North Schmitt Island Collection System Project Contract 2 Copyrighted
May 18, 2026
City of Dubuque ITEMS SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING # 6.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: North Schmitt Island Collection System Project Contract 2
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council authorize the
public bidding process and set a public hearing for June 1,
2026, and to preliminarily approve the plans, specifications,
form of contract and estimated cost of $155,000.00 for the
North Schmitt Island Collection System Project — Contract #2
RESOLUTION North Schmitt Island Collection System
Project — Contract #2, Preliminary Approval of Plans,
Specifications, Form of Contract, and Estimated Cost; Setting
Date of Public Hearing on Plans, Specifications, Form of
Contract, and Estimated Cost; and Ordering the
Advertisement for Bids
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s), Set Public Hearing for
DISPOSITION: June 1, 2026
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo North Schmitt Island Collection System Project — Contract #2
Contracting Services
2. 2025-07-15 SchmittlslandSan-Contract2-InitiateMemo
3. SchmittlslandSan-Contract2 - Council Initiate Set PH RESOLUTION
4. SchmittlslandSan-Contract2 - Notice of Hearing
Page 666 of 890
Dubuque
THE CITY OF �
uhA�eMa cin
DuB E ; . � ,
I � � I.
Maste iece on the Mississi t 2oo�•zoiz•zois
�P Pp zoi�*zoi9
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: North Schmitt Island Collection System Project— Contract #2
Contracting Services [CIP# 5581500049]
DATE: May 13, 2026
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos is recommending City Council authorize the public bidding
process and set a public hearing for June 1, 2026, and to preliminarily approve the
plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost of $155,000.00 for the North
Schmitt Island Collection System Project— Contract#2 through the adoption of the
attached resolution.
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
Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Laura BendorF, Budget Manager
Bob Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
Nathan Steffen, Civil Engineer
Todd Irwin, Water Resources Project Supervisor
Page 667 of 890
Dubuque
THE CITY OF �
All•Meriea Cip
DuB E �� �
;� � ���►
� �
Maste ZECE OYl tlle M2SSlSS1 1 2oo��zoiz�zois
�P pP zoi�*zoi9
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
DATE: May 12, 2026
SUBJECT: North Schmitt Island Collection System Project— Contract #2
Contracting Services [CIP# 5581500049]
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum requests the City Council authorize initiating the bidding process and
set a public hearing on June 1, 2026, for the North Schmitt Island Collection System
Project— Contract #2.
BACKGROUND
The City of Dubuque in conjunction with the Dubuque Racing Association (DRA) and
community participants have worked diligently for years to procure a Chaplain Schmitt
Island Master Plan and Schmitt Island Placemaking & Implementation Plan. The goals
of the plan were largely recreationally focused and included connecting and expanding
access to the riverfront, creation of educational opportunities on the island, highlighting
the unique characteristics of the island, bringing new visitors to the island, and offering
activities and events for all seasons. The City is currently working with the DRA to
update the Chaplain Schmitt Island Master Plan to further pursue these goals.
With the additional anticipated developments, City Staff have investigated the public
infrastructure on the Island to identify any major defects or deficiencies and to confirm
there is adequate capacity to accommodate the anticipated developments. Staff have
identified deficiencies within the existing sanitary sewer system, specifically for the
sewer that serves the northern half of the Island. Deficiencies identified include
measured excessive inflow and infiltration, pipeline sags and reversed slope failures
caused by unsuitable subbase materials and limited available capacity of critical sewer
assets that serve the Island.
On May 7, 2024, the City advertised a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to retain a
professional service consultant to aid the City in further evaluating the existing collection
and pumping systems that transport sanitary sewage in the Dog Track Lift Station sewer
service area, develop a facility plan with phased improvements to address identified
high risk infrastructure within the sewer service area, and to design and construct the
recommended improvements.
Due to the complexity of this project, it was determined that the project will be split into
Page 668 of 890
multiple task orders, with the initial task order encompassing data collection,
alternatives analysis, and the stakeholder engagement process. Results of the initial
task order will determine the additional design and construction related task orders
required to complete the project. On December 18, 2024, the City entered into the
second task order for the detailed design and bidding services phase of the project.
In August of 2025, the City completed the North Schmitt Island Collection System
Project — Contract #1. This project provided for the installation of approximately 200 LF
of sanitary sewer, in the area located immediately adjacent to the Key Hotel Expansion
Project on the north half of Chaplain Schmitt Island.
DISCUSSION
The second task order for the design of the project is ongoing; however, the overall
project construction has been postponed due to new feedback from island stakeholders.
The requested design changes are substantial and prevent the project from meeting its
original construction schedule and budget. As reflected in the FY 2027 budget,
construction funding for the full project has been shifted to FY 2031 and the project is
now planned to be funded with State Revolving Fund (SRF) financing. In the interim, the
City will continue enhanced monitoring and maintenance efforts to ensure reliable
service until the redesigned system is constructed.
An existing lift station on the east side of Q Casino currently serves the Island Social
kitchen, the campground, and the amphitheater. This lift station has experienced
operation and reliability issues. Although its replacement was originally included in the
overall project, the revised construction schedule and the lift station's current condition
require that it be bid as a stand-alone project.
The lift station replacement will be bid as North Schmitt Island Collection System Project
— Contract #2. This project includes installation of a new lift station and approximately
100 linear feet of sanitary sewer force main located between the casino and
amphitheater. The project schedule is structured to allow the contractor to complete
most of the work this summer during a two-week period when no amphitheater concerts
are planned.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
The proposed schedule for the project is as follows:
Initiate Public Bidding Process & Notice of Public Hearing May 18, 2026
Publish Notice to Bidders, Advertise for Bids May 21, 2026
Public Hearing on Plans & Specifications June 1, 2026
Receipt of Bid Proposals (Bid-Letting) June 4, 2026
Award Construction Contract June 15, 2026
Substantial Project Completion Date August 3, 2026
Final Project Completion Date October 16, 2026
2
Page 669 of 890
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend preliminary approval of the proposed plans, specifications, form of
contract and construction estimate for the North Schmitt Island Collection System
Project — Contract #2. I further recommend establishing the date of the public hearing
and authorizing the Engineering Department to advertise for bids for the project.
BUDGET IMPACT
The estimate of probable cost for the North Schmitt Island Collection System Project —
Contract #2 is summarized as follows:
Description Estimate
Construction $ 155,000.00
Contin enc 23,250.00
En ineerin Desi n and Administration 35,000.00
Total Project Cost $ 213,250.00
The construction of the North Schmitt Island Collection System Project — Contract #2
will be covered by the funding sources as described below:
North Schmitt Island Collection System Project— Contract #1 Funding
5581500049 Schmitt Island Sanitary Improvement � 213,250.00
(sanitary sewer construction funds)
Total Project Funding $ 213,250.00
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request the City Council authorize the public bidding process and set a
public hearing for June 1, 2026, and to preliminarily approve the plans, specifications,
form of contract and estimated cost for the North Schmitt Island Collection System
Project— Contract #2 through the adoption of the attached resolution.
cc: Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Laura Bendorf, Budget Manager
Bob Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
Nathan Steffen, Civil Engineer
Todd Irwin, Water Resources Project Supervisor
3
Page 670 of 890
Prepared by Kerry Bradley City of Dubuque Engineering,50 W. 13th St.Dubuque.IA 52001 (563)589-4270
Return to Adrienne N.Breitfelder City Clerk City of Dubuque,50 W. 13th St.Dubuque, IA 52001 (563)589-4100
li
RESOLUTION NO. 198-26
NORTH SCHMITT ISLAND COLLECTION SYSTEM PROJECT— CONTRACT#2
PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT,
AND ESTIMATED COST; SETTING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PLANS,
SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COST; AND ORDERING
THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Whereas, the North Schmitt Island Collection System Project — Contract #2 will
provide for the replacement of an existing lift station and installation of approximately 100
LF of sanitary sewer force main, in the area east of the Q Casino on the north half of
Chaplain Schmitt Island.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
The proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the
North Schmitt Island Collection System Project — Contract #2 in the estimated
construction amount of$155,000.00, are hereby preliminarily approved and ordered filed
in the office of the City Clerk for public inspection.
A public hearing will be held on the 1st day of June, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the
Historic Federal Building Council Chambers (and/or by virtual means) 350 W. 6th Street,
Dubuque, Iowa, at which time interested persons may appear and be heard for or against
the proposed plans and specifications, form of contract and estimated cost of said Project,
and the City Clerk be and is hereby directed to cause the attached notice of the time and
place of such hearing to be published in a newspaper having general circulation in the
City of Dubuque, Iowa, which notice shall be published not less than four days nor more
than twenty days prior to the date of such hearing. At the hearing, any interested person
may appear and file objections to the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, or
estimated cost of the Project.
The North Schmitt Island Collection System Project — Contract #2 is hereby
ordered to be advertised for bids for construction.
The amount of the security to accompany each bid shall be in an amount which
shall conform to the provisions of the Notice to Bidders hereby approved.
The City Engineer is hereby directed to advertise for bids for the construction of
the improvements herein provided, by publishing the Notice to Bidders to be published on
the City of Dubuque website and a contractor plan room service with statewide circulation,
which notice shall be published not less than thirteen but not more than forty-five days
before the datefor filing bids before 2:00 p.m. on the 4th day of June 2026. Bids shall be
opened and read by the City Clerk at said time and will be submitted to the City Council
for final action at 6:30 p.m. on the 15th day of June 2026, in the Historic Federal Building
Council Chambers (and/or by virtual means) 350 West 6th Street, Dubuque, Iowa.
Passed, adopted and approved this the 18th day of May 2026.
Attest: Brad M. Cava agh, Mayor
Trish L. Gleason, Assistant City Clerk
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
OFFICIAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE: is hereby given that the Dubuque City Council will conduct a public
hearing on the 1St day of June, 2026 at 6:30 p.m., in the Historic Federal Building, 350 W.
6th Street, 2�d floor, Dubuque, lowa, at which meeting the City Council proposes to hold a
public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost
for the North Schmitt Island Collection System Project— Contract #2
The scope of the Project is as follows: This project provides for the replacement of an
existing lift station and installation of approximately 100 LF of sanitary sewer force main,
in the area east of the Q Casino on the north half of Chaplain Schmitt Island.
At the meeting, the City Council will receive oral and written comments from any resident
or property owner of said City to the above action. The official City Council agenda will be
posted the Friday before the meeting and will contain public input options. The agenda
can be accessed at https://dubuqueia.portal.civicclerk.com/ or by contacting the City
Clerk's Office at 563-589-4100, ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org.
Written comments on the public hearing may be submitted to the City Clerk's Office by
email at ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org or by mail to City Hall, 50 W. 13t" St., Dubuque, IA
52001, before the scheduled hearing. The City Council will review all written comments
at the time of the hearing.
Documents related to the public hearing are on file in the City Clerk's Office and may be
viewed Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Individuals requiring special assistance should contact the City Clerk's Office as soon as
feasible. Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals can use Relay lowa by dialing 711 or (800)
735-2942.
Published by order of the City Council given on the 18t" day of May 2026.
Trish L. Gleason, Assistant City Clerk
Page 673 of 890