Stormwater Management Program Consulting Engineering ServicesCity of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 8.
Copyrighted
November 3, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Stormwater Management Program Consulting Engineering
Services
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval to release
a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the Stormwater
Management Program.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. Stormwater RFQ Initiate Memo
Page 95 of 525
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Stormwater Management Program Consulting Engineering Services
DATE: October 27, 2025
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos is recommending City Council approval to release a
request for qualifications (RFQ) for the Stormwater Management Program.
The Stormwater Management Program will be organized around five primary studies in
two phases, consistent with EPA's Asset Management: A Best Practices Guide
(Document EPA 816-F-08-014). These include an assessment of the current state of
assets, an evaluation of the level of service provided, identification of critical assets, a
cost analysis, and the development of a long-term improvements plan. For each of
these studies, the selected Consultant shall consider the full range of stormwater
system components, including storm sewers, swales, detention basins, green
infrastructure, and other conveyance and treatment facilities. The Program will
document current and emerging challenges, recommend short-, mid-, and long-term
solutions, and provide planning -level budgets for all recommendations.
The Consultant will also assist City staff in establishing a strategic and proactive plan for
managing the stormwater system that will:
• Develop repeatable and dynamic processes that enable staff to quickly evaluate
asset data to assess condition, level of service, and criticality.
• Rank stormwater capital improvement projects based on risk analysis and
system performance.
• Identify stormwater utility staffing and resource needs.
• Optimize operations and maintenance procedures.
The program will be funded by a Fiscal Year 2026 appropriation in the amount of
$200,000.00 [CIP# 5586500045], supported by revenue from the Stormwater
Construction Fund. This is a multi -year program, with additional funding requests
planned in future fiscal years to ensure its continuation and ongoing support as the
program advances.
Page 96 of 525
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
Alex Stein, Civil Engineer
Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Alex Stein, Civil Engineer
Maxwell O'Brien, Civil Engineer
Nate Kieffer, Civil Engineer & Land Surveyor
Travis Schrobilgen, Assistant Planner
Jason Mouring, Environmental Coordinator
Laura Bendorf, Budget Manager
2
Page 97 of 525
THE CITY OF
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
DATE: October 27, 2025
SUBJECT: Stormwater Management Program
Consulting Engineering Services
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to request authorization to release a request for
qualifications (RFQ) for the Stormwater Management Program.
DISCUSSION
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The City of Dubuque has long invested significant resources in addressing flooding
challenges through stormwater management, with most efforts historically focused on
stormwater quantity and reducing flood risk. The 2001 Drainage Basin Master Plan laid
the foundation for the Bee Branch Restoration Project, which provided critical protection
for residents in neighborhoods historically vulnerable to flooding. Building on that
progress, the City is now advancing a comprehensive, citywide Stormwater
Management Program. This innovative and future -focused program, also being funded
and supported by municipalities across the country, is essential for managing the City's
MS4 permit, ensuring compliance with evolving stormwater quality requirements, and
guiding sustainable long-term growth.
Through this program, the City will evaluate the overall condition of its stormwater
infrastructure, conduct capacity analyses to identify bottlenecks and limitations, and
review existing policies, ordinances, and code requirements to align with current best
practices. The goal is to create a framework that balances flood protection, water
quality, infrastructure resiliency, and fiscal responsibility. By identifying and ranking
future stormwater projects, the City will ensure that public dollars are invested
strategically - maximizing community benefits, protecting City assets, and guiding long-
term sustainable growth.
The Stormwater Management Program will be organized around five primary studies in
two phases, consistent with EPA's Asset Management: A Best Practices Guide
(Document EPA 816-F-08-014). These include an assessment of the current state of
assets, an evaluation of the level of service provided, identification of critical assets, a
cost analysis, and the development of a long-term improvements plan. For each of
these studies, the selected Consultant shall consider the full range of stormwater
Page 98 of 525
system components, including storm sewers, swales, detention basins, green
infrastructure, and other conveyance and treatment facilities. The Program will
document current and emerging challenges, recommend short-, mid-, and long-term
solutions, and provide planning -level budgets for all recommendations.
The Consultant will also assist City staff in establishing a strategic and proactive plan for
managing the stormwater system that will:
• Develop repeatable and dynamic processes that enable staff to quickly evaluate
asset data to assess condition, level of service, and criticality.
• Rank stormwater capital improvement projects based on risk analysis and
system performance.
• Identify stormwater utility staffing and resource needs.
• Optimize operations and maintenance procedures.
The RFQ has been prepared with the input of various city staff members. The following
staff members will review the qualifications of those firms that respond and formulate a
recommendation-
1 . Alex Stein, Civil Engineer
2. Maxwell O'Brien, Civil Engineer
3. Nate Kieffer, Civil Engineer & Land Surveyor
4. Travis Schrobilgen, Assistant Planner
5. Jason Mouring, Environmental Coordinator
6. Laura Bendorf, Budget Manager
The proposed schedule for the program is as follows:
RFQ Advertise:
Qualifications Due:
Committee Review & Shortlist:
Shortlist Interviews:
Recommendation to City Manager:
City Council Approval:
Program Initiation:
Program Completion:
November 5, 2025
December 19, 2025
January 5, 2026 thru January 9, 2026
January 12, 2026 thru January 23, 2026
January 27, 2026
February 2, 2026
February 3, 2026
To be determined
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend releasing an RFQ for the implementation of the Stormwater Management
Program.
BUDGETIMPACT
The program will be funded by a Fiscal Year 2026 appropriation in the amount of
$200,000.00 [CIP# 5586500045], supported by revenue from the Stormwater
Construction Fund. This is a multi -year program, with additional funding requests
planned in future fiscal years to ensure its continuation and ongoing support as the
program advances.
2
Page 99 of 525
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request approval to release an RFQ to hire a consultant to assist with the
development of the City's Stormwater Management Program.
Prepared by Alex Stein, Civil Engineer
cc: Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Alex Stein, Civil Engineer
Maxwell O'Brien, Civil Engineer
Nate Kieffer, Civil Engineer & Land Surveyor
Travis Schrobilgen, Assistant Planner
Jason Mouring, Environmental Coordinator
Laura Bendorf, Budget Manager
3
Page 100 of 525