Dubuque Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project - Initiate Public Bidding Process and Setting Date for a Public HearingCity of Dubuque
City Council
Copyrighted
July 20, 2026
ITEMS SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING # 2.
ITEM TITLE: Dubuque Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project -
Initiate Public Bidding Process and Setting Date for a Public
Hearing
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council grant preliminary
approval of the construction plans and specifications;
estimated construction cost of $640,354.00, and establish
August 3, 2026, as the date of the public hearing; and hereby
authorized to advertise for bid proposals for the Dubuque Fire
Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project through adoption
of the attached resolution
RESOLUTION Dubuque Fire Headquarters Bunkroom
Remodel Project: 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: August 3, 2026
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo Dubuque Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project Initiate Public
Bidding Process and Set date of Public Hearing
2. Dbq Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project - Council Initiate Set PH Staff
MEMO - Rebid
3. Dbq Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project - Council Staff Initiate
RESOLUTION - Rebid
4. Dbq Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project - Notice of Hearing - Rebid
Page 827 of 1061
Dubuque
THE CITY OF
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi zoo�•*o
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Dubuque Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project
Initiate Public Bidding Process and Setting Date for a Public Hearing
Project No. 1315000025
DATE: July 14, 2026
Fire Chief Amy Scheller and Project Manager Jim Bousley are recommending City
Council grant preliminary approval of the construction plans and specifications;
estimated construction cost of $532,440.00, and establish August 3, 2026, as the date
of the public hearing; and hereby authorized to advertise for bid proposals for the
Dubuque Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project through adoption of the
attached resolution.
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
Amy Scheller, Fire Chief
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Bob Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
Jim Bousley, Project Manager
Page 828 of 1061
THE COF
DUi! B E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Amy Scheller, Fire Chief
Jim Bousley, Project Manager
Dubuque
*Americo City
2007-2012-2013
2017*2019
SUBJECT: Dubuque Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project
Initiate Public Bidding Process and Setting Date for a Public Hearing
Project No. 1315000025
DATE: July 15, 2026
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request City Council authorize the initiation of
the public improvement construction bidding process and sets a public hearing date for
August 3, 2026, for the Dubuque Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project.
The public bidding process for this project was approved and initiated at the June 15,
2026, City Council meeting. However, because the public hearing was not included on
the July 6, 2026, council meeting agenda, the public bidding has been rescinded and
the City will re -initiate the public bidding process for this project.
BACKGROUND
The Fire Headquarters bunkroom and bathroom improvements were identified as a
major project within the City Council's 2024-2026 Goals and Priorities and is intended to
modernize firefighter living accommodations that support personnel assigned to 24-hour
shifts. The project received budget support in the FY25 CIP budget process. The project
will renovate the existing bunkroom and bathroom areas by converting two open -
concept dormitory sleeping areas into up to twelve individual bunkrooms and
reconfiguring existing restroom facilities into four private, lockable bathroom and shower
rooms. The project is intended to improve privacy, firefighter health and wellness,
fatigue mitigation, and overall workplace functionality. The completed project will
provide a modernized living environment that better supports firefighter wellness,
operational readiness, and the long-term functionality of Fire Headquarters.
Prior to advancing the project, the departments worked with industry partners to develop
preliminary concepts and obtain an opinion of probable construction costs to better
define the project scope and budget requirements. Following this work, the department
selected an architectural firm (FEH Design) to complete the design, code review, space
planning, construction documents, specifications, and cost estimating identified within
the project scope.
Page 1 of 3
Page 829 of 1061
DISCUSSION
The scope of the project will provide for the remodeling of existing Fire Headquarters
second floor includes the removal of plumbing fixtures, walls, doors, ceilings, and tile
flooring in existing group shower/restrooms; removal of existing lockers and integral
bases; removal of one fire pole and enclosing of associated floor opening; construction
of new individual shower/restrooms in location of former restrooms and individual
sleeping rooms in locations of former bunkrooms and locker room; upgrades to existing
hot water system; installation of electrical, lighting, and fire alarm devices associated
with aforementioned new construction.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
The project development schedule for the project will be as follows:
Initiate Public Bidding Process
Publish Notice to Bidders, Advertise for Bids
Notice of Public Hearing on Plans and Specs
Public Hearing on Plans and Specs
Receipt of Bid Proposals
Award Construction Contract
Completion Date
RECOMMENDATION
July 20, 2026
July 24, 2026
July 24, 2026
August 3, 2026
August 6, 2026
August 17, 2026
December 30, 2026
I recommend preliminary approval of the proposed plans, specifications, form of
contract and construction estimate for the Dubuque Fire Headquarters Bunkroom
Remodel Project. I further recommend establishing the date of the public hearing and
authorizing the Engineering Department to advertise for bids for the project.
BUDGETIMPACT
The estimate of probable cost for the Dubuque Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel
Project is summarized in the following table:
PROJECT COSTS
ESTIMATE
Construction Contract
$ 532,440
Contingency
53,244
Architectural Consultant Services - FEH Design
49,670
Engineering Dept Staff Services - Project Management
5,000
Total Project Cost
$ 640,354
The proposed funding for the project is summarized in the following table:
Project No.
Fund Description
Fund Amount
1315000025
DBQ Fire Dept HQ Bunkroom Remodel Project
$ 640,354
Total Project Funding
$ 640,354
Page 2of3
Page 830 of 1061
Funding for this project was included in the Fire Departments FY25 Budget, and the
funds were carried over in FY26. FY26 funds for the Fire Dept HQ Bunkroom Remodel
Project will be included in the FY27 budget carryover process.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request that the City Council grant preliminary approval of the construction
plans and specifications; and establish August 3, 2026, as the date of the public
hearing; and hereby authorized to advertise for bid proposals for the Dubuque Fire
Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project through adoption of the attached resolution.
Prepared by: Jim Bousley, Project Manager
cc: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Bob Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
FAPROJECTS\Fire Station 1 HQ\2026 Fire Dept HQ Bunkroom Remodel Project\Council Documents
Page 3 of 3
Page 831 of 1061
Prepared by Jim Bousley, City of Dubuque Engineering 50 W. 13th St. Dubuque IA 52001 (563)589-4270
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk, 50 W. 13'h St., Dubuque, IA 52001, (563) 589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 284-26
DUBUQUE FIRE HEADQUARTERS BUNKROOM REMODEL PROJECT
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 project will include the remodeling of the existing second floor
including removal plumbing fixtures, walls, doors, ceilings, and tile flooring in existing
group shower/restrooms; removal of existing lockers and integral bases; removal of one
fire pole and enclosing of associated floor opening; construction of new individual
shower/restrooms in location of former restrooms and individual sleeping rooms in
locations of former bunkrooms and locker room; upgrades to existing hot water system;
installation of electrical, lighting, and fire alarm devices associated with aforementioned
new construction.
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
Dubuque Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project in the estimated construction
amount $532,440,00, 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 3rd day of August, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the
Historic Federal Building Council Chambers 350 W. 61h 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 Dubuque Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project 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 Dubuque Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project 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 shall be published not less than
thirteen but not more than forty-five days before the date for filing bids before 2:00 p.m.
on the 6th day of August, 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 17th day
of August, 2026, in the Historic Federal Building Council Chambers 350 West 6th Street,
Dubuque, Iowa.
Passed, approved and adopted this 20th day of July 2026.
Attest:
Adrienne Breitfelder, 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 3rd day of August, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., in the Historic Federal Building,
350 W. 61" Street, 2nd floor, Dubuque, Iowa, at which meeting the City Council proposes
to hear the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the Dubuque
Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Project. The project will include the remodeling
of the existing second floor including removal plumbing fixtures, walls, doors, ceilings,
and tile flooring in existing group shower/restrooms; removal of existing lockers and
integral bases; removal of one fire pole and enclosing of associated floor opening;
construction of new individual shower/restrooms in location of former restrooms and
individual sleeping rooms in locations of former bunkrooms and locker room; upgrades
to existing hot water system; installation of electrical, lighting, and fire alarm devices
associated with aforementioned new construction.
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 ittps://dubugueia.portal.civiccierk.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. 131" 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 Iowa by dialing 711 or
(800) 735-2942.
Published by order of the City Council given on the 20t" day of July 2026.
Adrienne Breitfelder, City Clerk
Page 834 of 1061