Minutes Downtown Planng 6 10 02 MINUTES
DOWNTOWN PLANNING COMMITTEE
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
June 10, 2002, 11:00 A.M.
Conference Room #2, City Hall Annex
1300 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa
PRESENT: Committee Members: Doris Hingtgen, Jim Gibbs, Dan LoBianco, Jim Giesen,
Dave Rusk and Bob Felderman; Staff Members: Laura Carstens and Bill
Baum; Guest: Jim Holz
ABSENT: Committee Members: Dan Walsh, John Walsh, Ann Michalski, Pam Jochum,
and Ruth Nash; Staff Members: David Harris and Rich Russell.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 11:20 a.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 Felderman, seconded by LoBianco to approve the minutes of May
13, 2002 passed unanimously.
ACTION ITEMS:
Consultant Selection Process
Carstens reported that on May 23, the consultant selection committee met to review the
draft RFP that she had prepared based on the Committee's input at the May 13 Committee
meeting. She noted that the City Manager had approved the RFF and indicated that it did
not need City Council approval before being sent out. Carstens said that the RFP was
emailed to the American Planning Association's web site for posting, and also was mailed
out to primarily local and regional consultants. She noted that a copy of the RFP was
enclosed in the Committee's agenda packets. She indicated that proposals are due on
June 28. Carstens explained that after a review of the responses received, the consultant
selection committee will need to interview a short list of firms to interview, and then make
a recommendation to the City Council.
IDED Grant Application Timeline
Carstens reported that on May 30, she met with Harris, Baum Russell, and LoBianco to
review the IDED grant application, and what IDED staff will be looking for in a strong
application. She noted that the grant would be for no more than $25,000. LoBianco
reported that the IDED's FY02 grant budget had been "scooped" to meet the budget
shortfall. Baum added that IDED staff had informed us that the agency was allocated a
smaller budget, so they must decide what their priorities are. Consensus was to assume
there would be a grant program would be in place, and to submit an application.
Minutes- Downtown Planning Committee
June 10. 2002
Page 2
NTHP Grant Application Results
LoBianco stated the National Trust for Historic Preservation did not award the grant that
DMSL requested for the Downtown Master Plan. He suggested applying again in October
2002. Consensus was to see what funding could be raised locally prior to this fall.
Additional Financial and In-Kind Resources
Rusk reviewed that our estimated project budget is $100,000, with about $75,000 for
consultant fees and $25,000 for printing and public relations. He noted that the City has
committed $50,000 to the project, and that if awarded the IDED grant would be no
more than $25,000. He said that additional financial and in-kind resources should be
discussed.
Felderman reported that the Dubuque Area Board of Realtors has pledged $1,000 to
the project. He also suggested we wait until we have responses to the RFP to
determine the balance needed for the project.
The Committee discussed how to approach the Chamber Board and the DMSL Board
as well as their members and other major players in the downtown. The Committee
discussed whether the Chamber and DMSL could serve as partners for approaching
their members and other organizations for financial support and in-kind resources. After
further discussion, motion by Felderman, seconded by LoBianco to approve a two-step
process: (1) Rusk to meet with Nick Schrup, Chairman of the Chamber Board, and the
Chamber representative to this Committee, to discuss a contribution from the
organization and/or its membership; and (2) Rusk to convene a subgroup of the
Committee consisting of Rusk, LoBianco, Walsh, Felderman, Chamber representative
and Carstens to develop a mini campaign to raise resources needed for the project.
beginning with major players. Motion passed unanimously.
The Committee then discussed other sources of state and private grants focused on
components of the Vision, such as housing, parks and open space, cultural arts, and
transportation. The Committee also discussed service groups as possible resources.
Baum noted that Dick Wertzberger might be replacing Dan Watsh as the Chamber
representative on this Committee. Consensus was to have the Chamber confirm their
representative, and for the Committee to concur with the Chamber's selection.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting ended at 12:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Adopted