Minutes_Historic Preservation Commission 12.18.25Copyrighted
February 2, 2026
City of Dubuque CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of January 20, 2026; Civil Service
Commission of August 13 and October 8, 2025; Community
Development Advisory Commission of November 19, 2025;
Historic Preservation Commission of December 18, 2025;
Housing Commission of July 22, 2025; Human Rights
Commission of December 9, 2025; Park and Recreation
Commission of November 18 and December 10, 2025;
Zoning Board of Adjustment of December 18, 2025; Proof of
Publication on City Council Proceedings of January 5, 2026;
Proof of Publication For Expenditure Reports presented at
the January 5, 2026 City Council meeting.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 1 20 26 City Council Minutes
2. Civil Service Minutes 8/13/25
3. Civil Service Minutes 10/8/25
4. Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes
5. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
6. Housing Commission Meeting Minutes
7. Human Rights Commission Minutes
8. Parks and Recreating Advisory Commission Minutes —November
9. Parks and Recreating Advisory Commission Minutes —December
10. Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
11. Proof —City Council Proceedings 1.5.26
12. Proof Expenditure Reports from 1.5.26 Meeting
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Historic Federal Building — Room 250
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Janice Esser; Commissioners, Christina Monk,
Heidi Pettitt, Rick Stuter, Adam Schwendinger
Commissioners Excused: Bill Doyle, Tim Gau, Chad Witthoeft
Commissioners Unexcused : None
Staff Members Present: Wally Wernimont, Chris Happ Olson, and Renee Blosch
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Janice Esser at
5:31 p.m.
MINUTES: Motion by Pettitt, seconded by Schwendinger, to approve the minutes of the
October 16, 2025 meeting as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye —
Janice Esser, Christina Monk, Heidi Pettitt, Rick Stuter, Adam Schwendinger; Nay —
none.
ACTION ITEMS: None
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC:
Presentation from Great Dubuque Housing Trust Fund
Dave Lyons, of Greater Dubuque Development presented information on behalf of
Dubuque Initiatives and Greater Dubuque Development Corporation about the new
Greater Dubuque Housing Trust Fund (GDHTF). The Fund's mission is to assist in the
development and achievement of an equitable and inclusive affordable housing vision
for the greater Dubuque community through stakeholder coordination, community
advocacy, funding distribution, and project implementation.
The overall program objectives for GDHTF include:
• Increasing the stock of high -quality Low -to -Moderate (LMI) and workforce
housing through the creation of affordable, space- and energy -efficient housing
on vacant infill lots,
• Maintaining and improving the livability of LMI housing through rehabilitation
loans and grants for LMI homeowners, and
• Increasing LMI and workforce homeownership opportunities for families through
down payment assistance loans for first-time homebuyers.
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Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission — December 18, 2025 Page 2
Mr. Lyons came before the Commission because a number of the properties or lots they
are looking to redevelop are in local historic districts. He presented on the opportunities
and challenges of the projects, as well as projects that partners in GDHTF have taken
on in the past. He said their goal is help inform potential developers what is required
and what is possible for each development opportunity.
Staff Member Happ Olson reviewed the City's historic review role, describing when staff
or the Commission might review a project, depending on the type of funding used and
where the project is located.
Questions from the Commission included types of ownership, sizes of units/homes, and
how much outreach the GDHTF is undertaking. The Commission thanked Mr. Lyons for
informing them.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: None
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
• Unified Development Code overview
Staff member Happ Olson requested to postpone conversation for next
meeting due to the fact that Planning Services Director Wally Wernimont was
not able to attend. The Commission agreed in consensus.
• Historic Preservation Awards planning
Happ Olson referred to the packet memo. The commission was generally in
favor the staff -recommended proposals, but raised concern about potential
awards where there wasn't a "wow" factor visible from the street, or the
project doesn't meet all the architectural guidelines. Discussion followed.
Commission to revisit at following meeting after viewing projects proposed.
• HPC Workplan for 2026
Staff and Commission discussed the workplan drafted by staff for the
calendar year 2026. It was suggested for those line items that repeat
annually, that they be notated as such. The modifications to the plan were
discussed, noted and will be presented at the next meeting of the
Commission for review and recommendation to City Council, as part of the
requirements for the Certified Local Government program membership.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Pettitt, seconded by Schwendinger to adjourn the
December 18, 2025 Historic Preservation Commission meeting. Motion carried by the
following vote: Aye — Janice Esser, Christina Monk, Heidi Pettitt, Rick Stuter, Adam
Schwendinger; Nay —none.
The meeting adjourned at 6.52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
z Z_ January 15, 2026
Chris Happ Olson, Assistant Planner Adopted
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