1 6 09 City Council Proceedings Official_Special
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
OFFICIAL
The Dubuque City Council met in special session at 5:30 p.m. on January 6, 2009 in the
Historic Federal Building.
Present: Mayor Buol, Council Members Braig, Connors, Jones, Lynch, Resnick, Voetberg,
City Manager Van Milligen, City Attorney Lindahl
Mayor Buol read the call and stated this is a special session of the City Council to discuss
the Landscape Design for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project.
City of Dubuque Engineer Deron Muehring provided an overview of the work session and
introduced Mike Jansen from IIW Engineers. Jansen then introduced the design team: Dennis
Waugh from IIW Engineers; Project Manager Mike Bridwell and Tom Lynch from Strand
Associates who facilitated the project’s public input; and Ken Saiki and Rebecca Flood from
Ken Saiki Designs who facilitated the project’s landscape architecture.
Tom Lynch reviewed the process to date stating that kick off meetings and workshops were
held in October 2008. Input was received from the public on preferences and concerns and
presented to residents, landowners and the Landscape Design Advisory Committee at
workshops held during November 2008. Information gathered from those workshops included:
Project Goals:
Primary: Flood Projection
Secondary: Community Asset (Aesthetics, Recreation, Other)
Results from Public Input Workshop; Hopes and Fears (by priority)
Hopes: Park Amenities, Road under railroad tracks, aesthetically pleasing bridge
structures; low-maintenance plantings, safety/child safety
Fears: Creating unsafe conditions for children, extra cost to maintain creek, unsecure
hang-out spots; trash and debris; lack of maintenance
Results of Visual Preference Survey:
Positive responses were received for bike paths, gazebo/overlooks, public meeting
spaces, benches/public art, decorative bridge railings/arches/limestone.
Negative responses were received for unmanaged swales, community gardens,
landscape screenings, and brick/culvert-shaped bridges.
Rebecca Flood described design alternatives on the whole of the Bee Branch corridor as it
transitions from residential to commercial districts through the use of cross-section drawings.
She stated that neighborhood Cross Section Alternative 2 with control structure and green
bottom access was preferred by workshop attendees. Ms. Flood, Mr. Muehring, and Mr.
Bridwell addressed concerns from Council Members regarding watershed safety and
amenities. Mr. Muehring stated that public education regarding the project will be required. Mr.
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Bridwell informed Council about the role of the 16 Street Basin in connection with the use of
the Level Control Structure and the river in terms of watershed during storms.
Ms. Flood and Mr. Bridwell described the purpose and function of the Level Control
Structure concept. Public Works Director Don Vogt clarified the City’s current flood control
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procedures as they relate to the floodwall’s gates and 16 Street Basin.
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Ms. Flood then illustrated the design details of each of the corridor’s sections from 24 to
ndnd
22 Street, 22 Street to Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln Avenue to Railroad, and the Commercial
district.
Mike Bridwell illustrated the three preferred bridge designs noting that reclaimed limestone
from the Bee Branch Creek restoration could be used as a veneer for the bridge, and safety
concerns could be addressed through the use of lighting and possible security cameras.
Council discussion included questions pertaining to the costs for bridge alternatives,
development of adjacent properties, pedestrian safety and security, structural cost efficiency,
and long-term operation and maintenance costs. Mr. Bridwell summarized the Council’s
discussion stating that the design team will refine the concepts based on their input and
present it to the public.
City Council thanked the area residents for their involvement in the project and expressed
pleasure with the concepts presented stating this project will be an amenity to the
neighborhood.
There being no further business, upon motion the City Council adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
/s/Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk