2 10 20 City Council Proceedings Official - SpecialCITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL SESSION
OFFICIAL
The Dubuque City Council met in special session at 6:00 p.m. on February 10, 2020
in the second-floor Council Chambers of the Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6 th Street.
Present: Mayor Buol; Council Members Cavanagh, Resnick, Roussell, Shaw, Sprank;
City Manager Van Milligen, City Attorney Brumwell
Absent: Council Member Jones
Mayor Buol read the call and stated this is a special session of the City Council called
for the purpose of conducting work sessions on the 2018 Annexation Study and Nutrient
Trading Update and a closed session on professional evaluations.
WORK SESSION(S)
The order of the work sessions was reversed to accommodate out-of-town presenters.
1. Nutrient Trading Update: Assistant City Manager Teri Goodmann, IDNR Water Qual-
ity Coordinator Adam Schnieders, Director, Water Quality Partnerships for Sand County
Foundation - Madison, WI Bartlett Durand; Urban Conservationist Eric Schmechel; and
Water & Resource Recovery Plant Manager Willie O’Brien conducted a work session with
the City Council on the status of the Nutrient Trading Program. Topics included:
• Project Background – Nutrient Pollution
• Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS) 2013
• Nutrient Reduction Exchange Framework Development (2015 Conservation In-
novation Grant)
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements at the
Water & Resource Recover Center (W&RRC)
• Watershed partnerships
• Catfish Creek Watershed Management Authority
• Synergy with strategic partners
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
The presenters responded to questions from the City Council regarding new program
creation for nutrient capture within the W&RRC; watershed improvements; return on in-
vestment ratios; landowner partners and cooperation; and water quality funding and
grants.
This work session concluded at 7:25 p.m.
2. 2018 Annexation Study: Planning Services Manager Laura Carsten and Planning
Assistant Travis Schrobilgen conducted a work session with the City Council regarding
the 2018 Annexation Study for discussion and feedback. Topic included:
• Annexation Study Team
• Annexation process in Iowa (urbanized o r non-urbanized area) – 100% voluntary,
80/20% voluntary without owner consent, involuntary annexation
• City of Dubuque annexation history since 1995
• 2018 Annexation Study:
o Part I: General layout and characteristics of study areas, development assump-
tions, future land use, land use projections, public/private streets, fringe -area
development,
o Part II Methodology for Cost-Benefit Analysis
▪ Developable land inventory
▪ Water mains and sanitary sewers
▪ Projected revenues and expenses
▪ Projected development potential and valuation
▪ What the analysis did not provide
o Part III: Study/Growth Area Evaluation
▪ General characteristics of study areas – future land use, developable land,
sanitary sewer, water
▪ Comparison of area revenues and expenditure at full development
o Part IV: Vacant and developable properties (residential/non-residential)
▪ City metro-area projections
▪ City of Dubuque inventory
▪ City metro-area needs
o Part V: Prioritization and comparative analysis
▪ Major factors for prioritization
o Value of 2018 Annexation Study
o Appendix (referenced)
o Regional context
o Water quality issues
o Water and sewer improvements
o Public safety improvements
The presenters and Water Department Manager Denise Blakely-Ihrig responded to
questions from the City Council regarding the inability to annex incorporated areas and
creating land “islands,” the cost effectiveness of feasible growth areas, and water distri-
bution concerns.
This work session concluded at 8:13 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Resnick to convene in closed session at 8:14 p.m. to discuss professional
evaluations pursuant to Chapter 21.5(1)(i) Code of Iowa. Seconded by Shaw. Motion car-
ried 7-0.
Upon motion, the City Council reconvened in open session at 9:35 p.m. stating that
staff had been given proper direction.
There being no further business, motion by Resnick to adjourn at 9:36 p.m. Seconded
by Roussell. Motion carried 7-0.
/s/Kevin S. Firnstahl, CMC, City Clerk