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Representative Chuck Isenhart Correspondence re FDR Park Development Copyrighted July 15, 2019 City of Dubuque Consent Items # 14. ITEM TITLE: Representative Chuck Isenhart Correspondence SUMMARY: City Manager recommending that the correspondence from Representative Chuck Isenhart proposing an agreement with the City of Dubuque for Dubuque County to own, develop and maintain Roosevelt Park be considered at the City Council Goal Setting August 12-14, 2019. SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File ATTACHMENTS: Description Type MVM Memo City Manager Memo Isenhart Correspondence- FDR Park Supporting Documentation THE CITY OF Dubuque � AIFA�erlwGh UB E '�� III► Masterpiece on the Mississippi Z°°'�w'2 7A13 2017 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Representative Chuck Isenhart Request to Initiate Conversations with Dubuque County and City of Dubuque about future of Roosevelt Park DATE: July 11 , 2019 lowa State Representative Chuck Isenhart provided a letter that he has approached the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors with a request to initiate conversations with the City of Dubuque about the future of Roosevelt Park and the possibility of the County entering into an agreement with the City to own, develop, operate and maintain the park. I respectfully recommend the Mayor and City Council receive and file this item for the annual goal setting that is scheduled for August 12, 13 and 14. �� Mic ael C. Van Milligen �� MCVM:jh Attachment cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager d � ��a ��5 State Rep� Chuck �senhart... ,; , k • � �� ._-_. __ . �. Ny�� _ �.:.:::.� ,. .,,.... , _ .. . ..-.:�` ... � � 9 �n. � �� d,. ..,putting /or'ra back to �rork July 2, 2019 Dubuque City Council City Hall 50 W. 13th St. � + Dubuque, IA 52004-3353 I I�ear Mayor Buol and Honorable Members of the Council: I have approached the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors with a request to initiate conversations � with the City of Dubuque about the future of Roosevelt (FDR) Park and the possibility of the County h entering into an agreement with the City to own, develop, operate and maintain the park. At a worl� session on June 10, the Board of Supervisors agreed to approach the City Council. With this letter, I want to formally advise you of my initiative. Included are my letters to the Board of Supervisors and the Dubuque County Conservation Board. I am aware of conversations in recent months between the City and County regarding their respective roles in making economic, public safety, health and quality-of-life investments to attract and retain talent, support population growth and develop as an inclusive community. Public lands a�d sustained investment in natural resources are an important part of that equation. As ranking member on the Appropriations Subcommittee for Agriculture,Natural Resources and Environmental Protection in the Iowa House of Representatives, I am keenly interested in having Dubuque remain a role model in protecting our natural heritage and coni�ecting people with nature. I thank you for your attention and consideration. � � Respe lly submitted, �„�,�� .' � � � � � � -� � � � Chuck Isenhart � � � � � �� as � 4G f.dtg �=cccnai 417-C Paid for by the Isenhart Campaign for the Common Good,P.O.Box 3353.Dubuque,IA 52004-3353 ' y �; _ State Rep. Chuck osenhart.�. �. ;t �". . � �� . . . c .. _ � , , . _ � �� r � �, r , ��_ ..�putting /orova back to e�rork Apri130, 2019 � Dubuque CoLulty Board of Supervisors Dave Baker, chair Dubuque Cou»ty Courtliouse 720 Central Ave. Dubuque, IA 52001 Hoilorable Supervisors: � � � I request that the County of Dubuque initiate formal conversations witll the City of Dubuque about t11e future of Roosevelt(FDR)Park. l Over the past couple of years, I have visited or had conversations about the parlc with you, members of the Dubuque City Council and Brian Preston of Dubuque County Conservation. ` Of�cially, the park is closed, and it has remained undeveloped for a number of years.No funds are cui•rently budgeted by the City Council for development, maintenance or operation. I am aware of other conversations in recent months between the City and County regarding your respective roles in making economic,public safety,health and quality-of-life �investme�its to attract and retain talent, support population growth and develop as an inclusive community, � Public lands and sustained investment in natural resources are an important part of that equatio�l. As ranking member on the Appropriations S«bcommittee for Agriculture,Natural Resources and Env�ronmental Protection in tlie Iowa House of Representatives, I am keenly interested in having Dubuque remaii� a role model in protecting our nahiral heritage and connecting people with nature. I look forward to doing what I can to provide greater leadership and assistance in the future tlirough the Iowa General Assembly. The Isenllart family lias talcen advantage of the outdoor amenities of the tri-state area for decades. Like others, we owe a debt to nature. If a suitable arrangement can be made with the City of Dubuque,I will commit$25,000 to the County of Dubuque toward the conservation and development of Roosevelt Park for public use as a park, recreatioil area and a regional education center to demonstrate how we can work with the eartli for the common good. I offer my assistance to approacll and worlc with other partners to identify additional public and private support for such a project. I thank you for your attention and consideration. � Respectfiilly submitted, Chuck Isenhart � =`��a,-ai�-c Paid for by the Isenhart Campaign for the Common Good,P.O.Box 3353.Dubuque,IA 52004-3353 �� : � �� i �; �� s � . . I� � � i " � I� ' i : � y - '� � � _... � . � �/�a - V � I / y�i � 1 � i - �///iii � �� i� � ii ��% i ° i ' / l % . , u/ �\ �y��i-mf� . �� a ', � �„ ��. . ........� i � ,^%/i,// �. .� 7 i,;��%i/ Y � � , i ._. .. .:, -,,,,. „,. , . � �� ,,.. .. � ',a r �� ° �� ,,; �� June 18, 2019 � ';� Dubuque County Conservation Board � Cindy Gotto, chair �� Swiss Valley Nature Center '� 13606 Swiss Valley Road • i Peosta, IA 52068 '��I� � Honorable Members of the Board: As I reported to you in May, I submitted a request to the Dubuque Courity Board of Supervisors to � initiate conversations with the City of Dubuque about the future of Roosevelt (FDR) Park and the � possibility of the County entering into an agreement with the City to own, develop, operate and �� maintain the park. � At a work session on June 10, the �oard of�upervisors agreed to approach the City of Bubuque. i� Since the Dubuque County Conservation Board would be the entity to implement such a � collaborative enterprise, I ask the Conservation Board to support the Board of Supervisors' initiative. I further recommend that the Board include the potential development of Roosevelt Park in its strategic plan, eithe�as an owner of the property or as a partner with the City of Dubuque. Officially,the parlc is closed, and it has remained undeveloped for a number of years. No funds are currently budgeted by the City Council for development, maintenance or operation. I am aware of conversations in recent inonths between the City and County regarding their respective roles in making economic, public safety, health and quality-of-life investments to attract and retain talent, support population growth and develop as an inclusive community. � + � , tl 9 Public lands and sustained investment in natural resources are an important part of that equation. As ranking member on the Appropriations Subcommittee for Agriculture,Natural Resources and Environmental Protection in the Iowa House of Representatives, I am keenly interested in having Dubuque remain a role model in protecting our natural heritage and connecting people with nature. You are aware that the state Resource Enhancement and Protection program will expire in 2021. In � the absence of state funding for the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, Polk � County, Linn County and Johnson County have each passed local conservation bonds in recent � years. ; � I recommend that the Dubuque County Conservation Board include endorsement of and � planning for a referendum providing for county conservation bonding in its strategic plan. h �, I offer my financial assistance as well as help in approaching and working with other partners to �i identify additional public ar�d pri�ate s�zppo�t for�hese projects. � � u I thank you for your attention and consideration. Respectfully submitted, 4 � r° �7 � `�'� � �� £i��`�� i �, ,_ � ; �� Chuck Isenhart � V Ij �C: Brian Pre�ton ' � I'j 'I R 9 @ �