2 17 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 17, 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: Human Rights Department, Information Services Department, Five
Flags Center, Grand River Center (Conference Center), Recreation Division, and Parks
Division. City Council had discussion with staff following each presentation.
Human Rights Department: Human Rights Director Kelly Larson introduced staff and
presented the Fiscal Year 2012 budget for this department. Responding to questions
from City Council, Larson stated that the department will start mediation and processes
the claim intakes while the City Attorney’s Office handles the formal complaints adding
that Intercultural Competency Training is most successful through institutional training
and neighborhood outreach.
Information Services Department: Information Services Manager Chris Kohlmann
introduced staff and presented the Fiscal Year 2012 budget for this department.
Responding to questions from City Council, Kohlmann explained the virtual fax server
improvement package, that funding resources for IBM-related projects are available for
another year, and provided clarification of adjustments in software
maintenance/licensing expenses.
Five Flags Center Division and Grand River Center (Conference Center): Leisure
Services Manager Marie Ware thanked staff/commission members and presented the
Fiscal Year 2012 budget for these divisions. Responding to questions from City Council,
Ms. Ware confirmed the amount of property tax support for both facilities, replacement
of exterior benches at the Grand River Center will be skateboard-proof with old benches
being recycled; and painting of the facility is on a rotation with the Exhibit Hall due at
this time. Van Milligen explained the operating agreement between the Grand River
Center and Platinum Hospitality Group and the obligations of the Vision Iowa Grant.
Grand River Center Manager Mitzy Yordy thanked the Council for their parternship.
Recreation Division: Recreation Division Manager Pat Prevenas introduced staff and
presented the Fiscal Year 2012 budget for this division. Responding to questions from
City Council, Prevenas explained the changes in Miscellaneous Services; consideration
will be given to a Porta-Potty for the BMX Park; and the cost of the golf course irrigation
system is split over fiscal years 2013 and 2014. Leisure Services Manage Marie Ware
described the changes in and challenges with the AmeriCorps program. Multicultural
Family Center Director Tara Velez described the activities and progress of the Center.
Parks Division: Parks Division Manager Bob Fritsch presented the Fiscal Year 2012
budget for this Division. Braig questioned the unapproved improvement package
allowing for increased wages for employees certified for work with pesticides.
Responding to questions from City Council, Mr. Fritsch stated that the improvement
package allowing for a new employee to care for the Bee Branch Creek project is also
needed now for care of existing natural plantings that require attention. Van Milligen
added that delay of the request would not impact property taxes and minimally impact
the storm water fee. Fritsch added that he advises against the more costly “ornamental”
landscaping and favors an increase in native plantings. Resnick questioned the need for
a specialist to work with low-maintenance native landscape. Adjustments are being
made in the placement of the playground unit and layout of Comiskey Park.
There being no further business, upon motion the City Council adjourned at 9:36 p.m.
/s/Jeanne S. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk
1t 2/23