Minutes_Resilient Community Advisory Commission 8 1 19 Copyrighted
August 19, 2019
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of 8/5; Building Code Board of
7/16; Community DevelopmentAdvisory Commission of
7/17; Historic Preservation Fair Committee of 7/18; Human
Rights Commission of 7/8; Investment OversightAdvisory
Commission of 7/24; Library Board of Trustees of 6/27;
Resilient Community Advisory Commission of 8/1; Zoning
Advisory Commission of 8/7; Zoning Board of Adjustment
of 7/25.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council Proceeding of 8/5/19 Supporting Documentation
Building Code Board Minutes of 7/16/19 Supporting Documentation
Community De�lopmentAdvisory Commission Minutes Supporting Documentation
of 7/17/19
Historic Preservation Fair Committee Minutes of Supporting Documentation
7/18/19
Human Rights Commission Minutes of 7/8/19 Supporting Documentation
InvestmentOversightAdvisory Commission Minutes of Supporting Documentation
7/24/19
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 6/27/19 Supporting Documentation
Resilient Community Advisory Commission Minutes of Supporting Documentation
8/1/19
Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes of 8/7/19 Supporting Documentation
Zoning Board of Adjustrnent Minutes of 7/25/19 Supporting Documentation
City of Dubuque
COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: Resilient Community Advisory Commission
DATE: August 1, 2019
TIME: 5:00 pm
LOCATION: Circle Conference Room
Jules Operations and Training Center, 949 Kerper Blvd., Dubuque IA 52001
MEMBERS PRESENT: Dean Boles, Sara Booth, Lalith Jayawickrama, Robin Kennicker, Jake Kohlhaas, Laura Roussell, Leah
Specht.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Adam Hoffman
STAFF PRESENT: Gina Bell,Sustainable Community Coordinator
Chair Specht called the meeting to order at 5:14 pm. Bell confirmed the meeting was in compliance with the lowa Open
Meeting Law.
TEST AGENDA
OATHS OF OFFICE:Commissioners Kohlhaas and Specht
PUBLIC COMMENT: N/A
MINUTES APPROVAL: Motion by Commissioner Boles to approve June minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Kennicker.
Motion carries.
SUSTAINABLE DUBUQUE GRANTS—OUTREACH IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE:Staff inember Bell shared what has been
done thus far to encourage more applications for Sustainable Dubuque grants.
• Farmers Market booth—August 17`"
• Reach out to schools with suggestions/ideas
• Share an "Ideas List"of possible projects that an individual or group could do on website
• A printable poster &share widely
• Highlight-a broad swath of funded projects on the website
• KDTH radio spot
• City Newsletter—August/September 2019
• Facebook ads (Commissioner Boles wanted to understand if we are able to reach the folks we want to target. Bell
explained that targeted outreach is being used but categories are too general to see exactly who we are reaching.)
SUSTAINABLE DUBUQUE COMMUNITY GRANT—REPORTS: Received and filed Fountain of Youth's grant report and photos.
CLIMATE ACTION PLAN (CAP): Commissioners had conversations with community members and captured responses to
share at August meeting.
Commissioner Roussell interviewed two people and both did not know about 50% by 2030 goal of the City's. Because they
know Laura's work,a lot of talk was about trees; both had concerns about the changing environment; but limited personal
knowledge about specifics.They think about it constantly because they worried about changing species and worried about
our plants; and wanted to know what can we support here in our climate.They listed things they do to reduce their impact
on the environment—they take personal actions; open to learning and doing more.
Commissioner Kennicker interviewed her niece and nephew; in their�30s; they recycle but they don't really do much else.
Learned about the value of taking care of the planet, but haven't carried it through.They know the City has a recycling
program but that is all.They have allergies, so a/c is always on yet they don't think about energy usage.
Additionally, she talked with people at her job, mostly aged �40-60; and they showed concern around energy usage and
water safety and pollution of the aquifers.Some employees have the attitude, "I don't give a bleep about it, because I'm
not paying for it"and they don't care at all.
Commissioner Specht interviewed 5 people and found a general lack of knowledge about the 50% by 2030 Plan.They didn't
know what it is; or, if that is the goal, how we will get there. She then reflected to the commission, "How do we get the
knowledge to the public because there is a disconnect to the community what the city it is doing?" She also mentioned
that those interviewed know her,so they made connections with the school system and then that city; but think starting
with the kids and then supporting the parents is the way to address the lack of knowledge. She also heard that this needs to
be a requirement in the school district- mandatory-whatever "iY' is.The biggest concern for everyone is the extreme
weather temperatures; which also impacts habitat and water. People try to reduce and reuse, but the weather extremes
this year have really brought it to their attention.Those interviewed feel frustrated because everyone knows this is a
problem, but they want to understand better what the city is doing. What can they do to make the city address climate
change and how can they help?
The conversation moved to looking at what is happening in the school district regarding curriculum.Specht shared they
have state core requirements; and questions should be directed at the School Board. Boles reviewed School DistricYs
strategic plan and shared that it doesn't appear they have a priority initiative related to sustainability. Bell offered that the
commission could look at what the school district is doing regarding buildings and grounds and reminded the group that
they are advisory to City Council and that the school board is a different entity.
SpechYs final comment urged that whatever we do,we need to connect it to the carbon footprint- not just "turn off the
lights" but "When you turn off the lights, you reduce your footprint by XYZ..."
Commissioner Booth stated that she hears a lot about despair and wondered how we can share the message of what we
are doing to spawn hope.
Commissioner Jayawickrama interviewed his environmental science students,comprised of�28 Saudi students and a
couple American students.Generally, it is a group with a lot of resources. He found that the students did not know about
the CAP, 50% by 2030 nor did it matter to them.The group didn't feel that food or extreme weather would impact them. He
gathered more input when he shifted his question and asked about how climate impacts health. Regardless of personal
wealth, climate related allergic reactions,cardiovascular issues, asthma,etc.still impact them. After the link was made,
they were concerned about the health impacts of climate change. Overall, they knew very little about City of Dubuque and
the CAP nor did they care very much.Commissioner Jayawickrama shared, "For wealthy countries, climate change is like
watching cartoons on tv. It doesn't seem real because we are so isolated from what is actually happening."
Commissioner Boles interviewed folks who are, "old like him" and one of his takeaways regarded market forces.The
interview he conducted said if market forces take care of this, it is fine.The person installed solar panels because they are
cheap.The questions asked of the City was, "How much of the things the City has done, has it helped us economically?
How much are we saving on our solar on fire stations? How much money are we saving because we put in LEDs in city
buildings?" Concern related to weather changes but a general doubt, "I don't know if it is man-made or not..." followed by
"What about the economy?" His second interview was with a local pastor whose response was, "Climate change: don't
really care.What is important is taking care of the environment and we've lost track of caring for the environment by
focusing on climate change."
Another key item from all interviews was this: "Tell me what to do! I don't want to have to think about it or figure it out."
In addition, Commissioners discussed the need to use common language—pick something or keep 50% by 2030 and stick
with it.
Bell shared the upcoming steps for the CAP—paleBLUEdot, Ilc was chosen as a consultant to update the CAP.The most
immediate next step is the community survey which will go live August 14`". Bell requests commissioners direct folks to fill it
out on the website: www.citvofdubupue.orQ/sustainabilitv for the chance to will gift cards.
��The Telegraph Herald covered this discussion as well:http://www.telepraphherald.com/news/tri-state/article d5fca99b-
d719-5388-9909-bOd5916db29b.html]]
COMMISSIONER REPORTS: Kennicker(Parks& Rec) shared Miller Riverview Park was hoping to open August 1�` but recent
rain delayed this. Saturday Aug 3rd is the boat parade and Art on the River.
Booth (Imagine Dubuque) shared there is a SharePoint site that is live; they are trying to recruit champions within the
community to take on specific projects.Trail connectivity has a lot of champions early on which is exciting.
Boles (CDAC) shared at their last meeting major topic was recommended to Council which purchase of services grants
should be funded and they award �$125,000. 10 grantees were chosen.There will be a public hearing on an evaluation on
last year's use of these funds.
NEXT MEETING: The next commission meeting will occur on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 5:00 pm.The location of the
meeting will be at the Jule Operations and Training Center, 949 Kerper Boulevard.
ADJOURNMENT:The Commission adjourned at 6:41 pm.
Minutes approved by:
Leah Specht, Commission Chair
Prepared by:
Gina Bell, Sustainable Community Coordinator