January/February 2026 City News NewsletterCity of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 6.
Copyrighted
December 15, 2025
ITEM TITLE: January/February 2026 City News Newsletter
SUMMARY: City Manager providing a copy of the January/February 2026
issue of the City News newsletter, which will be mailed with
City of Dubuque utility bills from December 17, 2025, through
January 7, 2026. The publication is also available online at
www.citvofdubugue.org/citynews.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. City News Newsletter - JanFeb26
Page 138 of 1019
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Inside This Issue
�- 3V 2 1 Merry Mulch Christmas
Tree Composting
Heating Bill Assistance
New Pet Licensing Vendor
Community Support &
Empowerment Grant
Program
PEG Access Equipment
Grant Program
31 A Message from the City
Manager
Free Income Tax
Preparation Assistance
Odd/Even Snow Route
Policy & Notifications
4 1 New Faces & Retirements
Events Calendar
Citizen's Police Academy
Holiday Lights Recycling
X IS in
www.cityofdubuque.org
Get news and info by email or text:
Check out all the options at
www.cityofdubuque.org/notifyme
City News is produced by the City
of Dubuque Public Information
Office. Comments are welcome at
publicinfo@cityofdubuque.org
or 563-589-4151.
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January/February 2026
New Representatives Join City Council
Two new city council representatives were elected in November and will take office on
Jan. 2, 2026.
Chris Staver, At -Large
Chris Staver was elected as an At -Large Representative on the city
council. A native of Belmont, Wisc., Chris has lived in Dubuque since
1984. He has owned and operated The Copper Kettle restaurant
since 2012 and has spent 25 years renovating historic properties
and creating and managing rental units. His early career included
operating Great Plains Dent Company, specializing in hail damage
repair across the U.S. and Europe. Chris's civic involvement has included Toys for Tots,
the March of Dimes/Signature Chefs Auction, and the Tri-States Martini Shake Off/
HavLife. He has supported community events including Hospice of Dubuque's BestFest,
East Dubuque WingFest, and Dubuque Area BaconFest.
After Jan. 2, he can be reached at 563-690-6503 or cstaver@cityofdubuque.org.
He has two children and resides at 1027 Barbaralee Dr.
Tyson Leyendecker, Ward One
Tyson Leyendecker was elected as Ward One representative on
the city council. A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, he has
lived in Dubuque since 2017. Tyson currently serves as president
and chief credit officer of Capra Bank. Previously, he served as
president and CEO of another well-known community bank
before joining Capra Bank. He holds an MBA from the University of
Arizona and a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of New Mexico. Tyson's
civic involvement includes service on the boards of the Dubuque Area Chamber of
Commerce, Dubuque County Historical Society, Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque
Racing Association, Dubuque Rotary, Dyersville Events, and Greater Dubuque
Development Corporation.
After Jan. 2, he can be reached at 563-690-6505 or tleyendecker@cityofdubuque.org.
Tyson resides at 1760 Overview Ct. with his wife Jennifer and three children.
Two Incumbents Re -Elected
Mayor Brad Cavanagh and Ward Three Representative Danny Sprank were both re-
elected to their positions. At -Large Representative Ric Jones will leave the city council
after 20 years in the role (and 50 years of continuous service to the City, including his
career with the fire department) and Ward One Representative Susan Farber after
almost five years.
DContact information for all city council members
is available at cityofdubuque.org/citycouncil.
MERRY MULCH
Christmas Tree Collection
& Composting
January 5 - 16, 2026
City crews will pick up natural
Christmas trees (maximum of 8' high)
with a City brush tie or one yellow yard
waste sticker attached and visible
from the street or alley on your regular
collection day.
For questions, call 563-589-4250.
Need Help Paying Your
HEATING BILLS
The Low -Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a
federally funded program designed to
assist low-income families meet the cost
of home heating by providing a one-time
payment to the heating utility. Assistance
levels depend on income, family size, type
of fuel used to heat the home, and other
factors.
Details at hacap.org/energy or call
563-556-5130.
New Pet Licensing Vendor,
The City of Dubuque Health Services
Department has switched its pet licensing
process to a new vendor, DocuPet. DocuPet
will contact current license holders via
email or postal mail when their license
expires. Once issued, licenses will be active
for one calendar year from the issue date
and must be renewed annually.
DocuPet will issue each pet licensed a free, lifetime identification tag with
information that links to a secure online pet profile where photos, contact
information, and care instructions can be uploaded. Additional customized tags
will be available for purchase.
Registration with DocuPet also provides pet owners with access to the
HomeSafe lost pet service. A unique identification code can be shared if the pet
is lost or missing. DocuPet works with resources including Petco Love Lost and
the National Animal Shelter Network to share information about lost pets to
help reunite lost pets with their owners.
To apply for pet license, visit cityofdubuque.org/Pets or call 563-589-4185.
Community Support
and Empowerment
Grant Program
The Office of Human
Rights is accepting
applications for
the Dubuque
Community Support
and Empowerment Grant Program.
Two or more grants of up to
$5,000 each will be awarded
to individuals, nonprofits,
businesses, clubs, organizations,
or groups of passionate residents
to support projects that foster a
sense of belonging in Dubuque.
Eligible projects must align with
at least one of the City's five-year
goals, and include a component
of community education and/or
engagement. Applications are due
Jan. 31. Awarded projects must be
completed by June 30, 2026.
For more information, visit
cityofdubuque.org/DCSEGrant or
call 563-589-4190.
Community PEG Access
Equipment Grant Program
A grant to support the creation
of Dubuque public, educational,
and governmental (PEG) access
programming opens Monday,
Jan. 5, 2026.
Local individuals or organizations
may apply for video production
equipment grants to create
content for Dubuque's PEG
channels on the Mediacom and
Imon cable systems. Examples
include documentaries, narrative
stories, local features, or other
creative projects that engage the
community. Applications close
Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.
To learn more and apply, visit
cityofdubuque.org/
Comm unityPEGGrant
Page 140 of 1019
A Message from the
CITY MANAGER
Michael C. Van Milligen
As we enter the new year, it's a time to look forward to
new opportunities and to build on the progress and
successes of the last year.
Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa
Finance Authority, visited Dubuque in November to join community leaders to
break ground on the Dubuque Museum of Art's new expansion. She described
it as a transformative project "poised to break the barriers of conventional
museums, combining art, education and recreation into a seamless campus."
"This city never stops dreaming big ... from the new medical school to the Field
of Dreams and Schmitt Island, Dubuque is riding a wave of imagination and
investment that's enhancing quality of life and welcoming new faces to our
state;" she said. "It's exciting to see a community that celebrates creativity
and sparks inspiration for generations to come!"
I could not agree more and there are many other transformative projects
under way and planned! Envision 2030, the months -long, community -wide
visioning process led by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and
the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, recently announced the top 10
ideas for Dubuque's future:
• Book and Build: Expanded Library Services
• Water -Powered Fun: Community Aquatic Center
• Putting Down Roots: Community -Centered Housing
• Great Minds: Collaborative Brain Health Resources
• Captivating Shorelines: Mississippi Riverfront Reimagined
• Ageless Support: Center for Senior Well -Being
• Industry to Innovation: Dubuque South Port Revitalization
• Where Curiosity Sprouts: Children's Museum
• Heart of Play: All -Ages Sports Hub
• Grow, Cultivate, Eat: Access to Healthy Food
These things all add to Dubuque's momentum as does the fact that the City
just learned that all five of the private projects submitted from Dubuque
for the Iowa Economic Development Authority Redevelopment Tax Credit
Program received funding:
• Dubuque 5th and Main Project: $1,500,000
• Farley and Loetscher Project (Historic Millwork District): $1,250,000
• IOCO Building Project (South Port of Dubuque ): $1,000,000
• Iowa Street Lofts (1248 Iowa St.): $300,000
• Wilson House Apartments (1243 Locust St.): $80,000
Dubuque projects garnered $4.13 of the $19.12 million in tax credits available
state-wide and constitute five of the 25 funded projects from the 51
applications submitted.
The momentum is literally BUILDING. The City of Dubuque's building permit
free revenue increased 72% from FY2024 to FY2025. Plus, Greater Dubuque
Development Corporation recently reported there has been over $1 BILLION of
development in Dubuque County over the last three years!
Way to go Dubuque, I cannot wait to see what the future holds!
Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance (VITA)
The Hawkeye Area Community Action
Program (HACAP) is offering free,
IRS -certified tax preparation for all
Dubuque residents who generally earn
$67,000 or less. The service is available
to all Dubuque Residents with special
assistance for elderly adults, people
with disabilities, and those with limited
English proficiency, ensuring that
everyone has access to reliable tax help.
The program begins Feb. 2, and
appointments are required. Residents
can schedule their appointment online at
www.hacap.org/vita or take advantage of
drop-off tax preparation options.
For more information, contact HACAP at
563-556-5130 or wsanger@hacap.org.
ODD/EVEN SNOW ROUTE
Policy and Notifications
After significant snowfalls, the City's Odd/
Even Snow Route Parking Policy may
be enacted. When in effect, parking is
prohibited on "even -numbered" sides of
streets on even days of the month and on
"odd -numbered" sides of streets on odd
days of the month.
Sign up for Odd/Even Snow Route
notifications at cityofdubuque.org/snow
or simply text DBQSNOW to 67283.
Page 141 of 1019
New Faces & Retirements
Calendar
New City Employees
Dayna Johnson Library
Paul Johnson Transit
Reise Johnson Public Works
Catherine Richter
Angela Rouse
Ella Link
Alexander Stackis
Sarah Emm Chesher
Christina Lemmon
Lauren Gonzales
Wesley Atkinson
Matthew Kalcevich
Kloie Fitter
Joseph Callahan
Douglas Hirsch
Thomas Sladky
Parker Legel
Levi Legrand
Keeley Zamora
Michael Marisie
Jodi Cowan
Kelsey Butler
Anna Wolle
Adis Rekic
Rita Parkin
Timothy Krieger
Recent Retirees
Steven Berkley
Chris Skorupski
Housing
Transit
Police
Public Works
Public Works
Public Works
Housing
Housing
Parks & Recreation
Library
Parking
Engineering
Transit
Engineering
Public Works
Emergency Communications
Emergency Communications
Emergency Communications
Emergency Communications
CityAttorney's Office
Transit
Transit
Information Technology
January
1 City facilities closed for New Year's Day
(No change in curbside collection on Dec. 31.
Jon. I curbside collection will occur on
Saturday, Jan. 3.)
5 City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
19 City facilities closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
(No change in curbside collection.)
20 City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
February
2 City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
16 City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at City
Council Chambers, Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th St.
The public has the option to view and participate in City Council
meetings in person at City Council Chambers or virtually (see
agenda for details). Meetings are aired live on CityChonnel
Dubuque (Mediocom cable channels 8 and 117.2 and ImOn channel
5), streamed live and archived on the City's website at www.
cityofdubuque.org/media, and streamed live on the City's Focebooh
page at www.focebook.com/cityofdubuque.
Citizen's Police Academy
Applications Due Sunday, Jan.11
The Dubuque Police Department will hold
the 28th annual Citizen's Police Academy
Fire (CPA) on Thursdays from 6 - 9:30 p.m.
Police from Jan. 29 through April 2.
no
New Board/Commission Members
Ron Vaughn Airport Commission
Julie Bockenstedt Civil Service Commission
Otto Krueger Civil Service Commission
Daniel Scott Investment and Cash
Management Oversight
Advisory Commission
Recyle Your Old Holiday Lights!
You can recycle your old and non -working holiday lights
through Jan.10, at: City of Dubuque Municipal Services
Center, 925 Kerper Ct.; Carnegie -Stout Public Library,
360 W. llth St.; Dubuque County Library - Asbury Branch,
5290 Grand Meadow Dr.; and Dub, in,1P
Metro Landfill,101 Airborne Rd.
Visit dmaswa.org/holidaylights
for details!
January/February 2026
The CPA is a 10-week program and
participants are strongly encouraged to
commit to attending all sessions. CPA sessions are taught
by local law enforcement professionals and other members
of the criminal justice system. Each session covers a variety
of topics, including arrest procedures, search and seizure,
use of force, laws and policies, police procedures, domestic
abuse cases, sexual abuse cases, drug enforcement, OWIs,
officer safety, and prevention programs.
Participants must be at least 18 years of age with no
felony convictions and no significant arrest history. Space
is limited. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Sunday,
Jan.11, and can be found at cityofdubuque.org/cpa.
Paper applications are available at the Dubuque Police
Department, 770 Iowa St.
Preference will be given to Dubuque residents. The CPA does
not certify participants as law enforcement officers.
For more information, contact Lieutenant Luke Bock at
563-589-4473 or Captain Steve Radloff at 563-587-3807.
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