9 12 11 City Council Proceedings Official_SpecialCITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL SESSION
OFFICIAL
The City Council met in special session at 6:00 p.m. on September 12, 2011 in the
Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th Street.
Present: Mayor Buol, Council Members Braig, Connors, Jones, Lynch, Resnick, Sutton,
City Manager Van Milligen
Absent: City Attorney Lindahl
Mayor Buol read the call and stated this is a special session of the City Council to
conduct a work session on Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project.
WORK SESSION
UPPER BEE BRANCH CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT
Civil Engineer Deron Muerhing provided historical information on the Bee Branch Creek
and current project and presented a video production related to area flooding. Muering
introduced representatives from Strand Associates, Mike Bridwell, and IIW Engineers, Mike
Jansen and Ken Saiki who assisted with the presentation. Highlights included:
• Creation of the Drainage Basin Master Plan
• North Fork Catfish Creek Watershed
NW Arterial Detention Basin
• Bee Branch Creek Watershed
L i Carter Road Detention Basin
L i West 32nd Street Detention Basin
L i Open Waterway 16th to 24`h Street
L i Bee Branch Creek Alignment Study
• Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
Primary purpose: flood protection
Secondary purpose: community asset
Public meetings and input (commercial district, Lincoln to Railroad, 22nd to
Lincoln, 24th to 22nd Streets)
Separated into Phases I (lower) & II (upper)
• Lower Phase I projects and suggested design elements (plazas and
overlooks)
• Upper Phase II projects and suggested design elements (railroad
property acquisition, bike tunnel, level control facility and operation,
Heritage Trail connection, bike /walking paths, activity "nodes" with
pedestrian amenities, biofields runoff treatment, boardwalks, bridges,
amphitheater, water feature, orchard /community garden space,
parking, information kiosks, sediment collection, embankment slide,
fish habitat, overlooks, safety piers, pervious allies for adjacent
property owners, headwaters structure, possible pet amenities,
Construction will take place from downstream to upstream with the 24`h Street headwater
area constructed last.
Ground restoration is expected to include bluegrass; prairie grasses; low- maintenance,
low -mow Fescue grass, and a low- volume drip irrigation system.
Current site plan includes: a trail system, drinking fountains, lighting, banners, planters,
flags, interpretive project signs, security kiosks and cameras
Outside funding sources: (JOBS, State Revolving Fund, Environmental Protection
Agency, Vision Iowa, Federal Highways Trail, America's River, and ongoing funding
searches.
Schedule /timeline for engineering, design permitting, parcel acquisition, and construction
underway with functionality for Phase!! by spring 2013.
Questions and comments from Council included what style of pavement and fixtures are
to be used; concerns about water level control and rate, path width, shade, reservation of
amphitheater and overlooks for private /public events; benefits to the Northend neighborhood
and greater community; and incorporation with Kaufmann Avenue storm sewer. Van
Milligen reiterated that the City Council has designated the area a Conservation District to
preserve the character of the neighborhood and the project.
There being no further business upon motion the City Council adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
/s /Kevin S. Firnstahl
City Clerk