7 8 20 City Council Proceedings Official_SpecialCITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL SESSION
OFFICIAL
The Dubuque City Council met in special session at 5:00 p.m. on July 8, 2020.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and mandates for social distancing, this meeting was
conducted virtually via GoToMeeting 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, 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 discussing and determining the process for filling a vacancy in the
Office of First Ward City Council Member.
ACTION ITEMS
1. Filling a Vacancy in the Office of First Ward City Council Member: City Council to
discuss and determine the process for filing a vacancy in the Office of First Ward City
Council Member as a result of Council Member Brett Shaw's resignation. Restated motion
by Jones to receive and file the documents and adopt Resolution No. 205-20 Intent to Fill
a Vacancy in the Office of First Ward City Council Member by Appointment . It was further
moved that letters of interest to fill the vacancy will be accepted until noon on July 20,
2020 at the City Clerk’s Office; candidate interviews will be conducted at a special, virtual
meeting on July 23, 2020 starting at 6:00 p.m.; appointment will be made at a special,
virtual meeting (prior to the scheduled work session) on July 27, 2020 starting at 6:00
p.m. The City Clerk will facilitate administering the Oath of Office with the appointee.
Seconded by Roussell. Motion carried 6-0.
RESOLUTION NO. 205-20
INTENT TO FILL A VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF FIRST WARD CITY COUNCIL
MEMBER BY SPECIAL ELECTION
Whereas, there is a vacancy in the Office of City Council Member for the First Ward;
and
Whereas, Iowa Code § 372.13(2)(b) allows the vacancy to be filled by a special election
held to fill the office for the remaining balance of the unexpired term, which special
election must be called by the City Council at the earliest practicable date; and
Whereas, the City Council has elected to fill the vacancy in the Office of City Council
Member for the First Ward by a special election; and
Whereas, the City Council must give the County Commissioner at least sixty days'
written notice of the date chosen for the special election.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF DUBUQUE,
IOWA AS FOLLOWS:
1. The City council hereby elects to fill the vacancy in the Office of City Council Member
for the First Ward by a special election.
2. The County Commissioner is requested to hold a special election in accordance with
state law at the earliest possible date to fill the vacancy in the Office of City Council
Member for the First Ward for the remaining balance of the unexpired term.
3. The City Clerk is directed to provide a copy of this resolution to the County
Commissioner.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 8th day of July 2020.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest: Kevin S. Firnstahl, City Clerk
With input from City Attorney Brumwell, the City Council discussed health issues,
expenses and blackout dates as provided by the Dubuque County Elections Office related
to mounting a special election and potential primary election; the provision for a petition
by Ward 1 residents for a special election; the expedience of an appointment versus an
election(s); and a timeline for a call for candidates, interviews and appointment.
There being no further business, Mayor Buol declared the meeting adjourned at 5:47
p.m.
s/Kevin S. Firnstahl, CMC, City Clerk