Minutes_Resilient Community Advisory Commission 12.04.25City of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
Copyrighted
February 16, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of February 2 and 9, 2026;
Resilient Community Advisory Commission of October 30
and December 4, 2025; Zoning Advisory Commission of
December 3, 2025; Proof of Publication for City Council
Proceedings of January 20, 2026; Proof of Publication for
Expenditure Reports submitted at the January 20, 2026 City
Council meeting.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2 2 26 City Council Minutes
2. 2 9 26 City Council Minutes
3. Resilient Community Advisory Commission Minutes
4. Resilient Community Advisory Commission Minutes - December 2025
5. Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes
6. Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of January 20, 2026
7. Proof of Publication for Expenditure Reports Submitted at the January 20, 2026
City Council Meeting
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CITY OF DUBUQUE - COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: Resilient Community Advisory Commission (RCAC)
DATE: 12/04/2025
TIME: 5:00 pm
LOCATION: Jule Operations and Training Center (JOTC) Circle Conference Room, 949 Kerper Blvd.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Nolan Bielinski, Lalith Jayawickrama, Robin Kennicker, Dave McDermott, Rachel
Boeke, Jake Kohlhaas (late, excused)
MEMBERS ABSENT: N/A
STAFF PRESENT: Michelle Kim and Green Iowa AmeriCorps members Lizzie Sulla and Zoe Heiar
Robin Kennicker called the meeting to order at 5:05
TEST AGENDA
MINUTES APPROVAL:
Bielinski motions to
approve, Jayawickrama
seconds
• Vote:
• 5— yes; 0—No;
1— Abstain
• Motion carries
PUBLIC COMMENT:
• Ashley Neises and Andie Donnan (735 Rose St, Dubuque, IA, 52001) offered
comments on City owned farmland. They expressed that they wished the
City would consider changing the farmland to grow edible crops instead of
commodities. They also gave us an insight into the timeline of organic
farming practices.
New Business:
• Data center presentation by Green Iowa member, Lizzie Sulla
o What is a data center
o Recommendations from NLC and ACHE
o Impacts: Energy, water, noise and light pollution, rapid expansion leads to rapid decline
o Model ordinances and moratoriums
o State and Federal interest
• Commission would like to vote on sending a letter to council next meeting on how to act
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• City owned farmlands presentation by Green Iowa member, Zoe Heair
0 7 leases— engineering and economic development
o Revenue - $142,594 goes to each department that sends the bid.
o Property management and oversight
■ reactive not proactive — neighbors call in, no one goes out to see if they are following plans
■ capacity has limited what kinds of data we have — used to have drones and GPS data
o Sustainable practices
■ Bidding Process: scoring system on price and sustainable practices
■ DSWCD create conservation plans — resource concerns are prioritized
o Possible actions
■ More oversight
■ Detailed scoring system — cost benefit analysis
■ Incentives/rate reduction for sustainable practices
■ Revenue used for land development organic farming, community farmland, etc
Commission thoughts:
• Not enough land for consulting services
• Would like to see some more oversight/accountability
• Collaborate with universities to use as research —grant opportunities?
• Proposal for experimental project or changing rubric/approval
Old Business: N/A
Commissioner Reports: How Did I Show Up?
• Kennicker — Will be holding special meeting at City Hall discussing new outlook of parks and rec plan
coming out.
• Jayawickrama — Cyclone through Sri Lanka that covered entire island, many deaths and infrastructure
damage, water is contaminated, deforestation contributing to landslides. Water borne diseases will be a
concern
• Boeke - handouts for events, showcase this weekend at mission, Groundswell Joy Collective theatrical
celebration
Important Dates
• Next meeting 02/05/2026
Staff updates
N/A
Next meeting date: The next commission meeting will occur on Thursday, February 5th 2026, at 5pm at the Jule
Operations and Training Center (JOTC) in the Circle Conference Room, 949 Kerper Blvd
ADJOURNMENT: The Commission adjourned at 6:33
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Minutes approved b :
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�b4r�y,�1Gk�,r Commission Chair
Prepared by:
Michelle Kim, Climate Action Coordinator
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