08 24 23 City Council Proceedings Official_Special Goal Setting 3 of 3CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL SESSION
OFFICIAL
The Dubuque City Council met in special session at 4:00 p.m. on August 24, 2023, in
the Grand River Center Room #4.
Present: Mayor Cavanagh; Council Members Farber, Jones, Resnick, Roussell,
Sprank, Wethal; City Manager Van Milligen, City Attorney Brumwell.
Mayor Cavanagh read the call and stated this is a special session of the City Council
called for the purpose of conducting the annual goal setting session 3 of 3.
GOAL SETTING
SESSION 3 OF 3
Facilitator Lyle Sumek, of Lyle Sumek Associates, Inc., facilitated the City Council
identifying top and high priorities for a 2023 -2025 policy agenda as well as in-progress
projects and capital projects for 2023 -2025, subsequently resulting in the following goals
and priorities:
The 2038 Dubuque Vision Statement:
Dubuque 2038 is a sustainable and resilient city, an inclusive and equitable community
where ALL are welcome. Dubuque 2038 has preserved our Masterpiece on the
Mississippi, has a strong, diverse economy and expanding connectivity. Our residents
experience healthy living and active lifestyles; have choices of quality, affordable, livable
neighborhoods; have an abundance of diverse, fun things to do; and are successfully and
actively engaged in the community.
Mission Statement:
Dubuque city government is progressive and financially sound with residents receiving
value for their tax dollars and achieving goals through partnerships. Dubuque city
government’s mission is to deliver excellent municipal services that support urban livi ng;
contribute to an equitable, sustainable city; plan for the community’s future; and facilitate
access to critical human services.
City of Dubuque Goals 2028:
Vibrant Community: Healthy and Safe
Financially Responsible, High-Performance City Organization: Sustainable, Equitable,
and Effective Service Delivery
Robust Local Economy: Diverse Businesses and Jobs with Economic Prosperity
Livable Neighborhoods and Housing: Great Place to Live
Sustainable Environment: Preserving and Enhancing Natural Resources
Connected Community: Equitable Transportation, Technology Infrastructure, and
Mobility
Diverse Arts, Culture, Parks, and Recreation Experiences and Activities
Partnership for a Better Dubuque: Building Our Community that is Viable, Livable, and
Equitable
Policy Agenda:
Policy agenda items are issues that need direction or a policy decision or a major
funding decision by the City Council, or issues that need City Council leadership in the
community or with other governmental bodies. The policy agenda is divided into top
priorities and high priorities.
2023 – 2025 Top Priorities (in alphabetical order):
Air Service: Future Strategy and Action Plan
City Workforce Retention and Attraction
Comprehensive Study of Fire Station Locations and Staffing
Police Department Full Staffing
Street Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program
2023 – 2025 High Priorities (in alphabetical order):
Bee Branch Detention Basin Pump Replacement
Catfish Creek Sanitary Sewer Project Pump Station
Central Avenue Corridor Revitalization Plan
Leveraging Federal and State Infrastructure Grant Programs
RAISE Grant & Matching Funds for Construction (14th St. Railroad Overpass and Elm
St. and 16th St. Corridor Complete Streets)
Mayor Cavanagh provided closing remarks and thanked the City Council for their open
and candid conversations regarding the more than one hundred twenty-five (125)
priorities initially presented to them. Their ability to compromise and work together as a
team made a difficult process possible. The Mayor shared how proud he was to be part
of such a professional group of people with serving the residents of Dubuque as their
primary focus. The Mayor concluded his remarks by saying that Dubuque and the
Dubuque City Council can be a model of optimism for other communities.
There being no further business, Mayor Cavanagh declared the meeting adjourned at
7:11 p.m.
/s/Trish L. Gleason, Assistant City Clerk