Minutes_Long Range Planning Advisory Commission of 2 15 17 Copyrighted
March 6, 2017
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of 2/16, 2/20, 2/22, 2/27; Historic
Preservation Commission of 2/16; Library Board of
Trustees of 1/26; Long Range Planning Advisory
Commission of 2/15; Proof of Publication for City Council
Proceedings of 1/30, 2/6, 2/9; Proof of Publication for List
of Claims and Summary of Revenues for Month Ending
1/31
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council Proceedings of 2/16/17 Supporting Documentation
City Council Proceedings of 2/20/17 Supporting Documentation
City Council Proceedings of 2/22/17 Supporting Documentation
City Council Proceedings of 2/23/17 Supporting Documentation
City Council Proceedings of 2/27/17 Supporting Documentation
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of 2/16/17 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 1/26/17 Supporting Documentation
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission Minutes of Supporting Documentation
2/15/17
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
1/30/17
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
2/6/17
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
2/9/17
Proof of Publication for List of Claims and Summary of Supporting Documentation
Revenues for ME 1/31/17
THE CITY OF Dubuque
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MINUTES
CITY OF DUBUQUE LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
City Council Chamber, Historic Federal Building
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Chad Darter; Commissioners Ron
Collins, Mark Dolson, John Pregler, Charlie Winterwood, and Michael Wright.
Commissioners Excused: Alan Vincent.
Commissioners Unexcused: None.
Staff Members Present: Laura Carstens, David Johnson, Ose Akinlotan, and
Jill Connors.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Darter at
5:30 p.m.
CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of
Compliance verifying that the meeting was being held in compliance with the
Iowa Open Meetings Law.
MINUTES: Motion by Winterwood, seconded by Pregler, to approve the
minutes of November 17, 2016 as submitted. Motion carried by the following
vote: Aye —Collins, Darter, Dolson, Pregler, Winterwood and Wright; Nay —
None.
ACTION ITEMS:
Amended Greater Downtown Urban Renewal Area: Staff Member Connors
presented the Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater
Downtown Urban Renewal District. She reviewed the amendments to the plan.
She explained the amendment adds the 15th Street Subarea, comprising the
former Blum salvage yard along Elm Street, which would undergo
environmental cleanup for redevelopment into a park with amenities. She
explained the proposed amendment also includes a facility renovation to the
Dubuque County administrative offices.
Commissioner Pregler asked whether an environmental impact study has been
done on the Blum property. Staff Member Connors stated the City has secured
EPA funding to assist with studies and potential mitigation. She noted past
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February 15, 2017
studies have identified contaminants, but that does not necessarily mean it must
be removed; sometimes it can be capped.
Commissioner Winterwood cautioned about placing a playground on the site
due to potential contaminants, even if its capped. Staff Member Connors
reviewed different approaches to cap contamination so it can be safely
developed.
Commissioner Pregler expressed concern about creating new parks when the
City parks department is understaffed and positions are being frozen. He asked
whether the City considers long-term operating costs to new initiatives. Staff
Member Connors explained that is a consideration.
Motion by Pregler, seconded by Wright, to recommend the amendment to the
Urban Renewal Plan for the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District as it is
consistent with the 2012 City of Dubuque Comprehensive Plan. Motion carried
by the following vote: Aye —Collins, Darter, Dolson, Pregler, Winterwood and
Wright; Nay — None.
Comprehensive Plan Update: Mike Hoffman, Vice President and Project
Manager for Teska Associates, presented the update. He reviewed progress to
date and future initiatives. He reviewed outreach efforts and data. He reviewed
the demographics success of community engagement. Mr. Hoffman welcomed
additional ideas, especially to reach residents 65 and over in Dubuque. The
Commission recommended senior housing and senior centers. The
Commission suggested McDonalds coffee in the morning as well as hospitals.
Staff Member Johnson reviewed the idea box and retractable banners that are
under development.
Mr. Hoffman reviewed the focus group events, noting a collective social learning
technique was used. He stated it was a fun and highly collaborative approach to
engagement. Mr. Hoffman reviewed marketing and promotional efforts. He
reviewed the idea board and the locations it has been at as well. The
Commission suggested the Kennedy Mall, Mystique Ice Arena and the Farmers
Market as future locations.
Mr. Hoffman reviewed emerging themes, noting more themes will arise as the
project progresses. He reviewed upcoming events and welcomed suggestions.
Commissioner Collins asked whether there were opportunities to work with
incubators and colleges to enhance entrepreneurship. The Commission
discussed the Young Entrepreneurs program and college opportunities. The
Commission discussed maker-spaces and additional opportunities for college
graduates to create start-ups. Mr. Hoffman said the Comprehensive Plan can
identify those individual pieces and pull them together. The Commission
discussed disconnect with these services.
Minutes — Long Range Planning Advisory Commission Page 3
February 15, 2017
Commissioner Pregler recommended talking about the Emerald Ash Borer and
measurements taken to preserve the many urban Ash trees we have. He stated
there are roughly 1 ,300 Ash street trees. that if cut down and replaced. would
be very expensive. He also stated there is a need for additional fire houses in
Dubuque. He noted the next fire house will not be built until after 2022 and the
city keeps growing. He reviewed concern about response times, and suggested
this be a topic of discussion and higher priority. He noted of all priorities,
emergency services is truly the only one that is a matter of life and death. Mr.
Hoffman noted he did have a conversation with the Fire Chief and the matter
was discussed.
Commissioner Wright discussed urban design and housing maintenance issues
within the context of neighborhood sustainability.
City Manager's Recommended CIP: Staff Member Johnson introduced the CIP.
Staff Member Carstens explained the difference between Operating Budget and
Capital Improvement Projects.
Commissioners Pregler and Wright asked that their comments made during the
Comp Plan presentation be included in CIP discussion notes.
Commissioner Pregler had several questions about information in the budget
documents related to Tax Increment Financing. Staff Member Carstens said
she would get back to him with the information.
Commissioner Pregler asked about Median Family Income. Staff Member
Akinlotan provided median individual and family household income information.
Commissioner Pregler stated he thought hiring a consultant for better roses
along Dodge Street is not needed, since the City has a City Gardener.
Commissioner Pregler questioned the Traffic Study for signal timing to reroute
traffic. Staff Member Akinlotan addressed the concern via the latest DMATS
meeting, and said she will provide additional information to Commissioner
Pregler.
Commissioners Pregler and Winterwood felt the discussion in the budget on the
City tax rate needs to address and better clarify the tax rate, as alluding to 0%
increase is not taking into account the true impact. Staff Member Carstens
explained that this is a policy guideline for the City's tax rate only.
Motion by Pregler, seconded by Winterwood, that the FY2018-FY2022
Recommended Capital Improvement Program is in general conformance with
the 2012 City of Dubuque Comprehensive Plan, with exception of a plan to
address the impacts of the Emerald Ash Borer. Motion carried by the following
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February 15, 2017
vote: Aye —Collins, Darter, Dolson, Pregler, Winterwood and Wright; Nay —
None.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Election of Officers: Motion by Pregler, seconded by Winterwood to nominate
Commissioner Dolson as Chairperson. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye
— Collins, Darter, Dolson, Pregler, Winterwood and Wright; Nay — None.
Motion by Dolson, seconded by Winterwood to nominate Commissioner Pregler
as Vice Chairperson. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye —Collins, Darter,
Dolson, Pregler, Winterwood and Wright; Nay — None.
Source of Income Ordinance: Commissioner Pregler reported the Source of
Income Committee's final report is being forwarded to City Council for their
February 20th meeting. He explained he was the Commission's representative
on the Committee. He noted the recommendation included a number of options
to address equitable housing options for low-income residents.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Environmental Integrity Workshop — February 21 , 2017: Planning Services Staff
encouraged Commissioners to attend the workshop, and market the Imagine
Dubuque project.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Pregler, seconded by Wright, to adjourn the
February 15, 2017 Long Range Planning Advisory Commission meeting.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye —Collins, Darter, Dolson, Pregler,
Winterwood and Wright; Nay — None.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Adopted