2 15 11 City Council Proceedings Official_Special
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
OFFICIAL
The Dubuque City Council met in special session at 6:30 p.m. on February 15, 2011
in the Historic Federal Building.
Present: Mayor Buol, Council Members Braig, Connors, Jones, Lynch, Resnick; City
Manager Van Milligen
Mayor Buol read the call and stated this is a special session of the City Council called
for the purpose of discussing various City departmental budgets.
DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET REVIEW
Fiscal Year 2012 Departmental Budgets were presented by staff from the following
City departments: Water Department, Water Pollution Control Plant, Public Works
Department, and the Engineering Department. City Council had discussion with staff
following each presentation.
Water Department: Water Department Manager Bob Green introduced staff and
presented the Fiscal Year 2012 budget for this department. Responding to questions
from City Council, Green stated that the department has made improvements to the
Water Valve Box Maintenance Program; and fluctuations in the amount of additives is
dependent upon the water quality at the time the additives are introduced, federal
requirements, and new digital calculation equipment. Green added that the amount of
Debt Service is related to water tower improvements in addition to the impact of the
Water Meter Replacement Program.
Water Pollution Control Plant: WPCP Manager Jonathon Brown introduced staff and
presented the Fiscal Year 2012 budget for this department. Responding to questions
from City Council, Brown stated that the remaining incinerator is working well and a
contingency plan is in place should it fail before its scheduled replacement. He
explained the benefits of the laboratory addition and that the projected rate increase will
affect utility bills and not property taxes. Brown added that rates are affected by current
energy costs and may possibly stabilize in the future.
Public Works Department: Public Works Director Don Vogt introduced staff and
presented the Fiscal Year 2012 budget for this department. Responding to questions
from the City Council, Vogt stated that the status of removing ornamental trees planted
along the riverfront is still unknown, and the department will review resurfacing
Rockdale and Cedar Cross Roads. A device that measures the kilowatt usage of
appliances is available to citizens through the Library. Street Maintenance Supervisor
John Klostermann stated that heightened Corps of Engineers standards require the
removal of all vegetation along the floodwall with certain exceptions, and replacement
benches along the south floodwall are being considered. Van Milligen reiterated that the
City has a $1 million contingency fund if needed to offset the possibility of increased fuel
costs. Resource Management Coordinator Paul Schultz shared recycling statistics and
described efforts being taken to encourage recycling.
Engineering Department: City Engineer Gus Psihoyos introduced staff and presented
the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget for this department. A video describing the operations of
the traffic cameras and Traffic Center was presented. Responding to questions from
City Council, Van Milligen stated that engineers are reimbursed for mileage when they
use personal vehicles for work. Psihoyos stated that he will review the signalization at
Rhomberg and Elm Streets; described the new style of catch basins, and that a second
full-time engineer has been added to the Traffic Center. Traffic Engineer Dave Ness
provided additional information related to the video storage and virtual server
improvement package. Civil Engineer Jon Dienst stated that the Green Alley project will
become an annual project beginning with Fiscal Year 2013 with the City continuing its
current policy with respect to alley maintenance. Walt McFadden, 5580 Pennsylvania
Avenue, asked if there are plans to extend sanitary sewer to annexed areas yet to be
developed. Van Milligen and Psihoyos both stated that it has been the City’s policy to
work with developers on extending service to annexed properties as plans for
development become known.
There being no further business, upon motion the City Council adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
/s/Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk
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