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Correspondence from Representative Charles Isenhart Copyrighted January 7, 2019 City of Dubuque Consent Items # 12. ITEM TITLE: Correspondence from Representative Charles Isenhart SUMMARY: Representative Charles Isenhart requesting that his letter of August 18, 2018 regarding strategic planning priorities be officially recorded in the minutes of the City Council. SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Make Matterof Record ATTACHMENTS: Description Type IsenhartCorrespondence Supporting Documentation Charles Isenhart � �' STATE REPRESENTATNE � h COMMITTEES One-Hundredth District - Environmental Protection, Statehouse: (515)281-3221 ' j ` � RankingMember e-mail—chazles.isenhart@legis.iowa.gov -�` A � AgI'iCultUl'e '�� Economic Growth HOME ADDRESS Ways&Means P.O.Box3353 �uu�e nf �.te�re�entatibe� � Dubuque, Iowa 52004-3353 State of Iowa APPROPRIATIONS SLTBCOMMITTEE � Home:(563)557-1261 Eighty-Seventh General Assembly Agriculture&Natural Resources STATEHOUSE Des Moines,Iowa 50319 August 10, 2018 From: State Rep. Chuck Isenhart To: Mayor of Dubuque and Members of the Dubuque City Council About: Recommendations for strategic planning prio�ities ; Dear Mayor Buol and Council Members Del Taro, Jones, Larson, Resnick, Rios and Shaw: I take this opportunity to write to you, in advance of your strategic planning session, to communicate with ou reQardina several of m 1 ' Y b b y egislative pnorities that may play mto the � priorities, action plans or budget considerations of the City of Dubuque. � 1. The public health priorities of the state are in great part influenced by what cities and counties are experiencing and recommending. Every three to five years, the City and County adopt a new or updated Community Health Needs Assessment and Health Improvement Plan. These assessments and plans also guide the community benefit spending of non-profit hospitals. The plan currently being developed had broad-based input from health care provider organizations, but less critical input from and review by affected populations and other community stakeholders. I recommend that the City Council hold a public hearing/public meeting, or require the City Health Department to hold a public hearing/meeting on the draft, to receive broader-based public input and to incarporate that input into the assessment and plan, where warranted,before the assessment and plan is approved by the City Council. To the extent possible, seek recommendations for state public policy and funding that can be considered by me, your legislative delegation, the General Assembly, the state Department of Public Health and the governor. 2. Syringe service or"needle exchange"programs are documented to be an effective prevention measure and response to opioid addiction and infectious disease,which are affecting our community. Many people who use injection drugs seek treatment after availing themselves of syringe services. Such programs require close cooperation beriveen law enforcement and health eare providers. I recommend that the City Cauncil direct Chief Dalsing and the Police Department to take the lead by working with the Sheriff's Department,Dubuque Drug Task Force, health care providers, the community Opioid Response Team and people affected by substance use disorders to collaborate in the development and implementation of a syringe service program in Dubuque County. I recommend that the City include state authorization and support for syringe service programs among its legislative priorities HF 2207). Related information from the state medical director is enclosed. Other bills for possible endorsement: HF 2474, HF 2211 ; and HF 338. ` 3. I continue to be concerned about state support for natural resources and outdoor recreation. Iowa continues to go backwards: Probably 100 vacant positions,with major cutbacks in maintenance. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources seems to be � interested in having cities and counties take over state parks or state responsibilities in � state recreation areas. I am opposed to that and would consider it a backdoor unfunded ; mandate. However, I do beli�ve that�ities �n�i�ounties—inclur_ling ovxs—sh��.�Id be � increasing our own assets dedicated to outdoor recreation and natural resource protection. j We know that quality of life is a major factor in workforce attraction and retention. I la recommend that the City consider deeding Roosevelt Park to the County for development j and operation as a multi-use recreational destination. Some counties have passed ,i referenda for outdaor recreation and conservation. If the state Legislature does not fi.znd � the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, some local stakeholders are � considering approaching the County Board of Supervisors about a conservation �� referendum. A partnership between the City and County to develop FDR Park would j � help further that conversation. (Legislation for possible endorsement: HF 635). � 4. In connection with this, I met with Marie Ware, Steve Fehsal, Teri Goodmann and Eric � Schmechel about the City's practice of leasing farm land it owns for agricultural f' production. I have examined some of these leases. Reference to required conservation practices on farm ground(soil health and water quality provisions) is minimal to non- existent. As a sustainable City, Dubuque should be requirinb maximum conservation and pollinator protection practices and inspections on land it owns and leases for ag production. I recommend that the Council develop and adopt such pravisions for the 2019 growing season. (Related bills for possible endorsement: HF 2498, HF 2298, HF 2333, HF 41 G and HF 378. 5. The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators will be meeting with the mayors' Mississippi Rivers Cities and To�vns Initiative in Iowa this September. A perennial item on the agenda of�vater conferences is plastic pollution. Some state legislatures are examining the problem of single use plastic utensils. I recommend that the City address plastic pollution(and production; as an oil-based product, plastic production contributes ta carbon pallution}by considering limiting or prohibiting the use ancVor disposal of some or all single use plastics by food establishments licensed by the City. As a starting I point,perhaps licensees can be required to provide plastic straws to customers only on � request. (Related bill: HF 67.) 6. I recommend that the ' _ � City endorse the passage of HF 2155, co sponsored by Rep. Andy � �i McKean and me—along with 40 other House members . The bill will expand the state's � container redemption program("bottle bill")to include water bottles and all other single- use beverage containers, as well as increase the pracessing fee to incentivize the �� establishment of redemptions centers, allowing us to remove the requirement that grocery � stores accept the returns. , I 7. I encourage the City to enter into a partnership with the County of Dubuque to support �I� the Dubuque County Food Policy Council, including by budgeting$20,000 for the � Comrnunity Food System Development Fund, for strategic investments to enhance the i; l�cal foods ec�n��y, ��itr the anci?Iary environmental an�public health��nefits. (Related bilis far potential endorsement: HR 22, HF 2241, HF 151, HF 169 and HF 62. , 8. Support the emerging Dubuque County Energy District, and endorse related legisiation ' that has been proposed to empower local communities to become more energy efficient � and self-sufficient, including HF 336,HF 64, HF 2362 and certain amendments that � failed to be incorporated in SF 2311. � � 9. Iowa's mental health and Medicaid health care systems have been in disarray for some time. Providers and health care users alike are being short-changed. I encourage members � of the City Council and County Board of Supervisors -- and from interested Councils from other towns in the county—to convene a working group of elected officials to � jointly advocate for citizens and businesses being hurt by the mismanagement and lack of i resources, to make joint recommendations to state and federal governments, and to respond to community needs if there continues to be an absence of state and federal leadership. I thank you for your attention and consideration, and I look forward to your response. Respectfully submitted, :) J 'j !�� ,�,,� �� Chuck Isenhart State Representative, Iowa House District 100 a E