2 17 09 City Council Proceedings Official_Special
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
OFFICIAL
The Dubuque City Council met in special session at 6:30 p.m. on February 17, 2009
in the Historic Federal Building.
Present: Mayor Buol, Council Members Braig, Connors, Jones, Lynch, Resnick,
Voetberg, City Manager Van Milligen
Mayor Buol read the call and stated this is a special session of the City Council called
for the purpose of discussing various City departmental budgets.
Fiscal Year 2010 Departmental Budgets were presented by staff from the following
City departments: Five Flags Civic Center, Conference Center, Recreation Division,
Park Division, Information Services, and the Cable TV Division.
City Council had discussion with staff on the following budget areas:
Five Flags Civic Center: In response to questions from City Council, Leisure Services
Manager Gil Spence stated that due to having ice in the arena, the ceiling requires
painting every 7-10 years. He believed the schedule can now be lengthened with the
installation of the dehumidifier system.
Conference Center: In response to questions from City Council, Leisure Services
Manager Gil Spence stated that he would check for exterior containers for cigarettes
and appropriate smoking areas. Addressing revenue issues, Van Milligen explained that
unlike the Five Flags Center, the City pays a flat fee to Platinum Hospitality for the
operation and maintenance of the Grand River Center and the City pays for capital
projects for the facility. He added that the City will be scheduling an audit of Platinum’s
books to verify if the firm is leveraging the facility appropriately and competitively.
Spence stated that a study is needed to review options for recovering the lower portions
of meeting room walls in order to make them more functional.
Recreation Division Manager Pat Prevenas presented the division’s budget. Council
discussed reconsideration of the three-year request for St. Mark Community Center’s
Kids Connection program as it relates to the City Council’s priority for Every Child/Every
Promise. Van Milligen explained why this request does not fall under the Purchase of
Service budget and the affect funding it would have on property taxes or other recurring
budget items over three years if it was added back into the budget. Council reached
consensus on holding this item until the final budget hearing.
Park Division: Park Division Manager Bob Fritsch presented the division’s budget. In
response to questions from City Council, Leisure Services Manger Gil Spence stated
that the money budgeted in FY 2009 for the dog park relocation has not been
expended. The department is looking for a grant source to consider relocation and
possibly an expanded concept. Spence did not anticipate an expenditure of City funds
until a plan is in place or unless a satisfactory option occurs to warrant spending.
Council discussed the status of the Grandview Avenue dog park. Buol and Resnick
agreed that the dog park should be taken down and relocated. Spence informed Council
that the Catfish Creek Hike/Bike Trail is in the conceptual stage with property owner
input yet to come. Fritsch clarified where the City obtains its mulch for high and low
profile areas. Dana Livingston, 808 Lacy Court, expressed his appreciation for the
Multicultural Family Center, the Park and Recreation Divisions, and for the City
Council’s good work.
Information Services: In response to questions by City Council, Information Services
Manager Chris Kohlmann explained that “unique visitors” to the City’s website are
visitors that can be identified electronically. Council thanked the IS staff for their
assistance.
Cable TV Division: Cable TV Coordinator Craig Nowack presented a DVD on the
division’s activities. Council thanked staff for the quality programming now being
produced for City Channel 8.
There being no further business, upon motion the City Council adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
/s/Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk
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