Federal Financial Assist PrioriMEMORANDUM
March 4, 2003
TO:The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT:Priorities and Requests for Federal Financial Assistance
Economic Development Director Bill Baum is recommending approval of the updated
Priorities and Requests for Federal Financial Assistance.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Bill Baum, Economic Development Director
PRIORITIES AND REQUESTS FOR FEDERAL
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
March 2003
Mamh 2003
City of Dubuque Priorities and Requests for Federal
Appropriations
DUBUQUE'S STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project
Purpose: To limit flooding in Iow/moderate income neighborhoods.
In 1999, an unusually intense spring storm deluged Dubuque with rainfall. The storm
produced in excess of four feet of stormwater in city streets and five feet of stormwater
in basements, and resulted in a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Dubuque County.
Flood damage devastated hundreds of homes in the City of Dubuque. At the time of the
flood, the City was in the process of adopting a Stormwater Management Plan. On July
23, 2001, HDR Engineering, of Omaha, Neb., the consulting firm hired by the City to
produce the Stormwater Management Plan, presented its findings to City Council.
One solution is an open waterway proposal for solving the Bee Branch Stormwater
problems. This solution has been controversial, and is therefore, under continuing
study. However, an important segment of the project, not involvin,q the open waterway
concept is not controversial, and will assist greatly in mitigating the problems with the
Bee Branch:
The expansion of the 32nd Street detention basin, at a cost of $4,023,000 would
double the size of the existing basin.
When completed, the basin would reduce peak runoff flows from the 100-year rainstorm
by 69%. This significant reduction will lesson the threat of flood damage to the
neighborhood, and assist greatly in solving the problems in the Bee Branch.
The City is requesting an FY04 earmark through EPA's State and Tribal Grant
program "STAG."
The City has approved the establishment of a storm water utility, and therefore the local
match is available for this project.
2. TRANSPORTATION
IA,32 - (Southwest Arterial):
The Dubuque City Council, the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors, and Dubuque
Metropolitan Planning Organization (DMATS) have identified the completion of the IA 32
(Southwest Arterial) as the No. 1 surface transportation pdority in the Dubuque arsa.
The IA 32 connects the new Dubuque Technology Park on U.S. 61/151 with the new
Dubuque Industrial Center West, and the existing Dubuque Industrial Center near U.S.
20. The highway then extends north to John Deers Dubuque Works.
in October 2001, McGraw Hill Publishing Company made a decision to locate a new
330,000-square-foot distribution center in the Dubuque Industrial Center West.
Assurances that US 32 was under study and construction was in the Iowa Department
of Transportation five-year plan weighed heavily in that decision. Other companies
asking for a connection between U.S. 20 and U.S. 61/151 include John Deers,
Nordstrom Distribution Center, A.Y. McDonald, Swiss Valley Farms, Flexsteel, and
Dubuque Stamping and Manufacturing.
Total Project Cost: Current estimate: $71,000,000. City and County have agreed to
cost share in the Environmental Assessment Phase, and have contracted for $594,000
to complete the FA. The State of Iowa has committed $21 million for the project in the
Iowa Department of Transportation's five-year plan. The Metropolitan Planning
Organization, DMATS, has committed $7 million in Surface Transportation Program
funds for the facility. In February 2003, the City was informed of budget approval of
$2,000,000 to assist in accomplishing this work.
The funding "gap" is $41 Million. The City is requesting this project be identified
and authorized in the next federal transportation act.
Current Status:
Work continues on the Environmental Assessment.
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Southwest Arterial
Iowa Department
of Transportation
Project Location Map
Capacity Improvements to U.S.20/Julien Dubuque Bridge
The U.S. 201Julien Dubuque Bddge spans the Mississippi River and provides one
eastbound and one westbound lane of traffic. On either side of the fiver, the highway
immediately expands to four or more lanes. The result is a bottleneck in traffic on both
sides of the bddge. This link is important for an east-west connection between
Dubuque and other communities. To the west: Galena, III.; Rockford, Ill.; and Chicago.
To the east: Waterloo, Iowa and the 1-35 intemhange. This project is a very high pdodty
with the City Council and the Metropolitan Planning Organization, DMATS.
The City of Dubuque appreciates the $28 million commitment to the bridge
secured by Dubuque's Congressional delegation.
Current Status:
The location study and environmental documentation are complete. IDOT has selected
the firm of Parsons of Chicago, Illinois, in conjunction with WHKS of Dubuque, to
.perform the preliminary and final design of the bddge, bridge approaches, and roadway
improvements.
The City had hoped to see completion of Phase I construction plans for the new
approaches in June, 2003. Phase I construction on the bddge approaches and
roadway improvements on both sides of the River was scheduled for the latter part of
Calendar Year 2003 and Calendar Year 2004 with the current money available. New
cost estimates raising the total bridge project cost from $96 Million to $165 Million has
derailed these plans.
The design and land acquisition will be completed with existing funds, however no
funding is currently available for construction of the project.
Additionally, the City has been informed of City responsibility to pay the cost of
relocation of utilities, estimated to be approximately $3,000,000.
Latest estimates to complete the project are $130 Million. Therefore, the City is
requesting 90% funding for construction, and utility relocation in the amount of
$117 Million in the next federal transportation bill. If legislation needs to be
amended to recognize utility relocation as an eligible expense, we request that
change in the law.
Dubuque Regional Airport
The Airport Commission is neadng completion of an airport terminal study. The study
identifies the need for a new terminal approximately 3 times the size of the existing
facility. Estimated cost is $25 million. After the study is finalized and approved,
the City will be requesting federal assistance for construction of the new terminal.
3. AMERICA'S RIVER AT THE PORT OF DUBUQUE
Property Acquisition/Environmental Assessment in Port of Dubuque.
The City has, in the past year, invested in the pumhase these properties in the Port of
Dubuque:
Peavey (ConAgra) property: 5 acres
Dubuque Hardwoods property: 5 acres
Mississippi Valley Trucking: 1.4 acres
Klauer Manufacturing: .529 acres
Current status:
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently announced award of a
$2,000,000 grant for the acquisition of the Adams Company property.
In October, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the award of a
$200,000 grant to the City for Phase I and Phase II Environmental Assessments in the
Port of Dubuque. Consultant selection has been completed.
In February 2003, the City was informed that Congress had approved of $360,000
to assist in property acquisition and/or cleanup activities.
City is now seeking funds to assist in the mitigation of environmental issues on
the properties acquired by the City. Specifically, EPA's new grant program for
cleanup and HUD's Brownfield Economic Development Initiative are two potential
funding sources.
Dubuque Star Brewery
Located on the Mississippi River and a prominent landmark in the Port of Dubuque
campus, this City-owned inactive brewery is a unique historical structure. Eligible for
National Register designation, the brewery requires stabilization and is proposed to be
redeveloped into a mixed-use project. The estimated cost of renovation is $6,000,000.
City has requested $1,500,000 through Save America's Treasures, but the request
has not been funded. The City has issued an RFQ/RFP to potential developers, one
response has been received, and the City is negotiating with the potential developer.
Shot Tower
Located on East Fourth Street in the Port of Dubuque, the City-owned Shot Tower is a
unique National Register structure used in the eady munitions industry to produce lead
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DUBUQUE SHOT TOWER
shot during the Civil War. The Shot Tower needs to be renovated, landscaped, and
improved to make it a strong part of the America's River project. The City has
submitted an application to the Department of Interior for the Save America's Treasures
grant program, but the application has been denied. The City anticipates applying
again for $250,000 in matching funds for Phase I of the renovation,
Passenger Boarding Facilities in Port of Dubuque; City Garage Maintenance
Facility.
The City has requested an earmark of $880,000 through Federal Transit Authority.
Purpose: design and construction of passenger boarding facilities within the Port of
Dubuque in conjunction with the America's River Project, and new City garage on City
property north of Kerper Court.
4. Neighborhood Strategy
Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention Program
Purpose: To reduce the incidence of childhood lead poisoning through "lead-
safe" rehabilitation of older residential buildings
Problem statement:
Dubuque's residential housing stock is the oldest in the State; Iowa's is the sixth oldest
in the nation. 41% of Dubuque's housing was built pre-1940; approximately 90% was
constructed before 1978, the year lead paint was banned for residential uses. More
than half of the city's housing units are assumed to have an incidence of lead-based
paint.
Our incidence of childhood lead poisoning - for children from birth to age six -
Is twice the national average.
Background:
Dubuque received a $3.69 million HUD Lead Hazard Prevention grant in 1997. We will
have made heady 500 residential units lead-safe by the scheduled termination of this
contract, in Mamh 2003.
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In addition, we have trained and certified more than 200 local contractors, workers and
landlords in safe lead paint removal practices. We are the only Iowa Department of
Public Health-certified state-wide provider of these training services. We have held
these training classes around the State for contractors, risk assessors and municipal
health officials, since 1998, certifying
200 additional personnel.
We have made application for renewal of these HUD funds, from the Office of Lead
Hazard Control, for the past three years. These applications have been denied. At this
time, we will be without HUD funding by the end of this fiscal year.
Solution:
We need to continue our lead paint hazard reduction activities, in the interest of the
public health and welfare. Specifically, this program, as we have developed it over the
past five years, must:
1. Provide subsidized loans or grants to Dubuque home and apartment owners
for the high costs of lead paint removal
2. Continue our program of testing in older housing stock, using
specialized technology to identify the presence of lead-based paint
3. Continue our programs of public education, alerting the public to the
dangers of this invisible health hazard
4. Continue our training certification programs for area contractors and
apartment owners, in safe work and hazard reduction practices
5. Continue our training programs for lead paint contractors and health
officials throughout the State. As the only certified training provider, all
other Iowa cities are dependent on us to do this, in order to remain in
compliance with HUD regulations requiring certification.
6. Continue to respond with medical and environmental investigations, in
cases of childhood lead paint poisoning
Cost:
With existing staff capacity, we can generate 75-80 units annually. At $7000/unit
subsidy, this cost is approximately $540,000. Staff and program costs are an additional
$225,000 annually. To continue our existing programs and provide all the services
listed above, both locally and throughout Iowa, this program cost is
approximately $750,000 per year, and the City will be resubmitting an application
to HUD early in 2003.
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5. Dubuque Post Office Renovations
The City is very concerned about the ongoing deterioration of the Federal Building
downtown currently housing the Post Office. Our understanding is that the Social
Secudty Administration will soon be moving out of the facility, leaving only the Post
Office operation in this magnificent building, and that the building would soon be for
sale. We also are aware of GSA's intention to dispose of the property.
The City requests the Congressional delegation work with GSA to fund
renovations to this building, and encourage federal agencies to lease space in
this downtown facility.
6. Cable TV Rate Regulation
The City of Dubuque recently received a letter from our cable TV franchise operator
announcing the addition of three program services to the basic cable service package
(which they now call "Family Cable") in Dubuque, and a plan to implement an increase
in the rate they charge for that service, effective February 1, 2003.
Prior to February 1, rate for "Family Cable" was $36.95/mo., plus taxes and federal
fees. The new rate will be $41.95/mo., plus taxes and fees. Senior Citizens will receive
a $4.20 (10%) discount. This new rate represents a 13.5% increase in one year, and
a 90.7% increase since the City's limited rate regulation authority was lost in July,
1996. Inflation for that same 6.5 year period has been about 15%. The $5.00
increase will be the largest single increase in the basic rate in Dubuque's 49-year
cable history.
The current provider and its predecessors raised basic cable service rates on the first
of February in 2001, 2002, and 2003, and on the first of January in 1997, 1998, 1999,
and 2000. Many major cable operators are implementing their annual increases across
the country. However, the amount of this increase, particularly as compared to inflation,
is once again very disturbing and clearly reflects the combined effects of a vertically-
integrated industry which is subject neither to regulation nor to effective market
competition.
Dubuque's need for an entry-level "broadcast basic" package, which includes area
broadcast stations and PEG access channels, will be a key topic in franchise renewal
negotiations, but local rate controls, per se, cannot be restored via the franchise
renewal process.
The solution is federal legislation. Deregulation of this industry was passed to create
competition and lower prices. Just the opposite has occurred in Dubuque: a monopoly
is controlling higher prices. The 1996 law limiting the City's ability to regulate rates
should be repealed.
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7. Homeland Security
Regional Emergency Responder Training Facility
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Dubuque Fire Department is part of the group developing the training facility as a
joint venture with all emergency response agencies in Dubuque County.
OUR VISION: To develop an emergency responder training facility including training
tower, an indoor/outdoor evolution lab and classroom to enable flrefighters, law
enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and safety workers in local
manufacturing/commercial industry to safely train in real-life emergency situations.
Firefighters, law enforcement officers, and EMS workers will now be able to participate
in joint training exercises, enabling:
-Preparation for multiple disaster scenarios
-The sharing of ideas and training techniques
-Introduction to and training with new and more efficient equipment
-Team building between departments and communities
FUNDING CHALLENGES: Private/public partnerships have been established to
assist with funding this project. However, additional funding assistance is
necessary. Since much of the training will be related to homeland security
disasters, we are hopeful that some funding may be possible from the federal
government. The total cost of the facility is $2,600,000.
Vulnerability Assessment Of Water Systems
As a result of the Bio-Terrorism Act of 2002, the City of Dubuque is required to conduct
a "vulnerability assessment" of its water system, and prepare an Emergency Response
Plan by December 31, 2003. The cost of the assessment and plan could be as high as
$100,000. Does EPA or Homeland Security have funds that can be accessed for this
purpose?
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Proposed Requirements For Security Measures for Ports, Vessels,
and Facilities.
The U.S. Coast Guard is currently holding meetings and seeking comments on
proposed regulations to implement the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002.
These proposed regulations will provide a requirement for:
· Security Assessment Plans for vessels, facilities, and ports.
· Security Measures to implement the plans.
The City of Dubuque wilt assist in developing a Port Security Plan, including the
identification of potential threats, an analysis of the threats, and determining
performance standards necessary to implement the plan. However, the City is
concerned about, and will be commenting on these issues:
The regulations should differentiate between large "blue water ports" and small
"brown water ports". Currently the same regulations would apply to Dubuque as
New York City.
Definitions: The City is concerned that the components of "The America's River"
Project, including the River Museum and Aquarium, the Grand River Center, the
Grand Harbor Resort, the Star Brewery and Shot Tower, are classified as
'facilities', and therefore required to have secudty plans and security measures.
These facilities happen to be located near the river, but are not connected with or
serviced by vessels navigating the river. We are requesting they not be defined
as a facility under these rules.
The City is concerned about the potential need to develop security plans for
events that attract large numbers of people along the dverfront. The
implementation could mean requiring the same screening process currently
found at airports. We are concerned that these extreme security measures
would discourage attendance at the events. The City is also supportive of the
representatives of the gaming industry who are concerned about the potential
loss of patronage and the cost of screening passengers on gambling boats, if
airport type security is required.
Implementing the regulations will be costly, both in the planning stage, and
certainly in the implementation. Will funding from the Federal Government
accompany the regulations?
8. Federally Qualified Community Health Center for Dubuque
County
Access to primary health and dental care has been identified as a critical need for the
citizens of Dubuque County, particularly Iow-income children and families. In
addressing this crucial issue, many organizations and agencies have together to
develop a community health center for Dubuque and the Tri-State area:
· Mercy Medical Center - Dubuque
· Finley Hospital/VNA
· Medical Associates Clinic &
Health Plan
· Dubuque Internal Medicine
· Dubuque OB-GYN
· TH-States Independent
Physician's Association
· Gannon Center for Community
Mental Health
· Dubuque County Health
Department
· Iowa Department of Public Health
· Iowa Department of Human
Services
· Hillcrest Family Services
· Sisters of St. Francis
· Clarke College
· Northeast Iowa Community
College
· Dubuque Community Schools
· City of Dubuque
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The health center envisioned by this community group would be a non-profit
organization structured so that it could receive federal funding under the Health Centers
Consolidation Act of 1996 as amended by section 330 of the Public Health Service Act.
The clinic would provide comprehensive primary care services to all individuals within
the center's service regardless of ability to pay. Specific services that the center would
provide either directly, through contract, or by formal referral arrangements would
include:
· Pdmary health care services by physicians and, where appropriate, allied health
professionals
· Diagnostic laboratory services
· Diagnostic x-ray services
· Preventive health services
· Patient case management
· Pharmacy services needed to complete treatment
· Preventive dental services
Emergency services
· Transportation for patients who would otherwise lack access to services.
Dubuque is the only major metropolitan area in Iowa without a community health center.
The Dubuque community is now coming together in an effort to create a community
health center, which will meet the identified health needs of our citizens. In February of
2003, the City was informed of a planning grant of $50,000 to Clarke College from
the FY 03 appropriations bill. We are grateful to the Congressional delegation for
the support.
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