Artco Barge Fleeting RequestMEMORANDUM
November 14, 2001
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
ARTCO Fleeting Request
ARTCO Fleeting has requested to lease space for storage of up to six barges at the
former Sinclair dock located at the southerly end of Terminal Street. Public Works
Director Mike Koch recommends that the City enter into negotiations with ARTCO
Fleeting for a lease on the proposed site.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
MEMORANDUM
November 13, 2001
TO:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Mike Koch, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: ARTCO Fleeting request
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information regarding a request from
Brent Nissen of ARTCO Fleeting and to request City Council authorization to negotiate
a short-term lease.
Discussion
Attached is correspondence from Brent Nissen of ARTCO Fleeting regarding the use of
frontage adjacent to the former Sinclair dock located at the southerly end of Terminal
Street. A map showing the requested area is attached. In his letter Mr. Nissen sites
continued concerns about sufficient space to service Dubuque businesses. ARTCO
Fleeting currently leases frontage near the Peavey Grain facility. This site is sufficient
to hold approximately 12 barges. Mr. Nissen is suggesting the use of the former
Sinclair dock for the placement of up to six barges. This request is based upon his
inability to find alternatives such as the lease or purchase of sites down river or across
the river on the Illinois side.
In response to this request, city staff including Ron Turner, Cindy Steinhauser and
myself have met with Mr. Nissen to discuss his request. Mr. Nissen has indicated that
he is willing to work under a year-to-year lease arrangement. Attached are photos of
the proposed site taken by Ron Turner from the Julien Dubuque Bridge and from the
Rivers Edge Plaza. These photos show the site without barges and with six loaded
barges in a configuration of 2 barges wide and 3 deep. Should the City agree to enter
into lease negotiations, this configuration would be the suggested arrangement. In
reviewing the photos, it does not appear that the barges have a significant impact from
the Rivers Edge Plaza.
Recommendation
Based upon this information, I would recommend that the City enter into negotiations
with ARTCO Fleeting for a lease on the proposed site.
Action
The requested action is for City Council to authorize the City Manager to enter into
lease negotiations.
Cc~
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
ARTCO FLEETING SERVICES
P.O. BOX585. CASSV1LLE, WI 53806
TELEPHONE 608/725-2311
~AX 608/725-504z~
August 2, 2001
City Manager's Office
City Hah
50 West 13t~ Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Attn: Mike Van Milligan
I would like to address the barge fleeting issue one more time, but on a much smaller and simpler level.
Over the last month we have operated without the fleet between the bridges and it has stressed the need for
any exxra space near the City docks, no matter how small. With this in mind, I would be interested in
leasing the old Sinclair dock frontage for the purpose of harge fleeting.
Our proposal would be to use the old Sinclair dock frontage for the propose of fleeting a maximum of six
(6) loaded barges in a configuration of 2 wide and 3 long (70' x 600').
Advantages would include:
· Loaded barges only (Line of sight is much lower than an empty barge)
· Six barges have minimum exposure
· Below the 4th Street Peninsula Project
· Below allthe bridges
· Utilization of old Sinclair dock frontage
! previously did not give this location much merit due to the fact that it is very small in barge fleeters'
terms. I now know that any space would be helpful for us to better serve the businesses in Dubuque. If the
City approves this site, it would have to go through the Corps of Engineers for their approval and
permitting also. One thought; I would be willing to consider trading my dredghg services in the harbor for
an equal amount of fleeting space rent.
Enclosed you will find a map of the location and the barge configuration. In addition, I will be able to
provide photos of barges in that location if yon so desire.
Please contact me with any questions or commants end I will be in touch in the next week or so.
Regards,
Brent Nissen
Manager