Proof_City Council Proceedings 06.02.25Copyrighted
July 7, 2025
City of Dubuque CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of June 16, 2025; Arts and Cultural
Affairs Commission of May 27, 2025; Civil Service
Commission of January 17, February 12, March 3, March 12,
March 20, and April 9, 2025; Community Development
Advisory Commission of May 21, 2025; Historic Preservation
Commission of May 15, 2025; Library Board of Trustees
Update from May 22, 2025; Park and Recreation Commission
of May 21, 2025; Resilient Community Advisory Commission
of April 23, 2025; Zoning Advisory Commission of June 4,
2025; Zoning Board of Adjustment from May 22, 2025; Proof
of Publication for City Council Proceedings of June 2, 2025.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 6 16 25 City Council Minutes
2. Arts and Cultural Affairs Minutes
3. 25 01 17 Civil Service Minutes
4. 25 02 12 Civil Service Minutes
5. 25 03 03 Civil Service Minutes
6. 25 03 12 Civil Service Minutes
7. 25 03 20 Civil Service Minutes
8. 25 04 09 Civil Service Minutes
9. Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes
10. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
11. Library Board of Trustees Update
12. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes
13. Resilient Community Advisory Commission Minutes
14. Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes
15. Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
16. Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of June 2, 2025
Page 31 of 678
STATE OF IOWA SS:
DUBUQUE COUNTY
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
I, Kathy Goetzinger, a Billing Clerk for Woodward
Communications, Inc., an Iowa corporation, publisher
of the Telegraph Herald, a newspaper of general
circulation published in the City of Dubuque, County
of Dubuque and State of Iowa; hereby certify that the
attached notice was published in said newspaper on the
following dates:
06/06/2025
and for which the charge is 572.28
Subscribed to before me, a Notary Public in and for
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this 6th day of June, 2025
Notary Pu li in and for Dubuque County, Iowa.
Q�nc s JANET K. PAPE
j Commission Number 199659
My Commission Expires
Iowa 12/11/2025
Page 71 of 678
Ad text
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL SESSION
The Dubuque City Council met in special session at 5:30 p.m.
on June 2, 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 special
session of the City Council called for the purpose of
conducting a work session to receive an update on the Poverty
Reduction Plan.
WORK SESSION
Office of Shared Prosperity & Neighborhood Support Poverty
Reduction Plan: Update Report
Office of Shared Prosperity and Neighborhood Support
Director Anderson Sainci and Data Analyst Braden Daniels
presented the accomplishments of the Equitable Poverty
Reduction and Prevention Plan and provide an update on
community -level data on poverty reported by the U.S. Census
Bureau. In response to questions, Sainci outlined the broader
community benefits of addressing poverty and emphasized the
goal of aligning efforts with other organizations strategic
plans. Daniels confirmed that the Community Foundation of
Greater Dubuque (CFGD) collects data on Asset Limited, Income
Constrained, Employed (ALICE) individuals and noted that staff
can request access to that information.
There being no further business, Mayor Cavanagh declared the
meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m.
/s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, CMC
City Clerk
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
REGULAR SESSION
The Dubuque City Council met in regular session at 6:30 p.m.
on June 2, 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
PRESENTATIONS
1. Travel Dubuque Outstanding Front Line Staff Award to
Grand River Center OVG Staff Member Joe Klecker: Travel
Dubuque Sales Manager Becky Carkeek re -presented the Travel
Dubuque Outstanding Front Line Staff Award to Grand River
Center OVG Staff Member Joe Klecker.
PROCLAMATIONS
1. LGBTQIA + Pride Month (June 2025) was accepted by Chuck
Harris, Ali Levasseur, Timothy Krueger, Indigo Perry, and
Danny Sprank on behalf of Dubuque Pride, Inc., The Dubuque
LGBTQ+ Resource Network, and Ritual Beauty.
2, Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19, 2025) was
Page 72 of 678
accepted by Multicultural Family Center Assistant Director
Karla Escobar and Board Members Mary Ann Conzett and Anthony
Allen on behalf of the Multicultural Family Center.
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 May 19, 2025; Airport Commission of March 25, 2025; Equity
and Human Rights Commission of April 8, 2025; Historic
Preservation Commission of April 17, 2025; Housing Commission
of January 28, 2025; Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
of March 19, 2025; Mayor and City Council Compensation Task
Force Minutes of May 21, 2025; Park and Recreation Commission
of April 7, 2025; Zoning Board of Adjustment of April 24,
2025; Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of
April 24, April 28, and May 5, 2025. Upon motion the documents
were received and filed.
2. Notice of Claims and Suits: Brandon and Jessica Rethwisch
for property damage. Upon motion the documents were received,
filed, and referred to the City Attorney.
3.._Approval_of_City. Expenditures: Upon. motion the documents were received and filed, and Resolution No. 178-25 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.
4. Resolution Supporting Iowa State Historic Preservation
Tax Credit Part 2B Application for St. Elias The Prophet GreeIc
Orthodox Church at 419 N. Grandview Avenue: Upon motion the
documents were received and filed, and Resolution No. 179-25
In Support Of Iowa State Historic Preservation Tax Credit Part
213 Application Submitted To The Iowa Economic Development
Authority By St. Elias The Prophet Greek Orthodox Church For A
Historic Rehabilitation Project At 419 N. Grandview Ave. was
adopted.
5. 2025 July 3rd Fireworks Permit: City Manager recommended
City Council approval to issue a Fireworks Permit to Perry
Mason with Radio Dubuque for the fireworks display on July 3,
2025, at approximately 9:45 p.m. along Volunteer Drive. Upon
motion the documents were received, filed, and approved.
6. Rustic Point Park Concept Plan Approval: Upon motion the
documents were received, filed, and approved.
7. Fiscal Year 2025 Contracted Services Agreements: City
Manager recommended City Council approval of Fiscal Year 2025
Contracted Services Agreements with Community Solutions of
Eastern Iowa in the amount of $13,000, Four Mounds Heart
Program in the amount of $10,000, and Hawkeye Area Community
Action Program in the amount of $70,000. Upon motion the
documents were received, filed, and approved.
8. Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026-2030 Community
Development Block Grant Consolidated Plan and FY 2026 Annual
Action Plan: Upon motion the documents were received and
filed, and Resolution No. 180-25 Adopting The Fiscal Year
2026-2030 (Program Year 2025-2029) Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Consolidated Plan And Fiscal Year 2026 (Program
Year 2025) Annual Action Plan was adopted.
9. Amended Citizen Participation Plan: Upon motion the
documents were received and filed, and Resolution No. 181-25
Adopting The Amendment Of The Citizen Participation Plan For
The Community Development Block Grant Program was adopted.
Page 73 of 678
discontinued. If the SRF program were to end, the City would
instead issue General Obligation (GO) debt, which carries a
higher interest rate. Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Larson
noted that SRF loans have variable interest rates, with the
most recent quarters rate at 2.84 %. In contrast, the Citys
most recent GO bond sale had an interest rate between 4.5 % to
4.7 %. Unlike GO bonds, which require a Moodys rating prior to
issuance, SRF loans do not require a credit rating.
Additionally, because SRF loans are issued as revenue bonds,
they do not count against the Citys statutory debt limit.
Motion carried 7-0.
6. Proceedings for Public Hearing for the Issuance of Not to
Exceed $1,600,000 Stormwater Revenue Capital Loan Notes (State
Revolving Loan Fund Program) Bee Branch Gate and Pump Project:
Motion by Sprank to receive and file the documents and adopt
Resolution No. 199-25 Taking additional action on proposal to
enter into a Stormwater Revenue Loan and Disbursement
Agreement. Seconded by Resnick. Motion carried 7-0.
7. Proceedings for Public Hearing for the Issuance of Not to
Exceed $2,000,000 Water Revenue Capital Loan Notes (State
Revolving Loan Fund Program) Private Lead Service Line
Replacement Pilot Program Phase I: Motion by Sprank to
receive and file the documents and adopt Resolution No. 200-25
Taking additional action on proposal to enter into a Water
Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement. Seconded by Jones.
Van Milligen stated that the program affects only residential
properties and, due to their distribution across the pilot
area, the impact to each homeowner should be limited to about
23 days. Motion carried 7-0.
PUBLIC INPUT
Mary Klaas, 1405 Lincoln Ave.; Executive Director of the
Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens Jenna Hirtz, 3800
Arboretum Dr.; Art Gilloon, 535 Heritage Dr.; Joan Dahlquist,
790 Caledonia; and William Meyer, 185.6 Rhomberg Ave. all spoke
regarding Action Item No. 1, requesting the City Council
uphold the Park and Recreation Advisory Commissions
recommendation to retain City Code Section 10-5B-4, which
prohibits dogs and cats in specific parksincluding Eagle Point
Park, Murphy Park, Marshall Park, and the Dubuque Arboretum
and Botanical Gardens. Their concerns with allowing pets in
these parks included animal waste, noise, potential disruption
to events held at these locations, and the negative impact on
the unique character of the parks. Breitfelder stated that
written input was received for Action Item No. 1 by Nicole
Gantz; Luann Leconte, 9698 Route 52 S.; John and Nancy Ferry,
3235 Baldwin Dr.; and Art Gilloon, 535 Heritage Dr.
ACTION ITEMS
1. Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Recommendation on
City Code 10-5B-4; Dogs and Cats: Motion by Jones to sustain
the recommendation of the Park and Recreation Advisory
Commission. Seconded by Roussell. When asked to clarify the
motion, Brumwell explained that it was to uphold and accept
the Park and Recreation Advisory Commissions recommendation
not to amend City Code Section 10-5B-4. City Council Members
expressed their appreciation to the Commission for its work
and acknowledged the significant public input received on the
issue. They stated that maintaining the current code struck an
appropriate balance between parks that allow pets and those
that do not. Council Members recognized the concerns expressed
by individuals who prefer not to have dogs in certain parks.
Page 74 of 678
While many Council Members noted they are dog owners
themselves, they emphasized that the decision reflects the
consideration of varying community needs, rather than a matter
of choosing sides. They also acknowledged that, although
Dubuque is the only major city in Iowa that does not allow
pets in all parks, being an outlier in this case is
acceptable. It was further suggested that the City could
consider adding another dog park. Motion carried 7-0.
2. Resolutions of Support for Workforce Housing Tax Credit
Applications for Housing Developments: Motion by Roussell to
receive and file the documents and adopt Resolution No. 201-25
Supporting The Submission Of An Iowa Economic Development
Authority Application To The Workforce Housing Tax Credit
Program By 440 W 3rd St, LLC and Resolution No. 202-25
Supporting The Submission Of An Iowa Economic Development
Authority Application To The Workforce Housing Tax Credit
Program By CCI5, LLC. Seconded by Wethal. In response to a
question, Connors explained that the Iowa Economic Development
Authority (IEDA) relies on local municipalities to provide
input on how each project aligns with the numicipalitys
housing goals. To be considered a priority project, the City
requires that proposals support between one to three -City, - --
Council priorities. Motion carried 7-0.
3. Pet Licensing System Selection: Motion by Farber to
receive and file the documents and approve proceeding with
contract discussions and contract execution with Docupet for
the Pet Licensing System. Seconded by Sprank. Public Health
Director Mary Rose Corrigan explained that the new system
features more advanced technology and is expected to cost
approximately 62 % less than the current software. Customers
will be able to add pets instantly, and renewal reminders can
be sent via email, with text reminders also in development.
Pet licensing fees will remain unchanged. The improved user
experience is intended to boost pet license registrations,
which support animal control operations. Corrigan noted she
was not aware of any Artificial Intelligence (AI) features in
the platform, though it may be possible. What should increase
efficiency is reducing the volume of phone calls from
residents with questions about license payments and decreasing
the number of late license renewals. Motion carried 7-0.
4. Old Mill Road Lift Station and Force Main Project - Phase
II Award Construction Contract: Motion by Wethal to receive
and file the documents and adopt Resolution No. 203-25
Awarding contract for the Old Mill Lift Station and Force Main
Project - Phase 11. Seconded by Jones. City Council Members
commented that it was encouraging to see the City receive six
bids for the project. Motion carried 6-0, with Jones absent
from the dais at the time of the vote.
5. Old Mill Road Lift Station Phase 3 Sanitary Interceptor
Project (Catfish Creek Middle Fork); Consulting Engineering
Services RFQ Authorization: Motion by Sprank to receive and
file the documents and approve releasing a Request For
Qualifications (RFQ) to hire a consultant to assist with the
development of the Old Mill Road Lift Station Phase 3 Sanitary
Interceptor Project (Catfish Creek Middle Fork). Seconded by
Wethal. City Engineer Gus Psihoyos explained that although
City staff are capable of completing the work, the goal is to
accelerate the timeline. The City aims to begin construction
on Phases 3 and 4 immediately following the completion of the
lift station. Motion carried 7-0.
Page 75 of 678
6. Old Mill Road Lift Station Phase 4 Sanitary Interceptor
Project (Catfish Creek South Fork); Consulting Engineering
Services RFQ Authorization: Motion by Jones to receive and
file the documents and approve releasing a Request For
Qualifications (RFQ) to hire a consultant to assist with the
development of the Old Mill Road Lift Station Phase 4 Sanitary
Interceptor Project (Catfish Creek South Fork). Seconded by
Wethal. Motion carried 7-0.
7. 2025 Iowa Law Enforcement Accreditation Program Award:
Motion by Jones to receive and file the documents and hear the
presentation. Seconded by Wethal. Chief of Police Jeremy
Jensen gave a presentation on the 2025 Iowa Law Enforcement
Accreditation Program Award. City Council Members
congratulated the Police Department on the accreditation.
Motion carried 7-0.
8. Mayor and City Council Compensation Task Force
Recommendation: Motion by Jones to receive and file the
documents and proceed with City Council discussion. Seconded
by Wethal. City Council Members agreed that the Mayors salary
should remain higher than that of City Council Members. City
Council Members supported City staffs recommendation to
convene future task forces one year earlier, while maintaining
the requirement that any changes take effect at the beginning
of the terms following an election, in accordance with Iowa
Code. This adjustment would allow future recommendations to be
incorporated into the annual budget process. They discussed
the importance of offering future task force members clearer
guidance and sharing information that helps them better
understand the roles and responsibilities of the Mayor and
City Council. It was recommended that this topic be addressed
in a future governance session to gain insight into how other
City Councils manage compensation. Although some Council
Members expressed interest in setting the Mayors salary higher
than the amount recommended by the task force, they ultimately
agreed to support the task forces recommendation. Motion
amended by Jones to adopt the Task Forces recommendation of a
6.3 % increase in compensation, which would set the annual
salary at $15,732 for the Mayor and $11,799 for City Council
members, effective January 1, 2026. Seconded by Wethal. Motion
carried 7-0.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Jones reported on recently welcoming participants back from
the honor flight, engaging in a preliminary discussion with
the Citys consultant in advance of goal setting. Jones also
shared that he attended Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste
Agency (DMASWA) and Dubuque Racing Association (DRA) board
meetings and an open house hosted by Hills and Dales.
Roussell also reported on meeting with the consultant in
advance of goal setting, as well as the Dubuque Area
Congregations United event on food security issues.
Additionally, Roussell mentioned attending Dubuque Main Street
Board and Executive Committee meetings and shared that Dubuque
Main Streets Dubuque and All that Jazz event is this upcoming
Friday.
Sprank also reported on meeting with the consultant in
advance of goal setting and attending the DRA board meeting.
Additionally, Sprank mentioned his upcoming attendance at two
neighborhood association meetings and Fly by Nights upcoming
performances of The Glass Menagerie.
Farber reported on the Dubuque Museum of Arts (DUMA)
Page 76 of 678
upcoming closing celebration before its temporary relocation
to the Dupaco Voices Building, that her food truck will be
serving at Dubuque and All that Jazz, and her work with the
National League of Cities (NLC) on a technology presentation
that she will deliver at an upcoming Amazon Conference in
Washington, D.C.
Wethal also reported on meeting with the consultant ahead of
the upcoming goal setting sessions and noted that many
residents have been reaching out to share input on priorities.
She also attended the Dubuque Area Congregations United event,
participated in a Dubuque County Early Childhood Board
meeting, and extended congratulations to the areas high school
graduates.
Resnick reported that his recent international travel
highlighted the importance of wayfinding and prompted
reflections on how navigating Dubuque can be confusing for
many people.
Cavanagh reported on representing the Iowa League of Cities
(ILC) in Washington, D.C., where presidents of various city
leagues met with federal agencies. He also reported on the
Marshallese Independence Day celebration, the Bluff Strokes
ribbon cutting, and his remarks at the send-off for members of
the Alpha Company National Guard Unit.
CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Jones to convene in closed session at 9:41 p.m. to
discuss Confidential Records, Pending Litigation, and Purchase
or Sale of Real Estate Chapter 21.5(1)(a),(c),O) Code of
Iowa. Seconded by Wethal. Mayor Cavanagh stated for the record
that the attorney who will consult with 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 10:19 p.m.
stating that staff had been given proper direction.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Cavanagh declared the
meeting adjourned at 10:19 p.m.
/s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, CMC
City Clerk
It 6/6
Page 77 of 678
Page 78 of 678