Minutes City Council 2 23 06
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
OFFICIAL
City Council, Special Session, February 23, 2006
Council met in Special Session at 6:30 P.M. in the Library Auditorium
Present: Mayor Buol, Council Members Braig, Cline, Connors, Jones, Lynch, Michalski, City
Manager Van Milligen
Mayor Buol read the call and stated this is a special session of the City Council called for the
purpose of discussing various City departmental budgets.
Airport Department: Airport Commission Chairperson Teri Goodmann stated that the Airport
is vital to Dubuque and the position of Marketing Director is essential to its success. She
further stated that although the position was not recommended for funding, the Commission
would be striving to find ways to fund it. Connors and Lynch both agreed that the position was
much needed. Michalski questioned what would happen to the land proposed to be purchased
for the new terminal building if that project did not materialize. Goodmann stated the purchase
at this time is extremely necessary in order for the Airport to move forward.
Library Department: Discussion centered on the amount of staffing available at the Library
and what would be necessary for the Library to be re-opened to the public on Thursday
mornings. The proposed renovation project was also discussed.
Health Services Department: Council commended Public Health Specialist Mary Rose
Corrigan for her work in making the Community Health Center a reality. Michalski questioned
whether the Health Services Department would be involved with the disaster training (NIMS)
that Council would be receiving in the upcoming months and also if the City was preparing for
the possibility of a flu epidemic.
Sr. Helen Huewe expressed appreciation to the City Council for funding of the Community
Health Center and spoke of what a positive it would be for the community.
John Davis, Business Manager for the Rescue Mission, commented that the free clinic at the
Rescue Mission had over 625 patients in the last year and that there was a great need for the
Community Health Center.
Kevin Anderson, recently appointed Executive Director of the Community Health Center,
thanked the City Council for their assistance in bringing the Center to Dubuque.
Rod Tokheim, Mercy Health Center, spoke in support of the Community Health Center and
stated that Mercy is fully committed to it along with The Finley Hospital and Medical Associates.
Nan Collins, Visiting Nurse Association, spoke of the positive benefit the Community Health
Center will have on the community.
Jane McCall, Dubuque Humane Society, spoke of the positive working relationship between
the Health Services Department and the Humane Society and thanked the City Council for their
support.
Purchase of Services:
Sue Czeshinski, speaking for Steward Sandstrom of America’s River, provided an overview of
upcoming events.
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Sue Czeshinski, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce - Convention and Visitors Bureau,
provided a brief update on CVB’s activities.
Kelley Cooper, Dubuque Area Labor Management Council, highlighted projects undertaken in
the past year.
Dan LoBianco, Dubuque Main Street Ltd., thanked the Council for their support and gave an
update of Main Street’s activities.
Bill Baum, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, expressed appreciation for past and
future funding.
Cathy Fuchs, Prevention Specialist at Helping Services of Northeast Iowa, spoke of the work
the organization does.
Gary Carstens, Lifetime Center, expressed appreciation to the City for their support and spoke
of the Center’s plan to either downsize or move to a new location. He also stated their focus
was changing more towards health and wellness for older adults.
Tom Stovall, Operation: New View, updated the Council on the various programs offered by
Operation: New View and expressed concerns about projected Federal budget cuts. He
requested that City Council submit a letter to Federal legislators in support of continued funding
for the Community Services Block Grant Program. He was requested to provide a fact sheet to
the City Manager.
Steve Jacobs, Project Concern, updated the City Council on the Child Care Referral Program,
Foster Grandparent Program and Information and Referral and thanked the Council for their
continued support.
Bob Schroeder, Director of RSVP – Retired Senior Volunteer Program, briefly summarized
RSVP’s activities and the positive role it plays in the community. He stated that the funding
from the City is critical to its continued operation.
Diane Thomas, Substance Abuse Services Center, expressed appreciation to the City Council
for their support and spoke of the changes in the area of substance abuse since the inception
of the Center.
There being no further business, upon motion meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
/s/ Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk
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