Verbal Status Report on Storm Damage Clean Up from July 11, 2017 Copyrighted
July 17, 2017
City of Dubuque Presentation(s) # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Verbal Status Report on Storm Damage Clean Up
SUMMARY: Emergency Management Director Tom Berger, Public
Works Director John Klostermann, Leisure Services
Manager Marie Ware, and City Engineer Gus Psihoyos will
provide a verbal status report on the July 11, 2017 storm
damage clean up.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Tree Removal Press Release Supporting Documentation
CONTACTS:
THE CITY OF John Klostermann, Public Works Director
DUB563-589-4250
i kloster ancitvofd u bug ue.ora
vwwv.citvofdubug ue.ora/publicvvorks
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
NEWS RELEASE
July 13, 2017— FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Additional Assistance Offered for Storm Damage Cleanup
DUBUQUE, Iowa -- The City of Dubuque continues to respond to tree damage caused by the
July 11-12 storm. In addition to extensive damage to City-owned trees and property, the
extent of damage to private trees and property has led to a more flexible approach in the
City's plans to collect tree/yard debris free of charge from Dubuque residents. A team of
volunteers will also be available to assist elderly, disabled, and other residents who need
assistance in clearing their property of storm debris.
There will be free collection of storm-related tree and yard debris conducted Thursday, July
13, through Friday, July 21 , on the customers' normal collection. The City prefers that
residents who are able follow the City's regular requirements for setting out yard debris at the
curb or alley line in containers or tied bundles:
• All yard waste must be set out by 6:00 a.m. and must not weigh over 40 pounds per
container or bundle.
• Materials must be in paper yard waste bags, rigid containers not exceeding 35 gallons
capacity, or tied in bundles that do not exceed five feet in length or 40 pounds in
weight.
• The tied bundles of sticks, branches and limbs must not exceed 18" inches in
diameter.
However, the number of impacted properties indicates that those requirements may be too
burdensome for some residents to meet. In these cases, the City will collect all storm-related
tree and yard debris that is placed between the curb and sidewalk for collection. While this
might not be on your regular collection day, it will be collected by the City over the next week.
If not picked up by Thursday, July 20, call the public works department at 563-589-4250. City
staff cannot enter private property to collect materials.
Residents who need assistance getting storm-related tree/yard debris off their property
should call United Way 2-1-1 or call toll-free at 1-866-469-2211 Monday — Friday, 8 a.m. — 10
p.m., and 8 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Calls will be answered by the United Way of East
Central Iowa staff who will record basic information about the caller's needs and initiate a
response with a volunteer team from United Methodist Church Iowa Conference Disaster
Services and other volunteer groups if the needs arise.
1
The volunteers are trained and background-checked "chain saw responders" and will cut and
remove downed or damaged trees and other yard debris related to the July 11-12 storm. The
cut wood and branches will be moved to the right-of-way when possible (between curb and
sidewalk) and the City of Dubuque Public Works Department will remove the storm debris
from the curb at no cost to the resident or property owner.
To request this assistance, please call United Way 2-1-1 or toll-free at 1-866-469-2211 as
soon as possible.
Residents with household items damaged due to the storm should contact the public works
department at 563-589-4250 to make arrangements for collection.
2