Problem Property AssessmentCity of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 9.
Copyrighted
September 2, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Problem Property Assessment
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council adopt the attached
resolution authorizing the City to certify problem property
charges to the Dubuque County Treasurer in order to
establish real property liens for collection of such charges.
RESOLUTION Authorizing The City To Collect Delinquent
Problem Property Charges In Accordance With 14-1J1
International Property Maintenance Code Section 109.5
And/Or Section 112.5 Code Of Ordinances Of The City Of
Dubuque, Iowa
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. Council letter VABs and Problem Properties August 2025
3. VAB and Problem Property Resolution August 2025
4. VAB and Problem Property Notice Aug 2025
5. AssessmentsVAB-PP 8-25
Page 97 of 629
THE CITY OF
DUBE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Problem property assessment
DATE: August 26, 2025
Dubuque
AI WIN av
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Acting Housing & Community Development Director Sandi Fowler is recommending City
Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the City to certify problem property
charges to the Dubuque County Treasurer in order to establish real property liens for
collection of such charges.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Y
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Sandi Fowler, Acting Housing & Community Development Director
Tami Ernster, Permit Clerk
Page 98 of 629
Dubuque
THE CuF Housing and Community Development
12t350 W. 61h Street, Suite 312
DUj!B�&::FE,��� ��Dubuque, IA 52001
HOUSING
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 20EQUAL
rP PP Zo13.201Zov OPPORTUNITY Office (563) 589-4231
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DATE: August 22, 2025
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Sandra Fowler, Housing and Community Development Department
SUBJECT: Problem property assessment
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the City Council to adopt the attached resolution authorizing
the City to certify problem property charges to the Dubuque County Treasurer in order to establish real
property liens for collection of such charges.
DISCUSSION
14-1J1 International Property Maintenance Code Section 109.5 and/or Section 112.5 of the Code of
Ordinances provides that problem properties are considered a substandard condition requiring abatement.
14-1J1 provides that the City may have the conditions abated and that the City Clerk shall certify such cost
for abatement to the County Treasurer and it shall then constitute a lien against said property and be
collected with and in the same manner as general taxes on said properties.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the problem property charges identified in the attached resolution be certified to the
Dubuque County Treasurer for collection with, and in the same manner as general property taxes. The action
step is for the City Council to adopt the attached resolution authorizing the City Clerk to certify the problem
property charges to the Dubuque County Treasurer.
Prepared by: Tami Ernster, Permit Clerk
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Page 99 of 629
Prepared by Tami Ernster, Housing & Community Devel. 350 W. 61h St Suite 312 (563) 690-6072
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk, 50 W. 1311 St., Dubuque, IA 52001, (563) 589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 282-25
AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO COLLECT DELINQUENT PROBLEM PROPERTY
CHARGES IN ACCORDANCE WITH 14-1J1 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY
MAINTENANCE CODE SECTION 109.5 AND/OR SECTION 112.5 CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
WHEREAS, residential properties in the City of Dubuque are considered hazardous or
unsanitary premises if problem properties are allowed to deteriorate according to 14-1J1;
and
WHEREAS, whenever in the judgment of the Code Official, a nuisance that is "palpably
and indisputably such" exists which requires immediate action to protect the public health,
safety or welfare of the public, the Code Official may order the emergency abatement of
such -land
WHEREAS, delinquent problem property charges shall be certified by the City Clerk to
the Dubuque County Treasurer for collection with, and in the same manner as general
property taxes.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the persons listed on the attached Problem Property Assessment
Schedule are delinquent in the payment of problem property charges.
Section 2. That the City Clerk be and is hereby ordered and directed to certify to the
County Treasurer of Dubuque County, Iowa, that the persons named on the attached
Problem Property Assessment Schedule are delinquent in the payment of problem
property charges in the amount set aside of the respective names, and that said amounts
shall be collected in the same manner as general property taxes against the respective
parcels of property set opposite the names of the owners.
Passed, approved and adopted this 2nd day of September, 2025,
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
NOTICE OF FILING OF DELINQUENT PROBLEM PROPERTY CHARGES IN
ACCORDANCE WITH 14-1J1 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
SECTION 109.5 AND/OR 112.5 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA.
14-1J1 of the Code of Ordinances provides that vacant and abandoned buildings and problem
properties are considered a substandard condition that requires that such conditions be ordered
to be remedied. 14-1J1 also provides that the City shall have the authority to correct a nuisance
that is "palpably and indisputably such," without notice. 14-1J1 also provides that the City Clerk
shall certify such cost for the abatement of situations where the nuisance is "palpably and
indisputably such" to the County Treasurer and it shall then constitute a lien against said
property and be collected with and in the same manner as general taxes on said properties.
As of June 30, 2025, the costs for a nuisance that are "palpably and indisputably such," such as
problem property charges, shall be certified by the City Clerk to the Dubuque County Treasurer
for collection with, and in the same manner as, general property taxes.
The persons listed on the attached Problem Property Assessment schedule have unpaid
problem property charges in the amount set out and said charges are delinquent.
The assessments may be paid in full or in part without interest at the Housing and Community
Development Department, 350 W 6t" Street, Suite 312, Dubuque, Iowa, at any time within 30
days after the date of the first publication of the notice of the filing of the Schedule of
Assessments with the County Treasurer. After 30 days, unpaid assessments are payable at the
County Treasurer's Office, Dubuque County Courthouse, 720 Central Avenue, Dubuque, Iowa,
and charges shall be collected in the same manner as general property taxes against the
respective parcels of the property set forth on the attached schedule.
You are hereby notified that the City Clerk be and is hereby ordered and directed to certify
to the County Treasurer of Dubuque County, Iowa, that the persons named on the attached
Problem property Assessment schedule are delinquent in the payment of problem property
charges in the amount set aside of the respective names, and that said amounts shall be
collected in the same manner as general property taxes against the respective parcels of
property set opposite the names of the owners.
This notice given by direction of the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, as provided in
Section 384.60 of the Code of Iowa.
/s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder
City Clerk
Page 101 of 629
Vacant or Abandoned Building Problem Property Assessments
Location
Owner
Parcel #
AMOUNT
CATEGORY
Keuter, Tiffany S
FENCE
892 Edison St
INSTALLATION
892 EDISON
LOT 50 & LOT 2-51 A STINES SUB
Dubuque IA 52001
1013435006
$ 630.00
AFTER FIRE
TOTAL $630.00
Page 102 of 629