as more particularly described
in the attached Exhibit B.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the City of Dubuque intends to vacate and dispose of its interest
in the street and alley right of way easements as shown on the attached Exhibit A and as
described in the attached Exhibit B in Julien Addition in the City of Dubuque, Iowa.
Section 2. That a public hearing on the intent to vacate and dispose of all City
interest in the street and alley right of way easements as shown on the attached Exhibit
A and as described in the attached Exhibit B in Julien Addition in the City of Dubuque,
Iowa, is hereby set for the 7th day of July, 2025, at the Historic Federal Building, 350 W.
6t' Street, Dubuque, Iowa, beginning at 6:30 p.m., and the City Clerk be and is hereby
authorized and directed to cause a notice of public hearing on the intent to vacate said
real estate to be published in the manner as prescribed by law.
1
Passed, approved and adopted this 16th day of June, 2025.
Bra . avanagh, Mayor
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
EXHIBIT A -
STREET & ALLEY RIGHT
OF WAY EASEMENT
VACATION AREA
STREET & ALLEY
RIGHT OF WAY
EASEMENT
VACATION AREA
EXHIBIT B
LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR STREET AND ALLEY RIGHT OF WAY EASEMENT VACATION AREA
ALL THAT PART OF THE COURTLAND STREET RIGHT OF WAY LYING EAST OF THE
EASTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF HARRIET STREET (AKA HARRIET AVENUE) AND WEST OF
THE SOUTHERLY EXTENSION OF THE EAST LINE OF LOT 145; AND
ALL THAT PART OF THE MCKIN LAY AVENUE RIGHT OF WAY LYING EAST OF THE EASTERLY
RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF HARRIET STREET (AKA HARRIET AVENUE) AND WEST OF THE
WESTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF THE ALLEY LYING BETWEEN THE COURTLAND STREET
RIGHT OF WAY AND THE JANSEN STREET (AKA UNION STREET) RIGHT OF WAY; AND
ALL THAT PART OF THE ALLEY RIGHT OF WAY LYING BETWEEN THE COURTLAND STREET
RIGHT OF WAY AND THE JANSEN STREET (AKA UNION STREET) RIGHT OF WAY; AND
ALL THAT PART OF THE CROSBY STREET RIGHT OF WAY LYING SOUTH OF THE SOUTH
RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF COURTLAND STREET AND NORTH OF THE NORTH RIGHT OF WAY
LINE OF JANSEN STREET (AKA UNION STREET); AND
ALL THAT PART OF THE ALLEY RIGHT OF WAY LYING SOUTH OF THE COURTLAND STREET
RIGHT OF WAYAND NORTH OF THE WESTERLY EXTENSION OF THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF
LOT 205
ALL IN JULIEN ADDITION, IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
Page 333 of 1053
From:
Doug Blong and Elaine Reiss
2501 Harriet St.
Dubuque, IA 52001-8300
Doug Cell: 563-599-5327
Elaine Cell: 563-588-1750
Dated: 2025-06-05
To:
City of Dubuque Engineering Department
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
563-589-4277
Subject: Request the City of Dubuque to vacate and dispose of city interest in certain street and alley
easements in the Julien Addition, City of Dubuque, IA
Members of the Dubuque City Council,
We would like to request the City of Dubuque to vacate and dispose of city interest in certain street and
alley easements in the Julien Addition, City of Dubuque, IA. Please refer to Exhibit A.
We would like to consolidate all our lots into one, including the interior streets and allies. Our future
intent for this property is to return the landscape back to Prairie.
Thanks for your consideration,
Doug Blong and Elaine Reiss
Page 1 of 2
Page 334 of 1053
Exhibit A
Legend:
Property owned by Doug Blong and Elaine Reis are green
The street and allies aforementioned are blue and outlined in black.
Page 2 of 2
Page 335 of 1053
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Page 336 of 1053
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
OFFICIAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa will
hold a public hearing on the 7th day of July 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the Historic Federal
Building, 350 W. 6th Street, 2nd floor, Dubuque, Iowa, at which meeting the City Council
proposes to vacate and dispose of its interest in certain street and alley right of way
easements in Julien Addition to the City of Dubuque, said real property is more particularly
described as follows:
ALL THAT PART OF THE COURTLAND STREET RIGHT OF WAY LYING EAST OF THE
EASTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF HARRIET STREET (AKA HARRIET AVENUE) AND WEST OF
THE SOUTHERLY EXTENSION OF THE EAST LINE OF LOT 145; AND
ALL THAT PART OF THE MCKIN LAY AVENUE RIGHT OF WAY LYING EAST OF THE EASTERLY
RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF HARRIET STREET (AKA HARRIET AVENUE) AND WEST OF THE
WESTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF THE ALLEY LYING BETWEEN THE COURTLAND STREET
RIGHT OF WAY AND THE JANSEN STREET (AKA UNION STREET) RIGHT OF WAY; AND
ALL THAT PART OF THE ALLEY RIGHT OF WAY LYING BETWEEN THE COURTLAND STREET
RIGHT OF WAY AND THE JANSEN STREET (AKA UNION STREET) RIGHT OF WAY; AND
ALL THAT PART OF THE CROSBY STREET RIGHT OF WAY LYING SOUTH OF THE SOUTH
RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF COURTLAND STREET AND NORTH OF THE NORTH RIGHT OF WAY
LINE OF JANSEN STREET (AKA UNION STREET); AND
ALL THAT PART OF THE ALLEY RIGHT OF WAY LYING SOUTH OF THE COURTLAND STREET
RIGHT OF WAY AND NORTH OF THE WESTERLY EXTENSION OF THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF
LOT 205
ALL IN JULIEN ADDITION, IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
At the meeting, the City Council will receive in -person and virtual comments from any
resident or property owner of said City to the above action. The official agenda will be
posted the Friday before the meeting and will contain public input options. The City
Council agenda can be accessed at
https://cityofdubuque.novusagenda.com/AgendaPublic/ or by contacting the City Clerk's
Office at 563-589-4100, ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org. At said time and place of public
hearings all interested citizens and parties will be given an opportunity to be heard for or
against said proposal.
Written comments regarding the above public hearings may be submitted to the City
Clerk's Office via email at ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org or by mail to City Clerk's Office,
City Hall, 50 W. 13th St., Dubuque, IA 52001, before said time of public hearing. At said
Page 337 of 1053
time and place of public hearings the City Council will receive any written comments
received by the City Clerk's Office before said time of public hearing.
Copies of supporting documents for the public hearings are on file in the City Clerk's
Office and may be viewed Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Individuals with limited English proficiency, vision, hearing, or speech impairments
requiring special assistance should contact the City Clerk's Office at (563) 589-4100, TDD
(563) 690-6678, ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org as soon as feasible. Deaf or hard -of -hearing
individuals can use Relay Iowa by dialing 711 or (800) 735-2942.
Published by order of the City Council given on the 16th day of June 2025.
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, CIVIC City Clerk
Page 338 of 1053