Minutes_City Council Proceedings 6 8 20CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL SESSION
The Dubuque City Council met in special session at 6:30 p.m. on June 8, 2020. Due
to the COVID-19 pandemic and mandates for social distancing, this meeting was
conducted virtually and aired live on CityChannel Dubuque (Mediacom cable channels 8
and 117.2), streamed live on the city's website at www.cityofdubuque.org/media, and
streamed live on the City's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofdubuque.
Present: Mayor Buol; Council Members Cavanagh, Jones, Resnick, Roussell, Shaw,
Sprank; City Manager Van Milligen, City Attorney Brumwell
Mayor Buol read the call and stated this is a special session of the City Council called
for the purpose of conducting a work session on the internal and community -facing
response to COVID-19.
PRESENTATION
1. Mayor Buol's Emergency Declaration Proclamation Update: Mayor Buol provided an
update to his Emergency Declaration Proclamation of June 1, 2020 highlighting
information relative to the opening of Leisure Services facilities; rescinding and refunding
special event permits already granted through July 6; and giving the City Manager the
authority to review special event requests held on public property and rights -of -way
through July 6, 2020 on a case -by -case basis.
ACTION ITEM
1. City Council Resolution on Racism: Mayor Buol presented and read the Dubuque
City Council's joint Resolution on Racism. Motion by Resnick to receive and file the
document and adopt Resolution No. 171-20 Dubuque City Council Resolution on Racism.
City Council Members thanked Mayor Buol and provided individual statements regarding
the need, significance and priority of the joint resolution. Seconded by Jones. Motion
carried 7-0.
WORK SESSION
Internal and Community -Facing Response to COVID-19
1. COVID-19 Update: Assistant City Manager Cori Burbach facilitated updates on the
internal and community -facing response to COVID-19 from City departments and network
partners.
Community COVID-19 Update & Communication Response: Mary Rose Corrigan,
Public Health Specialist, reported on information from the Dubuque County Incident
Management Team and the Iowa Department of Public Health that included an overview
of the number of positive cases and deaths related to COVID-19 for the state, by county
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and by age group; community testing changes, testing providers and targeting testing;
increases in the Testlowa state-wide testing capacity; and state-wide outbreak data in
long-term care facilities.
Alexis Steger, Housing & Community Development Director, reported on the status
and success of the non -congregate sheltering program that is preventing spreading of
COVID-19 to larger census shelters adding that these sheltering needs will continue.
Mask of Wellness Campaign Update: Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer, reported
that the Mask of Wellness is a positive empowering approach that promotes responsible
behavior that is necessary to keep society open during this pandemic while benefiting the
social, physical and economic areas of wellness. He added information on outreach
efforts and the results of marketing the online program through social media and trusted
sources. www.maskofwellness.com, and www.cityofdubuque.org/covidl9.
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Update: Jenna Manders, Director of
Strategic Relations, reported on the status of the Foundation's Disaster Recover Fund
including donation commitments, applications and grants; focused funding for vulnerable
populations; grant submissions to date; Food System services and data; impact on
immigration systems; updated Resource Guide and brain health resources.
United Way of Dubuque Update: Danielle Peterson, President/CEO, reported on relief
funding recipient data; partnerships; identifying needs such as childcare, food scarcity,
and eviction and funeral issues; updates to and data from the 211 help line; legislative
advocacy; and human resource network.
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation: Rick Dickinson, President/CEO, reported
on the regional economy and workforce data and recovery projections; ranked impacted
areas of food service/hospitality, retail, industry, health/social assistance, manufacturing,
government/education; establishing the business help line 563-588-3350, public -private
partnerships assistance; small business loan program, and the Safe -at -Work program;
business retention expansion; and workforce recruitment www.accessdubuque.com.
Rental & Mortgage Assistance (Local & Iowa Finance Authority programs: Alexis
Steger, Housing & Community Development Director, reported on the eligibility criteria
for the rental/mortgage assistance program for renters, mortgage holders and landlords,
www.iowafinance.com. The program retroactive to April 1, 2020.
Leisure Services Update: Marie Ware, Leisure Services, reported on the status of the
recreational programs that will return in phases; online seasonal brochures coming;
compliance with social distancing component; Miracle League Field open in late July;
Bunker Hill Golf Course is open with the clubhouse delivering food and beverage outside
only; the Marina is open with the C-Store providing only outside service of priority items;
Multicultural Family Center remodeling completed the first week of July with programming
under review and special events cancelled; status of AmeriCorps grant applications and
activities. Park Division seasonal staff is not hired; restrooms remain closed; a minimal
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number of picnic tables will be placed; sanitation of playground equipment is under
review; Comiskey Park redesign continues with a protracted schedule; the Five Flags
Center remains closed with most events having been rescheduled and staff furloughed;
Grand River Center remains closed with 2020 events postponed or rescheduled.
Fiscal Year 21 Budget Team Strategies: Jennifer Larson, Finance & Budget Manager;
and Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager, reported on the state of the City's 2020 and
2021 fiscal years and departmental strategies to review revenue; essential vs. non-
essential services; guidance from four budget review teams; 10-20-30% budget reduction
plan exceptions and criteria; review of revenue resources and projections; operating
budget review and criteria; staffing review and criteria; capital and equipment review and
criteria; purchase of services and contract review; and measuring the equity impact.
The presenters responded to questions from the City Council following groups of
presentations.
There being no further business, Mayor Buol declared the meeting adjourned at 8:55
p.m.
1t 6/17
/s/Kevin S. Firnstahl, CMC
City Clerk
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