Loading...
Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) Catalyst Fund Grant Award AcceptanceCity of Dubuque City Council CONSENT ITEMS # 9. Copyrighted July 20, 2026 ITEM TITLE: Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) Catalyst Fund Grant Award Acceptance SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval to accept the grant award of $19,580.00 from the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) and request City Manager signature on the Memorandum of Understanding with the USDN Catalyst Fund. SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve DISPOSITION: ATTACHMENTS: 1. MVM Memo Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) Catalyst Fund Grant Award Acceptance 2. Staff Memo—USDN Catalyst Grant Acceptance for approval_07072026 3. CF20_Dubuque IA—USDN Memorandum of Understanding_07062026 Page 212 of 1061 Dubuque THE CITY OF uFA�a9a av DuBE 13 Masterpiece on the Mississippi zoo�•*o rP PP 2017202019 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) Catalyst Fund Grant Award Acceptance DATE: July 14, 2026 Sustainability Director Gina Bell is recommending City Council approval to accept the grant award of $19,580.00 from the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) and request City Manager signature on the Memorandum of Understanding with the USDN Catalyst Fund. There is no match required for this grant. The project will require minimal staff time but has no additional budget impact. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. v Mic ael C. Van Milligen MCVM:sv Attachment cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager Gina Bell, Sustainability Director Page 213 of 1061 THE CITY OF DUB TEE Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: FROM DATE; RE: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager Gina Bell, Sustainability Director July 7, 2026 Dubuque AII•Aweriea City 2007-2012.2013 2017*2019 Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) Catalyst Fund Grant Award Acceptance INTRODUCTION The purpose of this memo is to request Council approval of a grant award from the USDN Catalyst grant program. BACKGROUND In 2011, Dubuque became a member of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN). USDN connects local government practitioners to accelerate urban sustainability in US and Canadian communities. The Catalyst Fund works to enhance local capacity to build capacity for sustainable communities. The fund does this by requiring local government and local nonprofit and/or business partnerships to move a short-term project forward. USDN member communities were invited to apply for grant project funding and sustainability staff with partners throughout the region determined that a regional gathering to discuss current challenges was an immediate need and project timeline would support the work. It will build relationships and collaborations among members, review ongoing research by the NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnerships Program and create a report including effective approaches and framing to advance sustainability efforts throughout the region. The application was submitted and approved by City Council on June 22, 2026. DISCUSSION In late June, we received the news that our grant application was awarded full funding. The Legal Department reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which is included for City Manager's signature. BUDGET IMPACT The total grant award is $19,580.00. No match is required. The project will require minimal staff time but has no additional budget impact. It is expected that all funds will be used for the grant purpose. REQUESTED ACTION I respectfully request City Council approval to accept the grant award and request City Manager signature on the MOU with the USDN Catalyst Fund. Page 214 of 1061 USDNiirhan ciict�inahili* directors network CF20 —Dubuque, IA Convening Heartlandia to Build Capacity Project Amount: $19,580 Project Completion Date: November 15, 2026 Memorandum of Understanding for Convening Heartlandia to Build Capacity and Connection Despite It All This is a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU"), dated June 30, 2026 ("Effective Date"), between the City of Dubuque, IA ("Lead Community"), and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network ("USDN"), an Illinois nonprofit corporation, to implement the Convening Heartlandia to Build Capacity and Connection Despite It All project ("Project"). It describes partnership roles. 1. Purpose and Scope This work will host a convening to bring together current and prospective Heartlandia regional members. The work is described in greater detail in the Full Project Proposal, Appendix 1. 2. Project Term USDN and the Lead Community agree to a Project Term of 5-months from award notification (June 2026 — November 2026). If more time is required, the Lead Community indicates this to fund management as soon as that is known, so an extension can be documented. Please reference the USDN Award Guidelines and Policies for more information about this process. 3. Responsibilities a. USDN. USDN, as a project investor, is responsible for: i. Funding. USDN provides funding for the project in an amount not to exceed $19,580 USD. Payment(s) are made according to the Payment Schedule described in Table 1. ii. Technical Assistance. USDN contracts with Sutherland & Associates to manage its competitive member funds. Fund management assists with any decision -making that impacts this MOU or any associated agreements/ payments. They receive, confirm, and process all deliverables, quarterly reports, and invoices. They monitor progress and capture the impacts of the investment. iii. Payment Processing. USDN processes Lead Community approved invoices upon receipt via the Lead Community, within 30 days. • Invoices are submitted by any party receiving payment, including local governments. Invoices paid by USDN to any party follow the payment schedule outlined in Table 1 of this agreement, which are also reflected in any associated independent contractor agreement(s). All invoices are addressed to: Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) Reference: CF20 — Dubuque, IA Attn: Jamal Brown USDN Chief Finance and Operations Officer 01 Page 215 of 1061 l irhan ci ict iinahiIi+ CF20—Dubuque, lA USDNdirectors network Convening Heartlandia to Build Capacity Project Amount: $19,580 Project Completion Date: November 15, 2026 500 Westover Drive #14973 Sanford, NC 27330 • Project funds are expended per the proposed budget, in accordance with the terms in this MOU and to fulfill the scope of the final and awarded proposal. • To keep the Lead Community as the visible lead of the work, invoices are approved by the Lead Community and then submitted to USDN fund management for review against the project budget. USDN fund management initiate processing of approved invoices with USDN.' b. Lead Community. The City of Dubuque, IA, as the Lead Community, is responsible for: i. Project Management and Coordination. Providing the project management and coordination necessary to complete the project. ii. Quarterly Updates. Submitting a 1-2 paragraph update describing progress on outputs, timeline, budget, and metrics is due at the end of each quarter, until project completion. iii. Final Products and Reporting. By November 15, submitting: • Project Products / Outputs. All substantial products and outputs produced as high -quality deliverables, for posting to the USDN website. • Final Project Report. A final project report, form ere • High Resolution Photos. High resolution .jpg photographs of project work, to potentially be used in USDN communications. • Project Budget and Expenditures. A detailed record of project expenditures, including a comparison of original budget to award expenditures. Please use the Budget Template here or simply modify and return your proposal budget to show proposed to actuals. iv. USDN Presentation. At project completion, awardees may be asked to present project outcomes during a USDN virtual or in person meeting. This request is subject to USDN's communications schedule and is not guaranteed to be made V. 1-Year Impact Report. Submitting a 1-page report 1 year after the project term, noting any additional impacts that have developed since the project ended. 4. Project Participants and Primary Contacts • Lead Community and Primary Contact: i. Lead Community: Dubuque, IA ii. Project Lead: Gina Bell, Director of Sustainability, City of Dubuque, 50 West 13th Street, Dubuque, IA 52001, gbell@cityofdubuque.org, 563.845.8591. • Project Participants. ' To prevent any payment delays, the Lead Community lets Fund Management staff know of any schedule or staffing changes with as much advance notice as possible so that schedules can be adjusted. 2 Page 216 of 1061 USN iirhan ci�ctairah�1i' directors network CF20 —Dubuque, IA Convening Heartlandia to Build Capacity Project Amount: $19,580 Project Completion Date: November 15, 2026 i. Primary Participating Local Governments: • Sarah Gardner, Iowa City, IA, Climate Action Coordinator (USDN), Convening Committee Member • Lara Isch, Sustainability Manager, Overland Park, KS (USDN), Convening Committee Member • Jensen Adams, Chief Environmental Officer, Kansas City, MO (USDN), Convening Committee Member • Kim Morrow, Sustainability Manager, Lincoln, NE (USDN), Convening Committee Member • Additional potential participating Heartlandia jurisdictions/interested communities: Columbia, MO; Springfield, MO; St. Louis, MO; Cedar Rapids, IA; Ames, IA; Fairfield, IA; Johnson County, IA; Linn County, IA; Lawrence, KS; Johnson County, KS; Douglas County, KS; Rapid City, SD; Brookings, SD; Oklahoma City, OK; Edmund, OK; Norman, OK. ii. External Primary Partners: • Emily Rountree, Climate Adaptation Partnerships Specialist, NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnerships Program, Convening Collaborator 5. Project Scope: Deliverables, Timeline, Reporting and Payment Schedule Project activities, deliverables, and due dates are scheduled below in Table 1.1 Table 1. Schedule of Project Deliverables and Payments # Activity Deliverables Due Date Payment / Recipient Payment upon fully executed and Agreements: Signed MOU and Not later than 30 days invoice: associated invoice: other project agreements after MOU is delivered $19,580 to City of Dubuque Progress Update 1 250-word update PR1: July 23, 2026 Progress Update 2 250-word update PR2: August 19, 2026 PR3: September 16, Progress Update 3 250-word update 2026 Deliverable 1: Invitation with Activity 1. Finalize details and details to Heartlandia logistics (reserve room, 1 members and potential Date: October 15, 2026 arrange travel/lodging, communities and list of facilitation) participating jurisdictions. z Please add these dates to calendars(s) and proactively notify Fund Management staff if it is anticipated that any deliverable due dates will shift after this award agreement is executed. Schedules will be adjusted accordingly. Table 1 becomes the project's Deliverables Report. Each time a deliverable is received, it is returned to the Lead Community from Fund Management with notes/links as a receipt. This method keeps each party clear and aligned on the status of the work. 3 Page 217 of 1061 USDN ,,rk -n -„r�-;r,h,1;�„ directors network CF20 —Dubuque, IA Convening Heartlandia to Build Capacity Project Amount: $19,580 Project Completion Date: November 15, 2026 Activity 2. Presentation by NOAA researcher on Climate Date: November 15, 2 Deliverable 2: Research report Action Plans in the Heartlandia 2026 Region Activity 3. "PechaKucha" style presentations from each Deliverable 3: A master slide participating jurisdiction on a deck containing a case study Date: November 15, 3 sustainability program that from each participating 2026 could serve as a model for jurisdiction others Activity 4. Roundtable discussion of challenges and Deliverable 4: "Red State Date: November 15, 4 successful strategies for Update" report 2026 sustainability practitioners in conservative contexts Deliverable 5: Summary of activities and discussions that Activity 5. Climate Action KC Date: November 15, 5 comprise the Summit, with key Summit 2026 takeaways which Heartlandia members highlighted Final project report describing lessons / impacts, high Final Project Report, Photos, Date: November 15, resolution photos (.jpg format) and Budget Reconciliation 2026 and the final reconciled budget 6. Lobbying. USDN project funds cannot be used for lobbying. Urban Sustainability Directors Network Signature: Name: Jamal Brown Title: USDN Chief Finance and Operations Officer Date: 4 Page 218 of 1061 urban sustainabilit U S D N directors network CF20 —Dubuque, IA Convening Heortlondio to Build Capacity Project Amount: $19,580 Project Completion Date: November 15, 2026 Acceptance of Memorandum of Understanding The City of Dubuque, IA accepts the terms of this MOU. Name: Michael Van Millieen Title: City Manager Signature: Instructions for Check Issuance: Invoices will be submitted for each payment by the organization receiving funds with a completed ACH Authorization Form and W-9 Form City/County Tax ID Number: 42-6004596 Project Lead Contact Information: Name: Gina Bell Address: 50 W. 13th Street, Dubuque, IA 52001 Phone: 563.845.8591 Email: gbell@cityofdubugue.org 5 iirhanciict�inahilit\, CF20—Dubuque,1A USDNdirectors network Convening Heartlandia to Build Capacity Project Amount: $19,580 Project Completion Date: November 15, 2026 Appendix 1 Full Project Proposal 1. Project title. Convening Heartlandia to Build Capacity and Connection Despite It All 2. Amount requested. $19,580 (USD). 3. Budget. See Excel attachment. 4. Primary project focus. Developmental work. 5. Priority category. Collaborates across states and regions on climate policies and programs. 6. Lead USDN member. Gina Bell, Director of Sustainability, City of Dubuque, 50 West 13t" Street, Dubuque, IA 52001, gbell@cityofdubugue.org, 563.845.8591. 7. Other participants. • Michelle Kim, Dubuque, IA, Climate Action Coordinator, (USDN), Convening Committee Member • Sarah Gardner, Iowa City, IA, Climate Action Coordinator (USDN), Convening Committee Member • Lara Isch, Sustainability Manager, Overland Park, KS (USDN), Convening Committee Member • Jensen Adams, Chief Environmental Officer, Kansas City, MO (USDN), Convening Committee Member • Kim Morrow, Sustainability Manager, Lincoln, NE (USDN), Convening Committee Member • Emily Rountree, Climate Adaptation Partnerships Specialist, NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnerships Program, Convening Collaborator Additional potential participating Heartlandia jurisdictions/interested communities: Columbia, MO; Springfield, MO; St. Louis, MO; Cedar Rapids, IA; Ames, IA; Fairfield, IA; Johnson County, IA; Linn County, IA; Lawrence, KS; Johnson County, KS; Douglas County, KS; Rapid City, SD; Brookings, SD; Oklahoma City, OK; Edmund, OK; Norman, OK. 7a. Next to each name, clearly state their role. 7b. Have you confirmed that each one has the capacity to do this work? Yes 7c. State if any partner is missing that this work will seek to onboard. N/A 8. Statement of intent. The Heartlandia Network proposes hosting a convening to bring together current and prospective Heartlandia regional members to: • Build relationships and collaborations among members. • Support and learn from ongoing research by the NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnerships Program on climate action planning efforts in the region. • Develop program case studies and other resources to assist regional municipalities and counties that may lack a formal CAP or dedicated staff capacity in advancing regional climate action goals during times when sustainability offices in the region are under threat. • Outline a draft "red state update" report to share approaches and framing that have worked to advance climate efforts in the conservative areas in which Heartlandia members operate that can aid others who may be now facing these headwinds as a result of shifting political dynamics 9. Measuring success. • Attendance: At least 50% or more of Heartlandia members will participate in the convening R Page 220 of 1061 I irhan ci ict ainahiIi+ CF20—Dubuque, lA USDN directors network Convening Heartlandia to Build Capacity Project Amount: $19,580 Project Completion Date: November 15, 2026 • Membership: At least 1 new jurisdiction previously unaffiliated with the Heartlandia Network will become a member • Case studies: Case studies will be produced on at least 8 distinct programs to be used by both the NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnership Program and Heartlandia Members • Report: An outline for a "red state update" report will be drafted, including commitment. 10. Direct outputs from this work. With this funding, we will produce both case studies and a report to support conservative communities working in the sustainability/climate space better understand programs and options available to start/advance this body of work. Travel expenses have been one of the most significant barriers to prevent Heartlandia members from convening in recent years. Many of the states in which we work have been instituting budget reforms that have adversely impacted municipal budgets. At the same time, our communities have been contending with multiple climate - driven and climate -compounding disasters which have further constricted local sustainability budgets, as dollars must be prioritized for recovery efforts. This funding will provide tangible support for: • A catered lunch for the first day of the convening. • Stipends to participating members to cover lodging for two nights and offset other costs • Registration costs for Heartlandia members to the Climate Action KC Summit. • Materials and supplies costs for the convening such as large easel pads and USB drives. The funding will also provide support for several intangible outcomes, including: • Gathering that focuses on sharing information and mutual support. • Building relationships and trust among the large geographic area. • Address immediate threats of downsizing (both the physical and emotional work). • As a network, we will confirm our priorities to work together and define next best steps for each participating jurisdiction. Part of the process with be commitments to us and one another to follow through. 11. Root cause design / the "why". The Heartlandia Network last hosted a regional convening in 2016 (a planned meeting for 2020 took place virtually the following year because of the pandemic). Since then, many new members have joined while many of the original members have retired or left their positions. Interest in the network, however, continues to grow, with an average of 3-4 new communities added each year. This convening is an opportunity for members who previously may have never met in person to do so as well as an opportunity for interested potential members to participate and learn from a network event. We anticipate the potential members would include communities that have recently expressed an interest in joining the Network and neighboring jurisdictions of Heartlandia communities that current members would invite to attend. Some members of the Heartlandia Network have taken part in a NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnerships Program research project on climate action planning and implementation over the past two years. This convening would be held in collaboration with the program researcher, and the first day will be utilized to share out the findings of the project among members and prospective members and assist with refining the resulting report. The Heartlandia Network also recently proposed developing a set of case studies as a next step for the research project that could be used 7 Page 221 of 1061 USDNiirhan ciict:iinahilit directors network CF20 —Dubuque, IA Convening Heartlandia to Build Capacity Project Amount: $19,580 Project Completion Date: November 15, 2026 independently of a formally adopted CAP for smaller cities and communities to implement climate action efforts. The convening is intended tojump start that process with each participating jurisdiction presenting on a successful ongoing program, allowing Network members to identify future programs and potential collaborations for their own communities while helping build a body of reference materials and resources that can be shared with others. The first day will conclude with a focused "red state update" discussion among participants to discuss strategies and communications tools that Network members have found work well to build and maintain support for climate efforts in the conservative context of the states in which we work. The aim would be to identify learnings that could be shared outside the region with colleagues who may historically not have had to navigate such political headwinds in hopes of aiding their continued efforts as well. The state of the United States is moving in a direction oppositional to the work we are trying to accomplish. During the past decade, cities throughout the Heartland have added sustainability programming and staff. Others have grown offices and completed CAP. Data has been gathered. But as we see a shift in politics, both fledgling offices and long-established offices are fighting for their existence, while trying to move the work forward. Federal shifts impact the entire network but especially in "red" states, which are majority of Heartlandia, where no state level policies, funding and action exist to fall back upon. The second day of the convening will coincide with the Climate Action KC Summit. Heartlandia members attending the convening will participate in the Summit as an opportunity to have a more concentrated look at efforts in one of our member cities, and to broaden the discussion among local Summit participants with perspectives from similar situated communities in the Heartlandia Network. Participating in the Climate Action KC Summit will also provide an event model that other members of the Heartlandia Network can potentially bring back to implement in their own communities. 12. Methodology / the "how". A small group of veteran Heartlandia members have been discussing a gathering to support newer jurisdictions and those with limited resources/capacity in moving climate action forward. In partnership with Emily Roundtree with NOAA, who has spent the past 3 years researching climate action plans and implementation efforts within the Heartlandia region, also approached the group about sharing her findings and taking next steps. This opportunity will allow members to travel to Kansas City, MO to gather as a regional network, build and strengthen relationships and share learnings, ideas and data. Members will leave with deeper connections to regional partners and ideas of how to advance their local work. The gathering will take place over two days. The time will be spent as a mix of relationship building and facilitated discussions and report - outs on projects, details, and Emily's collected data. A small group of members will serve as the planning committee and ensure every detail is taken care of. 13. Scalability. Often, sustainability practitioners in conservative -leaning regions can feel their experiences and realities are not fully reflected in larger national or international climate action discussions, including at some USDN events. Ambitious "grass tips" policy changes like building code updates and plastic bag bans may not be possible and, when possible, may even backfire, while more the more "grassroots" efforts that prove successful tend to be more highly tailored to each community and involve unusual and unexpected allies. Although the highly individualized nature of these Page 222 of 1061 USDNiirhan ciictainahili+ directors network CF20 —Dubuque, IA Convening Heartlandia to Build Capacity Project Amount: $19,580 Project Completion Date: November 15, 2026 programs may not always directly translate to other communities, the approaches that make them possible do scale and may even already be familiar to other USDN members in another form. We seek to answer: What approaches work well to co -create a program with conservative stakeholders? What does it look like to embody familiar practices like "assume positive intent" and "step up and step back" when in conversation with those who are highly skeptical of climate change? Is there such a thing as code switching for rural audiences? A chief aim of the convening is to document the collective wisdom of sustainability practitioners who have won some hard earned victories in the climate action space, recognize and celebrate the strength and resilience of these colleagues, and create a toolkit from our shared experiences in the form of the "red state update" report that can be shared with other practitioners in presentations and discussions, including in USDN peer learning groups and future annual meetings. 14. Project timeline. Can the proposed work be done 3-6 months from award announcement? Yes. 15. Project plan. Create a detailed plan and timeline for the proposed work, showing how it will be executed. Use the following table template: Name a specific Describe what will be sent to USDN e. g'' date this will be Describe what actions the team will take report workshop presentation details, delivered to during the project period toolkit, etc.) USDN to set clear delivery expectations Finalize details and logistics (reserve Invitation with details to Heartlandia 1 room, arrange travel/lodging, facilitation) members and potential communities and 10/15/2026 list of participating jurisdictions. Presentation by NOAA researcher on 2 Climate Action Plans in the Heartlandia Research report 11/15/2026 Region "PechaKucha" style presentations from 3 each participating jurisdiction on a A master slide deck containing a case 11/15/2026 sustainability program that could serve as study from each participating jurisdiction a model for others Roundtable discussion of challenges and 4 successful strategies for sustainability "Red State Update" report 11/15/2026 practitioners in conservative contexts Summary of activities and discussions that 5 Climate Action KC Summit comprise the Summit, with key takeaways 11/15/2026 which Heartlandia members highlighted 16. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Acknowledgment. Acknowledged. E Page 223 of 1061 US D N urban sustainability directors network 17. Budget. CF20 —Dubuque, IA Convening Heartlandia to Build Capacity Project Amount: $19,580 Project Completion Date: November 15, 2026 Itemized Cost Other List Each Cost Against the Requested Amount Below Amount Funding Sources* TOTALRequested $0.00 $250.00 $250.00 in kind facility use Facility Rental Catered Lunch $550.00 $550.00 in -kind facilitation & report writing Facilitator $0.00 $1,450.00 $1,450.00 ($150/hour facilitation; $50/hour report writing) Supplies - large easel pads/sticky notes/usb $150.00 $150.00 drives Climate Action Summit $1,210.00 $220.00 $1,430.00 some participants have funding to cover this KC registrations in their budgets Travel Stipends depends on # of participants, not to exceed, (mileage/lodging/per $17,670.00 $17,670.00 may be less than amount requested, but this diem) amount allows for at least one person from each interested jurisdiction to attend. TOTAL $19,580.00 $1,920.00 $21,500.00 10 Page 224 of 1061