City Council Priority - Dream CenterCopyrighted
March 2, 2020
City of Dubuque Action Items # 5.
ITEM TITLE: City Council Priority - Dream Center
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending that the Mayor and City
Council dedicate $176,000 in Fiscal Year 2020 and
$100,000 in Fiscal Year 2021 of this already budgeted
funding to the Dream Center project.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council Priority -Dream Center-MVM Memo City Manager Memo
Attachment #1 Supporting Documentation
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: City Council Priority - Dream Center
DATE: February 25, 2020
Dubuque
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All-A.aia City
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2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
In August 2019, at the annual goal setting process, the Mayor and City Council selected
the Dream Center as a Top Priority. City staff has met with Dubuque Dream Center
Executive Director Robert Kimble to learn about any barriers they have to continued
success. One of the most significant barriers was operational funding. In the Fiscal
Year 2021 Economic Development budget, there is a recommendation to provide
$40,000 per year for the next two years to provide operational support to the Dream
Center. Robert identified a capital improvement project that could be made at their
facility at 1600 White Street that generates significant operational funding.
Robert described that in routine delivery of services to the almost 200 families who are
engaged in "In Your Life Mentoring," the legal definition of childcare services are met,
qualifying the Dream Center families for State of Iowa childcare financial assistance.
They have many clients who could do direct pay for the services, with the potential for
up to $800,000 per year in annual operating funding.
The obstacle to the Dream Center receiving this money is their facility does not meet
the State of Iowa childcare guidelines and they do not have adequate green space to
meet the guidelines.
The Dream Center has identified a $636,000 capital improvement project to be done
over the next two years that would lead to the Dream Center qualifying for this up to
$800,000 a year in operating revenues from childcare services. The Dream Center has
identified $360,000 in resources to do this project (Attachment #1) leaving them
$276,000 short of full funding.
The Mayor and City Council has budgeted $200,000 a year beginning in the current
fiscal year (FY2020) to assist downtown non -profits with building renovations related to
Americans with Disability (ADA) improvements and for weatherization, alternative
energy and energy efficiencies.
The improvements needed to their existing facility and the creation of green space
meets the general intent of the funding and certainly meets the City Council priority.
This project will fit the City's neighborhood reinvestment and workforce development
goals.
I respectfully recommend that the Mayor and City Council dedicate $176,000 in Fiscal
Year 2020 and $100,000 in Fiscal Year 2021 of this already budgeted funding to the
Dream Center project.
brittj WI/
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Robert Kimble, Dubuque Dream Center Executive Director
Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Jill Connors, Economic Development
2
Attachment #1
Dubuque Dream Center 2020-21 Childcare Project
Confirmed Revenue
Projected Revenue Requested
Total Revenue/Expenses
Confirmed Revenue
Project Revenue
DRA Grant
$150,000.00
Match Donation(Conlon/&other)
$125,000.00
Planning and Design Grant
$10,000.00
Dubuque County
$75,000.00
Fojected Revenue Requested
City of Dubuque
$276,000.00
TOTAL CONFIRMED REVENUE
$360,000.00
TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENSES
$636,000.00
DIFFERENCE
($276,000.00)