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Dubuque County Land and Water Legacy Conservation Bond Referendum PresentationCity of Dubuque City Council Meeting Action Items # 1. Copyrighted October 18, 2021 ITEM TITLE: Dubuque County Land and Water Legacy Conservation Bond Referendum Presentation SUMMARY: Correspondence from Art Roche, Chair of the Dubuque County Land and Water Legacy, regarding the Dubuque County Land and Water Legacy conservation bond referendum on the City/School Election ballot on November 2, 2021. Brian Preston, Executive Director of the Dubuque County Conservation Board, will make a presentation. SUGGESTED Receive and File; PresentationSuggested Disposition: DISPOSITION: ATTACHMENTS: Description Art Roche E-mail requesting time for Presentation Letter from Dubuque County Land & Water Legacy Fact Sheet Brochure Type Supporting Documentation Supporting Documentation Supporting Documentation Supporting Documentation Juanita Hilkin From: Art Roche <rocheart3@msn.com> Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2021 11:55 AM To: Roy D. Buol Cc: Teri Goodmann; Brian Preston Subject: Request to present to City Council October 18, 2021 Attachments: Brochure_DCLWL FINAL.pdf; Letter_DCLWL. FINAL.pdf; One -pager LWL factsheet.pdf Caution! This message was sent from outside your organization. S%:t DUBUQUE MUM Land Water Legacy Mayor Roy D. Buol 2640 Becker Court Dubuque, IA 52001 Dear Mayor Buol: Allow sender I Block sender I'm writing to request the opportunity to make a very brief informational presentation to the City Council at its Monday, October 18, 2021 meeting. The topic is the Dubuque County Land and Water Legacy conservation bond referendum, which is on the ballot on November 2. We are not asking for any Council action. I chair the ballot initiative committee. Brian Preston, Executive Director of the Dubuque County Conservation Board, has agreed to make the presentation. Brian is extremely knowledgeable about all things having to do with county parks and county wide conservation issues. He has also been involved in developing the plan which the proceeds from the conservation bond will help to fund. I promise you his presentation will be interesting and informative. If the technology allows, I will be present on audio or zoom to answer questions. Brian is prepared to make a ten minute presentation and use another five for questions and answers from the Council. I am attaching several informational documents the Council Members may wish to review. We appreciate this opportunity to share this information with you. Sincerely, 1 Art Roche Chair, Dubuque County Land and Water Legacy www.dbglandandwater.org "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead DUBUQUE COUNTY Land & Water Legacy October 1, 2021 To: The voters of Dubuque County From: Art Roche, chair, Dubuque County Land and Water Legacy About: November 2 Dubuque County conservation bond referendum Dear Friends: Please vote YES on Dubuque County's $40 million conservation bond referendum on your November 2 ballot. Funds from the conservation bond will be used over the next few years to invest in parks, trails, wildlife habitat, clean water, outdoor recreation and natural resource protection across Dubuque County. I am chair of Dubuque County Land and Water Legacy, an independent citizen committee that has formed to promote the success of this ballot issue. The Dubuque County Conservation Board operates Dubuque County Parks: Swiss Valley, Heritage Trail, New Wine Park, Whitewater Canyon, Ringneck Ridge, Finley's Landing, Fillmore Recreation Area and 1S others across the county. After a three-year planning process, the Board adopted a comprehensive plan in 2020 that identifies many of the initiatives that will be funded by the conservation bond, if voters approve. Funded projects could also include partnerships with the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Authority, the Dubuque County Soil and Water Conservation District, as well as cooperative projects with cities and towns throughout the County. The plan includes projects that will interest almost everyone -- walkers, runners, picnickers, fishers, hunters and foragers, hikers, kayakers, bird -watchers, lovers of streams and marshes, photographers, admirers of fall colors and spring peepers. Numerous groups have endorsed the proposition, including (to -date): Friends of Dubuque County Conservation, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Travel Dubuque, Friends of the Mines of Spain, Dubuque County Conservation Society, Dubuque County Veterans Affairs Commission, Dubuqueland Pheasants Forever, Dubuque Interfaith Green Coalition, Green Dubuque, Green Team of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Outdoor Dubuque, Dubuque Fly Fishers, Catfish Creek Watershed Management Authority, Dubuque County Democrats, Sierra Club White Pines Chapter, Tri-State Mountain Bike Riders (TMBR) and Tri-State Trail Vision. (letter continued on reverse) A few testimonials. According to Jay Wickham. Dubuque County supervisor and a member of the Conservation Board: "In addition to being about trails, parks and recreation, this is really a vote for human health, quality -of -life and amenities that will make Dubuque County an attractive place for people not only to visit but also to stay and work," according to Jay Wickham. Wickham is a county supervisor and a member of the conservation board. According to Cindy Recker, membership committee chair of the Friends of the Dubuque County Conservation Board: "I am keen on expanding options for families to experience nature and the county's outdoor attractions. We have a lot of hidden jewels in our county park system. We have a unique opportunity to build on those assets to make them even more appealing and accessible for children and adults alike, including for disabled visitors. Our corps of naturalists working with families and schools are eager to use and show off this Driftless landscape for environmental education." In recent years, similar ballot measures have passed in Linn, Polk, Johnson and Adams counties in Iowa, in some cases with supermajority voter approval of more than 70 percent. Such public investments have also been hugely successful nationwide. According to the Trust for Public Lands, "Election day 2020 was a huge success for our parks and public lands. Voters approved nearly $3.7 billion in new funding for land conservation, parks, climate resiliency, and habitat. Voters approved all of the 26 measures supported by the Trust, a resounding sign of the importance of parks and nature for communities across the country." Please yote YES, and please vote early. Vote -at-home ballot requests can now be downloaded at www.voteathome.info. Requests for early ballots must arrive at the Dubuque County Courthouse by October 18. Address: Elections Office, Dubuque County Courthouse, 720 Central Ave., Dubuque, IA 52001. Further voter information can be found at www.dbglandandwater.com. Testimonials, campaign news, and other planned events will appear on the group's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DbgLandAndWater. Please vote YES for the conservation bond on your November 2 ballot. It's the biggest opportunity we have to positively change the future for our children, grandchildren and their grandchildren growing up in the beautiful parks and clean waters of Dubuque County. Sincerely, Art Roche Chair, Dubuque County Land & Water Legacy Paid for by Dubuque County Land & Water Legacy What you should know about the Dubuque County Land and Water Legacy Bond The Dubuque County Land & Water Legacy Bond is the result of more than two years of strategic planning by the Dubuque County Conservation Board. The Board held 11 public input meetings, more than 30 individual interviews with key stakeholders, and received input from thousands of residents on the contents of the plan. The 2021 bond referendum is an effort to fund this strategic plan and its goals. The referendum will allow the county to bond for up to $40 million over the course of 20 Park Improvements and Expansion 35% $14 million years to support park Water Quality, Land Protection, and Habitat 35% $14 million improvements, water quality, Management and other initiatives. Though Trail Improvements, Development and Expansion 20% $8 million the county is authorized to bond d for up to $40 million, the plan Other uses: Ag Related Water Quality Initiatives, 10% $4 million ATV Trails, Kayak Launches, Funding to Cities for to bond for multiple $8 million Urban Trails tranches over the course of the 20-year authorization, alleviating the property tax impact and allowing the county to program the money according to capacity. The top ten protects (among many) include: • Stream Play & Restoration at Swiss Valley Park — In progress • Parking Lot Enhancements at Interstate Power Preserve • Tent Platforms at Swiss Valley Park and Preserve • Tent Platforms at Heritage Trail Twin Springs • Pave the Heritage Trail • Cabins at New Wine Park • Entry Drive and River Access Improvements at Finley's Landing • Disc Golf and Wetland Restoration at Proving Grounds • Create the Southwest Arterial Trail • Develop the Little Maquoketa Greenway Tax impacts from staggered draws on $40 million Land 5t Legacy bond ► For initial $8 million Avg. $160,000 Residential House ► Taxable Value-$88,000 ► Annual tax cost = $13.38 ► Monthly tax cost = $1.11 Avg. $300,000 Commercial prop. ► Taxable Value - $265,000 ► Annual tax cost = $40.29 ► Monthly tax cost = $3.36 ► At max. $24 million (3 @ $8M ) Avg. $160,000 Residential House ► Taxable Value-S88,000 P. Annual tax cost = $37.85 ► Monthly tax cost = $3.15 ► Avg. $300,000 Commercial prop ► Taxable Value-S265,000 ► Annual tax cost = $113.98 P. Monthly tax cost = $9.50 Lastly, to fund the bond local property taxpayers countywide will see a marginal increase in property taxes. The County has estimated the costs to a typical homeowner and commercial property owner under two scenarios, one where a single $8 million tranche has been issued, and one where the maximum of three $8 million tranches have been issued (this scenario is the most a property taxpayer could expect to pay at a given time). If Dubuque County's tax base continues to grow, this impact per individual will decrease. Vote YES on or before November 2nd Paid for by Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, 300 Main St, STE 200, Dubuque, IA 52002, Molly Grover, President & CEO VOTE YES! THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO VOTE: VOTE AT HOME: Get an early ballot request form here: www.voteathome.info Print it. Be sure to mark the 11/02/2021 and city/school Election boxes. Sign and date it. Drop off or mail in time for delivery to Courthouse by 5 p.m. October 18. Elections Office Courthouse 720 Central Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001 When available, the ballot will be mailed to your home. VOTE by completing your ballot and mailing or delivering to Courthouse. Either way, ballots must be at the Courthouse by 8 p.m. on November 2. VOTE IN PERSON IN ADVANCE: Vote early in person October 20 or after At the Auditor's Office once ballots are available. Courthouse 720 Central Ave. 4t" Floor, Dubuque VOTE IN PERSON ON ELECTION DAY, NOV 2: At your precinct polling place. Please visit our website www.dbglandondwater.org for the specific wording of the ballot question, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, how to donate, and more! DUBUQUE COUNTY LAND & WATER LEGACY Dubuque County Land and Water Legacy is a citizen group formed to support passage of a county referendum to raise $40 million to invest in parks, trails, wildlife habitat, clean water, flood prevention, natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities in and around our communities. The measure has been placed on the November 2, 2021, ballot by the Dubuque County Supervisors, based on the recommendation of the volunteers on the Dubuque County Conservation Board. The Board adopted a Comprehensive Parks, Trails and Open Spaces Plan in 2020, which can be found at www.dbgiandandwater.org. The plan was put together with the aid of a citizen advisory committee, using broad community input from people across the age spectrum, including hikers, kayakers, canoers and campers; swimmers, fishers, hunters and foragers; picnickers, bird -watchers, fall color admirers and picture -takers. A YES vote on the ballot has been endorsed by 19 organizations, with more being added every week. Take a peek inside to see examples of what's in store with your YES vote. DUBUQUE COUNTY https://dbglandandwater.org Land & Water Legacy https://www.facebook.com/DbgLandAndWater Paid for by Dubuque County Land and Water Legacy Water Quality - • Little Maquoketa and Catfish 1 Creek Greenways �l • Restore wetlands Fv� • Flood prevention • Protect sensitive areas a ` • Create agricultural buffers � f s i( Wildlife Habitat; " • Protect fishing streams Expand pollinator prairies Safe nesting environments • Create viewing opportunities • Enhance hunting access Land and Water Trails • Paddling access on Lytle Creek and Whitewater Creek • Connect people to history, geology, wildlifeIe- • Paving Heritage Trail • Walking/biking trail connections to towns and cities Pa r ks • Keep pace with growing K population and popularity i • More rustic and more modern camping facilities • Remodeling Swiss Valley _ Nature Center • Dog park, community gardens, rock climbing, cabins • Better access for disabled' citizens N PI �f t�� k Dubuque County Conservation Dept,, Land & -Water Legacy Bond Referendum DUBUQUE COUNTY CONSERVATION AV County Comprehensive Parks, Trails and Open Spaces Plan - 2020 2 year planning project 13 member Steering Committee 11 public meetings 30+ individual interviews 5,300 reached via social media 302 written comments 5 newspaper articles Approved in Fall 2020 Dubuque County Land & Legacy Referendum 2021 8/9/2021 2 Master Plan - Top ten projects identified for next 5-10 years ► Stream Play Et Restoration at Swiss Valley Park - In progress ► Parking Lot Enhanceemnts at Interstate Power Preserve k- Tent Platforms at Swiss Valley Park and Preserve Tent Platforms at Heritage Trail Twin Springs Pave the Heritage Trail Cabins at New Wine Park Entry Drive and River Access Improvements at Finley's Landing Disc Golf and Wetland Restoration at Proving Grounds Create the Southwest Arterial Trail P. Develop the Little Maquoketa Greenway Dubuque County Land & Legacy Referendum 2021 8/9/2021 3 Conservation Board Petition to Supervisors for $40M Referendum Approved by Conservation Board, July 15, 2021 "Shall the County of DUBUQUE, State of Iowa, issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding forty million dollars for the purposes of providing funds to improve and develop Dubuque County parks; to provide funds to improve existing recreational trails and develop new recreational trails; to provide funds to protect sources of drinking water and the water quality of rivers and streams, to provide funds to protect lands and to provide natural floodwater storage to reduce flooding; and to provide funds to protect wildlife habitat and natural areas, to be managed by the DUBUQUE County Conservation Board, with full public disclosure of all expenditures." Dubuque County Land & Legacy Referendum 2021 8/9/2021 4 Conservation Board recommends $40M Bond funds be Allocated: ow M 79 NqN Park Improvements and Expansion 35% $14 million Water Quality, Land Protection, and Habitat 35% $14 million Management Trail Improvements, Development and Expansion 20% $8 million Other uses: Ag Related Water Quality Initiatives, 10% $4 million ATV Trails, Kayak Launches, Funding to Cities for Urban Trails Dubuque County Land & Legacy Referendum 2021 8/9/2021 5 Little Maquoketa Greenway Water Quality, Land Protection, Habitat Management, Trail Expansion Dubuque County Land & Legacy Referendum 2021 8/9/2021 7 Swiss Valley Nature Center Remodel Park Improvements and Expansion Dubuque County Conservation Headquarters ► Thousands of visitors annually ► One of Dubuque's top attractions opProposed improvements Enhance drive in parking —accessibility for school buses and safer for students Expanding parking to enhance circulation P Add restrooms on first floor ► Move first floor offices to second floor Dubuque County Land 6t Legacy Referendum 2021 8/9/2021 8 ME i IIImen ILLIA M.N. ::: man NORTH -M ".,;3lwr��1�''t'"-� 6mmmodo L `4 0 STM I 1=0 4 Swiss Valley Park Trail Expansion Water Quality, Land Protection, Habitat Management, Trail Expansion Gateway to Dubuque County park system Acquire key property between preserve and park Develop ADA compliant pathway down to flood plain, 10 foot wide paved Build up board walkers where needed Remove invasive species Add fishing habitat structures Dubuque County Land & Legacy Referendum 2021 8/9/2021 10 S—Valfgmm-cut" . �� 7•E fi5� a SwissValley PAfcampg-ntls �., a `•• Page 204 s p Whitewater Canyon Improvements Water Quality, Land Protection, Habitat Management, Trail Expansion WedandMmgadon, l/y Some of grandest views in region /_ �,� Woodland Saaanoa Restoration �;,�--`� 1y g Add basic amenities -pit latrines, , j water, ark shelters' , p ,� f � � Woodland Saranna Restoradon � 1 Kayak launch at Whitewater v (onnry Line '� �` �1 I � Caunty�ne F. ::�' �d..l.___�-- �M-gip Whileaaler(anyon Road y 1 s � � Creek;; s:. •� a; Interpretive exhibits s w� Nism �� I`` Existing rK C{{Spillway Restoration of canyon area el los[(anynn;Valley o113 {aces Selfie stations ®® r Partttaoodary Dubuque County Land & Legacy Referendum 2021 8/9/2021 11 Agriculture Related Water Quality Initiatives ► Dubuque County Watershed Projects ► Structural Projects (Eco-Services Funding) that could qualify: -Grade stabilization structures, ponds, sediment basins, grassed waterways, streambank stabilization, etc. ► Precision Agriculture - programs like Truterra Pilot Project - that focus on profitability and agricultural sustainability. Allow growers to determine more efficient inputs vs. yield. ► In -Field Practices/Programs - Soil and Water Outcome Fund. Programs that focus on nutrient and carbon reduction in fields by use of cover crops and no -till. 101 oil Dubuque County Land & Legacy Referendum 2021 8/9/2021 12