2017 Federal Legislative Priorities Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 6.
ITEM TITLE: 2017 Federal Legislative Priorities
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending adoption of the 2017 Federal
Legislative Priorities.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
2017 Federal Legislati a Priorities-MVM Memo City Manager Memo
Supporting Documentation Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF Dubuque
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007-2012-2013
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: 2017 Federal Legislative Priorities
DATE: February 2, 2017
Assistant City Manager Teri Goodmann has worked with the Department Managers and
City of Dubuque strategic partners to develop a set of recommended 2017 Federal
Legislative Priorities and is recommending adoption of the attached priorities.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
adoption of the 2017 Federal Legislative Priorities.
aAA4 k�4
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
THE CITY OF Dubuque
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007.2012.2013
2017
Federal Legislative Priorities
Table of Contents
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT .............................................................................................. 12
HOUSING ................................................................................................................................ 11
PLANNING.............................................................................................................................. 15
PUBLIC HEALTH ................................................................................................................... 14
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP PRIORITIES.....................................................................25
SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES ....................................................... 18
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND CONNECTIVITY .........................................................20
TRANSPORTATION................................................................................................................2
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THE CITY Dubuque
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TRANSPORTATION
The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act is a five year legislation to improve the
Nation's surface transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, transit systems and rail
transportation network. This legislation was passed in December 2015 and provides direction for
transportation activities for the next six years.
The bill reforms and strengthens transportation programs, refocuses national priorities, provides
long term certainty and greater flexibility for states and local governments, streamlines project
approval processes and maintains strong commitment to safety. Reauthorization of the
transportation bill provides builds on and strengthen the innovations begun in MAP-21 in areas
such as performance-based planning, safety, design, and freight planning. FAST Act supports
policies, such as, transit, Transportation Alternatives, and TIGER grants, which expand choices,
bolster public health, and strengthen communities.
Trump Administration officials have touted a $900 billion infrastructure plan during the run-up to
the November 2016 presidential elections. The City of Dubuque is eagerly awaiting details of
this plan and supports our members of Congress in its work to deliver significant legislation and
appropriations providing funding for transportation and public works infrastructure replacements
and improvements.
East-West Corridor Study— University Avenue Overlap Section
The City Council has listed the completion of the East — West Corridor Connectivity Study as a
"High-Priority" on its Goals and Priorities. The US 20 corridor is the primary east-west route in
the City of Dubuque and future traffic projects indicate US 20 alone will not provide sufficient
capacity for east-west travel in the city. Capacity along alternate east-west corridors will need to
be improved to provide connectivity between the western growth areas and the downtown.
On February 18, 2008, the City Council approved the consultant selection of HDR (Omaha,
Nebraska)/IIW Engineers & Surveyors, PC (IIW - Dubuque) to complete the study. On July 22,
2008, an agreement was signed between the City and HDR Engineering, Inc. (HDR) of Omaha,
Nebraska, to provide professional engineering, consulting, and related services to the East-West
Corridor Connectivity Study.
The purpose of the study was to: analyze the east-west traffic flow in the City; identify corridor
improvements or modifications to support growing traffic demands; and to consider transit
needs, pedestrian needs, and sustainability. In addition to reviewing the east-west corridor
needs for the City of Dubuque, Asbury Road west of the Northwest Arterial, including Asbury
Road within the City of Asbury, was reviewed to determine recommended improvements for this
corridor. The City of Asbury has paid for this portion of the study.
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On November 17, 2009, the Engineering Department presented the East-West Corridor
Connectivity Study Draft Report the City Council during a work session. As part of the council
memo for the work session, the Engineering Department requested "input from the City Council
and approval to create an implementation plan for the recommendations contained in the East-
West Corridor Connectivity Report."
One of the recommended corridor improvements from the study was the conversion of three
intersections along University Avenue to roundabouts. The City Council took action on this
recommendation and listed the East-West Corridor study implementation as a top priority at an
annual Goal Setting Session. Currently DMATS funding has been identified for the preliminary
engineering phase of the project. The City is looking at all available funding sources for the
improvements themselves along this federal aid route.
14th Street Railroad Overpass
The Canadian Pacific (CP) Railroad travels through the urban core of the city with numerous at-
grade crossings on local city streets in the downtown area. With approximately 15-20 trains
passing through Dubuque on a daily basis, this impedes the ability for pedestrians, vehicles,
commercial traffic and emergency responders to access the northeast segment of the city. This
cuts off the most economically sheltered area of our community from job and shopping
opportunities. Rail transport through Dubuque will continue to negatively impact existing at-
grade crossings which could potentially be blocked more frequently and for longer periods of
time. The City of Dubuque's East –West Corridor would be crippled.
A 14th Street Overpass would provide an unimpeded elevated crossing over the railroad tracks
and thus provide unimpeded access to the Kerper Boulevard. Commercial Business Park, the
redeveloped 16th Street Corridor, the tourism and recreational amenities on Schmidt Island,
Highway 61/151 into Wisconsin, the Washington and Northend neighborhoods, the Historic
Millwork District and downtown. Included in the project is implementation of the Complete
Streets Concept from, and including, the five points intersection to 11 th Street or Elm Street. The
City will pursue funding opportunities at the federal level through application to TIGER, TCSP
and other transportation infrastructure programs.
Bee Branch Bike — Pedestrian Railroad Overpass
The bike/pedestrian bridge over the CP Railroad will provide an off-street trail between the 26-
mile Dubuque County Heritage Trail and the Mississippi River that does not exist at this time.
The Dubuque County Heritage Trail links Dubuque to Dyersville. The project will be part of the
City's 53.3-mile network of on-street routes and off-road trails connecting the north end of the
city with the riverfront, the downtown area, City parks, and the Mines of Spain State
Recreational Area on the south end of Dubuque. The Bee Branch Creek Trail—MRT
(Mississippi River Trail) Route will join with miles of other trails that line Dubuque
neighborhoods, skirt the Mississippi River, and wind through steep hills all within the city limits.
The trail project will enhance connections to the pedestrian grid via vehicular and pedestrian
bridges- links to public spaces, like Comiskey Park, and the Great River Road. The Bee Branch
Creek Trail -- MRT Route will extend the North End Neighborhood Trail, an off-road trail from
24th Street to 32nd Street in a former railroad right-of-way along Elm Street. The project will be
built on a currently vacant and level site that will be accessible from sidewalks and bike/hike
trails that will link to neighborhood streets. This vital connector will link one of the most
economically challenged areas of our community to jobs, shopping opportunities and recreation.
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Southwest Arterial — Project Status Update
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The Dubuque City Council, the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors, the Dubuque
Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (DMATS), the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce,
and the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation have all identified the completion of the
Southwest Arterial project as the No. 1 surface transportation priority in the Dubuque area. The
proposed Southwest Arterial project will be a 6.1-mile four-lane divided freeway with priority 1-
access control between Highway 61/151 and Highway 20.
Economic Development
The Southwest Arterial project will significantly improve the efficiency and safety of the regional
highway transportation network that is vital for the statewide, national and global distribution of
local commerce and the continued growth and sustainability of the strong regional economy.
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Traffic Congestion on Local Street Network
Mobility Benefits
The Southwest Arterial project will connect two growing sections of the community together and
will support future anticipated expansion growth to the southwest of the city toward the Dubuque
Regional Airport. The Southwest Arterial will also provide an efficient bypass around the city,
thereby reducing travel times and minimizing delay by reducing traffic volumes and congestion
on the local street system.
Environmental Benefits
The Southwest Arterial project will provide an alternate, direct and efficient route for traffic
through southwestern Dubuque, which will provide significant travel time savings by avoiding the
numerous signalized intersections on Highway 61/151 , Highway 20 and Central Avenue (Hwy
52/3) through Dubuque, thereby providing fuel energy savings, reducing vehicle emissions and
improving air quality. The Southwest Arterial project will be designed and constructed with
forward thinking sustainability initiative incorporated, which will include an environmentally and
resource-sensitive highway corridor, an integrated bike / pedestrian trail with amenities, and
Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technology.
Current Status
Two of the three bridges are complete and the third is under construction. The grading contract
has been let for the Highway 20 interchange and the stretch of the S.W. Arterial north of Catfish
Creek. The remaining grading contract will be let in 2017.
Final Engineering Design
The technical design team is currently working on the final engineering design elements,
including: interchange layout and configuration, bridge and structures design, geotechnical
subsurface investigation, sustainable highway design concepts, architectural and landscape
enhancement concepts, wetland delineations, and mitigation.
Property Acquisition
The City has acquired all of the property that is needed to build the S.W. Arterial.
There are currently five properties easements that are temporarily on hold while the City works
to obtain gas pipeline utility relocation agreements. Once the agreements are in place, the
necessary easements can be obtained from the respective property owners. These agreements
will be in place in 2017.
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Archaeological and Cultural Resource Mitigation
In the summer of 2010, work began on the archaeological and cultural resource mitigation
phase of the project. As of December 2014, approximately 90 percent of the mitigation sites
have been completed. The remaining mitigation sites will be completed as those respective
properties are acquired and prior to the start of construction.
Construction
The first phase of construction, the North Cascade Road project was substantially completed
in November 2013. The project provided for the reconstruction (grading, paving & bridge) and
realignment of North Cascade Road which will allow the Southwest Arterial to travel under the
new North Cascade Road Bridge.
The second construction phase, the English Mill Road reconstruction project, was bid in July
2015 and the construction contract was awarded to Taylor Construction in the amount of
$3,536,064.29. Work on the project began in September 2015 and will involve side road
improvements that will allow the highway to travel under the new English Mill Road Bridge.
The third construction phase, the Military Road reconstruction project, was bid in the spring of
2016 and involves side road improvements that will allow the highway to travel under the new
Military Road Bridge.
The first construction project to be let by the Iowa DOT was a box culvert structure at Granger
Creek / Highway 61/151 in the summer of 2015 and that construction is complete. The IDOT
has awarded a contract to build the Menards frontage road and the grading contract for the
Highway 20 interchange and the stretch of the S.W. Arterial north of Catfish Creek, followed by
the Menards frontage road in 2016.
Transfer of Jurisdiction
The greatest recent accomplishment for the Southwest Arterial project was the execution of the
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which was formalized with a signing ceremony on
August 9, 2013. This historic achievement would not have occurred without the collaborative
partnership between the Iowa DOT staff, the City of Dubuque and its partners.
The following is a brief summary of the overall intent and principle objectives set forth when
developing the MOU: The Iowa DOT and City, in joint cooperation, will Transfer the Jurisdiction
of the Southwest Arterial from the City to the State in exchange for the Transfer of Jurisdiction of
the Northwest Arterial (or Iowa 32), and portions of existing U.S. 52 / Iowa 3 through downtown
Dubuque, from the State to the City. The Transfer of Jurisdiction will occur after the Southwest
Arterial is completed and open to traffic.
Funding
As a result of hard work from Dubuque's congressional delegation and the strong support and
partnership of former U.S. Senator Harkin, U.S. Senator Grassley, former Congressman Nussle
and former Congressman Braley, the City has secured approximately $32.8 million in federal
funding for the Southwest Arterial project. The Iowa Department of Transportation Commission
approved in the current Iowa 5-Year Highway Transportation Improvement Program $97.4
million in funding programmed for the Southwest Arterial project.
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The following table summarizes the maximum City and County local match funding, including
both federal earmark and Iowa DOT funding for continuing the advancement and completion of
the Southwest Arterial:
Total Funding Projection Summary Status Amount
Total Federal Funds Committed $ 32,860,720 **
Total Local Funds Committed $ 7,152,913 **
Total State Funds Committed $ 94,600,000
Total Federal /State/ Local Funding: $134,613,633
" Following the completion of the North Cascade, English Mill and Military Road construction
projects, along with the completion of final engineering design, right-of-way property acquisition,
and mitigation work, it is projected that all current federal appropriated funding and local match
for the Southwest Arterial will be expended.
Subject to future continued funding availability in the Iowa DOT's 5-Year Transportation
Program, the Iowa DOT projects that the Southwest Arterial (two-lanes) could be open to traffic
by the end of 2019.
Requested Action:
The City of Dubuque requests any additional financial assistance that can be provided on
the federal and state level, as well as continued support of the Iowa Department of
Transportation Commission to maintain its current programmed funding for the Southwest
Arterial in the Iowa 5-Year Highway Transportation Improvement Program, which
includes $94.6 million programmed in for the Southwest Arterial. Dubuque is
requesting an additional $26 million to complete the project to four-lane, $3 million
for the SW Arterial Trail, and we request federal support for funding of priority
projects including $16 million for the 14th Street Overpass and $6 million for the
Bee Branch Pedestrian Overpass.
Capacity Improvements - U.S. Highway 20
Transportation infrastructure connectivity is essential to a vibrant economy and thriving
community.
Requested Action:
The City of Dubuque supports completion of four-lane construction on Highway 20 to
Chicago.
TIGER Program
The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER Discretionary Grant
program, provides competitive grant funding for local governments to invest in road, rail, transit
and port projects that focus on addressing critical national objectives. Since 2009, Congress has
dedicated more than $4.1 billion for six rounds to fund projects that have a significant impact on
communities. Dubuque received a TIGER I grant in 2010 for $5.6 million to restore streets and
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utilities in the Historic Millwork District. These funds were key to leveraging over $100 million in
private development in this reclaimed area of Dubuque's urban core.
Requested Action:
The City of Dubuque supports continued funding of the TIGER program.
Public Transit Funding
The FAST Act increases dedicated bus funding by 89% over the life of the bill. It provides stable
formula funding and competitive grant program to address bus and bus facility needs. This bill
does not appear to increase operational formula funding to support existing or service expansion
efforts.
The City of Dubuque is partnered with the Iowa DOT, East Central Intergovernmental
Association and IBM Watson Research Center to analyze travel patterns in the community and
develop a replicable model for responding to travel demand through planning of transportation
investment that incorporates all modes - car, bus, bike and pedestrian. The goal of this research
is to create a more efficient and cost effective public transit system modeling tool for cities under
100,000 population.
Requested Action:
This nationally acclaimed research effort and integrated approach to addressing
community travel needs will provide opportunities to expand public transit service to our
citizens. Without additional operating funding to support current services and new
operating grant opportunities to expand services, implementation of this project could be
limited.
Technical assistance for cities interested in undertaking bus rapid transit projects earlier
in the planning stages would also be appreciated. Currently, most planning must be
complete and Small Starts funding already secured for a city to be eligible for this type of
assistance.
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP): Recreational Trails, Safe Routes
to School and Community Improvements Program
The FAST Act eliminates the MAP-21 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and replaces it
with a set-aside of Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program funding for
transportation alternatives (TA). These set-aside funds include all projects and activities that
were previously eligible under TAP, encompassing a variety of smaller-scale transportation
projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school
projects, community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management,
and environmental mitigation related to storm water and habitat connectivity.
Requested Action:
Support full funding of the Surface Transportation Block grant (STBG) program funding
for transportation alternatives.
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Dubuque Regional Airport
Dubuque encourages the following considerations in developing the 2016 Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization:
Through the annual Appropriation process, Dubuque encourages increasing spending levels for
the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), Essential Air Service, Small Community Air Service
Development Grants, Contract Tower Program, and other programs that safely operate, develop
and maintain facilities at airports around the country.
AIP
A major component of the FAA is the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides
funding for airport expansion, rehabilitation and capital projects. In Iowa, 69 general aviation
airports and eight commercial service airports are eligible for funding from the AIP program. AIP
and its predecessors FAAP and ADAP, has worked well for Iowa airport since 1947 and
Dubuque would like to see increased funding of this program.
Requested Action:
1 . Dubuque encourages reinstating the local match levels in past legislation of five percent
(Vision 100).
2. Fund the AIP program to provide $3.6 billion in 2018 with $100 million in increases every
year throughout the reauthorization period. We have been static for more than ten years.
3. Since these are monies already collected and deposited in the Airport and Airway Trust
Fund, we must protect these funds and budget from Sequestration or FAA Operating
uses.
4. Allow Small and Non-Hub airports the ability to use AIP entitlement and Passenger
Facility Funds (PFC) funds to develop or improve revenue producing facilities in order to
make airports more self-sustaining.
Contract Tower Funding:
Compromises in public safety services like Air Traffic Control (ATC) are never to be used as a
means to protect the FAA administrative structure. ATC cuts should be the last option on the
table, not the first. 251 public use airports had been identified for tower closures in 2013 by the
FAA Administrator, three are in Iowa. This is not acceptable. The only contract tower in Iowa on
that list is the Dubuque tower which is operated by a private firm on contract with the Federal
Aviation Administration. Continued funding for this program is essential for public safety.
Dubuque has the second busiest airport in Iowa.
Requested Action:
Safety and common sense dictates continued funding of the ATC program and the
contract tower program or restoration of FAA staffing of these facilities. Funding cannot
come from a reduction in AIP Discretionary funds.
Passenger Facility Charges (PFC):
These FAA authorized funds are levied and collected locally and are used to construct runways,
taxiways, terminals, security improvements, and many other items travelers encounter daily. The
current collection amount of $4.50 per passenger and is not indexed to inflation which restricts
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the amount of money available for large capital projects. Since the PFC came into existence in
1990, it has had only one increase to its current amount. In the meantime, construction costs
have more than tripled.
Requested Action:
Increasing the PFC to $8.50 and indexing it to inflation would ensure long term funding
viability for even the smallest of commercial service airports. Allowing these funds to be
used for revenue generating items like parking lots, airline offices, etc. would significantly
reduce the impact on smaller airports, their tenants, and their sponsors.
Air Service Development Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation manages the Small Community Air Service
Development Program. This program helps small and non-hub airports with monetary support of
airline recruitment endeavors. The USDOT's grant application has very restrictive guidelines,
which limit airport participation to one-time projects. If those methods work to attract one carrier,
you may not seek a grant to offer the same incentives to another carrier.
Requested Action:
Eliminating that restriction would allow communities to implement previously viable
methods for recruiting new/expanded air service.
Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010
This legislation mandated that the Federal Aviation Administration require pilots to complete
1 ,500 flight hours before they're allowed to apply for an airline position has decimated the
regional airline industry. Iowa has already lost service in Fort Dodge and Mason City. Airlines
are unable to hire qualified pilots and more communities will lose service unless this legislation
is repealed. This legislation does nothing to promote safety and is destroying an industry.
The Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010 mandated that the Federal Aviation
Administration require pilots to complete 1 ,500 flight hours before they're allowed to apply for an
airline position. This requirement seriously threatens the regional airline industry. Iowa has
already lost service in Fort Dodge and Mason City. Airlines are unable to hire qualified pilots and
more communities will lose service unless this legislation is amended or repealed. This
legislation does little to promote safety.
Requested Action:
Repeal the 1 ,500 hour requirement in the Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010.
Continued Diversion of Federal Taxes on Aviation Jet Fuel
The City of Dubuque strongly opposes the convoluted tax process of aviation jet fuel. Fuel taxes
from the sale of jet fuel are currently credited to the Highway Trust Fund. For the taxes to be
properly credited to the Aviation Trust Fund, the fuel vendor or buyer must apply with the IRS for
a refund of the tax, and only then are the funds transferred to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
The process is confusing and places the burden on the fuel vendor or buyer to get the fuel taxes
credited to the proper trust fund. In addition, the aviation community seriously questions if fuel
tax fraud involving jet fuel and the trucking industry is occurring and has seen no statistical
evidence to support those claims.
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Requested Action:
Place a tax on aviation kerosene at the same $0.244 rate as highway diesel eliminating
any incentive for suspected fraud. The resulting tax revenues could then be deposited
into the respective trust funds directly eliminating the burdensome reporting and record
keeping requirements that now exist, in addition the resulting increase in fuel tax would
help strengthen the Aviation Trust Fund helping to eliminate the need for user fees in the
future.
Outsourcing Air Traffic Control and Introducing User Fees
We believe user fees will damage the fragile general aviation environment. Jet A or aviation fuel
already exceeds $6.00 per gallon and in some locations $8.00 per gallon. Operating costs for
flight training, medevac, agricultural, small package shipping, and business aircraft use has
skyrocketed over the past seven years. Assessing fees for use of the air traffic control system
will end this form of aviation for all but the very wealthy. The effects of such fees in Europe and
Canada have devastated private and corporate aviation.
Requested Action:
Oppose user fees on the air traffic control system.
HOUSING
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding
The City of Dubuque relies on CDBG money to fund many of its vital programs. Projects that are
at least partially funded by CDBG include rehabilitation of rental and owner-occupied housing,
homeowner education classes, lead paint hazard abatement, commercial and industrial building
rehabilitation and economic development, childcare referral services, dispute resolutions
services, to support operations of several non-profits providing direct services to income-eligible
individuals and families, as part of the community development/neighborhood strategy program.
In the last ten years, the City's formula allocation of CDBG funding has been cut by nearly 32
percent, or $444,283. This severe cut has hurt local communities — local economies, local
projects, and, most importantly, the low- and moderate-income households that reside in these
communities and need the assistance. Due to reductions in funding, we expect to serve several
thousand fewer low and moderate income people than we served in 2010. In addition, we
expect to serve fewer households with housing development programs like down-payment
assistance or homeowner rehabilitation.
The CDBG formula funding has never been adjusted for inflation (since the inception of the
program in 1974), even though construction costs, wages, and other program costs have
escalated sharply in the past four decades. Continued funding of CDBG is needed to provide the
flexibility for communities to fund a myriad of activities, fill gaps where needed, and attract
additional resources to projects.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Community Development Association are
calling for $3.3 billion, in formula funding for the Community Development Block Grant program
and continued administrative funding for CDBG. Currently, CDBG communities can use up to 20
percent of the grant on administrative and planning costs. Communities need the flexibility to
use up to 20 percent of their grant to meet the administrative and planning requirements of the
program.
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Requested Action:
The City of Dubuque asks our congressional members to support the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant Program
(CDBG) and urge you to appropriate at least $3.3 billion in formula funding for the
program in FY 2018. CDBG has been critical in meeting the public improvement, public
services, economic development, and affordable housing needs in our community. The
City of Dubuque also requests increased funding for the administration of the federal
Housing Choice Voucher Program.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Tax reform is a goal of the 115th Congress. We ask the congressional delegation to consider
the fact that cities benefit from partnerships with private sector developers when tax credits can
be employed to restore and adapt older structures and return them to active use thereby
creating jobs, increasing tax revenue and reducing incidents of calls for service in deteriorating
areas of our communities. In this context, we ask that you pursue the goal of tax reform but
keep some model programs like the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit in place.
Federal Historic Tax Credits
The Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit is the nation's largest federal incentive promoting urban
and rural revitalization through private investment in reusing historic buildings. The credit
encourages reinvestment in downtowns, generates jobs, and is instrumental in preserving the
historic places that give cities, towns and rural areas their unique character. For every one dollar
invested through the Federal Historic Preservation tax credit five dollars are leveraged from the
private sector. The credit is not paid until all the restoration work is complete and approved by
the US Department of Interior. Dubuque has seen total improvements valued at $700 million
since 1985 in the downtown, on Main Street and on the riverfront
Requested Action:
• Raise the credit from 20 percent to 30 percent for projects with Qualified
Rehabilitation Expenditures under $5,000,000.
• Allow full compatibility of federal Historic Tax Credits with federal Consumer Energy
Efficiency Tax Credits.
• Redefine "old" buildings as those more than 50-years old vs. the current 1936
standard.
• Strike three of the four disqualified lease rules (all except the "sale leaseback") from
the program.
• Increase federal tax credits from 20 percent to 30 percent for the first $5 million in
expenditures for a project and to 24 percent for the remaining portion of a project.
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New Markets Tax Credit Program
The New Markets Tax Credit program provides a potential financing tool for major economic
development projects in Dubuque including the Historic Millwork District restoration and
revitalization, the Dubuque Pack site redevelopment and the Briggs project on the Fourth Street
peninsula. Unfortunately, the program has not benefited rural states and communities in the
same manner it has benefited larger metro centers. Expanding and streamlining the program
and helping to ensure it is accessible to smaller communities in rural states would benefit the
City of Dubuque and its partners in the private sector.
Additionally, the flexibility of the program is desirable, but its accompanying complexity tends to
increase legal, accounting, and Community Development Entity (CDE) fees, since each project
is unique and thus requires extensive planning and oversight to achieve and maintain program
compliance. These increased fees reduce the amount of equity available for the project, often
rather significantly. Finding ways to streamline the program would benefit projects and
communities that make use of this funding tool.
Requested Action:
Continued support for this important program for urban restoration.
Marketplace Fairness Act
The Marketplace Fairness Act is proposed legislation that would enable state governments to
collect sales taxes and use taxes from remote retailers with no physical presence in their state.
This legislation would essentially "level the playing field" for our small business retailers, who
compete for business with online sellers, by applying sales tax to the online competitors'
customer purchases.
Small businesses have generated over 65 percent of the net new jobs since 1995. Supporting
the Marketplace Fairness Act would support local, small business and improve the economy.
Requested Action:
Support the Marketplace Fairness Act.
Arts & Culture
The Hill newspaper reports that new administration policy advisors are calling for the elimination
of the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities however as
a candidate, President Trump stated that he would support the arts and humanities as an
important ingredient to an informed and aware society. He continued and said "The Congress,
as representatives of the people, make the determination as to what the spending priorities
ought to be."
The arts represent a powerful investment in our national economy.
• The arts are a $704 billion industry
• The arts mean business accounting for 4.2 percent of the nation's annual GDP.
• The arts deliver an economic advantage, generating a $24 billion annual trade surplus
• The arts equal jobs, employing 4.7 million workers.
• The very small NEA budget serves as a significant leveraging tool that has helped create
an entire industry of locally based small business and jobs that cannot be outsourced.
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The Dubuque City Council has prioritized the arts and has commissioned and funded an Arts
Master Plan. In Dubuque, the arts make an annual economic impact of $47 million,
support 1550 jobs, distribute $36.7 million in household income to residents and return
$5 million in state and local government revenue.
Requested Action:
Support Funding of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Support of the NEA widens citizen access to the cultural, educational, and economic
benefits of the arts, and advances creativity and innovation in communities across the
United States. Federal funding for the arts leverages private funding. On average, each
NEA grant leverages at least seven dollars from other state, local and private sources.
Private support cannot match the leveraging role of government cultural funding. The arts
mean jobs! The nonprofit arts industry generates $166.2 billion annually in economic
activity, supports 5.7 million full-time equivalent jobs in the arts and related industries,
and returns $12.6 billion in federal income taxes. Measured against direct federal cultural
spending of about $1 .4 billion, we see a return of nearly nine to one.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Crescent Community Health Center
Community Health Centers (CHC's) across the country have consistently demonstrated the
value of the care they provide. Community Health Centers are an affordable and accessible
source of primary and preventive health care for 23 million underserved individuals, including
more than 184,000 here in Iowa. In 2015, Crescent served over 6,200 patients for a total of
almost 18,000 patient visits, up from 15,000 visits in 2014.
In 2015, Congress extended the Community Health Center Fund assuring health centers a
continued source of mandatory funding of $3.6 billion annually for two additional years (FY16
and FY17). The extension temporarily averted the "Primary Care Cliff' which would have ended
mandatory funding—resulting in a 70% cutback in program funding. In the current fiscal year
(FY16), the nation's health centers are funded with $1 .4 billion from discretionary funds and $3.6
billion in mandatory funds.
Requested Action:
Address the funding shortfall for Health Centers and ensure that Health Centers can
continue to meet the health care needs of millions of Americans, including 184,000
patients in Iowa. Failure to fund health centers will result in site closures, staff layoffs,
and massive service reductions. Cost – effective programs with proven positive outcomes
such as the Health Center Program must be preserved and strengthened.
Since its inception in 1972, the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) has been building healthy
communities by connecting primary health care providers to areas of the United States with
limited access to care. The biggest factor limited Health Centers' ability to serve additional
patients in need, is the challenge they face in recruiting and retaining qualified, culturally-
competent, mission-driven providers. Continued investment in programs like the National Health
Service Corps (which provides scholarships and loan repayment to clinicians willing to serve in
shortage areas) and Teaching Health Centers program (which supports residency training in
Health Centers) must go hand-in-hand with other incentives to support a strong clinical
workforce in Health Centers.
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NHSC loan repayment and scholar programs are essential recruitment tools for community
Health Centers and must be sustained. In Iowa, more than 50 providers working in CHCs are
current recipients of NHSC support or have completed their obligations and chose to continue
practicing at CHCs.
Requested Action:
We ask that Congress act to ensure the future of the National Health Service Corps.
Continue funding for the National Health Service Corps and the Teaching Health Centers
Graduate Medical Education programs, both of which support the primary care workforce
necessary to serve underserved communities with high-quality integrated care.
The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) provides malpractice coverage to Section 330 health center
grantees (CHCs) along with their officers, directors, employees, and certain contractors who
have been deemed Federal employees for the purposes of medical malpractice coverage.
CHCs face many challenges in recruiting a sufficient number of primary health care providers to
meet their growing patient population. One solution to help alleviate this workforce shortage is
the use of volunteer providers. Many health professionals are willing to volunteer at Crescent
Community Health Center, but they are dissuaded from doing so because of the high cost of
supplemental medical liability insurance, the burden of which must be borne by either the
provider or the health center. Recent CBO estimates indicate that extending FTCA coverage to
volunteers may cost approximately $30 million over five years. Because the health center FTCA
judgment fund is appropriated as a subpart of annual Health Center program appropriations, this
law could be implemented without the addition of new annual appropriations.
Requested Action:
We urge Congress to expand FTCA coverage to include volunteer health professionals in
Health Centers by passing the Family Health Care Accessibility Act, introduced in the House
(H.R. 2703) by Reps. Tim Murphy and Gene Green and the Senate (S. 2151) by Sens. John
Thune and Robert Casey.
PLANNING
Certified Local Government Program
The Certified Local Government (CLG) program was established as part of the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 to create federal, state and local governmental partnerships, provide
historic preservation training and technical assistance, and encourage preservation and wise
use of historic resources at the local level.
In Iowa, the Certified Local Government program is one of the historic preservation offerings of
the State Historic Preservation Office, part of the State Historical Society of Iowa, a division of
the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. To participate in the CLG program, a local government
must have a local historic preservation program that complies with CLG program requirements.
To qualify for or obtain "certified status", the local government must demonstrate that its local
historic preservation program meets certain standards.
For the local government, its staff and Historic Preservation Commission, there are some direct
benefits of participating in the CLG program. There is free historic preservation training and
technical assistance from the State's historic preservation staff. Participating cities and counties
receive a start-up preservation reference library for use in developing and administering the
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program. Cities and counties in the CLG program qualify for a small, competitive, matching CLG
grant program that is open only CLG program participants. These federal pass-through grants
can be used to underwrite all historic preservation activities except rehabilitation.
In Iowa, the CLG program has helped cities and counties to develop their local historic
preservation programs as a tool to help promote downtown revitalization; to protect, stabilize
and revive historic neighborhoods; and to provide an authentic foundation for heritage tourism.
Requested Action:
The City of Dubuque supports continued federal funding for the Certified Local
Government (CLG) Program.
Land and Water Conservation Fund
Land and water conservation fund has been critical to the development of outdoor recreational
opportunities in Dubuque. Past grant awards have funded softball field development for youth
and adults, open space development in the area of historically significant places along the
Mississippi River and expansion of the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center at the Mines of Spain
State Recreation Area. Each of these developments has been very important to expansion of
outdoor recreation. Continued funding of this program is critical to Dubuque as a partnering
source for accomplishing outdoor recreation for our citizens.
Requested Action:
The City of Dubuque supports reauthorization of and full and dedicated funding for the
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
Livable Community Initiatives
A Platform for Stronger, Healthier, and More Just Communities through Planning
The American Planning Association believes that federal policy can be a vital tool for supporting
local planning that strengthens communities and provides greater access to economic and
social opportunity. A supportive framework in federal policy for good local planning is essential
to the health, resilience, and prosperity of the nation and its communities.
Requested Action:
The City of Dubuque supports federal legislation to integrate comprehensive planning
efforts with livable community initiatives that promote sustainability, economic growth and
local innovation.
Support programs that promote the planning and design of healthy, safe and active
communities.
A healthy community is a key goal of good planning, and federal initiatives can play an important
role in helping realize this goal. Investment in local parks and the Land and Water Conservation
Fund supports the creation of healthier communities and neighborhoods. Federal transportation
policy promotes active mobility options, ensures greater attention to the safety of all users, and
opportunities to advance environmental justice. Programs at the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention and other agencies can support the alignment of public health and planning
activities leading to better local results. Federal policy can also play an important role in
addressing healthy food by supporting local food system planning, improved access to fresh
food, and urban agriculture.
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Advance transportation and infrastructure policy that provides critical investment,
promotes innovation and economic development, focuses on a multimodal approach,
and improves safety and performance.
With the passage of multi-year surface transportation legislation, the focus of federal policy turns
now to effective implementation of the program and the continuing work of securing sustainable,
increased infrastructure investment. Tax and fiscal policy should support investment in
infrastructure that is critical to the nation's long-term prosperity and competitiveness. Although
new legislation maintains and modestly improves many key programs, Congress can do more to
improve transportation policy by advancing areas such as support for transit and transit oriented
development, competitive multimodal programs, transportation alternatives, safety, regional
planning, and freight. In particular, the nation needs to prioritize and expand investment in transit
and direct more resources and decision making to local communities and metropolitan regions.
Encourage communities to improve planning for water hazards, use, and quality.
Whether facing historic drought, rising sea levels, frequent flooding, or aging infrastructure,
America's communities have significant and growing challenges related to the essential
resource of water. Expanded planning for water resources, infrastructure, coastal changes, and
hazards is essential to successfully confronting these challenges. While these water plans are
inherently local, federal policy can play a critical role by providing critical data, supporting
research, and creating appropriate incentives and standards. Maintaining a robust federal role in
funding and financing capital projects in partnership with states, localities, and the private sector
is vital. Community resilience is vital for protecting people and property, and effective federal
policies can support and enhance the many local efforts already under way.
Provide high-quality federal data resources that supports local decision making and
encourages efforts to harness new "Smart Cities" technologies to promote innovation
and efficiency.
Good planning is based on sound, comprehensive data. The federal government is a key
provider of essential data for understanding economic, social, environmental, and demographic
trends shaping the nation's communities. These resources make government programs more
effective and efficient and allow for better decision making by local citizens and businesses. It is
vital that federal data agencies and resources are maintained, coordinated, and strengthened
with a focus on supporting local communities. Federal policy should also support innovation in
the use of municipal and regional data to improve government services and facilitate emerging
technologies that hold great promise. Federal initiatives can help bridge the digital divide by
promoting better access to technology, training, and broadband.
Promote economic growth and community development through proven place-based
strategies and programs that support comprehensive planning approaches to building
stronger neighborhoods.
Partnering with local governments, planners, and residents to build neighborhoods of
opportunity, promise, and equity should be a fundamental goal of federal policy. This challenge
should be met with a combination of proven tools and programs, targeted and coordinated
investments and incentives, thoughtful strategies for community development, and strategic
support for place-based revitalization and resilience. Additionally, incorporating comprehensive
and coordinated planning approaches into federal programs will improve their effectiveness for
local communities. The administration has made important progress in linking efforts across
individual agencies to support better place-making and community building. This integrated
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approach should be a goal of federal policy. Key community development tools, including
CDBG, Choice Neighborhoods, brownfields assistance, and New Markets Tax Credits, should
be supported while also exploring new approaches to technical assistance and leveraging local
initiatives.
Assist communities working to address fair housing and affordability.
Access to affordable housing is a key issue in communities across the nation. Federal policy can
be a critical partner for local communities working on innovative solutions. The HOME program
has a strong track record of providing critical financing for affordable housing, and the national
Housing Trust Fund is a critical new resource for addressing affordable housing. HUD can
continue playing an important role in providing support, research and best practices. Last year,
HUD finalized a new Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule. This rule has significant
implications for local planning and can be a vital tool for promoting economic mobility. To ensure
effective implementation, it is vital that HUD work collaboratively with communities and invest in
tools and strategies that provide improved access to opportunity. HUD can also work with
planners to better understand and promote local innovation. The availability of high-quality,
accurate federal data is essential for understanding housing trends, addressing fair housing,
equitably allocating resources, and planning for housing affordability.
Respect state and local planning authority.
While the City recognizes the importance of federal involvement where necessary to address
certain historic inequities, we remain vigilant in defense of local planning authority as a
cornerstone value in our system of government. Congress should continue to respect local
planning and community safeguards by rejecting any efforts to impose regulatory takings
standards that increase lawsuits and undermine locally adopted plans. Respect for the critical
role of planning is especially vital in energy policy. Federal policy should support and encourage
energy-related local planning that addresses issues of community impacts, safety, economic
development, and environmental quality. Federal policy should respect and appropriately
engage local decision makers in the siting of key federal facilities and energy and
telecommunications facilities, and municipal broadband services.
Requested Action:
Support city efforts to be designated a HOME entitlement city.
SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES
The City of Dubuque identified becoming a more Sustainable City as one of its top priorities in
2006. Since then, multiple strategies and practices have been implemented to make Dubuque a
more sustainable community. Last year, the City was honored to be recognized as one of the
White House's 16 Climate Action Champions. The City is a member of Climate Communities,
the Urban Sustainability Directors Network and ICLEI — Local Governments for Sustainability,
and joins those organizations in supporting local government action on climate change and
resiliency as essential for America to achieve energy independence, renew economic prosperity
and preserve biodiversity. Federal policies must empower local governments with the tools and
resources to respond to the climate challenge. We request your support in achieving the
following goals:
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• Invest in local climate capacity through annual federal appropriations such as the
Department of Energy Clean Cities program, the US Forest Service's Urban and
Community Forestry program, Stormwater and Drinking Water funding, and Green
Infrastructure programs.
• Build self-reliant communities that are prepared for climate impacts.
• Support community revitalization by
reviewing legislation that enables basic sustainability principles, such as historic
preservation, improved energy efficiency, brownfield redevelopment, and community
redevelopment.
Weatherization Assistance Program
Recognizing the increasing cost of energy and the significant impact this required cost has on
low- and moderate-income residents, the City advocates for continued sufficient funding of the
Weatherization Assistance Program and that funds be used to invest in home improvements
wherever possible. By investing in improvements rather than assisting with energy bills, these
funds can be used to fix the root of the problem rather than putting a band-aid on it.
National Energy Planning Policy
The City encourages adoption of a long-term, sustainable national energy policy, addressing
decreasing availability of petroleum, energy self-sufficiency, economic competitiveness,
greenhouse gas emissions, environmental protection, and social equity. This policy should
recognize and separate the long-term development of replacement and alternative energy
sources from short-term fluctuations in market prices for energy. This policy should also
recognize the impact that energy-efficient land use patterns, building design, and transportation
modalities have on the demand for energy.
Data and Measurement
The City recognizes the importance of easy, consistent, and affordable access to energy data at
the community level as an integral component of energy, sustainability, healthy communities,
and community planning. We advocate for transparent data processes that allow communities to
review utility data while also ensuring adequate data security and privacy.
Energy Effects
We encourage evaluating the energy effects along with other impacts resulting from proposed
plans and development as well as the siting of energy generation and transmission facilities in
order to mitigate their adverse impacts on land use, environment, economy, health, quality of
life, and national security. We encourage federal and state legislation supporting Property
Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing so that the costs associated with energy efficiency
improvements can be shared by the property owners who experience the benefits of those
improvements.
Environmental Justice
We support state and federal efforts in striving to attain environmental equity and justice with
regard to the siting of energy facilities, resource extraction, energy generation, distribution
infrastructure, and energy-related waste disposal.
Distributed Energy Generation
The City supports distributed energy generation systems that utilize community energy
generation and "smart grid" public infrastructure that supports both conservation and energy
efficiency.
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Smart Grid Technology
We support modernization of the nation's electrical grid that will allow for the efficient integration
of innovative technologies such as renewable energy systems and electric vehicles, and makes
it possible to offer dynamic electricity pricing options that can reduce strain on the grid while
benefitting consumers. Advances in metering technology also create opportunities to provide
consumers with access to more information about their electricity usage and costs, which can
inform their decisions about energy consumption.
Research and Development
The City recognizes that in the short and mid-term, oil, coal, and natural gas will continue to be
significant sources of energy for the United States and other nations until other forms of energy
can be developed at a scale to adequately replace the world's reliance on fossil fuels. Therefore,
continued focused research and development in improving the efficient use of these sources
while reducing the environmental costs must be a high priority for the United States. We support
expanded research and development funding and efforts to create and improve alternative and
renewable energy sources and the development of energy transition scenarios for use by local
officials and the general public.
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program
effectively reduces threats to communities and structures at risk for flooding by funding
preparation in advance of natural disasters, while also reducing a community's reliance upon
Federal post-disaster recovery funds. PDM provided over $70 million in pre-disaster planning
and mitigation to 39 states and territories in 2011 , saving money by investing in disaster
preparation, when every dollar spent on disaster mitigation yielded four dollars in benefits. We
support the value of PDM as a program that protects the City and makes Dubuque more
resilient.
Requested Action:
Support and fully fund the Federal Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program at the requested level
of$200 million.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND CONNECTIVITY
Communications
As a member of the National League of Cities (NLC), the United States Conference of Mayors,
and the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA), the City of
Dubuque joins these organizations in acknowledging that the historic transformation of our
communications infrastructure is essential to the economic competitiveness of the local
governments, states and the nation.
Preserve local authority to manage public rights of way for the benefit of everyone.
Cable television and video franchise agreements are an essential part of managing the rights of
way and ensuring appropriate compensation for the benefit of the public. These benefits include
not only monetary payments, but also franchise terms such as support for public, educational
and governmental (PEG) access, including institutional networks (I-Nets).
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Protect local authority to establish taxes that are consistent with local needs and
maintain adequate revenue.
Local governments recognize and support efforts to modernize the collection and administration
of local communications taxes, but in a manner that preserves the ability of local government to
impose and collect taxes to fund vital services for its citizens consistent with local values.
Protect and enhance local ability to provide for homeland and hometown security.
Local government's first responders need fully deployed E911 , access to spectrum and funding
for interoperable communications to protect the public.
Recognize local roles in promoting nondiscriminatory access to the full range of
communications services.
Municipalities are helping to bring advanced services to individuals and small businesses. Cities
must have the autonomy necessary to encourage competition and infrastructure deployment
that will lower prices and improve service quality for their citizens.
Requested Action:
• Do not nationalize cable and video franchising.
• Protect local governments' ability to facilitate or offer advanced communications
services to their citizens
• Any changes to the collection and administration of communications taxes, including
extensions or modifications of the Internet Tax Freedom Act, must preserve local
authority to collect revenue consistent with local needs.
• Do not undermine or eliminate support for PEG access and I-Nets. Specifically
support Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act of 2009 (H.R. 3745) by making
this a federal legislative priority
Local Government Principles for Communications Policy Modernization
We believe that Congress and state and local governments can achieve these goals by
embracing the following principles:
• State and Local Authority
The City of Dubuque supports a balanced federalist approach that encourages new innovation
and technology while preserving appropriate authority for state and local governments to protect
their citizens — particularly in relation to public safety and homeland security, promoting local
competition, promoting economic development, taxation, expansion of access to advanced
networks, rights-of-way management, and consumer protection.
• Public Safety
State and local public safety agencies rely heavily on communications services and systems to
protect public safety. In order for states and localities to carry out this mission, it is essential that
important obligations, such as E911 and CALEA, be applied to all relevant communications
platforms, regardless of technology. States and localities must also have sufficient spectrum and
funding to obtain interference-free, interoperable emergency communications. In addition, it is
important to preserve and strengthen the ability of state and local government to protect and
warn the public through emergency alert systems.
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• Use of public property and right-of-way
State and local governments are the trustees of public property and must retain the power to
manage those assets for the benefit and safety of the community.
• Municipal Broadband
State and local governments can play an important role in making advanced services, including
broadband services, available to their citizens, based on specific local needs and conditions.
Federal policy should promote the rights of local governments that choose to offer those
services directly to their citizens.
• Video Franchising
The federal government should not preempt or restrict local authority to negotiate mutually
beneficial agreements and grant franchises to video providers. Public, educational, and
governmental channels are important tools citizens use to participate
City of Dubuque Supports:
Legislation that preserves and extends municipal government authority to provide
communications services to their constituents.
Legislation that overturns the FCC cable franchise order and returns to the local franchising
scheme set out in the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984.
The City of Dubuque opposes a wireless tax moratorium.
Ensuring expanded access to multichannel video programming is an important role of local
government.
• Expanded Access
States and localities support policies and programs that advance access to communications
services and ubiquitous broadband deployment in all areas of the country. Current initiatives that
promote universal and affordable access to communications services include the federal and
state universal service funds, the E-Rate program, Lifeline and Linkup, urban and rural
infrastructure support mechanisms, and obligations ensuring equitable cable and broadband
deployment.
• Taxation
States and localities should retain full flexibility, as does the federal government, to structure
their tax policies in ways that best serves their citizens.
• Consumer Protection
States and localities are best positioned to respond effectively to a wide variety of consumer
concerns, including but not limited to complaints related to: service quality and affordability,
reliability, deceptive practices, billing practices, privacy, and criminal activity.
• Wireless Zoning and Siting
It is essential for local communities to be able to address the expansion of wireless facilities so
as to promote the deployment of advanced communications while also protecting the interests of
citizens in safety, sound planning, and aesthetic concerns. Cellular carriers have petitioned the
FCC to create new, onerous regulations that would make it more difficult for local governments
to carry out their responsibilities in this area. The Communications Act prohibits such FCC
regulation. Congress should ensure that the balance struck in federal law is not overturned by
agency action.
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Local government strongly endorses promoting competition for all consumers and treating like
services alike. The elected leaders of our nation's cities and counties stand ready and willing to
welcome video competition in their communities. Centralizing franchising at the federal or state
level, however, limits the benefits of head-to-head video competition to a chosen few, and
deprives consumers of important protections.
-The FCC
Recent FCC actions to regulate local franchising have compromised local governments' ability
to act in the best interests of their citizens. Congress should act to prevent the FCC from
overstepping its authority and altering the balance of federal, state, and local authority that
Congress established in the Cable Act. The FCC's recent orders fly in the face of the law and
threaten to disrupt long-standing cable television franchise agreements.
The City of Dubuque supports efforts for Internet to remain a level playing field for all and the
FCC to protect an "open internet" sometimes referred to as "Net Neutrality" using Title II of the
Telecommunications Act of 1996. The FCC's rules were challenged in federal court, and on
January 14, 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
affirmed the Commission's authority to regulate broadband Internet access service and upheld
the Commission's judgment that Internet openness encourages broadband investment and that
its absence could ultimately inhibit broadband deployment. The court upheld the transparency
rule, but vacated the no-blocking and no-unreasonable-discrimination rules. The court also
invited the FCC to act to preserve a free and open Internet. In response, the FCC on May 15,
2014, launched a rulemaking seeking public comment on how best to protect and promote an
open Internet. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking poses a broad range of questions to elicit
the broadest range of input from everyone impacted by the Internet, from consumers and small
businesses to providers and start-ups.
Requested Action:
• States where statewide or state-controlled franchising is currently in place do not see
greater or faster video competition deployment than states where it is not.
• Franchises do not just provide permission to offer video services. They are the core
tools local government uses to manage streets and sidewalks, provide for public safety,
enhance competition, and collect compensation for private use of public land.
Eliminating local franchises deprives local government of the power to perform basic
functions.
• Competition is for everyone. Current national policy implemented through franchises
encourages competition throughout the country, not just in urban or suburban areas
and not just for the wealthy. In less than ten years, under the current system,
broadband service has been made available to 91 percent of all homes passed by
cable.
• Neither Congress nor the FCC should try to manage local streets and sidewalks from
Washington. National franchising would abrogate a basic tenet of federalism by
granting companies access to locally owned property on federally defined terms.
• Market factors, not local governments, control the pace of new broadband deployment.
Telephone companies have not yet seriously dedicated resources to negotiate
franchises in many markets. Potential video competitors require relatively few
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franchises to implement their announced business plans (for AT&T 1 ,500-2,000
franchises, for Verizon 100-200 franchises).
• Tech Entrepreneurship and Competition
States and localities benefit from, and support, competition and innovation and technology
neutrality. When a fully competitive market does not exist, states and localities must retain the
authority to ensure nondiscriminatory access to essential facilities, to prevent incumbents from
using market power to stifle competition and innovation, and to maintain consumer safeguards
when market forces fail.
There are arguments for and against net neutrality. However, given Dubuque's somewhat
restricted access to broadband and the City's focus on small business and innovation, Dubuque
would likely be impacted by the anti-competitive risks that come with ending net neutrality more
than other Iowa communities.
The City of Dubuque shares the concerns of many that, if net neutrality is weakened or
overturned, consumers and businesses in small cities like Dubuque and rural communities will
be the most impacted because they have fewer choices for internet providers. This issue
greatly amplifies concerns of internet service providers discriminating between the different
types of content on their networks and charging differently for different types of content.
Requested Action: Expansion of broadband access and support for the technology
needs of small businesses should occur before consideration of ending net neutrality.
City/County Emergency Services
The need for a combined 911 Communications Center and Emergency Operations Center
(EOC) has been brought to the forefront of the public safety committee after multiple recent
events. The current communications center is undersized for the needs of our increased
population and calls for service. The center is unable to expand to meet the increasing demands
of the emergency calls and for future technologies. The recent disasters that occurred in
Dubuque County and the State of Iowa brought the need for a dedicated emergency operations
center to the forefront. The city and county now use the classroom areas of the Dubuque County
Firefighters Training Center which is converted as needed to an EOC operation. An extended
flooding event along the Mississippi River or any other long term disaster would tax the
resources of the city and county and the current set up would hamper our response to disasters.
We are experiencing more major weather events and disasters and we have received seven
presidential disaster declarations in the past 17 years. Our 911 center needs to have room
available for expansion. A dedicated EOC will allow local government the ability to enhance
response and recovery operations following an event it would also assist us in preparing for
planned events that overtax our response capabilities.
Requested Action:
Assist the City of Dubuque in identifying funding support for a combined 911 Center/EOC
estimated to cost $12-14 million dollars.
Indian Gaming Regulations
The City is concerned about the uncontrolled growth of Indian Casinos on off premises
(reservation) lands. The City supports legislation that places safeguards on the growth of Indian
casinos.
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Requested Action:
• Rewrite Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which authorizes
reservation shopping. This means that under no circumstances can a tribe that
already has land in trust acquire more land that is not contiguous to its reservation,
and use it for gaming. This will put a permanent end to reservation shopping.
• Give local communities a seat at the table during the process to mitigate impacts of
casinos proposed by newly recognized or restored tribes. This means the tribe and
local community must enter into a memorandum of understanding where the tribe
must pay the community for mitigation of direct effects of the casino on infrastructure
and services like transportation and public safety.
• Ban any attempts to establish off-reservation casinos outside of the state where the
tribe presently resides.
• Allow States to regulate Fantasy Sports and internet gambling.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP PRIORITIES
AmeriCorps
The City of Dubuque has been active with AmeriCorps Partners in learning program for the past
fourteen years. The program has touched over 850 plus AmeriCorps members giving almost
235,000 hours of service in our community. In the past the program's impact has been seen in
the academic assistance given in classrooms improving performance of children in K-12th grade.
Community organizations such as Multicultural Family Center, Washington Neighborhood
Corporation and Crescent Community Health Center to name a few, impact our citizens in the
lower incomes and neighborhoods needing most assistance. The involvement of AmeriCorps
members is critical to efforts of the city, schools and non-profits. The focus for the City's
AmeriCorps program is on improvement of third grade reading scores with most members being
placed in the school system at the K-3rd grade level.
During the 2015-2016 school year, AmeriCorps tutored 1 ,431 students who are considered
struggling readers. Out of these 1 ,431 students, AmeriCorps members tutored 468 students
30x or more. These 468 are students we consider being tutored consistently. Out of these 468
students, 416 improved their reading score from the Fall 2015 to the Spring 2016. That's 89%
of the students we worked with! Attendance is another variable we use to determine our
success. 94%, or 439 students out of 468, had an attendance rate of 90% or higher. This data
shows the impact of our program on Dubuque Community School District students. There has
also been a lot of positive feedback from teachers, staff and instructional coaches regarding the
academic, social and emotional impact AmeriCorps tutors have on students.
AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members have also been used by the
City. Currently the City has an Economic Opportunity VISTA working with Human Rights
Department in collaboration with Iowa Campus Compact and three VISTA members serving
non-profit partners. In the past VISTA members work with a community-wide Campaign for
Grade Level Reading Initiative in the areas of school readiness, attendance and summer
learning and a fourth VISTA member coordinates data and performance measures. The
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capacity building efforts are very important to these powerful initiatives of the City. Dubuque
also has hosted Green Corps AmeriCorps.
Dubuque is home to the first in the nation National Service Partnership, a partnership between
local government, higher education, local non-profits, and state government that draws on
multiple AmeriCorps resources to collectively impact poverty in Dubuque. The Dubuque National
Service Partnership (DNSP) uses Days of Service and other events to educate the public about
community needs and opportunities to serve in areas of need, while simultaneously focusing on
improved business processes within organizations and improved outcomes for families served.
On September 16, 2015, the Corporation for National and Community Service recognized the
Dubuque National Service Partnership with an award in honor of retired Senator Tom Harkin. In
2013, Governor Terry Branstad recognized the DNSP with the Iowa Non-Profit Collaboration
Award for outstanding efforts to engage volunteers to impact complex social and economic
needs.
The collective impact of DNSP is very important in the community Here are the results of the
partners.
2015-2016 VISTA members reported:
Over 20,000 hours of service contributed by community volunteers
An average of 78 economically disadvantaged community members who receive
economic opportunity services per month
422 community member participating in education and outreach programs
45 new or enhanced systems and business processes
2015 RSVP program reported:
333 active volunteers gave 46,564 hours of service to 33 organizations in Dubuque
County
2014-2015 Foster Grandparent program reported:
Volunteers helped 125 students improve their DIBLES score by 70% in the Dubuque
Community School District
2015-2016 AmeriCorps Partners in Learning program reported:
34 AmeriCorps members tutored 1 ,431 K-3rd grade DCSD students.
34 AmeriCorps members tutored 468 K-3rd grade DCSD students 30x or more.
89% or 416 out of 468 DCSD students improved their reading score from Fall 2015-
Spring 2016.
94% or 439 out of 468 DCSD students attended school 90% of the time or more.
2015-2016 Green Iowa AmeriCorps:
• Generated 3,000 volunteer hours each year
• Saved low income, elderly, veterans and disabled 200,000 per year in energy cost
• Completed nearly 100 weatherization's per year and reduced air flow by 19% in
homes
Requested Action:
Support AmeriCorps and funding for National Service Partnership through the
Corporation for National and Community Service.
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Youth Re-engagement
The city and its partners support legislation for youth re-engagement efforts that are designed to
re-engage out-of-school youth and that provide multiple routes to high school completion,
college, and career readiness.
To provide grant funding to district partnerships to significantly increase the rate of
recovery for out-of-school youth in earning a high school diploma on a pathway to post-
secondary success;
To incentivize and support the expansion and effectiveness of out-of-school youth
reengagement programs that identify, re-enroll, and provide an individualized program
that meets needs of out-of-school youth and leads to post-secondary success
To incentivize states and districts to develop funding and accountability policies that
facilitate, and remove barriers to, the sustainable expansion of programs designed to re-
engage out-of-school youth and that provide multiple routes to high school completion,
college- and career-readiness, and the transition into post-secondary and career; and
To create a national exchange on effective practices, as well as other efforts, to support
out-of-school youth reengagement policies and programs.
Requested Action:
The city supports the engagement of federal, state and district level leadership, policy
and funding to reverse the growing trend of out-of-school youth.
America's River at the Port of Dubuque:
Vision: The National Mississippi River Museum will be the nation's premier center to
interpret and preserve the Mississippi River's natural environment and history, inspire a
global audience, and create more knowledgeable and engaged citizens.
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium has become the most comprehensive river
museum in the nation with a $50 million, 14-acre educational campus. We have hosted 2.3
million on-site visitors in the past 12 years. Each year we serve 375,000 people — 200,000 on
site visitors and 175,000 people in our RiverWorks Discovery outreach in 18 states. Over
100,000 of our 375,000 annual audience members are school children and teachers. In the next
five years, we will reach two million people through our Dubuque facility and our outreach
programs and exhibits across the country.
CRITICAL ISSUES
We believe in the next decade that access to clean water, loss of critically endangered species,
and a necessary increase in the public understanding of STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics) education will continue to be at the forefront of the global issues
facing us all.
River of Innovation: As the premier Mississippi River educational institution in the world, the
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium will inspire the next generation of River
explorers, improve science literacy, encourage environmental stewardship, increase
sustainability and community resilience, conduct original research, and increase the diversity
and size of our audiences. This project received funding from Vision Iowa in 2015 and will be a
major effort in future years.
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1. Dynamic Experiences: We will inspire and engage a global audience with compelling
and dynamic exhibits and programmatic experiences which give meaning to STEM
education in an informal learning institution. Those are:
a. River of Innovation Exhibits, Makerspace, and educational components as a part
of a grouping of immersive experiences which drive the Museum & Aquarium's
STEM focus — to inspire the next generation of river explorers. This multi-year
project will improve science literacy by providing inspiring, rewarding, and
innovative experiences for all ages and particularly youth audiences' grades four
through eight. These transformative experiences will be created in partnership with
the Science Museum of Minnesota, Conner Prairie Museum, the Children's
Museum of Pittsburgh, and other partners. We will fuse our existing Mississippi
River themes and collections with science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics concepts to create new and even more effective visitor experiences.
2. Mississippi River Research Labs: We will use the Museum & Aquarium as a research
facility to propagate threatened species, showcase new scientific discoveries, broaden
partnerships, and improve habitats within the 31-state the Mississippi River watershed.
a. The River Museum's conservation focus will educate the public as to how they can
promote conservation, convey the global importance of clean water, and foster
efforts to protect and porpigatwe endangered species.
b. The US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFW) has continued interest in working with our
organization to survey and potentially propagate Mudpuppy and other species like
the Salamander Mussel whose survival is directly linked to that of the Mudpuppy.
The River Museum also prides itself on being a host site for FrogWatch USA, a
citizen science program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that
provides individuals, groups, and families with an opportunity to learn about
wetlands in their communities and report data on the calls of local frogs and toads.
c. Student Led River Research Program (SLRRP) is designed to engage middle
school and high school students in authentic, meaningful scientific experiences so
that they will develop a keen understanding of human and environmental impacts
on endangered species. In 2015, we worked with 144 high school students, 102
summer campers, and over 100 STEM educators to propagate Higgins' eye
Mussels, a native endangered species.
d. These and similar projects will significantly enhance the Museum's ability to deliver
biological, environmental, and conservation education message focused on
endangered species to youth and families, school groups, and educators.
Opportunities for New and Continued Federal Partnerships:
Continue to work with USFW and other federal and state agencies to study, nurture, and
propagate important species which are endangered or threatened and are typically not
the primary focus of state DNRs. These include mussels, mud puppies, salamanders,
toads, and other vital and often ignored species.
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• Work with USDA and others to engage people to reduce nutrient loading, understand
sediment flow, and improve water quality for the Mississippi, its 31-state watershed, and
the Gulf of Mexico.
• Work with University of Iowa Flood Center and with other regional and federal partners to
raise awareness of flood prevention and flood control. The Museum has several
partnerships with Federal agencies which can be explored for funding opportunities. The
Museum is on the executive committee of Coastal America which works with NOAA,
EPA, US Fish & Wildlife, Department of Agriculture and other agencies.
• The Dubuque County Historical Society recently received funding from the Institute for
Museum & Library Services (IMLS) under the Museums for America grant for Collections
Stewardship: Collections Documentation Project which began in January 2016 and will
continue through December 2018.
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and IMLS supports museums as institutions of
learning and exploration, and as keepers of our cultural, historical, and scientific
heritages. These programs teach essential skills-such as creativity, critical thinking, and
effective communication-that are increasingly being sought by employers. NEH also funds
humanities councils in every state and U.S. territory, which sponsor family literacy programs,
speakers' bureaus, cultural heritage tourism, exhibitions, and live performances. Since 1980, the
Dubuque Country Historical Society (DCHS) has received $2.3 million from the NEH, and $1 .8
million from the IMLS to help preserve Dubuque, and the Mississippi River's cultural, historical,
and scientific heritage through our exhibits, historic preservation and educational programming.
This elimination of funds will play a dramatic role in future funding for the Dubuque
County Historical Society wherein private dollars would not be able to match the
leveraging role of government cultural funding.
Requested Action:
We ask for support for the peer review competitive grants listed below which we have
applied for and are currently under deliberation at the Institute for Museum and Library
Services and National Endowment for the Humanities.
1 . National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Title: Learning Experiences — River of Innovation Exhibits & Makerspace Project
Application Date: 12/1/2016 Requested Amount: $499,994
2. National Park Services — National Maritime Heritage Grant Program
Title: Lead-Based Paint Abatement of William M. Black Dredge
Application Date: 8/5/2016 Requested Amount: $66,999
Mines of Spain- E.B. Interpretive Center
The Mines of Spain State Recreation Area comprises 1 ,440 acres of forest and prairie along the
Mississippi River, and is a significant resource for the Driftless Region. The park is a National
Historic Landmark and a state preserve with rich historic, archeological and natural resources. It
includes a state nature preserve and adjoins the Upper Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Refuge.
This National Historic Landmark preserves rare riverfront habitat and also contains thousands of
years of human history dating from the early Mississippian period through the early-twentieth
century.
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The E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center serves as a visitor information center and park office for the
Mines of Spain. It opened in 1976 on land acquired with a federal Land and Water Conservation
Fund (LWCF) grant. The Interpretive Center was doubled in size in 2010 to include more
accessible space for educational purposes. The Friends of the Mines of Spain obtained private,
local, state and federal funds for the project. Federal funding included LWCF, National Scenic
Byway, and Preserve America grants.
The 30-acre E.B. Lyons Interpretive Area surrounding the center was nearly tripled with
acquisition of 52 adjacent acres in 2013. Land acquisition was funded by state grants, private
contributions and a federal LWCF grant.
In 2015, interpretive opportunities were expanded on the 82-acre E.B. Lyons Interpretive Area
with construction of the state park's first accessible multi-use trail, an outdoor classroom,
interpretive kiosks, and additional parking. Development was funded with a federal LWCF grant,
state grants and private contributions.
Requested Action:
The City supports any funding or programs that would provide additional land acquisition
and park development because it will enhance and increase the park's cultural, natural,
and recreational opportunities available to area residents and visitors while buffering the
park from surrounding development.
Additionally, the support of AmeriCorps and other programs that would help to expand and
strengthen permanent staffing needs for the E.B. Lyons Nature Center. This in turn would
ensure outstanding and consistent programming especially related to education of youth and
families about sustainability, the environment, history and more.
Requested Action:
The Mines of Spain asks for continued support for the Land and Water Conservation
Fund and for AmeriCorps program which provides staff for myriad tasks at the Mines of
Spain.
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