Federal Legislative Priorities Copyrighted
February 4, 2020
City of Dubuque Action Items # 3.
ITEM TITLE: Federal Legislative Priorities
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending adoption of the 2020 Federal
Legislative Priorities for the City of Dubuque.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receiveand File;Approve
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Federal Legislative Priorities-MVM Memo City Manager Memo
2020 Federal Legislative Priorities Supporting Documentation
Dubuque
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: 2020 Federal Legislative Priorities
DATE: January 30, 2020
Assistant City Manager Teri Goodmann worked with the Department Managers and City
of Dubuque strategic partners to develop a set of recommended 2020 Federal
Legislative Priorities and is recommending adoption of the attached priorities.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
adoption of the 2020 Federal Legislative Priorities.
�� �� ���
Mic ael C. Van Milligen �� �
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Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
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Federal Legislative Priorities
Table of Contents
BROADBAND AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS .............................................................. 15
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ..............................................................................................21
HOUSING ................................................................................................................................20
PUBLICHEALTH ...................................................................................................................24
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP PRIORITIES.....................................................................35
SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES .......................................................32
TRANSPORTATION................................................................................................................2
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE ............................................................................................... 14
1
INFRASTRUCTURE
The United States has a huge problem and its growing. According to the American Society of
Civil Engineers the country faces a $2.2 trillion infrastructure backlog. President Trump and
Administration officials have consistently committed to a $900 billion infrastructure plan. The
City of Dubuque awaits details of this plan and supports members of Congress in their work to
deliver significant legislation and appropriations providing funding for transportation, broadband,
water and public works infrastructure expansion and improvements. Fixing America's Surface
Transportation Act (FAST) expires this year and a new federal transportation bill must be
reauthorized.
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act is a five-year transportation bill intended
to improve and expand the Nation's surface transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges,
transit systems and rail transportation network. This legislation passed in December 2015 and
provides direction for transportation activities for five years.
The bill reforms and strengthens transportation programs, refocuses national priorities, provides
long term certainty and greater flexibility for states and local governments, streamlines project
approval processes and maintains strong commitment to safety. Reauthorization of the
transportation bill builds on and strengthens the innovations begun in MAP-21 in areas such as
performance-based planning, safety, design, and freight planning. FAST Act supports policies
which expand choices, bolster public health, and strengthen communities.
East-West Corridor Studv — Universitv Avenue Overlap Section
The US Highway 20 corridor is the primary east-west route in the City of Dubuque and future
traffic volume projections indicate US Highway 20 alone will not provide sufficient capacity for
east-west travel in the City. Capacity along alternate east-west corridors will need to be improved
to provide connectivity between the western growth areas and the downtown urban core.
In August 2017, the City Council listed the East-West Corridor Capacity Improvement
Implementation as a "Top-Priority" in its 2017-2019 Goals and Priorities and directed City staff to
begin implementation plans for the recommendations contained in the East-West Corridor
Connectivity Report. The adopted East-West Corridor Connectivity Study report acts as the City's
Master Plan for both short-term and long-term capacity improvements or corridor modifications to
support growing east-west traffic flow in the City. The study includes recommended improvements
supporting complete streets concepts, multi-modal transportation, vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle,
and recreational improvements.
2
In an effort to advance this top priority, the
CI�/ h8S already completed the following n�;�;`;,�; east/westCorcidorCapacitylmprwements
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improvements: -- - - - - -- - --
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Project Year Cost � � , - � � � _
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Property Acquisition 2016 $ 853,300 0 �� � � �
Grandview - Delhi 2016 $ 827,000 � `� � �
Roundabout �
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2017 $ 370,300 �
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Roundabout 2018 $1,200,000 � �� �
Total Improvements To-Date $3,250,300 � � � �"��'°��°�
The section of University Avenue, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Loras Boulevard, referred to as
the "Overlap Section" was recommended for converting the three intersections along University
Avenue to roundabouts.
In July 2018, the City applied for an $18.1 million U.S. Department of Transportation Better
Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant request to assist in funding both
multi-modal and capacity improvements within the identified East-West Corridors. Staff was
notified in December 2018 that the City was not selected to receive a BUILD grant.
Following the BUILD grant announcement, the City has an opportunity to move forward and
advance the development of East-West Corridor Capacity Improvements utilizing the new lowa
DOT Federal Aid SWAP Policy. Effective October 2018, the new Federal Aid SWAP Policy allows
federal funds normally allocated to cities or counties to be replaced with State of lowa Primary
Road funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The goal of the new policy is to increase efficiencies and
help local governments reduce the level federal oversight, regulations and requirements.
Additionally, the use of Primary Road funds will be reimbursed at 100% of eligible costs which
eliminates the requirement for local governments to provide a 20% local match.
In January 2019, the City began the process to de-federalize the East-West Corridor project by
paying back the federal funds previously used for property acquisition. On August 19th, 2019 the
City received the FHWA final closure acceptance for the defederalization of funds related to the
East - West Corridor project.
Now that the project defederalization is completed, staff has been working with the lowa DOT to
prepare a new SWAP Funding Agreement to allow for the use of state SWAP funds to complete
the preliminary engineering and environmental (NEPA) study phase; right-of-way property
acquisition, final design, and future construction phases.
Once the SWAP funding agreement is in place, the City will be able to utilize both local City funding
and SWAP funding to begin the preliminary engineering and environmental (NEPA) study phase
for intersection capacity improvements along the University Avenue, Loras Boulevard to
Pennsylvania Avenue "Overlap Section".
The next steps in the design development process is to begin the preliminary engineering and
environmental (NEPA) study phase for the Overlap Section which is will take approx. 12 months
3
to complete. Once the preliminary engineering and environmental (NEPA) study are completed,
corridor impacts will be identified, and property acquisition could begin which is anticipated to take
approximately 2 years to complete.
14t" Street Railroad Overpass
The Canadian Pacific (CP) Railroad travels through the urban core of the city with numerous at-
grade crossings on local city streets in the downtown area. With approximately 15-20 trains
passing through Dubuque on a daily basis, pedestrians, vehicles, commercial traffic and
emergency responders have interrupted access the northeast segment of the city. This cuts off
the most economically sheltered area of our community from job and shopping opportunities. Rail
transport through Dubuque will continue to negatively impact existing at-grade crossings which
could potentially be blocked more frequently and for longer periods of time. The City of Dubuque's
East — West Corridor flow would also be negatively impacted.
A 14�h Street Overpass would provide an unimpeded elevated crossing over the railroad tracks
and thus provide unimpeded access to the Kerper Boulevard, the redeveloped 16�h Street
Corridor, tourism and recreational amenities on Chaplain Schmitt Island, Highway 61/151 into
Wisconsin, the Washington and North End neighborhoods, the Historic Millwork District and
downtown. The City will pursue funding opportunities at the federal level through applications to
BUILD, INFRA Grant and othertransportation infrastructure programs.
16t" Street Corridor — Chaplain Schmitt Island — Central Avenue/White Street
For the past nearly three decades, Dubuque has engaged in long-term planning and
implementation efforts aimed at restoring blight, reclaiming abandoned spaces, and redeveloping
the City's six-and-a-half-mile riverfront. These efforts have resulted in the redevelopment and
success of the Port of Dubuque, Dubuque' Main Street and downtown, and the Historic Millwork
District. With the completion of the Bee Branch flood mitigation project, the City continues its focus
on redevelopment, turning to the North End neighborhoods, Kerper Blvd and Chaplain Schmitt
Island.
Completion of the Bee Branch project provides flood protection to some of Dubuque's oldest and
most vulnerable neighborhoods. Building on this significant $218 million infrastructure investment
are several initiatives led by the City and its partners. These include the City of Dubuque Housing
departmenYs CHANGE program which focuses on improving affordable housing stock and
neighborhoods on the North End. Findinq Dubupue's True North aims to rebuild job opportunity
and entrepreneurship. The Chaplain Schmitt Island Placemaking and Implementation Plan will
redevelop this tourist amenity with an enhanced Veterans' Memorial and reflection pond, hike/bike
trails and additional retail, recreational and entertainment venues for residents and citizens alike
creating another destination attraction on Dubuque's riverfront. Partners at the Dream Center and
Steeple Square provide educational programing and event space for residents and other nonprofit
organizations of the North End and learning space for students in Dubuque.
None of these initiatives and projects can be successful without connectivity of transportation and
broadband infrastructure. Connecting Dubuque's riverfront, downtown and historic Millwork
District with its Intermodal Transportation Center to the North End will require transportation
improvements along the 16�h Street Corridor, onto and throughout the Chaplain Schmitt Island
and to Central Avenue and White Streets.
The 16�h Street Corridor approaching the Chaplain Schmitt Island includes the former Dubuque
Packing Company site which is envisioned to be redeveloped. Potential retail and mixed-use
space are planned and could serve as a regional retail magnet. The 16�h Street Corridor
4
transportation access to this space is constrained. Current transportation routes do not meet the
needs of the planned mixed-use activities.
Planning envisions the development of a Complete Street along the 16th Street Corridor with
roundabout access to the former "Pack" site at Sycamore and Marsh Streets, continuing on to a
roundabout at Kerper Blvd and 16�h Street and finally the construction of a roundabout on Chaplain
Schmitt Island. Transportation infrastructure would also include construction of a separate
bike/pedestrian bridge across the Peosta Channel, and creation of a mixed-use trail connecting
Chaplain Schmitt Island with the City's transit hub (Intermodal Transportation Center) to better
support the movement of workers, tourists and freight.
Central Avenue and White Streets corridors are poised for improvements in the coming years.
Planning is underway for streetscape and potential building improvements.
Requested Action
Dubuque has multiple transportation improvements envisioned in order to
continue the community's work enhancing tourism destinations on the riverfront
and expanding economic development on the North End and Central/White Avenue
Corridor. Increased federal funding for existing transportation programs that
support all modes of transportation including the Better Utilizing Investments to
Leverage Development(BUILD) Program, Transportation Alternatives (Trails, Safe
Routes to School), Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and Small Starts
are requested.
Northwest Arterial/Highway 20 Intersection
The City of Dubuque supports the implementation of capacity improvements along the Highway
20 corridor and the Northwest Arterial intersection. This intersection is experiencing operational
challenges which will only be compounded when the Southwest Arterial/ US52 is completed and
commercial traffic is rerouted from the downtown urban core. The recommended capacity
improvements will allow traffic to more efficiently and safely travel along the Highway 20, from
the Northwest Arterial to the Southwest Arterial/ US52 interchange. The lowa DOT has
completed a capacity improvements study and has identified the preferred roadway corridor and
intersection improvement. The lowa DOT is currently evaluating alternatives for both funding
and phasing the implementation of capacity improvements.
Requested Action:
Continue to support the lowa DOT efforts to implement improvements along the
Highway 20 corridor and the Northwest Arterial intersection for safe and e�cient
travel to the Southwest Arterial/US52 interchange.
5
Southwest Arterial (US 52) - Proiect Status Update
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The Dubuque City Council, the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors, the Dubuque Metropolitan
Area Transportation Study (DMATS), the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater
Dubuque Development Corporation have all identified the completion of the Southwest Arterial
(US 52) project as the No. 1 surface transportation priority in the Dubuque area. The proposed
Southwest Arterial project will be a 6.1-mile four-lane divided freeway with priority 1-access control
between Highway 61/151 and Highway 20.
Economic Development
The Southwest Arterial project will significantly improve the efficiency and safety of the regional
highway transportation network that is vital for the statewide, national and global distribution of
local commerce and the continued growth and sustainability of the strong regional economy.
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Traffic Congestion on Local Street Network
6
Mobility Benefits ��� "�`� �� - $�� k°�' y`"' �7
The Southwest Arterial project will connect two growing sections of ' �' !� � �
the community together and will support future anticipated expansion
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growth to the southwest of the city toward the Dubuque Regional �
Airport. The Southwest Arterial will also provide an efficient bypass �
around the city, thereby reducing travel times and minimizing delay —_ ; �
by reducing traffic volumes and congestion on the local street system. MayorBUo,andformer,oWaooTo;re�torPaU,
Trombino Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Environmental Benefits
The Southwest Arterial project will provide an alternate, direct and efficient route for traffic through
southwestern Dubuque, which will provide significant travel time savings by avoiding the
numerous signalized intersections on Highway 61/151 , Highway 20 and Central Avenue (Hwy
52/3) through Dubuque, thereby providing fuel energy savings, reducing vehicle emissions and
improving air quality. The Southwest Arterial project will be designed and constructed with forward
thinking sustainability initiative incorporated, which will include an environmentally and resource-
sensitive highway corridor, an integrated bike / pedestrian trail with amenities, and Intelligent
Transportation System (ITS) technology.
Transfer of Jurisdiction
Through the continued collaborative partnership between the lowa Department of Transportation
(lowa DOT) and the City of Dubuque, significant milestone achievements for the completion of
the Southwest Arterial (US 52) project were realized with the execution of the Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU), which was signed on August 9, 2013, and finalizing the Transfer of
Roadway Jurisdiction (TOJ), was signed on November 7, 2016.
The following is a brief summary of the overall intent and principle objectives set forth when
developing the Memorandum of Understanding: The lowa DOT and City, in joint cooperation, will
Transfer the Jurisdiction of the Southwest Arterial from the City to the State in exchange for the
Transfer of Jurisdiction of the Northwest Arterial (or lowa 32), and portions of existing U.S. 52 /
lowa 3 through downtown Dubuque, from the State to the City. The Transfer of Jurisdiction will
occur after the Southwest Arterial is completed and open to traffic.
Following the execution of the MOU, the City is continuing as the lead agency for the multiple
project development phases for completing the Southwest Arterial and is responsible for
completing the following improvement projects:
Project Description Status
Final Engineering Design Completed
Right-of-Way Property Acquisition Completed
BHE Gas Pipeline Utility Relocation Completed
BP Gas Pipeline Utility Relocation Completed
ITC Transmission Line Relocation Completed
North Cascade Road Reconstruction Completed
English Mill Road Reconstruction Completed
Military Road Reconstruction Completed
7
When the City completes all the project phases listed in
the above table, it is expected that all of the City, County, ��'_ __ -__ — - _--����
and Federal funds obligated for the Southwest Arterial � � -- — : . ; �
project will be fully expended and the lowa DOT will then � � � ' ~ �
take over as lead agency and will be responsible for all �`
remaining cos ts associa te d wi t h t he comp le tion o f t he �; � � L f � �
Southwest Arterial, including grading, bridges, ; , .°�
interchanges and highway paving. ����"�"" E^";����,�� �_'����w;��.'�s��, �`� �
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Groundbreaking Ceremony
Current Status
With the 4-lane construction of the Southwest Arterial and the completion of the remaining two
(2) bridge structures and 4-lane paving, the project is anticipated to be fully completed and open
to traffic by June or July 2020.
Property Acquisition
The City is substantially complete with all the right-of-way acquisition for the 56 impacted
properties along the Southwest Arterial (US 52) Corridor. In total, there were 93 owner, leasehold
or rental tenants affected, each requiring separate negotiated purchase agreement settlements.
As of January 2018, the City has spent to-date approximately $18.2 million for right-of-way
property acquisition.
Construction
With the significant development and advancement towards the completion of the Southwest
Arterial with multiple construction projects underway and the 4-lane grading started on the project,
to commemorate the milestone achievement, a Groundbreaking Ceremony was held Oct. 11,
2016.
The Southwest Arterial (US 52) project is fully under construction with multiple active construction
projects underway from US20 to US61-151. To-date, fourteen (19) projects have been completed
at a cost of approximately $59 million. There are currently twelve (7) active projects under
construction for a total dollar amount of approximately $60 million.
Grading for the 4-lane freeway from US20 to US61-151 is completed with the remaining grading
between North Cascade and English Mill Road for the middle interchange currently under
construction. Both the middle interchange overpass bridge and the east bound CatFish Creek
bridge are currently under construction. Paving of the 4-lane highway is underway, progressing
easterly from US61-151 towards US20.
In another mile-stone achievement, the US61-151 interchange was opened to traffic on Monday,
December 9, 2019. The US20 interchange and access to Sieppel Road is nearing completion and
is anticipated to be open to traffic in the spring of 2020.
Funding
As a result of hard work from Dubuque's congressional delegation over the past 15 years, the City
secured approximately $32.8 million in federal funding for the Southwest Arterial project. The
lowa Department of Transportation Commission has programmed $115 million dollars in the
state's 5-Year Highway Transportation Improvement Program for construction of the 4-lane
grading, constructing both interchanges at US 20 and at US 61/151, and for mainline paving a 2-
lane highway between US 20 to US 61/151. The City and County have committed a local
investment of $42.8 million dollars (including local match funding and federal earmark
appropriation) towards the completion of the Southwest Arterial (US 52).
8
The following table summarizes the maximum City and County local match funding, including both
federal earmark and lowa DOT funding for continuing the advancement and completion of the
Southwest Arterial:
Funding Source Fund Amount
Federal Funding $ 32.8 Million **
City Funding $ 6.2 Million **
Dubuque County Funding $ 3.6 Million **
lowa DOT 5-Year Highway Transportation Program $ 134 Million
Total Project Funding: 5176.6 Million
" Following the completion of the North Cascade, English Mill and Military Road construction
projects, along with the completion of final engineering design, right-of-way property acquisition,
and mitigation work, it is projected that all current federal appropriated funding and local match
for the Southwest Arterial will be expended.
In June 2018, the lowa DOT Commission adopted the lowa 5-Year Transportation Improvement
Program which included the remaining additional funds to complete the 4-lane construction of the
Southwest Arterial, from US Highway 20 to US Highway 61-151 .
With the 4-lane construction of the Southwest Arterial and the completion of the remaining two (2)
bridge structures and 4-lane paving, the project is anticipated to be completed and open to traffic
by mid-summer 2020.
Requested Action:
. The City of Dubuque would like to thank all of its partners at the federal and
state level for all the support in making the Southwest Arterial, our#1 surface
transportation project a reality and now is seeking $6 million to fund paving
the bike trail that has been graded as part of the project.
. As part of the Transfer of Jurisdiction of the Southwest Arterial from the City
to the State in exchange for the Transfer of Jurisdiction of the Northwest
Arterial (or lowa 32) from the State to the City once the Southwest Arterial is
completed and open to tra�c, per State code, the Northwest Arterial will need
to be brought to a "State of Good Repair" by the lowa DOT prior to the City
taking over jurisdiction of the roadway. The City is working with the lowa DOT
to complete the road rehabilitation of the Northwest Arterial as part of the
upcoming BUILD grant. The federal BUILD grant also includes major
improvements to John Deere Road as it connects to the Northwest Arterial.
9
Capacitv Improvements - U.S. Hiqhwav 20
Transportation infrastructure connectivity is essential to a vibrant economy and thriving
community.
Requested Action:
The City of Dubuque supports completion of four-lane construction on Highway 20
to Chicago. To accomplish this project and other signi�cant highway and interstate
capacity improvements, the City supports efforts to identify a long term, sustainable
revenue source that keeps the Highway Trust Fund fully funded to be used for
rebuilding and maintaining infrastructure.
Public Transit Fundinq
The FAST Act increases dedicated bus funding by 89°k over the life of the bill. It provides stable
formula funding and competitive grant program to address bus and bus facility needs. This bill
does not appear to increase operational formula funding to support existing or service expansion
efforts. Regulatory requirements continue to increase while operational funding levels remain flat.
The City of Dubuque is partnered with the lowa DOT, East Central Intergovernmental Association
and IBM Watson Research Center to analyze travel patterns in the community and develop a
replicable model for responding to travel demand through planning of transportation investment
that incorporates all modes - car, bus, bike and pedestrian. The goal of this research is to create
a more efficient and cost effective public transit system modeling tool for cities under 100,000
population.
This nationally acclaimed research effort and integrated approach to addressing community travel
needs will provide opportunities to expand public transit service to our citizens. Without additional
operating funding to support current services and new operating grant opportunities to expand
services, implementation of this project could be limited.
Technical assistance for cities interested in undertaking bus rapid transit projects earlier in the
planning stages would also be appreciated. Currently, most planning must be complete and Small
Starts funding already secured for a city to be eligible for this type of assistance. Operational
funding to support ongoing route analysis and planning at the transit system level would be helpful
as well.
Capital funding for vehicles and onboard technology replacement are needed. Many vehicles in
lowa, and Dubuque specifically, are at or near the end of their useful life. Onboard technology
provides essential data for management and dispatch personnel as well as drivers and
passengers, but to upgrade or replace this technology fleet-wide is costly. Stagnant operational
funding and limited capital funding opportunities make developing responsive, cost-effective
public transit opportunities difficult.
Requested Action:
Support increased funding for operational funds through the 5307 program and
identify additional funding for bus replacement to include four new transit vehicles,
speci�cally iwo smaller, heavy duty, thirty-foot GILLIG buses and iwo mini buses.
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Dubuque Reqional Airport
Although the FAA Reauthorization process is complete until 2023, the Dubuque Regional Airport
encourages increasing spending levels through the appropriation process for the Airport
Improvement Program (AIP), Essential Air Service, Small Community Air Service Development
Grants, Contract Tower Program, and other programs that safely operate, develop, and maintain
facilities at airports around the country.
Airport Improvement Program:
Congress authorized $3.35 billion for AIP in FY20 and another $1 billion in supplemental AIP
finding for projects at airports smaller than large hub airports.
Requested Actions:
. As Congress continues the Fiscal Year 2020 Department of Transportation
spending bill, we urge lawmakers to help airports �nance critical
infrastructure by fully funding the AIP program.
. Fund the traditional AIP program to provide at least$3.35 billion in 2020.
These monies already collected and deposited in the Airport and Airway
Trust Fund, we must protect these funds and budget from Sequestration of
FAA Operating uses.
. We also urge Congress to appropriate at least$500 million in supplemental
AIP funding in FY20— the same amount that Congress approved in Fiscal
Year 2019.
. Continue to fully fund the Non-Primary Entitlement for General Aviation
airports.
Passenger Facility Charges:
These FAA authorized funds are levied and collected locally and are used to construct runways,
taxiways, terminals, security improvements, and many other items travelers encounter daily. The
current collection amount of$4.50 per passenger and is not indexed to inflation which restricts
the amount of money available for large capital projects. Since the PFC came into existence in
1990, it has had only one increase to its current amount. In the meantime, construction costs
have more than tripled.
Requested Action:
We urge lawmakers to adjust the outdated federal cap on local PFCs, increasing
the PFC to $8.50 and indexing it to inflation would ensure long term funding
viability for even the smallest of commercial service airports. Allowing these funds
to be used for revenue generating items like parking lots, airline o�ces, etc. would
signi�cantly reduce the impact on smaller airports, their tenants, and their
sponsors.
11
Contract Tower Program:
Compromises in public safety services like Air Traffic Control (ATC) are never to be used as a
means to protect the FAA administrative structure. ATC cuts should be the last option on the table,
not the first. In 2013, 251 public use airports were identified for tower closures. Dubuque is lowa's
only contract tower, yet iYs the 2"d busiest airport in lowa, as measured by aricraft operations, and
3�a busiest in the three-state region of lowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. Dubuque's air traffic consists
of a mix of airlines, corporate jets, helicopters, flight training, and military aircraft all maneuvering
at different altitudes, speeds, and flight regimes, so any proposal to eliminate ATC services is
unacceptable, although continued funding for this program seems to remain in question.
Requested Action:
. Safety and common-sense dictates continued funding of the ATC program
and the contract tower program or restoration of FAA sta�ng of these
facilities. Funding is not to be provided by reducing AIP Discretionary
funds to airports. We urge Congress to fully fund the Contract Tower
program in the FY20 DOT spending bill.
. Allow retired FAA Controllers the ability to work in contract towers without
losing or deferring their earned retirement annuity. We should not be
excluding quali�ed and trained(at our expense) personnel from needed
employment following their mandatory retirement from Federal service at
age 55.
. Support the contract tower sta�ng/annuity bill H.R. 5297.
Small Community Air Service Development Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation manages the Small Community Air Service Development
Program. This program helps small and non-hub airports with monetary support of airline and air
service recruitment endeavors. The Department of Transportation's grant application has very
restrictive guidelines, which limit airport participation to one-time projects. If those methods work
to attract one carrier, you may not seek a grant to offer the same incentives to another carrier.
Eliminating that restriction would allow communities to implement previously viable methods for
recruiting new/expanded air service.
Requested Action:
We urge Congress to appropriate $10 million for the Small Community Air Service
Development program during consideration of the FY20 DOT spending bill. This is
the same amount that Congress recently approved as part of the FAA
reauthorization bill.
National Aviation Workforce Shortage
The national aviation workforce shortage is a very real threat to every airport and community
within lowa. In total, 76-percent of lowa's air service is on a regional airline. The regional airline
industry is the primary hiring source for new pilots by the major air carriers. All segments of
lowa's aviation system and, therefore, our communities are feeling the negative economic
consequences of the workforce shortage. The shortage also reflects decreasing numbers of
qualified mechanics and air traffic controllers.
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By 2026, lowa's annual economic loss due to the pilot shortage will top $741 million and 7,000
jobs. The 10-year cumulative loss to lowa's economy is $3.9 billion (data from "A Man-Made
Disaster" by Flightpath Economics).
Requested Actions:
. Appropriate the $5 million dollars for the established of a grant program for
aviation workforce training.
. Lower�nancial barriers to the profession: Improve �nancial support for pilot
training by expanding federal student loan coverage, establish loan
forgiveness programs, providing for student loan deferment while students
complete quali�cation requirements, allowing accreditation reforms to flight
schools to receive federal �nancial aid, protecting and streamlining GI bill,
and creating tax incentives for employer-based programs.
. Increasing pathways to required flight hours: Encourage FAA to approve
structured training pathways offered by certi�cated air carriers for credit
toward pilot quali�cation when such programs enhance safety.
. Modernizing pilot training. Encourage FAA to evaluate new R-ATP pathways
and provide credit for scenario-based, modern training methods, such as
high-�delity flight simulators.
The Dubuque Regional Airport is strongly opposed to:
Continued Diversion of Federal Taxes on Aviation Jet Fuel
The Dubuque Regional Airport strongly opposes the convoluted tax process of aviation jet fuel.
Fuel taxes from the sale of jet fuel are currently credited to the Highway Trust Fund. In order for
the taxes to be properly credited to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, the fuel vendor or buyer
must apply with the IRS for a refund of the tax, and only then are the funds transferred to the
Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
The process is confusing and places the burden on the fuel vendor or buyer to get the fuel taxes
credited to the proper trust fund. The aviation community seriously questions if fuel tax fraud
involving jet fuel and the trucking industry is occurring and has seen no statistical evidence to
support those claims.
Requested Action:
Deposit all jet fuel taxes into the Airport and Airway trust fund where they belong.
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Outsourcing Air Tra�c Control and Introducing User Fees
We believe user fees will damage the fragile general aviation environment. Jet A or aviation fuel
already exceeds $6.00 per gallon and in some locations $8.00 per gallon. Operating costs for
flight training, medevac, agricultural, small package shipping, and business aircraft use has
skyrocketed over the past seven years. Assessing fees for use of the air traffic control system will
end this form of aviation for all but the very wealthy. The effects of such fees in Europe and
Canada have devastated private and corporate aviation.
Requested Action:
Oppose user fees on the air tra�c control systems.
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
Wastewater and Drinkinq Water
The nation's wastewater and drinking water infrastructure is currently experiencing an
infrastructure need of$655 billion over the next twenty years. We urge members of Congress to
include water infrastructure in the proposed infrastructure funding package.
The City of Dubuque has ongoing funding needs for drinking water and clean water infrastructure.
The State Revolving Loan (SRF) program has been very effective in helping the City address
water infrastructure needs.
For every federal dollar of SRF spending, 21 .4°k is returned to the federal government in the
form of taxes and on average, 16.5 jobs are created for every 1 million spent through SRF; each
job is estimated to bring about $60,000 in labor income. Infrastructure investments create 16
percent more jobs than equivalent spending on a payroll tax holiday, 40 percent more jobs than
an across-the-board tax cut, and more than five times as many jobs as temporary tax cuts.
Every million dollars of SRF spending results in $2.95 million of input in the U.S. economy. This
is a smart investment complimenting a narrow federal role of ensuring modern, efficient
infrastructure. Since this is a loan program, SRFs leverage resources from all levels of government
and the private sector empowering state and local governments. SRFs are voluntary, thereby
reducing regulatory burdens on businesses.
Dubuque has utilized SRF funds for two major projects, the Bee Branch project and the Water
and Resource Recovery project. The past year, as a result of ineetings with EPA officials in
Washington DC and lowa Department of Natural Resources staff in Des Moines Dubuque has
been able to begin work on creating a funding source for Lead Service Line replacement. The
SRF funding source is critical to cities.
Requested Action:
The City of Dubuque supports $3.0 billion combined appropriation for the Drinking
Water and Clean Water State Revolving Loan Funds.
Flood Wall Improvements and Maintenance
The Senator John C. Culver Flood Wall system was built between 1967 and 1974 at a cost of$11
million dollars. Over the past nearly fifty years it has provided protection valued in the billions of
dollars.
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Over the past five years, City staff along with US Army Corps of Engineers staff have continued
to monitor the flood resilience of the flood system at Dubuque. It has been determined that new
gates are necessary and that burying the "I" wall in South Port would strengthen its resilience.
Requested Action:
Support funding forDubuque's critical flood prevention infrastructure, including$12
million for new flood wall gates and pump station improvements on Kerper
Boulevard at the 16ih Street Detention Facility and $14.7 million to bury and
strengthen the South Port "1"wall.
BROADBAND AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Communications
As a member of the National League of Cities (NLC), the United States Conference of Mayors,
and the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA), the City of
Dubuque joins these organizations in acknowledging that the historic transformation of our
communications infrastructure is essential to the economic competitiveness of the local
governments, states and the nation.
Preserve local authority to manage public rights of way for the bene�t of everyone.
Cable television and video franchise agreements are an essential part of managing the rights of
way and ensuring appropriate compensation for the benefit of the public. These benefits include
not only monetary payments, but also franchise terms such as support for public, educational
and governmental (PEG) access, including institutional networks (I-Nets).
Protect local authority to establish taxes that are consistent with local needs and
maintain adequate revenue.
Local governments recognize and support efforts to modernize the collection and administration
of local communications taxes, but in a manner that preserves the ability of local government to
impose and collect taxes to fund vital services for its citizens consistent with local values.
Protect and enhance local ability to provide for homeland and hometown security.
Local governmenYs first responders need fully deployed E911 , access to spectrum and funding
for interoperable communications to protect the public.
Recognize local roles in promoting nondiscriminatory access to the full range of
communications services.
Municipalities are helping to bring advanced services to individuals and small businesses. Cities
must have the autonomy necessary to encourage competition and infrastructure deployment
that will lower prices and improve service quality for their citizens.
Requested Action:
. Do not nationalize cable and video franchising.
. Protect local governments'ability to facilitate or offer advanced communications
services to their citizens
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. Any changes to the collection and administration of communications taxes,
including extensions or modi�cations of the Internet Tax Freedom Act, must
preserve local authority to collect revenue consistent with local needs.
. Do not undermine or eliminate support for PEG access and 1-Nets. Speci�cally
support Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act of 2009 (H.R. 3745) by
making this a federal legislative priority
Local Government Principles for Communications Policy Modernization
We believe that Congress and state and local governments can achieve these goals by embracing
the following principles:
• State and Local Authority
The City of Dubuque supports a balanced federalist approach that encourages new
innovation and technology while preserving appropriate authority for state and local
governments to protect their citizens — particularly in relation to public safety and
homeland security, promoting local competition, promoting economic development,
taxation, expansion of access to advanced networks, rights-of-way management, and
consumer protection.
• Public Safety
State and local public safety agencies rely heavily on communications services and
systems to protect public safety. In order for states and localities to carry out this
mission, it is essential that important obligations, such as E911 and CALEA, be applied
to all relevant communications platforms, regardless of technology. States and localities
must also have sufficient spectrum and funding to obtain interference-free,
interoperable emergency communications. In addition, it is important to preserve and
strengthen the ability of state and local government to protect and warn the public
through emergency alert systems.
• Use of public property and right-of-way
State and local governments are the trustees of public property and must retain the
power to manage those assets for the benefit and safety of the community.
• Municipal Broadband
State and local governments can play an important role in making advanced services,
including broadband services, available to their citizens, based on specific local needs
and conditions. Federal policy should promote the rights of local governments that
choose to offer those services directly to their citizens.
• Video Franchising
The federal government should not preempt or restrict local authority to negotiate
mutually beneficial agreements and grant franchises to video providers. Public,
educational, and governmental channels are important tools citizens use to participate
City of Dubuque Supports:
Legislation that preserves and extends municipal government authority to provide
communications services to their constituents.
Legislation that overturns the FCC cable franchise order and returns to the local franchising
scheme set out in the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984.
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The City of Dubuque opposes a wireless tax moratorium.
Ensuring expanded access to multichannel video programming is an important role of local
government.
Expanded Access
States and localities support policies and programs that advance access to communications
services and ubiquitous broadband deployment in all areas of the country. Current initiatives that
promote universal and affordable access to communications services include the federal and
state universal service funds, the E-Rate program, Lifeline and Linkup, urban and rural
infrastructure support mechanisms, and obligations ensuring equitable cable and broadband
deployment.
Taxation
States and localities should retain full flexibility, as does the federal government, to structure
their tax policies in ways that best serves their citizens.
Consumer Protection
States and localities are best positioned to respond effectively to a wide variety of consumer
concerns, including but not limited to complaints related to: service quality and affordability,
reliability, deceptive practices, billing practices, privacy, and criminal activity.
Wireless Zoning and Siting
It is essential for local communities to be able to address the expansion of wireless facilities so
as to promote the deployment of advanced communications while also protecting the interests of
citizens in safety, sound planning, and aesthetic concerns. Cellular carriers have petitioned the
FCC to create new, onerous regulations that would make it more difficult for local governments
to carry out their responsibilities in this area. The Communications Act prohibits such FCC
regulation. Congress should ensure that the balance struck in federal law is not overturned by
agency action.
In 2019 the City established a Small Cell Aesthetics guideline which outlined permit procedures,
design standards and location preferences. The goal is to encourage preferred locations,
collocation, and maintaining the unique community character and distinct aesthetics using
"stealth" techniques and, for our residents, providing advance notification of pending
applications. Congress should support the City's efforts in establishing and implementing such
standards for the welfare of all.
Local government strongly endorses promoting competition for all consumers and treating like
services alike. The elected leaders of our nation's cities and counties stand ready and willing to
welcome video competition in their communities. Centralizing franchising at the federal or state
level, however, limits the benefits of head-to-head video competition to a chosen few, and
deprives consumers of important protections.
The FCC
Recent FCC actions to regulate local franchising have compromised local governments' ability
to act in the best interests of their citizens. Congress should act to prevent the FCC from
overstepping its authority and altering the balance of federal, state, and local authority that
Congress established in the Cable Act. The FCC's recent orders fly in the face of the law and
threaten to disrupt long-standing cable television franchise agreements.
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Although the courts have upheld the transparency rule but vacated the no-blocking and no-
unreasonable-discrimination rules, there is no guarantee from the FCC of net neutrality The new
arrangement stands to benefit large ISPs immensely while potentially harming small start-ups,
entrepreneurs and consumers especially in locations where providers are limited.
Although there is a disclosure requirement and providers are prevented from engaging in unfair,
deceptive and anticompetitive practices, issues will be handled after occurring and providers
could bypass unfair practices in the name of"reasonable, network management."
Requested Action:
• States where statewide or state-controlled franchising is currently in place do not
see greater or faster video competition deployment than states where it is not.
• Franchises do not just provide permission to offer video services. They are the
core tools local government uses to manage streets and sidewalks, provide for
public safety, enhance competition, and collect compensation for private use of
public land. Eliminating local franchises deprives local government of the power
to perform basic functions.
• Competition is for everyone. Current national policy implemented through
franchises encourages competition throughout the country, not just in urban or
suburban areas and not just for the wealthy. In less than ten years, under the
current system, broadband service has been made available to 91 percent of all
homes passed by cable.
• Neither Congress nor the FCC should try to manage local streets and sidewalks
from Washington. National franchising would abrogate a basic tenet of federalism
by granting companies access to locally owned property on federally de�ned
terms.
• Market factors, not local governments, control the pace of new broadband
deployment. Telephone companies have not yet seriously dedicated resources to
negotiate franchises in many markets. Potential video competitors require
relatively few franchises to implement their announced business plans (for AT&T
1,500-2,000 franchises, for Verizon 100-200 franchises).
• Tech Entrepreneurship and Competition
States and localities benefit from, and support, competition and innovation and technology
neutrality. When a fully competitive market does not exist, states and localities must retain the
authority to ensure nondiscriminatory access to essential facilities, to prevent incumbents from
using market power to stifle competition and innovation, and to maintain consumer safeguards
when market forces fail.
There are arguments for and against net neutrality. The City of Dubuque supports efforts for
Internet to remain a level playing field for all and the FCC to protect an "open internet." Given
Dubuque's focus on small business and innovation, Dubuque would likely be impacted by the
anti-competitive risks that come with ending net neutrality more than other lowa communities.
Requested Action:
The City supports legislation that would restore net neutrality.
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Broadband Data Act
The availability of accurate and readily accessible data, consistent collection methods across all
carriers/providers and data visualization tools provides a potential means of maintaining an open
and fair internet. By guaranteeing comprehensive, quality information on broadband access,
bandwidth and speeds across all delivery methods, will result in an ability for cities to monitor
services in our communities. The outcome of this initiative results in an ability to identify and
respond to telecommunications equity needs in communities serving those most needing
broadband services.
Requested Action:
Support the FCC must collect and disseminate granular broadband service
availability data (broadband maps) from wired, �xed-wireless, satellite, and mobile
broadband providers. To do this, the FCC is required to establish the Broadband
Serviceable Location Fabric (a dataset of geocoded information for all broadband
service locations, atop which broadband maps are overlaid) as the vehicle for
reporting broadband service availability data. Additionally, the FCC must put forth
speci�ed requirements for service availability data collected from broadband
providers, and it must create a challenge process to enable the submission of
independent data challenging the accuracy of FCC broadband maps.
City/County Emergency Services
Combined Communication Center
The need for a combined 911 Communications Center and Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
has been brought to the forefront of the public safety committee after multiple recent events. The
current communications center is undersized for the needs of our increased population and calls
for service. The center is unable to expand to meet the increasing demands of the emergency
calls and for future technologies. The recent disasters that occurred in Dubuque County and the
State of lowa brought the need for a dedicated emergency operations center to the forefront. The
city and county now use the classroom areas of the Dubuque County Firefighters Training Center
which is converted as needed to an EOC operation. An extended flooding event along the
Mississippi River or any other long-term disaster would tax the resources of the city and county
and the current set up would hamper our response to disasters. We are experiencing more major
weather events and disasters and we have received eight presidential disaster declarations in the
past 18 years. The City's 911 center needs to have room available for expansion. A dedicated
EOC will allow local government the ability to enhance response and recovery operations
following an event it would also assist us in preparing for planned events that overtax our response
capabilities.
Requested Action:
Assist the City of Dubuque and Dubuque County in identifying funding support for
a combined 911 Center/EOC estimated to cost$14-$16 million dollars.
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Continue Support for Assistance to Firefiqhter Grants
In weighing opportunities for future expansion of fire units, the City must support vital federal
programs like the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) grant program. This program can help the
City as it seeks to expand firefighter and paramedic numbers in the future.
Requested Action:
Support federal efforts to maintain and expand the Assistance to Fire�ghters
(AFG) grant program, including the Sta�ng forAdequate Fire and Emergency
Response program.
HOUSING
Communitv Development Block Grant (CDBG) Fundinq
The City of Dubuque relies on CDBG money to fund many of its vital programs. Projects that are
at least partially funded by CDBG include rehabilitation of rental and owner-occupied housing,
homeowner education classes, lead paint hazard abatement, commercial and industrial building
rehabilitation and economic development, childcare referral services, to support operations of
several non-profits providing direct services to income-eligible individuals and families, as part of
the community development/neighborhood strategy program.
In the last ten years, the City's formula allocation of CDBG funding has been cut by nearly 32
percent, or $444,283. This severe cut has hurt local communities — local economies, local
projects, and, most importantly, the low- and moderate-income households that reside in these
communities and need the assistance. Due to reductions in funding, we expect to serve several
thousand fewer low and moderate-income people than we served in 2010. In addition, we expect
to serve fewer households with housing development programs like down-payment assistance or
homeowner rehabilitation.
The CDBG formula funding has never been adjusted for inflation (since the inception of the
program in 1974), even though construction costs, wages, and other program costs have
escalated sharply in the past four decades. Continued funding of CDBG is needed to provide the
flexibility for communities to fund a myriad of activities, fill gaps where needed, and attract
additional resources to projects.
At this time, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is funded at $3.3 billion (maintaining
the increased funding level provided to CDBG in FY18). The City of Dubuque supports a $3.5
billion allocation to CDBG in FY21 . CDBG resources create economic opportunity, suitable
living environments, and provide decent housing. Nearly YZ of the households in the City of
Dubuque are considered at or below moderate income by HUD's standards, meaning CDBG
resources impact a significant number of our local community members. We strongly oppose
the administrations attempts to defund the CDBG program.
Requested Action:
The City of Dubuque asks our congressional members to support the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block
Grant Program (CDBG) and urge you to appropriate $3.425 billion in formula funding
for the program in FY 2021. CDBG has been critical in meeting the public
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improvement, public services, economic development, and affordable housing
needs in our community. Further, there is great opportunity for this program to
support the funding needs of the USEPA Lead and Copper Rule and assist with the
replacement or rehabilitation of lead water service lines. The City of Dubuque also
requests increased funding for the administration of the federal Housing Choice
Voucher Program.
Mobile Home Communitv Protections:
Legislation related to mobile homes and mobile home communities was adopted at a time when
mobile homes were truly mobile. Today, mobile homes are more stationary than they have
been historically. However, lowa laws have not been updated to reflect this important and highly
consequential change. Today, some companies are using current law to their financial benefit
and to the detriment of mobile home community residents. These predatory practices are putting
vulnerable citizens in financially precarious situations and sometimes in financial
jeopardy. Mobile home communities can be a viable choice in lowa's efforts to create affordable
housing opportunities across the state. Therefore, review and reform of current law is vital.
Requested Action:
. Support the requested Federal Trade Commission investigation into
predatory and unfair business practices by investment companies that has
been advanced by members of lowa's congressional delegation.
. Support Congressional legislation HR 5547 Manufactured Housing
Community Preservation Act of 2020.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Tax reform was a priority goal of the 115�h Congress. We appreciate that the Dubuque
congressional delegation understands that cities benefit from partnerships with private sector
developers when tax credits can be employed to restore and adapt older structures and return
them to active use thereby creating jobs, increasing tax revenue and reducing incidents of calls
for service in deteriorating areas of our communities. In this context, we are pleased that the
goal of tax reform did not eliminate model tax credit programs like the Federal Historic
Preservation Tax Credit. We will, however, continue to advance and protect City interests in the
U.S. Tax Code, including further progress on restoration of the state and local tax deduction
(SALT).
Federal Historic Tax Credits
The Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit is the nation's largest federal incentive promoting urban
and rural revitalization through private investment in reusing historic buildings. The credit
encourages reinvestment in downtowns, generates jobs, and is instrumental in preserving the
historic places that give cities, towns and rural areas their unique character. For every one dollar
invested through the Federal Historic Preservation tax credit five dollars are leveraged from the
private sector. The credit is not paid until all the restoration work is complete and approved by
the US Department of Interior. Dubuque has seen total improvements valued at $700 million
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since 1985 in the downtown, on Main Street and on the riverfront. Of note: The Historic Tax
Credit Coalition is working on a legislative proposal to eliminate the basis reduction requirement
for the Historic Tax Credit in its entirety. Experts estimate that making this change would almost
entirely make up for the lost value from the new requirement that the credit be taken over five
years.
Requested Action:
. Support S.2615 - Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC-GO),
which will ensure the following:
. Raise the credit from 20 percent to 30 percent for projects with Quali�ed
Rehabilitation Expenditures under$3,750,000.
. Strike three of the four disquali�ed lease rules (all except the "sale leaseback')
from the program.
. Allow for the Transfer of Credits for Small Projects (Section 3 of the Historic Tax
Credit Improvement Act (HTCIA)(H.R. 3846/S.425). This provision would allow
the certi�cation of the credit for deals under$2.5M.
. Reduce Basis Adjustment(Section 5 of the HTCIA) This provision would
reduce the amount of depreciable basis adjustment from 100 percent to 50
percent of the historic tax credit, creating a more valuable asset at the time of
transfer.
Opportunitv Zones
Opportunity Zones will use tax incentives to draw long term investment to census tracks
struggling with high poverty and sluggish job and business growth. The program aims to
revitalize neighborhoods and towns in need of investment. The payoff for the investors will
come in the form of deferred and avoided capital gains taxes for corporations and others who
invest.
Dubuque is advancing programs and projects that would incent significant investment in the
North End of Dubuque. This program would be useful and could accelerate a return to
resiliency and economic vitality to the North End neighborhoods.
Requested Action:
Support Opportunity Zones policy implementation to enable reinvestment and
redevelopment in Dubuque and communities across the country.
New Markets Tax Credit Proqram
The New Markets Tax Credit program provides a potential financing tool for major economic
development projects in Dubuque including the Historic Millwork District restoration and
revitalization, the Dubuque Pack site redevelopment and the Briggs project on the Fourth Street
peninsula. Unfortunately, the program has not benefited rural states and communities in the same
manner it has benefited larger metro centers. Expanding and streamlining the program and
helping to ensure it is accessible to smaller communities in rural states would benefit the City of
Dubuque and its partners in the private sector.
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Additionally, the flexibility of the program is desirable, but its accompanying complexity tends to
increase legal, accounting, and Community Development Entity (CDE) fees, since each project is
unique and thus requires extensive planning and oversight to achieve and maintain program
compliance. These increased fees reduce the amount of equity available for the project, often
rather significantly. Finding ways to streamline the program would benefit projects and
communities that make use of this funding tool.
Requested Action:
Continued support of this important program for urban revitalization.
Marketplace Fairness Act
The Marketplace Fairness Act is proposed legislation that would enable state governments to
collect sales taxes and use taxes from remote retailers with no physical presence in their state.
This legislation would essentially "level the playing field" for our small business retailers, who
compete for business with online sellers, by applying sales tax to the online competitors' customer
purchases.
Small businesses have generated over 65 percent of the net new jobs since 1995. Supporting the
Marketplace Fairness Act would support local, small business and improve the economy.
Requested Action:
Support the Marketplace Fairness Act.
Arts & Culture
The current administration and its policy advisors are calling for the elimination of the National
Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Corporation
for Public Broadcasting (CPB), and the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS).
Proposed funding for the NEA, NEH, CPB, and the IMLS in the FY20 budget provides for the
orderly shutdown of these agencies. We ask Congress to stand firm and support the NEA, NEH,
CPB, and IMLS.
Arts, culture, and the creative economy are a powerful force in our nation's economy. This sector
drives tourism and commerce and supports American workers — from graphic and software
designers to scholar, architects, artists, performers, curators, and many more. The creative
economy is larger than construction, agriculture, and travel sectors.
. The arts, culture, and creative economy is a $804.2 billion industry, and represent $26
billion in federal, state, and local tax revenue.
. The arts mean business, accounting for 4.3°k of the nation's annual GDP.
. The United States has exported more arts and cultural goods and services than it imported
since 2006, including during the Great Recession. In 2015, the arts delivered an economic
advantage, generating a $21 billion annual trade surplus.
. The arts equal jobs, employing 5 million workers.
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. The NEH budget serves as a significant leveraging tool that has helped create an entire
industry of locally based small business and jobs that cannot be outsourced; in FY20, the
NEH estimates that its investment in grantees will leverage an additional $2.2 million in
third-party support and $1 .5 million in private sector philanthropy in humanities projects.
. $1 of NEA direct funding leveraging up to $9 in private and other public funds and returns
$12.6 billion in federal income taxes.
. A significant percentage of NEA grants go to those who have fewer opportunities to
participate in the arts. 64°k NEA direct grants go to small organizations (with operating
budgets of less than $2 million) and that nearly 14°k go to projects that feature some rural
component.
The Dubuque City Council has prioritized arts and culture. In 2015, a Arts and Culture Master
Plan was commissioned and funded, with the resulting plan adopted in 2016. Since 2005, the City
has provided over $3.9 million dollars in financial support to Dubuque arts and cultural
organizations through direct grant programs and a public art program. In Dubuque, the arts and
culture non-profit sector alone has an annual economic impact of $47.2 million, supporting the
1 ,530 jobs, distributes $36.7 million in household income to residents, and returns $5 million in
state and local government revenue.
Requested Action:
. Support funding of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) at or above
FY191evels.
. Support funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) at or
above FY191evels.
. Support funding for the Corporation forPublic Broadcasting(CPB)at orabove
FY191evels.
. Support funding the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS) at or
above FY191evels.
. Support the CREATE Act H.R. 1519 and S. 650. The CREATE Act calls for
minor adjustments to existing federal programs and funding to take steps to
better invest in our country's workforce and creative industries, while
empowering the entrepreneurial spirit of artists and supporting their role as
contributors to the small business sector.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Crescent Communitv Health Center
Community Health Centers (CHC's) across the country have consistently demonstrated the value
of the care they provide. Community Health Centers are an affordable and accessible source of
primary and preventive health care for 23 million underserved individuals, including more than
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184,000 here in lowa. In 2018, Crescent served 6,373 patients for a total of 18,756 patient visits,
up from 15,000 visits in 2014.
. Federal grant funding for the Health Center program currently comes from two sources:
a. $1 .63 billion in annual discretionary appropriations and
b. $4.0 billion in the Community Health Centers Fund (CHCF).
. In 2015 and 2018, Congress extended the Community Health Center Fund assuring health
centers a continued source of mandatory funding of$3.6 billion annually for two additional
years (FY16, FY17, FY18, and FY19). The extensions temporarily averted the "Primary
Care Cliff' which would have ended mandatory funding—resulting in a 70°k cutback in
program funding. In the current fiscal year (FY19), the nation's health centers are funded
with $1 .64 billion from discretionary funds and $4 billion in mandatory funds.
. NHSC loan repayment and scholar programs are essential recruitment tools for community
Health Centers and must be sustained. In lowa, more than 50 providers working in CHCs
are current recipients of NHSC support or have completed their obligations and chose to
continue practicing at CHCs.
Requested Action:
. We are asking Senators to co-sponsor one or more of the following bills: S.
106, S. 192 and S. 962 and House members to co-sponsor one or both of the
following bills, H.R. 2328 and H.R. 1943 to provide reliable, stable, long-term
funding forhealth centers and otherimportanthealth and workforce programs
and avoid the Fiscal Funding Cliff.
. We ask that Congress act to ensure the future of the National Health Service
Corps. Continue funding for the National Health Service Corps and the
Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education programs, both of
which support the primary care workforce necessary to serve underserved
communities with high-quality integrated care AND consider expanding it to
other health care professions ie nursing, and those working with special
populations.
. Health centers successfully utilize the 3406 program, ensuring that patients
can buy their medications at affordable prices and enabling health centers to
reinvest the savings into improving quality of care, extending hours, hiring
clinical pharmacists and expanding services.
. Continue support ensuring access to the 3406 program to sustain community
health center's essential model of care.
Healthcare Coveraqe for Residents from the Republic of the Marshall Islands
In 1986, the United States signed a Compact of Free Association with three Pacific Island
nations, including the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The Compact was the result of a history
of nuclear weapons testing by the U.S. in the Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1948. The
testing consisted of 67 explosive tests which equates in total power to 7,200 Hiroshima sized
weapons. This created many serious direct and indirect health outcomes. The Compact
permits the Marshallese to migrate to the U.S. for reasons such as health care, economic
opportunities, and education. The Marshallese can legally live and work in the U.S. while
25
retaining their citizenship in the Marshall Islands. Many of the individuals from the Marshall
Islands suffer from serious chronic conditions and health disparities, including effects from U.S.
nuclear test bombings.
Over 650 Marshallese reside in Dubuque and over 1 ,000 in the State of lowa. The Marshallese
have some of the highest rates of cancer and diabetes. Diabetes prevalence is estimated at 25-
50°k of Marshallese adults. They lack access to the resources to prevent and treat their
conditions. This stems from their ineligibility for federal insurance programs due to their non-
citizen/immigration status. A local survey of 82 Marshallese adult residents in Dubuque
revealed that 61°k have diabetes, 28°k have heart disease, 5°k have cancer, and 5 percent
have hypertension. 73°k of those interviewed lack health insurance. 58°k have not seen a
doctor within the last year, 65°k of those because they lack health insurance, and 23°k because
of cost.
Currently, individuals covered by the COFA who are living, working, and paying taxes in the U.S.
are not eligible for federal healthcare programs. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as it is
currently written provides for health care tax credits and subsidies, some proposed ACA
amendments would explicitly block that access for COFA residents. Other proposed
amendments expand catastrophic coverage to those over age 30, raising the concern that
vulnerable populations with limited health literacy will need assistance to fully understand these
options and their limitations. At the same time, there is a proposal to end 20 years of funding for
the REACH program (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health), which is the only
federal community driven program focused on ending health disparities.
Requested Action:
Restore Medicaid eligibility for COFA residents. Ensure proposed amendments to
the Affordable Care Act(ACA) do not block COFA residents from accessing health
care tax credits and subsidies that are currently available to them under the ACA.
Support funding for programs to reach vulnerable populations with limited health
literacy, such as the REACH program (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community
Health).
Prevention and Public Health Fund
Increases in funding are critical to addressing the nation's public health challenges and to ensure
a strong public health system and a diverse and well-trained public health workforce. The nation's
public health workforce is playing a leading role in combating the opioid epidemic, tracking and
monitoring infectious diseases, working to prevent vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks from
occurring, including the current measles outbreaks, and protecting our children from
environmental hazards, such as lead in our drinking water and homes.
Requested Action:
Support the House version of the FY 2020 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill,
which would provide signi�cant increases for the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration and would fully
allocate the mandatory Prevention and Public Health Fund for important public
health and prevention activities.
Climate Chanqe and Health
Climate change and rising temperatures expose more Americans to conditions that result in illness
and death due to respiratory illness, heat-related stress, vector-borne disease, wildfires and
26
extreme weather events. Climate change raises temperatures and makes ozone pollution worse,
triggering asthma attacks and permanently damaging and reducing lung function and causing or
affecting newly emerging infectious diseases. These maladies fall most heavily on our most
vulnerable communities including children, seniors, low income communities, some communities
of color and those with chronic disease.
Efforts to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gases should maximize benefits to
health and ensure pollution is cleaned up in all communities, including those near polluting
sources that have historically borne a disproportionate burden from air pollution.
Requested Action:
. Support efforts to clean up major sources of carbon pollution and other
greenhouse gases, including power plants, cars, trucks and other mobile
sources. In addition, policy to address climate change must not weaken or
delay the Clean Air Act or the authority that it gives the Environmental
Protection Agency to reduce carbon emissions.
. Cosponsor/Support the Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act to
support increased funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
Climate and Health Program to provide the nation's public health workforce with
the resources, technical assistance and funding they need to best protect their
communities from the health threats associated with climate change.
Lead Poisoninq
The toxic legacy of lead still impacts over half a million American children under the age of six
every year — causing irreversible damage and robbing them from reaching their full potential. In
lowa Exposure occurs through exposures from air, drinking water, food, contaminated soil, and
deteriorating paint. An estimated 1 .1 million housing units are among the most at-risk for causing
childhood lead poisoning across the US. In Dubuque 42°k of Housing was built prior to 1960,
indicating a large portion ofthe housing stock contains lead hazards. Lead poisoning robs children
of their ability to thrive and contribute. Young children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning
because they absorb 4-5 times as much ingested lead as adults from a given source. Lead
exposure changes the structure and function of children's developing brains, causing damage that
cannot be repaired. Lead exposure leads to poorer academic performance, behavioral health
problems and lifelong diminished opportunity.
Dubuque has made tremendous strides in lowering the incidence of lead poisoning by reducing
lead paint hazards. However with the revised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
blood lead level of concern (5ug/dL), much more lead hazard reduction and remediation is
needed, including addressing lead in water/lead service lines.
Requested Action:
Support the Lead-Free Future Act of 2019, (HF 4416) a bill that will set standards
and increase investment to support lead remediation in housing, drinking water,
and soil in pre-1978 residential properties in communities across the country.
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Restore Medicaid Coveraqe for Residents from the Freelv Associated States,
Includinq the Republic of the Marshall Islands
In 1986, the United States signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with three Pacific
Island nations, including the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the
Republic of the Marshall Islands. These three island nations are commonly referred to as the
Freely Associated States (FAS). The COFA was the result of a history of nuclear weapons
testing by the U.S. in the Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1948. The testing consisted of 67
explosive tests which equates in total power to 7,200 Hiroshima sized weapons. This created
many serious direct and indirect health outcomes. The COFA permits the Marshallese to
migrate to the U.S. for reasons such as health care, economic opportunities, and
education. The Marshallese can legally live and work in the U.S. while retaining their citizenship
in the Marshall Islands. Many of the individuals from the Marshall Islands suffer from serious
chronic conditions and health disparities, including effects from U.S. nuclear test bombings.
lowa is among the states with sizable FAS populations, including California, Washington,
Hawaii, Arizona, Oregon, Utah, and Arkansas. An estimated 800 Marshallese reside in
Dubuque, with an additional 1 ,000 estimated across the state. There are 210 Marshallese
speaking students enrolled in the Dubuque Community School District in the 2019-2020 school
year. The Marshallese have some of the highest rates of cancer and diabetes. Diabetes
prevalence is estimated at 25-50°k of Marshallese adults. They lack access to the resources to
prevent and treat their conditions. This stems from their ineligibility for federal insurance
programs due to their non-citizen/immigration status. A local survey of 82 Marshallese adult
residents in Dubuque in 2016 revealed that 61 °k had diabetes, 28°k had heart disease, 5°k had
cancer, and 5 percent had hypertension. 73°k of those interviewed lacked health insurance.
58°k had not seen a doctor within the last year, 65°k of those because they lacked health
insurance, and 23°k because of cost.
Currently, individuals covered by the COFA who are living, working, and paying taxes in the U.S.
are not eligible for federal healthcare programs. Two companion bills have been introduced in
Congress that would correct this— H.R. 4821 and S. 2218 — the "Covering our FAS Allies Act."
Requested Action:
Restore Medicaid eligibility for COFA residents.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Proqram Cuts
In December 2019 the Trump Administration approved an administrative rule change to eligibility
requirements that will result in reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP). The rule change negatively impacts food benefits to 700,000 unemployed people
across the country, including families and children.
Requested Action:
Support legislation that restores Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP) bene�ts.
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PLANNING
Planninq for Opportunitv Aqenda
A legislative agenda to create just, healthy, and prosperous communities that expand
opportunity for all.
Requested Action:
Address the Nation's Housing Crisis with Policies That Advance Affordability,
Availability, Quality, and Access to Economic and Social Opportunities.
. Help states, communities improve planning for housing affordability, support
locally driven reforms, and maintain key regulatory structures that promote
fair housing and access to opportunity.
. Fund critical federal housing and community development programs like
HOME, CDBG, USDA rural development, and EPA brownfields program
that provide essential resources and critical financial support and have a
proven record of success.
. Improve existing tools for financing affordable housing and support better
incentives for mixed use, mixed income housing, and community
development, such as: improve and expand Low Income Housing Tax
Credit and expand Choice Neighborhoods program.
. Provide critical data for local and regional planning with high-quality
demographic, economic, labor, and transportation data products.
Advance Policies That Support and Encourage Inclusive Growth and
Development Strategies.
. Ensure the effective implementation of new Opportunity Zones in ways that
promote inclusive growth and build on local plans.
. Develop a new economic development and mobility initiative that assists
communities dealing with long-term economic restructuring and persistent
poverty.
. Promote equitable and inclusive growth in the pending regulatory update of
the Community Reinvestment Act, addressing historic inequities and
advancing the development of underserved communities.
. Support key incentives and tax credits that advance inclusive and equitable
growth strategies, from New Markets Tax Credits to EDA planning grants.
. Address evolving workforce needs to expand social equity and economic
development, such as: support local workforce initiatives, enhance the
Earned Income Tax Credit, foster research on key "future of work" planning
concerns, and support efforts to expand work and wealth building
opportunities.
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Invest in Infrastructure That Leads to Stronger, More Vibrant Communities
. Ensure adequate and sustainable funding for vital infrastructure programs
that build strong communities, advance economic growth, and promote
opportunity, such as: transportation, water systems, schools, and parks as
well as needed new infrastructure.
. Improve the federal partnership with communities: address barriers in
contracting, administration, and new local funding requirements, and
promote timely distribution of approved funding.
. Help communities advance innovation and prepare for new technologies,
from autonomous vehicles to connected infrastructure to broadband.
. Provide stable and sustainable funding and financing for future investment:
address the short-term issues with the transportation trust fund and gas
tax, expand federal financing programs from TIFIA to targeted bonds and
tax credits, restore advance refunding of municipal bonds.
. Enact a new infrastructure investment program based on good local, state,
and regional planning principles to address a wide array of infrastructure
needs and modes, such as transit, housing, parks, and schools, and to
provide effective and equitable citizen engagement, balance public and
private investment, and advance key objectives including resilience, health,
equity, and performance-based planning.
. Improve support for a safer transportation system with improved active
mobility options and good health outcomes for people while also
supporting economic development.
. Ensure equity and engagement are components of infrastructure
investments that address equity and environmental justice concerns,
encourage robust community engagement, and advance projects aimed at
improving access to opportunity.
. Provide high-quality federal data to support effective planning and decision
making: in an era of frequent distrust of institutions and opinions posing as
data, we need reliable and robust data sources to guide sound decision
making at the local, state, and federal levels.
Promote Healthy and Safe Communities Through Good Planning and Strategic
Investments
. Improve community resiliency in the reauthorization of the National Flood
Insurance Program, to show support vital mapping and local hazard plans,
expand mitigation funding and relocation of repetitive loss properties, and
reduce both short- and long-term risk.
. Support full funding and effective implementation of 2018 hazard
mitigation and disaster reform legislation that boosts pre-disaster
30
mitigation grants, promotes greater resiliency in rebuilding following
disasters, enhances the effectiveness of local and federal response to
disasters, and encourages better building codes.
. Advance programs that provide critical data and geographic information
for local hazard mitigation and resiliency efforts, like NOAA's Digital Coast
local-federal partnership.
. Support local parks and open space as essential community
infrastructure: LWCF should be fully funded and permanently authorized,
codify efforts like Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program
(ORLP), and address maintenance challenges facing National Park
System.
. Implement and support the key Farm Bill programs that promote healthy
communities, sustainable agriculture, food systems planning, and stronger
rural and urban communities; USDA's work and mission should support
for local and regional food systems planning for urban agriculture, local
markets, sustainable agriculture practices, and community access to
healthy food.
Certified Local Government Proqram
The Certified Local Government (CLG) program was established as part of the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 to create federal, state and local governmental partnerships, provide
historic preservation training and technical assistance, and encourage preservation and wise
use of historic resources at the local level.
In lowa, the Certified Local Government program is one of the historic preservation offerings of
the State Historic Preservation Office, part of the State Historical Society of lowa, a division of
the lowa Department of Cultural Affairs. To participate in the CLG program, a local government
must have a local historic preservation program that complies with CLG program requirements.
To qualify for or obtain "certified status", the local government must demonstrate that its local
historic preservation program meets certain standards.
For the local government, its staff and Historic Preservation Commission, there are some direct
benefits of participating in the CLG program. There is free historic preservation training and
technical assistance from the State's historic preservation staff. Participating cities and counties
receive a start-up preservation reference library for use in developing and administering the
program. Cities and counties in the CLG program qualify for a small, competitive, matching CLG
grant program that is open only CLG program participants. These federal pass-through grants
can be used to underwrite all historic preservation activities except rehabilitation.
In lowa, the CLG program has helped cities and counties to develop their local historic
preservation programs as a tool to help promote downtown revitalization; to protect, stabilize
and revive historic neighborhoods; and to provide an authentic foundation for heritage tourism.
Requested Action:
The City of Dubuque supports continued federal funding for the Certi�ed Local
Government (CLG) Program.
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Land and Water Conservation Fund
Land and water conservation fund has been critical to the development of outdoor recreational
opportunities in Dubuque. Past grant awards have funded softball field development for youth
and adults, open space development in the area of historically significant places along the
Mississippi River, expansion of the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center at the Mines of Spain State
Recreation Area and renovation of Comiskey Park located in a low socio-economic
neighborhood. Each of these developments has been very important to expansion of outdoor
recreation. Continued funding of this program is critical to Dubuque as a partnering source for
accomplishing outdoor recreation for our citizens.
Requested Action:
The City of Dubuque supports full and dedicated funding for the Land and Water
Conservation Fund(LWCF). The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
should be fully funded through the yearly Congressional appropriations process
and with continued funding forstate and local parks.
Livable Communitv Initiatives
A Platform for Stronger, Healthier, and More Just Communities through Planning
The American Planning Association believes that federal policy can be a vital tool for supporting
local planning that strengthens communities and provides greater access to economic and
social opportunity. A supportive framework in federal policy for good local planning is essential
to the health, resilience, and prosperity of the nation and its communities.
Requested Action:
The City of Dubuque supports federal legislation to integrate comprehensive
planning efforts with livable community initiatives that promote sustainability,
economic growth and local innovation.
SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES
The City of Dubuque identified becoming a more Sustainable City as one of its top priorities in
2006. Since then, multiple strategies and practices have been implemented to make Dubuque a
more sustainable community. In 2016, the City was honored to be recognized as one of the
White House's 16 Climate Action Champions. The City is a member of Climate Communities,
the Urban Sustainability Directors Network and ICLEI — Local Governments for Sustainability
and joins those organizations in supporting local government action on climate change and
resiliency as essential for America to achieve energy independence, renew economic prosperity
and preserve biodiversity. Federal policies must empower local governments with the tools and
resources to respond to the climate challenge. We request your support in achieving the
following goals:
. Invest in local climate capacity through annual federal appropriations such as the
Department of Energy Clean Cities program, the US Forest Service's Urban and
Community Forestry program, Storm water and Drinking Water funding, and Green
Infrastructure programs.
. Build self-reliant communities that are prepared for climate impacts.
32
. Support community revitalization by enacting legislation that enables basic sustainability
principles, such as historic preservation, improved energy efficiency, brownfield
redevelopment, and community redevelopment.
Weatherization Assistance Program
Dubuque, like communities across the country, is striving to increase equitable access to
affordable housing for all residents. Excessive energy costs exacerbate the housing cost burden
low-income residents experience. On average, low-income households spend 7.8 percent of
annual income on energy services, compared to 3 percent of income for all households.
Recognizing the increasing cost of energy and the significant impact this required cost has on
low- and moderate-income residents, the City advocates for continued sufficient funding of the
Weatherization Assistance Program and that funds be used to invest in home improvements
wherever possible. By investing in improvements rather than assisting with energy bills, these
funds can be used to fix the root of the problem rather than putting a band-aid on it.
National Energy Planning Policy
The City encourages adoption of a long-term, sustainable national energy policy, addressing
decreasing availability of petroleum, energy self-sufficiency, economic competitiveness,
greenhouse gas emissions, environmental protection, and social equity. This policy should
recognize and separate the long-term development of replacement and alternative energy
sources from short-term fluctuations in market prices for energy. This policy should also recognize
the impact that energy-efficient land use patterns, building design, and transportation modalities
have on the demand for energy.
Data and Measurement
The City recognizes the importance of easy, consistent, and affordable access to energy data at
the community level as an integral component of energy, sustainability, healthy communities, and
community planning. We advocate for transparent data processes that allow communities to
review utility data while also ensuring adequate data security and privacy.
Energy Impacts
We encourage evaluating the energy related impacts along with other impacts resulting from
proposed plans and development related to the siting of energy generation and transmission
facilities in order to mitigate their adverse impacts on land use, environment, economy, health,
quality of life, and national security.
PACE Financing
We encourage federal and state legislation supporting Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
financing so that the costs associated with energy efficiency improvements can be shared by the
property owners who experience the benefits of those improvements.
Environmental Justice
We support state and federal efforts in striving to attain environmental equity and justice with
regard to the siting of energy facilities, resource extraction, energy generation, distribution
infrastructure, and energy-related waste disposal.
Distributed Energy Generation
The City supports distributed energy generation systems that utilize community energy generation
and "smart grid" public infrastructure that supports both conservation and energy efficiency.
33
Smart Grid Technology
We support modernization of the nation's electrical grid that will allow for the efficient integration
of innovative technologies such as renewable energy systems and electric vehicles and makes it
possible to offer dynamic electricity pricing options that can reduce strain on the grid while
benefitting consumers. Advances in metering technology also create opportunities to provide
consumers with access to more information about their electricity usage and costs, which can
inform their decisions about energy consumption.
Research and Development
The City recognizes that in the short-term, oil, coal, and natural gas will continue to be significant
sources of energy for the United States and other nations until other forms of energy can be
developed at a scale to adequately replace the world's reliance on fossil fuels. Therefore,
continued focused research and development in improving the efficient use of these sources while
reducing the environmental costs must be a high priority for the United States. We support
expanded research and development funding and efforts to create and improve alternative and
renewable energy sources and the development of energy transition scenarios for use by local
officials and the general public.
Indian Gaminq Requlations
The City is concerned about the uncontrolled growth of Indian Casinos on off premises
(reservation) lands. The City supports legislation that places safeguards on the growth of Indian
casinos.
Requested Action:
. Rewrite Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act(IGRA), which
authorizes reservation shopping. This means that under no circumstances can
a tribe that already has land in trust acquire more land that is not contiguous to
its reservation and use it for gaming. This will put a permanent end to
reservation shopping.
. Give local communities a seat at the table during the process to mitigate
impacts of casinos proposed by newly recognized or restored tribes. This
means the tribe and local community must enter into a memorandum of
understanding where the tribe must pay the community for mitigation of direct
effects of the casino on infrastructure and services like transportation and
public safety.
. Ban any attempts to establish off-reservation casinos outside of the state where
the tribe presently resides.
. Allow States to regulate Fantasy Sports and internet gambling.
34
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP PRIORITIES
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps Partners in Learninq Proqram
The City of Dubuque has sponsored the AmeriCorps Partners in Learning Program since 2007.
Since the program's inception in 2000, AmeriCorps Partners in Learning has provided the
Dubuque Community with over 440,000 hours of volunteer service from over 700 AmeriCorps
Alumni. In 2014, the program was revamped to create a laser focus on the Dubuque Campaign
for Grade-Level Reading, using AmeriCorps members as Academic Reading Tutors in the
Dubuque Community School DistricYs Elementary Schools to help students to go from learning to
read to reading to learn by 3�d grade.
The City of Dubuque's AmeriCorps Partners in Learning Program makes measurable impacts on
Dubuque's children. Data from the 2018-2019 school year shows that 97°k (462 out of 477)
Dubuque Community School District K- 3�d grade students tutored by our AmeriCorps members
improved their reading score from Fall 2018 — Spring 2019. This data shows the positive impact
of that our program has on students, as AmeriCorps Members are able to provide positive one-
on-one and small group feedback directly to students in each and every tutoring session.
Teachers, school staff and instructional coaches regard our AmeriCorps Program because of the
academic, social and emotional impact AmeriCorps tutors have on the students they work with.
During the summer, AmeriCorps members support community organizations who serve K-3�a
grade students to curb the summer slide. These organizations include the Carnegie-Stout Public
Library, Dubuque Community Schools Summer Academy, Dubuque Dream Center, Leisure
Services and St. Marks Youth Empowerment, all of which impact our youth whose families are
from a lower-income and neighborhoods needing assistance. The involvement of AmeriCorps
members is critical to efforts of the city, schools and non-profits. AmeriCorps Partners in
Learning was awarded an opportunity to provide AmeriCorps support to the Multicultural Family
Center and the City of Dubuque Leisure Services Department to facilitate and increase Teen
Programming during the summer. During Summer 2019, 33 of the 38 teens graduated from the
Multicultural Family Center's AmeriCorps Supported Program: STEP (Summer Teen
Empowerment Program), 27 earning independent high school credit from the Dubuque
Community School District and learning college/career readiness skills, workplace readiness,
communication, financial literacy, team building as well as diversity, equity and inclusion skills.
Additionally, AmeriCorps members facilitated free activities and meals for community teens
through a summer teen program at the Multicultural Family Center and throughout the Dubuque
community through the Leisure Services Department.
Our AmeriCorps program provides personal and professional growth opportunities to the
members. Dubuque Community members join our program for many different reasons, including:
networking, on-the job experience, career experience or changes, community impact after
retirement, among other reasons. AmeriCorps Alumni who are looking to enter the workforce after
their term of service often have more experience and better educated, which leads to the opportunity
of a higher earning potential. Many employers consider AmeriCorps Alumni to be highly valuable
employees due to their time in the program. AmeriCorps members learn civic engagement skills
and connect directly with citizens, as well as build quality volunteer base in the community. Our
AmeriCorps members are trained monthly on Equity topics: including Intercultural Competencies,
Diversity and Inclusion, among others- leading to a deeper understanding of the community
members and youth being served.
35
AmeriCorps Partners in Learning turned an AmeirCorps planning grant into a program expansion
focusing on Healthy Futures for teens. The AmeriCorps Partners in Learning grant investment of
$237,461 is matched with $237,992 public funds and private $52,420 private funds.
Other AmeriCorps Proqrams in Dubuque:
AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members are also used by the City of
Dubuque and Dubuque County to combat poverty. Currently, the City has an Economic
Opportunity VISTA member serving with the Human Rights Department in collaboration with
lowa Campus Compact. Two VISTA members serving non-profit partners through the Volunteer
lowa Rural Development and Opioid VISTA Project. In the past, VISTA members have served with
the community-wide Dubuque Campaign for Grade Level Reading Initiative in the areas of
school readiness, attendance and summer learning. Other departments within the City have
looked into leveraging VISTA members to greater impact the community. The capacity building
efforts of VISTA members are very important to these community initiatives.
Dubuque also hosts Green lowa AmeriCorps and Sustainable Schools AmeriCorps Programs.
Operated through the University of Northern lowa's Center for Energy and Environmental
Education, Green lowa AmeriCorps is a state-wide community service program. Green lowa
AmeriCorps Members are trained as energy auditors and contribute to a comprehensive home
energy program through Operation: New View Community Action Agency. Sustainable Schools
AmeriCorps, a diversification of the Green lowa AmeriCorps Program, works to reduce district-
wide energy costs and assist teachers and staff in implementing environmental project-based
learning initiatives. Sustainable Schools AmeriCorps Members are hosted by the Dubuque
Metro Area Solid Waste Agency and support the Dubuque Community School District and Holy
Family Catholic Schools.
Senior Corps in Dubuque:
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is a nationwide program through Senior Corps which
exists to match volunteers age 55 and better with volunteer positions that use their life
experience and skills to meet community needs. The program is funded by a federal grant from
the Corporation for National and Community Service, as well as funding from the city, county,
state and in-kind contributions from UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital. The Retired and Senior
Volunteer Program(RSVP) has 6 focus areas where volunteers serve Dubuque County. The
primary focus area of RSVP is Healthy Futures. RSVP volunteers also serve in the areas of
Disaster Services, Economic Opportunity, Education, Environmental Stewardship, Non-Profit
Capacity Building and General Community Priorities.
Foster Grandparents is a nationwide program through Senior Corps where Seniors are role
models, mentors, and friends to children with special and exceptional needs. The program
provides a way for volunteers age 55 and over to stay active by serving children and youth in their
communities. Volunteers typically serve in schools, day cares, or community centers. United Ways
of lowa Foster Grandparents supports programs in the counties of Polk, Boone, Dallas, Marshall,
Story, Dubuque, Jackson, Delaware, Linn and Johnson, lowa. Identified students work one-to-
one or in a small group with the volunteer to practice literacy and math skills. Volunteers become
mentors to the students they work with and develop meaningful relationships throughout their time
together. Foster Grandparent volunteers are 55+ and live on a fixed income. Volunteers are
offered a stipend for their service to supplement their fixed income.
National Service Partnership:
Dubuque is home to the nation's first National Service Partnership, a partnership between local
government, higher education, local non-profits, and state government that draws on multiple
AmeriCorps and Senior Corps resources to collectively impact poverty in Dubuque. The Dubuque
36
National Service Partnership (DNSP) uses Days of Service and other events to educate the public
about community needs and opportunities to serve, while simultaneously focusing on improved
business processes within organizations and improved outcomes for families served. In 2013,
Governor Terry Branstad recognized the DNSP with the lowa Non-Profit Collaboration Award for
outstanding efforts to engage volunteers to impact complex social and economic needs. On
September 16, 2015, the Corporation for National and Community Service recognized the
Dubuque National Service Partnership with an award in honor of retired Senator Tom Harkin. The
collective impact of DNSP is very important in the community. Other National Service programs
in Dubuque are the Foster Grandparents program through United Way, RSVP, Green lowa
AmeriCorps, and lowa Campus Compact.
• Provided tutoring to over 1,000 children during the 2017-2018 school year.
• Provided summer enrichment programming to over 500 children during the
summer of 2018.
• 97% (462 out of 476) Dubuque Community School District K- 3rd grade
AmeriCorps students tutored by our AmeriCorps members improved their reading score
Partners in
Learning from Fa112017 - Spring 2018.
• 35 of the 40 teens graduated from the MultiCultural Family Center's
AmeriCorps Supported Program: YEEP (Youth Education & Empowerment
Program), earning independent learning credit from the Dubuque Community
School District.
• Completed a total of 256 energy efficiency projects, with 70% provided to
Green [owa populations in need (Low-income, 65+, individuals with disabilities and
AmeriCorp veterans) .
s Program . Completed a total of 62 outreach projects and leveraged 962 volunteer hours.
• Com leted a total of 44 education events with over 1,650 artici ants.
• Conducted 173 education events (both in and out of the classroom) engaging
Sustainable over 1600 K-12 students within the Dubuque Community School District and
Schools Holy Family Catholic Schools.
• Conducted 7large-scale service projects, engaging over 800 students.
AmeriCorp Applied and won the Green Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of
s Program � Education for St. Columbkille Elementary (part of Holy Family Catholic
Schools).
[owa . Over 3,000 hours contributed to the community by 10 AmeriCorps members.
Campus . 143 community volunteers were recruited to support community service.
Compact . 7 organizations received capacity building support from AmeriCorps
AmeriCorp Members.
s Program
37
y • 66 community volunteers were recruited by VISTA Members and/or their host
� site organization.
� • 65 community volunteers that were managed by VISTA Members and/or their
�" host site organization providing 124 hours of service to the Dubuque
� Volunteer
p Community.
T.., lowa Rural � $1,500 of in-kind resources were leveraged by VISTA members.
Qr Developmen
Q' t and Opioid ' 90 organizations received capacity building services.
F� VISTA • 31 organizations completed a community assessment identifying goals.
,��, Project • 35 organizations reported that their VISTA support made them more efficient.
,'� • 35 organizations reported that their VISTA support made them more effective.
v� • 183 community volunteers/staff received training as a result of capacity
Q" building services provided by the VISTA Member and/or the host site
ir
p or anization.
,V [owa • 144 community volunteers that were managed by VISTA Members and/or
�" Campus their host site organization.
�� p $5,294 of in-kind resources were leveraged by VISTA members.
Com act •
¢ V[STA
Pro ram
• 362 enrolled volunteers served approximately 34,300 hours.
o Focus Area: Healthy Futures - 7,548 hours served by 96 volunteers
y with 12 organizations.
� o Focus Area: Disaster Services - 33 hours served by 11 volunteers with 2
T,�. Dubuque organizations.
� RSVP o Focus Area: Economic Opportunity - 151 hours served by 6 volunteers
a (Retired with 2 organizations.
Senior o Focus Area: Education - 481 hours served by 9 volunteers with 1
y Volunteer organization.
Q" Program) o Focus Area: Environmental Stewardship - 12,901 hours served by 127
� volunteers with 3 organizations.
V o Focus Area: Non-Profit Capacity Building and General Community
y
i. Priorities - 14,273 hours served by 106 volunteers with 9
.� or anizations.
� Dubuque . 207 K-5 children were served by Foster Grandparents with 132 demonstrating
�j Foster improved academic achievement (63.8%).
Grandpare . 70 pre-K children were served by Foster Grandparents with 68 demonstrating
nt Program im roved school readiness 97.1% .
Requested Action:
Support AmeriCorps and funding for National Service Partnership through the
Corporation for National and Community Service.
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AmeriCorps Backqround Checks
On January 8, 2020, the Corporation of National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal
agency that provides oversight to all National Service programs- including AmeriCorps, Senior
Corps and Service Enterprise grantees, proposed a new rule that would significantly change the
process of National Service Criminal History Checks required of all CNCS grantees and sub-
grantees.
This proposed rule makes significant changes to the current rule that will significantly impact our
AmeriCorps Partners in Learning Program and other AmeriCorps grants that serve the City of
Dubuque and the Greater Dubuque Area.
The impacts are as follows:
CNCS grantees and subgrantees will be required to use the two CNCS-approved vendors —
Fieldprint and Truescreen.
o Checks run through these vendors are:
1) More expensive than the current lowa Department of Criminal Investigation
2) Provide limited results through a Pass/Fail check to the criminal history of an applicant,
only reviewing the following criteria without the ability to apply program-specific criteria to
all results:
• (a) Refuses to consent to a criminal history check described in § 2540.204;
• (b) Makes a false statement in connection with a criminal history check
described in § 2540.204 of this chapter;
• (c) Is registered, or is required to be registered, on a state sex offender registry
or the National Sex Offender Registry; or
• (d) Has been convicted of murder, as defined in 18 U.S.C. 1111 .
3) Provide significant and unequitable barriers to access to serving within the
AmeriCorps program, including:
• Requiring access to a computer, internet, ability to upload sensitive
documentation, reliable transportation, significant computer literacy skills
4) Increases administrative burden to grantees and sub-grantees.
o These vendors will currently not agree to requested changes to liability and insurance
clauses requested by City Attorney, Barry Lindahl. The agreements would place all
liability for mishandled checks or inappropriate clearances on the City of Dubuque.
The proposed rule, as currently written, creates a significant concern for the safety of the
vulnerable populations that AmeriCorps Programs serve, a significant risk to the City of
Dubuque, and is a clear over-reach by the federal government.
Requested Action:
Oppose the new rule that would signi�cantly change the process of"national
service criminal history checks"required of all CNCS grantees and sub-grantees
and continue local control of background checks.
Youth Re-enqaqement
The city and its partners support legislation for youth re-engagement efforts that are designed to
re-engage out-of-school youth and that provide multiple routes to high school completion, college,
and career readiness.
. To provide grant funding to district partnerships to significantly increase the rate of recovery
for out-of-school youth in earning a high school diploma on a pathway to post-secondary
success;
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. To incentivize and support the expansion and effectiveness of out-of-school youth
reengagement programs that identify, re-enroll, and provide an individualized program that
meets needs of out-of-school youth and leads to post-secondary success
. To incentivize states and districts to develop funding and accountability policies that
facilitate, and remove barriers to, the sustainable expansion of programs designed to re-
engage out-of-school youth and that provide multiple routes to high school completion,
college- and career-readiness, and the transition into post-secondary and career; and
. To create a national exchange on effective practices, as well as other efforts, to support
out-of-school youth reengagement policies and programs.
Requested Action:
The city supports the engagement of federal, state and district level leadership,
policy and funding to reverse the growing trend of out-of-school youth.
America's River at the Port of Dubuque:
Dubuque County Historical Society dba National Mississippi River Museum Vision:
Become the world's leader in interpreting and protecting the life, history and culture of our rivers,
to create a more global, knowledgeable and engaged citizen.
Dubuque County Historical Society dba National Mississippi River Museum Mission:
The Dubuque County Historical Society (DCHS) and the National Mississippi River Museum &
Aquarium (NMRM&A) has become the most comprehensive river museum in the country
dedicated to our mission - to inspire stewardship by creating educational experiences where
history and rivers come alive.
Over the past 40 years, 4.3 million people have visited the Museum & Aquarium with on-site
visitation and off-site outreach reaching 275,000 annually including 75,000 school-aged children
and �300 teachers. We receive an average of 84 direct requests for archival materials each
year from researchers all over the world. Our 14-acre waterfront campus includes indoor and
outdoor exhibits, houses 1 ,884 animals representing 214 species, and stewards a significant
historical collection of objects and archival materials. Our 2-acre historic campus includes a 32-
room Italianate-style mansion, an Arriandeau-style Log House (lowa's oldest building), a
granary, and a one-room schoolhouse. The Museum campus features aquariums, aviaries, 2D
& 4D theaters, hands-on programs, exhibits, wetlands, wet labs, a conservation lab, and water
tables all with significant scientific, educational, and research functions. As visitors account for
three times the entire population of Dubuque, the Museum remains a leading informal
educational institution in lowa and the Tri-State area (IA, IL, & WI) and a leading collaborator in
informal STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. An affiliate of
the Smithsonian Institution, Museum & Aquarium is one of only 12 institutions in the nation
accredited by both the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the American Alliance of
Museums (AAM).
Critical Issues the Museum & Aquarium are working to address: We believe, in the next
decade, that access to clean water, loss of critically endangered species, and a necessary
increase in the public understanding of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics) learning and conservation will continue to be at the forefront of the global issues
facing us all.
Reqional/Local: Spanning more than four decades, and across 16 acres, the Dubuque County
Historical Society and National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium has been collecting,
preserving, and interpreting life in Dubuque and the Mississippi River and the rivers of America.
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The Society's collections, both living and historical, include 2,000 animals representing 200
species, 13 buildings and vessels, 29,000 artifacts, and 22,000 archival items. Together, these
collections tell the big stories of the culture, commerce, and conservation of the Mississippi
River and are testament to our belief that the Mississippi River should be forever protected and
interpreted in order to create a more global, knowledgeable, and engaged citizen.
STRATEGIC GOALS for BROADER IMPACT
1. Reimagine Dynamic Visitor Experiences: -To inspire and engage a global audience
with compelling and dynamic exhibits and programmatic experiences which give meaning
to STEM education in an informal learning institution. Initiative:
a. River of Innovation: Consisting of an intact 19�h century belt-driven machine
shop, themed hands-on "Innovation CurrenY' exhibits, and a maker space
spanning over 9,000 sq. ft., River of Innovation places the learner at the center of
the history of boat building to interweave relevant history stories and interactive
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities that will;
reveal to visitors their own power to innovate; present a robust vision of innovation
that address social, cultural, personal, or technological examples of innovation;
and, provide authentic opportunities for visitors to create. This exhibit will broaden
the Museum's current audience base and serve as an institutional model for future
project development and community engagement. Combining history, culture, and
STEM in ways not seen before on the Museum & Aquarium campus, River of
Innovation aims to inspire the next generation to innovate.
Federal and State of lowa funding for River of Innovation: Since 2015, this project has
received more than $250,000 in funding from the State of lowa and over $425,000 in federal
funding from both the National Endowment for the Humanities Infrastructure and Capacity
Building Challenge Grant and Institute for Museum and Library Services with matching funds
from corporations, individuals and foundations.
2. National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium as a Conservation & Research
Lab: The Museum & Aquarium will be utilized as a conservation research facility to
propagate threatened species, showcase new scientific discoveries, broaden
partnerships, and improve habitats within the 31-state the Mississippi River watershed.
Initiatives as follows:
a. Promotion of conservation through our Take Conservation Action through
Advocacy, Research, and Engagement (CAARE) by engaging in conservation
action to preserve our shared future and protect our freshwater and marine
habitats where our community is the beneficiary. Initiatives include:
i. Advocacy — Inspiring a social and sustainable mindset within our community
by encouraging positive attitudes towards change.
ii. Research — Facilitate project-based learning opportunities designed to
target and solve practical problems.
iii. Engagement — Connect members of our community directly to authentic
conservation action through hands-on experiences.
Established Projects Include:
a. Freshwater Mussel Propagation for Restoration — to include raising endangered
freshwater mussels and improve water quality in partnership with the US Fish &
Wildlife Service (USFWS),
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b. Yard Management Practices — Encourage the elimination of harmful pesticides
from yard management.
c. Invasive Species Removal — Clear invasive plant species to encourage growth of
native species and increase biodiversity.
d. Host site for FrogWatch USA, a citizen science program of the Association of Zoos
and Aquariums (AZA) that provides individuals, groups, and families with an
opportunity to learn about wetlands in their communities and report data on the
calls of local frogs and toads.
e. Propagate over 48,000 Wyoming Toad tadpoles (since 2008) alongside USFWS
and ten Association for Zoos and Aquariums affiliate organizations, which had led
to removing Wyoming Toads from the endangered species list.
f. Selected by the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission and the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2019, the Museum &
Aquarium will preserve coral diversity by creating a land-based ark to preserve
coral diversity in the face of a devastating disease outbreak in the Florida Reef
Tract. The Museum & Aquarium will house a number of corals for three years in an
holding area (non-public) until they can be released.
Evolving Projects Include:
a. Stewardship Programs — Design project-based conservation centered programs
for youth and families.
b. Chose to Refuse — Foster a "Choose to Refuse" attitude among businesses to
lower use of plastics.
c. Establish Pollinator Habitat — Build pollinator habitats and increase monarch
monitoring efforts.
3. Stewardship of our Historic and Living Collections: Taking great care in the preservation
of the 51 ,000 items and over 2,000 animals and 200 species in our historical and living
collections respectively, we plan to expand our reach in conservation and preservation activities.
a. Mathias Ham Historic Site — Over the next four years the Museum & Aquarium will
support the restoration efforts and improvements of the Mathias Ham Historic Site (2
acres) including the a 32-room Italianate-style mansion listed on the National
Registrar of Historic Places, built in 1856, the 1833 Arriandeau Log House (lowa's
oldest building), an 1840s granary, and the 1883 Humke one-room school house,
which have all been interpreting the humanities for more than 55 years.
b. William M. Black dredge boat —The William M. Black historic vessel, is a U.S
National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Black has received funding from the National Park Service's National Maritime
Heritage grant program and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Funding
supported lead-based paint removal, a new roof, and a new fire security system for
the boat, which is a tourist destination for 205,000 people each year
Federal and State of lowa funding to support the Mathias Ham Historic Site & the William
M. Black: Projects at both of these historic sites received a combined total of$537,000 in State
of lowa and City of Dubuque funding in 2018, Federal funding was secured from the National
Park Service and National Endowment for the Humanities Infrastructure and Capacity
Buildings Challenge Grant in 2016 and 2018 respectively. Work at both sites will begin in
2020.
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Opportunities for New and Continued Federal Partnerships:
. Continue to work with USFW and other federal and state agencies to study, nurture, and
propagate important species, which are endangered or threatened and are typically not
the primary focus of state Departments of Natural Resources. Species include freshwater
mussels, toads, coral, and other vital and often ignored species.
. Work with USDA and others to engage people to reduce nutrient loading, understand
sediment flow, and improve water quality for the Mississippi, its 31-state watershed, and
the Gulf of Mexico.
. Raise awareness of flood prevention and flood control with partners such as: University of
lowa Flood Center, Coastal America, which works with NOAA, USFWS the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Agriculture and other
federal agencies.
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is awaiting confirmation a pending grant
proposal, submitted in 2019, totaling $500,000 from the Institute for Museum & Library Services
(IMLS). Federal grants currently in process from the National Endowment for the Humanities
and National Park Service total $566,000. All of the projects associated with these federal
dollars are or will improve the quality of STEM learning combined with a restoration of our
historic artifacts, and conservation efforts for our living collections, while increasing our capacity
to raise significant funds.
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Institute for Museum and Library Services
(IMLS), United States Fish & Wildlife Services (USFWS), and the National Park Service (NPS)
all support and recognize museums such as ours institutions of learning and exploration, and as
keepers of our cultural, historical, and scientific heritages. These federal funding programs teach
essential skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and effective communication, and are
increasingly sought-after by employers. NEH also funds humanities councils in every state and
U.S. territory that sponsor family literacy programs, speakers' bureaus, cultural heritage tourism,
exhibitions, and live performances. Since 1980, the Dubuque Country Historical Society (DCHS)
has received $2.8 million from the NEH, $475,000 from National Park Service, and $1.8
million from the IMLS to help preserve Dubuque, and the Mississippi River's cultural, historical,
and scientific heritage through our exhibits, historic preservation initiatives, and educational
programming. These funds play a critical role in future funding for the Dubuque County
Historical Society dba National River Museum & Aquarium wherein private dollars would not be
able to match the leveraging role of government cultural funding.
Requested Action:
We ask for continued support for federal programs providing competitive grants
including National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute for Museum and
Library Services National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Fish & Wildlife Services,
and other education and research grants that support the mission and goals of the
Dubuque County Historical Society dba National Mississippi River Museum &
Aquarium and the National Rivers Hall of Fame's national education and outreach
program RiverWorks Discovery.
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Dream Center
The City Council has prioritized support for the Dream Center. The mission of the Dream
Center is to serve as "a Community Outreach Center committed to mobilizing youth and families
to build on Dr. King's Dream of transforming communities by embracing, empowering, and
unifying those who live there. We strive to inspire vision and purpose through: Impacting Youth,
Strengthening Families, and Building Community. https://www.dubuquedreamcenter.com/
The Dubuque Dream Center strategy — to Impact Youth and Strengthen Families — begins
with our In Your Life Mentoring model. On the foundation of genuine relationships, In Your Life
Mentors are strategically connected around an individualized plan to provide a child with the
assets they need to be successful in school and life.
Our program is structured to strategically impact students through our Academic Center,
Spark Activities, Healthy Meals, character development curriculum and family engagement.
The Dream Center's long term vision includes holistic initiatives to benefit the entire community.
Our essential youth impact structure includes Academic Initiatives, Character Development, and
College & Career preparation."
Requested Action:
Support full funding of the federal Full Service Community Schools Program.
Fountain of Youth
The City Council has prioritized support for the Fountain of Youth. "The mission of the Fountain
of Youth is to change mindsets that contribute to generational poverty. We help people with
what is the largest issue at the time they are ready for it. This makes it crucial that we find a way
to help and don't push people through a "cookie-cutter" approach. Participants must be able to
choose their own goals so they can be invested. This is also important so participants can learn
and embrace the process. This is important for participants so they can continue the process
even if they are no longer part of our programming. Our program model acknowledges and
celebrates important personal achievements no matter the size; these achievements initiate the
change that ultimately produces major transformative success stories."
https://www.thefountainofvouthproqram.orq/
Requested Action:
. Support the Second Chance Act Comprehensive Community-Based Adult
Reentry program. This program supports non pro�t organizations that
provide reentry services and transition services from prison or jail to
community.
. Support the Labor Health and Human Services budget which includes $98
million for the reintegration of former offenders.
. Support funding for the US Department of Education Literacy Program for
Prisoners, Life Skills.
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Four Mounds Foundation/HEART Adult Proqram:
The City Council has prioritized support for the Four Mounds Foundation, HEART Adult
Program. https://www.fourmounds.orq/adultproqramminq/
The HEART Partnership and Program is growing to serve adults. HEART Adult Program will join
the HEART Youth Program to build workforce development and economic vibrancy by
replicating the successful youth HEART model. The expanded program will serve adults
disconnected from the world of work.
"With our dynamic partners, Four Mounds will intervene in the life trajectory of young adults at
risk, giving them skills, choices, and guidance through home and community restoration
projects, while they discover their potential and map out successful futures.
The project is investing in 12-20 individuals initially, with a targeted population of unemployed
and underemployed individuals, adults in need of a high school diploma, and formerly
incarcerated community members.
The program will empower participants to take part in or lead service-learning projects that
revitalize and invest in our urban core through gut-rehabilitation and restoration training. We will
work with our partners to remove barriers to success for each participant such as childcare,
transportation, access to mental health, or other community resources. Participants will receive
a paycheck, holistic support, education, and connections to employment opportunities.
The Model:
. Authentic job site gives participants the opportunity to develop carpentry skills, work ethic,
and learn to effectively collaborate with a construction team, instructors, and classmates
. Participants are in class two days per week at Northeast lowa Community College and
spend two days on the job site for six to eight hours
. Flexible Fridays will be used for either working on the job site or upskilling labs at NICC
. Strong community partners will provide financial literacy education, wrap-around supports
and more
. Participants are considered employees of Four Mounds and will earn $12 per hour at the
work site
. Graduates of the program are entering a career field where their wages will be higher
than basic carpentry because of specialized skills in restoration. Companies and
contractors are seeking these specialized craftspeople to work on small and large
projects across the community"
Requested Action:
Support the US Dept of Labor funding of Reentry grants for young adults 18 - 24
who have been involved in the juvenile or adult justice systems or formerly
incarcerated adults. The program grants support participants inclusion and
integration into society and employment opportunities, family support and
economic and social self-su�ciency.
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Mines of Spain- E.B. Interpretive Center
The Mines of Spain State Recreation Area comprises 1 ,440 acres of forest and prairie along the
Mississippi River, and is a significant resource for the Driftless Region. The park is a National
Historic Landmark and a state preserve with rich historic, archeological and natural resources. It
includes a state nature preserve and adjoins the Upper Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Refuge.
This National Historic Landmark preserves rare riverfront habitat and also contains thousands of
years of human history dating from the early Mississippian period through the early-twentieth
century.
The E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center serves as a visitor information center and park office for the
Mines of Spain. It opened in 1976 on land acquired with a federal Land and Water Conservation
Fund (LWCF) grant. The Interpretive Center was doubled in size in 2010 to include more
accessible space for educational purposes. The Friends of the Mines of Spain obtained private,
local, state and federal funds for the project. Federal funding included LWCF, National Scenic
Byway, and Preserve America grants.
The 30-acre E.B. Lyons Interpretive Area surrounding the center was nearly tripled with
acquisition of 52 adjacent acres in 2013. Land acquisition was funded by state grants, private
contributions and a federal LWCF grant.
In 2015, interpretive opportunities were expanded on the 82-acre E.B. Lyons Interpretive Area
with construction of the state park's first accessible multi-use trail, an outdoor classroom,
interpretive kiosks, and additional parking. Development was funded with a federal LWCF grant,
state grants and private contributions.
Requested Action:
The City supports any funding or programs that would provide additional land
acquisition and park development because it will enhance and increase the park's
cultural, natural, and recreational opportunities available to area residents and
visitors while buffering the park from surrounding development.
Additionally, the support of AmeriCorps and other programs that would help to expand and
strengthen permanent staffing needs for the E.B. Lyons Nature Center. This in turn would
ensure outstanding and consistent programming especially related to education of youth and
families about sustainability, the environment, history and more.
Requested Action:
The Mines of Spain asks for continued support for the Land and Water
Conservation Fund and for AmeriCorps program which provides staff for myriad
tasks at the Mines of Spain.
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