7 9 03 City Council Proceedings OfficialCITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
OFFICIAL
City Council, Special Session, July 9, 2003
Council Met at 6:00 P.M. in the Five Flags Theater
Present: Mayor Duggan, Council Members Buol, Cline, Connors, Markham, Michalski,
Nicholson, City Manager Van Milligen, Corporation Counsel Lindahl
Mayor Duggan read the call and stated this is a Special Session of the City Council called for
the purpose of conducting a Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2004 Budget Amendment.
Proofs of Publication on Notice of Public Hearing on Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2004,
upon motion received and filed.
Communication of the City Manager regarding the Fiscal Year 2004 budget amendment.
Communication from Wayne Dow, Firefighter, concerning the proposed budget
recommendations.
Communication from Jonas Bandy, Vice-President of the Dubuque Professional Firefighters’
Association, regarding proposed staffing reductions in the Fire Department.
Communication from Marian Williams, 1120 Savanna Drive, regarding cutting the police and
fire departments.
Communication from Angela J. Petsche, 2301 Prince Street, in opposition to cutting positions
from the Fire Department.
Petitions from citizens regarding the proposed cuts to Keyline bus service and the proposed
fare increases.
Upon motion the various communications and petitions were received and filed.
Upon motion it was resolved to suspend the rules to allow anyone present to address the
Council if they so desire.
Public input and discussion were given on departments in the following order:
Airport – No comments;
Building Services – No comments;
Cable TV – No comments;
City Clerk’s Office – No comments;
City Council – No comments;
City Manager’s Office – No comments;
Economic Development – No comments;
1
Emergency Communications – No comments;
Emergency Management – No comments;
Engineering/Public Works – Steve Cavanaugh, 955 Shelby Street and representing BFI,
stated that the increase for dumpster fees from $5.00 to $100.00 was unreasonable;
Finance – No comments;
Fire – The following spoke in opposition to cutting any positions in the Fire Department, some
citing the past professional and timely actions of the Fire Department personnel and the
possible danger of not enough personnel in emergency situations: Mrs. John (Marlene)
Boland, Morgan Eitter, Tom Ready, Judith Krueger, Marian Williams, Sue Voelkner, Merle
Duehr as the representative of Dubuque Federation of Labor, Jim Miller as a Fire Dept.
retiree, John Finn of The Busted Lift, Rosemary Heim; Mike Burds of the Fire Dept.; Jody
Diercks; Joanie McDonough, Jennifer Klaus, Linda Woods, Ray Hutchinson, Dave Beaves,
Dr. Doug Butzier, John Walker, Christie Luster, Jonas Bandy, Julie Bandy, Charles Blasen, Jim
Burdt, David Grass, Steve Haupert, Amie Wilson, Dale Rader, Jeff Sanderfield. Chuck Duggan,
Mike McMahon, Terry Stewart, Bob Boland, Kevin Schmitt, Pat Easch, Becky Stumpf, Robin
Kennicker; Noelle Coleman, Laura Behnke, Linda Peacock, Bobbie Delaney, Jim Mitchell,
Dave Schuster, Duane Prine.
Five Flags – No comments;
Health – No comments;
Housing and Community Development – John Herrig, 13668 Surrey Lane, spoke in opposition
to the increase in rental license fees, Donna Schmitt, 11470 Rupp Hollow Road, spoke in
opposition to the wages of employees supported by federal funds being frozen;
Human Rights – No comments;
Information Services – Dave Grass, Firefighter, spoke in opposition to the elimination of
overtime as these services are vital to the Fire Department twenty-four hours a day;
Legal – No comments;
Library – Michael Shubatt, Library Board of Trustees, thanked the City Manager for changing
the budget recommendations with regards to the Library; Matthew Zmudka, as a Library Intern,
spoke in opposition to any cuts at the Library; Connor Anderson, Information Specialist at the
Library, spoke in support of retaining the Library’s level of service; Ruth Scharnau, 2905
Wilderness Road, spoke in support of the Library;
Operations and Maintenance – No comments;
Park Division – Dave Baker, Presidents of the Teamster Local #421, spoke in opposition to
cutting the Park Ranger position and police and fire positions; Dave Birch, 2106 Kniest, spoke
in favor of retaining the Park Ranger position;
Parking Division – No comments;
Planning Services – No comments;
Police Department – Jonas Bandy, Vice-President of the Dubuque Professional Firefighters’
Association, spoke in opposition to any cuts in the Police Department as Police and Fire
depend on each other; Tom Pregler, speaking on behalf of the Police Protective Association,
spoke in opposition to any cuts in the Police Department; Tom Ready, President of the
Dubuque Professional Firefighters’ Association, stated it was vital to have complete Police
Department force; Cindy Markus spoke in opposition to any police or fire cuts; Police Officer
Rebecca Stieber spoke in opposition to any reductions in the Police Department; Rosemary
Heim spoke in opposition to cuts in the Police Department; Police Captain Paula Gieseman,
spoke in opposition to the pay freeze for non-bargaining unit employees; Matthew Wright spoke
in opposition to any Police or Fire cuts;
2
Recreation – No comments;
Transit – John Tippe, as a full-time bus driver, spoke in support of no changes to the Keyline
budget and suggested using $500,000 per year from the Reserve Fund; Part Time Bus
Operator Steve Didato, spoke in opposition to the elimination of Saturday service; Rosemary
Heim, spoke in opposition to the elimination of Saturday service; Lisa Timmerman, 444 Angella,
stated she is dependent on Saturday service; Sr. Dolores Ulrich, 3485 Windsor, on behalf of
the low-income and elderly, spoke in opposition to the increase in Keyline fares and the
elimination of Saturday service; Pat Healy, a Transit employee, and Jean Wurtzer, a bus rider
from ARC, spoke objecting to deletion of Saturday bus service. Robert O’Brien, 2198 St. John
Drive, spoke in support of expanding the Keyline bus service; Terry Shaffer, 745 Roberts,
spoke in favor of maintaining the Keyline bus service as well as Police and Fire positions;
Jonas Bandy, 950 Glen Oak, spoke in opposition to the elimination of any services at Keyline;
Sara Davidson, 125 West Ninth, spoke in opposition to any decrease in service or increase in
fares;
Water Department – No comments.
Water Pollution Control Plant – No comments.
Purchase of Services – No comments.
Mayor Duggan opened the floor to anyone who had not had the opportunity to speak.
John Mauss, 1515 Auburn Street, spoke in opposition to putting the burden on non-bargaining
unit employees and spoke in support of saving all positions; Bob Schmitt, 3138 Hillcrest Road ,
spoke in support of using $419,000 uncommitted funds for the operating budget; Jerrod
Atkinson spoke in support of paying higher taxes rather than cutting positions and services; Jim
Giesen, 1600 Lori Court, questioned what the property tax increase would be if fifty percent of
the deficiency were funded by property taxes.
Upon motion the public hearing portion of the Budget was closed.
Ordinance No. 48-03 Amending the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances Section 40-37
Paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) establishing charges for the collection and disposal of solid waste
and recyclable materials increasing the base fee from $7.49 per dwelling unit per month to
$7.60, presented and read. Buol moved that the requirement that a proposed Ordinance be
considered and voted on for passage at two Council Meetings prior to the meeting at which it is
to be finally passed be suspended and further moved final consideration and passage of the
Ordinance. Seconded by Michalski. Motion carried 7-0.
Ordinance No. 49-03 Amending the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances by amending
Section 7-33(A) Dogs – License Fee by increasing the annual license fee from Eight Dollars
($8.00) to Ten Dollars ($10.00) for dogs that are neutered and from Eighteen Dollars ($18.00)
to Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) for dogs that are not neutered; and by amending Section 7-34
Dogs-Expiration; Renewal; Delinquent Fee by increasing the delinquent fee from a penalty of
Five Dollars ($5.00) to Ten Dollars $10.00) and by amending Section 7-35(A) Cats-License Fee
by increasing the annual license fee sold after September 30, 2003 from Eight Dollars ($8.00)
for cats that are neutered to Ten Dollars ($10.00) and from Eighteen Dollars ($18.00) to
Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) for cats that are not neutered; and by amending Section 7-36
Expiration; Renewal; Delinquent Fees from a Penalty of Five Dollars ($5.00) to Ten Dollars
3
($10.00), presented and read. Buol moved that the requirement that a proposed Ordinance be
considered and voted on for passage at two Council Meetings prior to the meeting at which it is
to be finally passed be suspended and further moved final consideration and passage of the
Ordinance. Seconded by Michalski. Motion carried 7-0.
Ordinance No. 50-03 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque, Iowa,
Sections 44-201(a), Fixing Water Rates for Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and all other
uses, presented and read. Buol moved that the requirement that a proposed Ordinance be
considered and voted on for passage at two Council Meetings prior to the meeting at which it is
to be finally passed be suspended and further moved final consideration and passage of the
Ordinance. Seconded by Michalski. Motion carried 7-0.
Ordinance No. 51-03 Amending the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances Section 44-202 Fire
Sprinkler Services, presented and read. Buol moved that the requirement that a proposed
Ordinance be considered and voted on for passage at two Council Meetings prior to the
meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended and further moved final consideration
and passage of the Ordinance. Seconded by Michalski. Motion carried 7-0.
Ordinance No. 52-03 Amending the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances Section 44-202 Fire
Sprinkler Services, presented and read. Buol moved that the requirement that a proposed
Ordinance be considered and voted on for passage at two Council Meetings prior to the
meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended and further moved final consideration
and passage of the Ordinance. Seconded by Michalski. Motion carried 7-0.
Ordinance No. 53-03 Amending the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances Section 29-22(a)(b),
Business Requiring Annual Licenses, presented and read. Buol moved that the requirement
that a proposed Ordinance be considered and voted on for passage at two Council Meetings
prior to the meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended and further moved final
consideration and passage of the Ordinance. Seconded by Michalski. Motion carried 7-0.
Buol moved adoption of Resolution No. 233-03 Rescinding Resolution No. 105-07,
Establishing Schedule of Development Services Fees, and adopting in lieu thereof a new
schedule of development services fees as provided in the Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A) and
the Subdivision Regulations (Chapter 42) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque,
Iowa. Seconded by Michalski. Motion carried 7-0.
Buol moved adoption of Resolution 234-03 Rescinding Resolution No. 92-01 as it relates to
the wage plan and compensation package for non-bargaining unit employees for Fiscal Year
2004. Seconded by Markham. Motion carried 7-0.
Council stated their full support and appreciation to the non-bargaining unit employees and
stressed the importance of reinstating the wage increase for the next fiscal year. Council
Member Nicholson asked for consensus of the Council on consideration of instituting a utility
franchise fee. Consensus was reached and the City Manager was directed to provide more
detailed information on this proposal for Council consideration.
Items held out for separate discussion:
4
City Manager’s Office – Council Member Michalski requested that the Wellness Program be
reinstated - consensus was not reached; Council Member Michalski requested that Years of
Service Pins for employees who do not receive one due to the current budget reduction receive
pins next year – consensus was not reached.
Engineering/Public Works – Elimination of Engineering Assistant II – By Council consensus,
this position was frozen, but not eliminated.
Finance/Human Rights/Legal/Police Summer Interns – Council Member Michalski requested
that all summer intern positions be reinstated through the regular Fiscal Year 2005 budget
process; consensus was not reached on this item.
Fire Department – Elimination of Three Fire Equipment Operator Positions – After
considerable discussion, Michalski moved that action on this item be tabled to July 21, 2003
and that staff be directed to work with the Dubuque Professional Firefighters’ Association to
provide alternatives to the elimination of the positions. Seconded by Cline. Motion carried 7-0.
Legal Department – Eliminate budgeted amount for Education and Training – Upon
consensus of the Council this was retained in the budget.
Park Division – Elimination of Park Ranger position – After discussion, Markham moved that
action on this item be tabled to July 21, 2003. Seconded by Michalski. Motion carried 7-0.
Police Department – Elimination of Positions – Michalski moved that the positions in the
Police Department recommended for elimination be retained, but subject to the hiring freeze.
Seconded by Buol. Motion carried 7-0. Michalski stated she would like to look at the entire
Police Department during the next Council goal setting session.
Transit Division – Retain at current funding/service level – Council Member Michalski
recommended using the balance of Historic District Public Improvement Program budget in the
amount of $139,449 to continue the Keyline Transit budget at the current level. Council vote to
retain the current Keyline budget was: Yeas – Buol, Cline, Connors, Markham, Michalski,
Nicholson; Nays – Duggan. Staff was directed to determine the funding source.
Michalski moved adoption of Resolution No. 235-03 Amending the current budget for the
Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2004. Seconded by Cline. Motion carried 7-0.
There being no further business, upon motion meeting adjourned at 11:03 P.M.
/s/ Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk
1t 7/18
5