5 12 26 Packet
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Closed Session for Evaluation Request
DATE: March 4, 2026
I understand that the Dubuque City Council intends to evaluate my professional
competencies and conduct with respect to my performance related to specific
goals that have been established for me, as City Manager, by the Council for this
year and beyond.
I understand that such an evaluation will involve a direct and frank conversation
between the members of the Council regarding my professional competency and
performance and may include questions or statements that are both supportive
and/or critical of my past and current performance and may require the sharing of
information which may be harmful to my reputation if publicly disclosed. I believe
that a full and frank discussion is in the best interest of the City and in my own best
interest to ensure any performance issues or concerns are fully and freely
addressed.
Therefore, I believe a closed session is necessary and proper to foster a full and
frank discussion, and I believe a closed session is necessary to prevent needless
and irreparable injury to my reputation. For these reasons, please consider this
letter a formal request that the City Council conduct this evaluation and discussion
of my performance and goals in a closed session on May 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.,
pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(i).
21.5 Closed session
1. A governmental body may hold a closed session only by affirmative public
vote of either two-thirds of the members of the body or all of the members
present at the meeting. A governmental body may hold a closed session only to
the extent a closed session is necessary for any of the following reasons:
…..
i. To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose
appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when
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2
necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s
reputation and that individual requests a closed session.
…..
Your consideration of this request for my evaluation scheduled for May 12, 2026,
is appreciated.
_____________________________________
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Adrienne Breitfelder, City Clerk
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OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY DUBUQUE, IOWA
SUITE 330, HARBOR VIEW PLACE, 300 MAIN STREET DUBUQUE, IA 52001-6944
TELEPHONE (563) 589-4381 / FAX (563) 583-1040 / EMAIL cbrumwel@cityofdubuque.org
CRENNA M. BRUMWELL, ESQ.
CITY ATTORNEY
TO: MAYOR BRAD M. CAVANAGH AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: FEBRUARY 23, 2026
RE: CLOSED SESSION FOR EVALUATION REQUEST
I understand that the Dubuque City Council intends to evaluate my professional
competency and conduct with respect to my performance related to specific goals
that have been established for me, as City Attorney, by the Council for this year
and beyond.
I understand that such an evaluation will involve a direct and frank conversation
between the members of the Council regarding my professional competency and
performance and may include questions or statements that are both supportive
and/or critical of my past and current performance and may require the sharing of
information which may be harmful to my reputation if publicly disclosed. I believe
that a full and frank discussion is in the best interest of the City and in my own best
interest to ensure any performance issues or concerns are fully and freely
addressed.
Therefore, I believe a closed session is necessary and proper to foster a full and
frank discussion, and I believe a closed session is necessary to prevent needless
and irreparable injury to my reputation. For these reasons, please consider this
letter a formal request that the City Council conduct this evaluation and discussion
of my performance and goals in a closed session on May 12, 2026, pursuant to
Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(i).
21.5 Closed session
1. A governmental body may hold a closed session only by affirmative public
vote of either two-thirds of the members of the body or all of the members
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2
present at the meeting. A governmental body may hold a closed session only to
the extent a closed session is necessary for any of the following reasons:
…..
i. To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose
appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when
necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s
reputation and that individual requests a closed session.
…..
cc: Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
Page 5 of 7
TO: Mayor Brad M. Cavanagh and Members of the City Council
FROM: Adrienne Breitfelder, City Clerk
DATE: March 4, 2026
SUBJECT: Closed Session for Evaluation Request
I understand that the Dubuque City Council intends to evaluate my professional
competency and conduct with respect to my performance related to specific goals
that have been established for me, as City Clerk, by the Council for this year and
beyond.
I understand that such an evaluation will involve a direct and frank conversation
between the members of the Council regarding my professional competency and
performance and may include questions or statements that are both supportive
and/or critical of my past and current performance and may require the sharing of
information which may be harmful to my reputation if publicly disclosed. I believe
that a full and frank discussion is in the best interest of the City and in my own best
interest to ensure any performance issues or concerns are fully and freely
addressed.
Therefore, I believe a closed session is necessary and proper to foster a full and
frank discussion, and I believe a closed session is necessary to prevent needless
and irreparable injury to my reputation. For these reasons, please consider this
letter a formal request that the City Council conduct this evaluation and discussion
of my performance and goals in a closed session on May 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.,
pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(i).
21.5 Closed session
1. A governmental body may hold a closed session only by affirmative public
vote of either two-thirds of the members of the body or all of the members
present at the meeting. A governmental body may hold a closed session only to
the extent a closed session is necessary for any of the following reasons:
…..
Page 6 of 7
i. To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose
appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when
necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s
reputation and that individual requests a closed session.
…..
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