2 28 11 SCTF Work Session_Implementation Status of SCTF Recommendation
MEMORANDUM
T:
Michael C. Van Milligen
O
City Manager
F:
Kelly Larson, Human Rights Director
ROM
D:
February 24, 2011
ATE
R:
Safe Community Task Force Recommendations for City Council Work
E
Session - Current Status of Projects Related to the Recommendations and
On-Going Projects
PURPOSE
The intent of this memorandum is to provide an outline of the on-going and proposed
efforts within the City of Dubuque organization to address the recommendations of the
Safe Community Task Force. The format addresses the first set of Task Force
recommendations which were presented to the City Council in February 2010, followed
by second set of recommendations presented to the City Council in July 2010. The Safe
Community Task Force recommendation is followed by an informational response.
As this information is reviewed it is important to remember that several important
initiatives and partnerships exist to impact these issues such as:
Sustainable Dubuque,
Dubuque 2.0,
Every Child Every Promise,
Dubuque Works: Destination for Opportunity,
Washington Neighborhood Reinvestment Strategy,
Newly formed Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation,
Multicultural Family Center,
Future Talk, and others.
It is recognized by organizations like the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque,
the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, the Dubuque Area Chamber of
Commerce, the Dubuque Area Landlords Association, the East Central
Intergovernmental Association, Every Child Every Promise, Dubuque Main Street, the
Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation, Dubuque Empowerment,
Dubuque Initiatives, United Way, and the many social service agencies that maintaining
a safe community is not just a City issue, but it is a community issue.
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FEBRUARY 2010 RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Reduce the time between rental inspections for problem properties.
RESPONSE: The City Council authorized a new full-time housing inspector in April
2008. At that time, the annual cycle time for inspection of the City’s 7,600 rental
properties exceeded seven years. With the new inspector and implementation of an
automated data base and use of mobile computer terminals, the cycle time was reduced
to five years by the end of FY2010.
2. Do not allow property owners to receive city, state, or federal funding
unless their properties are in compliance or the owner is actively working
towards compliance.
RESPONSE: The Economic Development Department has several financial assistance
programs available to property owners. These programs are a logical first place to begin
implementation of this recommendation.
The first program to be placed under this recommendation was the second round of the
Downtown Housing Incentive Program. This Program received nine applications for
assistance. As a follow up to each application, every property owner was required to
complete a certification form. This form was then distributed to each department that
oversees compliance with City Codes. The various departments informed Economic
Development if any properties identified had any Code issues and whether the property
owner was actively working to get the property back into compliance.
The implementation of this recommendation helps to advance the City's sustainability
initiative. Encouraging compliance of City Codes improves the Social/Cultural Vibrancy
component in two ways. First, helping to ensure safe buildings in the community
improves the livability for residents. Second, buildings with Code deficiencies are
encouraged to be improved, making more quality options for housing and business.
This improves the equitability within the City.
Additionally, the rehabilitation staff in the Housing & Community Development
Department adopted this as a policy and now requires any owner receiving rehab or
purchase loans to correct all code deficiencies. Owners of units that receive Section 8
rental assistance have their units inspected annually for compliance.
3. Conduct an expanded crime study to include:
a. Comparisons with like communities.
b. Longitudinal study of changes in crime rates.
c. Multivariate study of arrest records.
d. Comparison of actual crime profile in Dubuque with public
perception.
e. Contextualizing research findings within current criminology and
policy literature.
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f. Evidence-based recommendations for effective policy and
programming related to crime prevention and community safety
within the discussion section of the research report.
RESPONSE: Northern Illinois University Center for Governmental Studies conducted
this massive research between May 2010 and January 2011. On January 14, 2011,
NIU/CGS delivered the 779-page final report, which is available at the Carnegie-Stout
Public library and on the City’s website www.cityofdubuque.org/safecommunity. On
January 25, 2011, NIU/CGS presented its findings to the SCTF in a three-hour
presentation that was televised on City Cable Channel 8 and is available for viewing on
the City’s website www.cityofdubuque.org/safecommunity. The SCTF reviewed the
report and met on February 5, 2011 and February 8, 2011 to formulate a final set of
recommendations for the City Council based on the results of the study. These
recommendations will be presented to the City Council at a worksession scheduled for
February 28, 2011.
4. Allow the Task Force to act as conduit for information to public,
accurate
specifically by:
a. Conveying crime statistics compiled by Captain Russ Stecklein to
the general public; and
b. Documenting and investigating the effectiveness of existing and new
efforts to curtail criminal activity in Dubuque, such as Community
Oriented Policing, Territory Accountability Design, and the
designation of a dedicated police officer for Section 8 housing
investigations.
RESPONSE: The Police Department and City have provided the Safe Community Task
Force with any and all crime, Community Oriented Policing (COP), territory
accountability design (TAD), and Section 8 data that was requested. The COPs are
tasked with establishing relationships in neighborhoods. Captain Russ Stecklein is no
longer the point of contact for the Community Oriented Policing program. Current
contacts are Chief Mark Dalsing, Assistant Chief Terry Tobin, and Captain Kevin Klein.
The budget of the Police Department from FY’08 through FY’12 included a plan for the
additional of fifteen (15) sworn officers. Five of the fifteen officers will be assigned to the
COP Unit. Three officers have been added to date; two specialize in traffic enforcement
and the third is assigned to the Housing & Community Development Department for
Section 8 investigations. The two positions to be filled will add an additional traffic
enforcement specialist and a school-resource officer. The additional staff and
relationships developed result in open channels of communication. This allows for the
accurate sharing of information in the community and provides a direct link between
citizens and the police.
SCTF members have participated in approximately five speaking engagements with
organizations in the community who have asked for further information on the work of
the SCTF. In addition, after reviewing the factual information presented in the NIU/CGS
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research study, the SCTF will be forwarding the following recommendation to the City
Council at the February 28 worksession: “Create a conduit, such as a speakers’ bureau,
to continue conveying accurate information to the public on crime and the perception of
crime in the community. Include a broad group of informed residents on the panel and
focus on reaching a broad cross-section of the community with the information.”
5. Create ways to encourage people to light up their own property and
surrounding public property.
RESPONSE: The Engineering Department has researched the costs to install mid-
block lights in neighborhoods. Alliant Energy will provide the pole and light fixture at
mid-block locations for a monthly fee. This fee includes the rental of the pole and fixture,
energy cost, and maintenance cost. Below is a summary of the current monthly costs
per light.
Lamp Size Luminaire Rate New Pole Rate Total
100 Watt $6.70/month $7.38/month $14.08/month
If another pole is required, there will be an additional cost of $7.38/month
For a year the average cost would be $168.90 per light. If there is an existing pole to
mount the street light, the pole cost is $2.57/month. These rates are based on a
secondary wire being installed to a maximum distance of 150 feet. Any distance in
excess of 150 feet would have additional monthly wire costs.
It should be noted that some abutting property owners may not want the light in front of
their residences. Engineering has received some resident concerns about placement of
mid-block lights due to light potentially shining into bedrooms at night.
The City Council also approved the expansion of the Washington Neighborhood Yard
Lighting Initiative to include neighborhoods east of the bluffs as well as the city’s
low/moderate income neighborhoods. This program was first offered in the Washington
Neighborhood in 2008. For front yard lighting, property owners are eligible for a rebate
of up to half of $500 toward the cost of purchase and installation of energy-efficient
electric, gas or permanent solar lighting fixtures placed in close proximity to the public
sidewalk. Property owners also are eligible for a rebate of up to half of $200 toward the
cost of purchase and installation of energy-efficient electric, gas, or permanent solar
lighting fixtures installed in their back yard in close proximity to the alley.
In addition, the Parking Department has installed upgraded lighting in a majority of the
parking ramps to increase visibility at these public facilities.
6. Install surveillance cameras in high crime areas in public places.
RESPONSE: The Dubuque Police Department, 911 Center, and Informational Services
have met to discuss the cameras. The Police Department and 911 Center have
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evaluated target areas for cameras and Informational Services is looking into the
infrastructure and costs related to such systems.
Cameras: Based on calls for service and supervisory input, the following areas have
been identified as potential locations for cameras:
Entrances and exits to and from the City - Both Highways 151/61 and Highway
20 bridges, Highway 52 North and South, Highway 20 West, and Highways
151/61 South; as well as the NW Arterial, and other "main" downtown
intersections. This would most likely be accomplished through expansion of the
City's existing traffic camera system. Law Enforcement would most likely use
these systems in post-crime investigation to document offender arrival,
departures, and timeline activities, as has been done in a variety of cases.
Parks - Comiskey has been identified as a primary park of concern. Additional
parks would include Jackson and Orange as primary areas with Allison-
Henderson, Flora, and AY McDonald as secondary.
Streets - The 1200 to 1600 blocks of Bluff and Locust (which would also
encompass the Boys and Girls Club area), including the area of 17th and West
Locust, have consistently been high call areas and would be primary "street"
locations. Other areas might include the 20th Street area from Central to and
including 5 Points, lower Loras Blvd., the Town Clock Plaza area, lower Main,
and Central Ave. business district.
Cameras have been installed on the Riverwalk in the Port of Dubuque, in the Port of
Dubuque parking ramp, Comiskey Park, and in the parking lot on Bluff Street near the
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library. Cameras are planned for installation in the new 10 Street parking ramp, the
Port of Dubuque Marina, and the Bee Branch trail. Cameras are being evaluated for
installation in the Historic Millwork District and in existing parking ramps. Both fixed
route and mini-buses also will have cameras installed. Currently, cameras are installed
for security around construction sites, such as the Historic Millwork District, the
Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the new parking ramp. Finally, there are numerous
traffic cameras at intersections that have been useful in criminal investigations.
7. Install 911 emergency kiosks.
RESPONSE: The 911 kiosks are undergoing a simultaneous review.
911 Kiosks: The above camera areas would also fall under areas where a 911 kiosk
could be considered. 911 Center Director Mark Murphy ran calls for service for the
existing 911 kiosks between 01/01/06 to 12/31/09 and found there were 122 calls made
from the kiosks. The majority of these were categorized as "911 Hangups" that were
"Handled by Officer" as a response and most could probably be attributed to people
pushing the help button out of curiosity or play. Those that were requests for police
service included cold vandalism, a pedestrian injury, spills, disruptive kids, and other
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similar low impact crimes. Only a handful would be categorized as "emergency calls"
had they gone through a regular call into the 911 Center. Costs, feasibility, and
effectiveness of the kiosks would probably need additional review.
Currently, 911 kiosks exist along the Riverwalk and are being planned for installation in
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the new 10 Street parking ramp, the Port of Dubuque ramp, and the along the Bee
Branch trail.
8. Reduce the time allotted for correcting property violations from the current
two years.
RESPONSE: In April, amendments to the Housing Code were approved by the City
Council to reduce time allowed by the housing inspector and the Housing Code Appeals
Board to no more than nine months.
9. Encourage development of planned communities through mixed-use
zoning.
RESPONSE: In addition to residential zoning mixes, the Unified Development Code
allows upper story housing in office, commercial, and industrial districts. These zoning
regulations promote both a mixed-use and a mixed-income approach to neighborhood
development. The City’s Building Codes accommodate mixed development as well.
JULY 2010 RECOMMENDATIONS
Enforcement:
1. Develop and implement a juvenile curfew ordinance to use as a tool to help
reduce crime. Research utility, efficacy, and enforcement issues, taking the
following suggestions into consideration:
• The Police Department would not conduct curfew sweeps of the
community.
• There would be a designated and staffed location to hold juveniles
who violate the curfew. Contact with parents or a responsible adult
would not be handled by Police. (It is critical to keep the officers on
the street and not deploy them as babysitters). Penalties for curfew
violations could include fines, community service requirements, and
parenting classes.
RESPONSE: The adoption of a juvenile curfew has been under research and review by
the Dubuque Police Department and the City Attorney’s Office. A variety of concerns
have surfaced, including the fact that the NIU/CGS Research Study on Crime and
Poverty indicates that research fails to support the effectiveness of juvenile curfews in
addressing crime. As a result, the SCTF will be recommending that this
recommendation be amended to focus instead on creating a parental responsibility
ordinance that is modeled after successful programs that includes engaging parents
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and teens in prevention efforts. A memo detailing these concerns and proposing an
alternative approach to addressing parental responsibility for juveniles will be forwarded
to the City Council for consideration shortly.
2. Provide additional resources for the Community Policing Program.
RESPONSE: The unit is currently staffed by a Captain and four corporals for the day-to-
day COP unit. Additionally, the COP Division is staffed by two traffic officers with a third
planned; and three School Resource Officers (one corporal and two officers) with an
additional officer planned. The third traffic officer and the fourth School Resource
Officer are planned for hiring in FY2012. The Department also will be hiring paid
interns. Expansion of COP philosophy is a constant work in progress. Through attrition,
promotion, and other movement, to date nearly 40% of the supervisory staff has served
in the COP Division and are allies in spreading the COP philosophy. In addition, the use
of TAD has made all supervisors more accountable to find solutions to problems in their
assigned territories. The unit has expanded several times since its inception. Once we
are able to fill the vacant positions we will have a better understanding of the division's
needs.
3. Direct Police Department to enforce noise ordinances more aggressively.
RESPONSE: Beginning with Chief Dalsing’s promotion on February 2, 2010, staff
meetings have been held with the majority of the Police Department personnel to
discuss department goals and expectations. Traffic and noise enforcement are
discussed as part of these expectations. The additional resource of traffic officers and
TAD projects will help increase enforcement efforts. 30% of all TAD special projects in
2009 were geared towards citizen requests for extra traffic enforcement and this trend is
expected to continue, if not increase. Noise enforcement for traffic is up 48% in the
department.
Additional research is being done by the City Attorney’s Office on strategies used in
other communities for combating noise issues and complaints. An informational
brochure may be one way to share information with the community on noise related
complaints.
4. Direct Police Department to enforce traffic ordinances more aggressively.
RESPONSE: Beginning with Chief Dalsing’s promotion, staff meetings have been held
with the majority of the department personnel to discuss department goals and
expectations. Traffic and noise enforcement are discussed as part of these
expectations. The additional resource of traffic officers and TAD projects will help
increase enforcement efforts. 30% of all TAD special projects in 2009 were geared
towards citizen requests for extra traffic enforcement and this trend is expected to
continue if not increase. A comparative review of the traffic enforcement numbers
shows overall traffic enforcement is up 6% in the department. The Chief of Police also
is evaluating the use of red light cameras and speed cameras.
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5. Give the Safe Community Task Force and Police Department the
opportunity to respond to the Northern Illinois University crime study
report and recommendations, which may result in additional
recommendations.
RESPONSE: As mentioned above, the final 2010 Research Study on Crime and
Poverty in Dubuque from NIU/CGS was received in January 2011. The SCTF attended
a presentation by NIU/CGS on study results on January 25, 2011, and held two
worksessions on February 5 and February 8 to create an additional set of
recommendations. Those recommendations will be provided to City Council at the
February 28, 2011 City Council worksession.
6. The Safe Community Task Force recommends its continued existence to
monitor the implementation and progress of its recommendations through
quarterly progress reports from City staff and special meetings as
necessary. The SCTF further recommends that the City Council consider
creation of a Safe Community Commission.
RESPONSE: The City Council has adopted an ordinance creating a new Safe
Community Advisory Committee, which will meet for one year and whose purpose will
be to monitor implementation of SCTF recommendations. The City Council solicited
applicants and appointed committee members on December 20, 2010. Committee
members are: Anthony Allen, Mary Rae Bragg, Diane Callahan, Jonathan Cheatham,
Rachel Daack, Ann Ernst, Doug Stillings, Susan Stork and Lynn Sutton. The first
meeting of the Safe Community Committee will be on March 2, 2011.
Housing Code Enforcement
As discussion of the task force recommendations relates to rental property it is
necessary to be aware of the Dubuque Area Landlord Association (DALA). A few years
ago, Brendan Houlihan, then Director of Governmental Affairs for the Dubuque Area
Chamber of Commerce, initiated monthly meetings between the DALA and City of
Dubuque staff, including the City Manager. The on-going meetings have led to a very
constructive dialogue which continues to this day.
7. Support landlords in evicting problem tenants for cause.
RESPONSE: The Housing & Community Development Department currently
cooperates and shares information with landlords and their attorneys. All files are public
information except medical and financial information of Section 8 participants.
Inspectors testify in court when subpoenaed. Inspections are performed when
requested by landlords, in order to verify complaints against tenants.
The on-going meeting with the DALA resulted in an expanded effort by the Dubuque
Police Department to notify landlords of issues with tenants. Previously the Dubuque
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Police Department sent notifications to landlords in limited situations. This notification
process has been expanded to include approximately thirty (30) to forty (40) types of
police calls which affect quality of life in neighborhoods. This information can be used
by landlords in making a case for an eviction.
Assistant City Attorney Crenna Brumwell has been meeting regularly with a
subcommittee of the Dubuque Landlord’s Association to discuss additional options for
implementation of this recommendation. In March 2011, she will be providing
recommended ordinance changes that will allow the City to address problem behavior
of tenants directly with the tenants, which in turn aids landlords in securing evictions.
The proposed ordinance changes will include adoption of a “clear and present danger”
standard in the public nuisance ordinance and adoption of a “disorderly house”
provision. The first change would allow the City to cite individuals who commit or
threaten assault, illegally possess, use or threaten use of firearms, and/or illegally
possess controlled substances within 1,000 feet of the property. The second change is
similar to the crime property ordinance the city currently uses for enforcement against
property owners and allows for similar enforcement directly against the individual
causing the behavior. Once a municipal infraction is issued and resolved, policy officers
could be available to assist landlords in their subsequent eviction actions.
8. Mandate that landlords conduct renter background checks, using the City's
free service.
RESPONSE: The Police Department currently offers free local background checks to
landlords. A new part-time position has been filled and is dedicated to this process. In
January 2011, the City Council adopted changes to the Housing Code requiring
landlords to do background checks on prospective tenants. It will be the decision of the
landlord if they rent to a person once they have received the results of the background
checks. The owner/manager may use the City’s free service or another background
service approved by the City Manager. The ordinance requires criminal background
checks for felonies and misdemeanors on all adults in the rental unit. Failure to conduct
background checks could lead to suspension of a rental license. The City Manager is
authorized to allow exceptions.
9. Establish threshold number of complaint calls that will place a problem
property in priority category. Establish policies and processes for
immediate response and resolution of problems involving those properties.
RESPONSE: In January 2011, the City Council adopted a change to the Housing Code
creating a Priority Category designation. A property owner or manager can be declared
a Priority Category if three times within a 12month period any of the following occurs:
Suspension or revocation of the rental dwelling license
Noncompliance with Housing Code enforcement orders in excess of 90 days
without approval from the Housing Code Appeals Board
Failure to perform required criminal background checks on tenants
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Issuance of a citation for a Housing Code violation or violation of other City
Building Mechanical or Fire Codes.
An owner or manager designated as a Priority Category may have his or her rental
property or properties placed on an accelerated inspection schedule. The City Manager
may suspend revoke or reduce the term of the rental dwelling license from an annual to
a quarterly license until no further violations have occurred at the property for twelve
consecutive months.
In addition, landlords have been receiving notification from the Police Department of
police responses at properties. Between December 2009 and November 2010, 1,163
notices were mailed to landlords related to 51 different types of violations.
10. Tie frequency of property inspections to landlord's history of cooperation
with Code compliance. Establish a threshold number of problem
complaints that will trigger a meeting among the landlord, the tenant, and
representatives of the Housing and Police Departments.
RESPONSE: This was included in the Housing Code ordinance amendment discussed
as part of the preceding recommendation.
11. Intensify exterior code enforcement efforts. Encourage City employees
across departments to identify and report property code enforcement
problems and establish ways to reward employees.
RESPONSE: The City Attorney’s Office recently met with both Housing and Building
Inspectors for the purposes of reviewing some inspection models used by other
communities. Inspectors have identified the most serious concerns they would have
from an exterior and interior perspective related to their field of expertise (plumbing,
electrical, structural, etc.) The most serious issues will be put into a format for other City
staff, who may occasionally be at or in properties throughout the community in the
course of their duties, such as Police Officers, Fire Department staff, Transit, and Public
Works employees. This will allow for referral of the most serious issues on a pro-active
basis to the correct department. A proposal will be forthcoming, which will include a
recommendation to providing a training session for employees.
The Housing & Community Development Department has a designated neighborhood
inspector who began in the Washington Neighborhood in 2008. He has completed more
than 800 inspections to-date, resulting in 760 units brought into Code compliance. He is
now performing comprehensive rental inspections in the north end and point
neighborhoods and including all areas east of Central Avenue. The inspector goes
block-by-block, inspecting every rental property which is not involved in the Section 8
program. To duplicate the intensity of this coverage in the rest of the downtown,
however, is more labor-intensive than Housing currently has staff capacity for. The rest
of the downtown (west of Central Avenue) is much more densely populated with rental
units.
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With the addition of this inspector and implementation of an automated inspections
management system (Permits Plus), the previous seven-year cycle for completion of the
City’s 7,600 rental units has been reduced to five years. We expect further improvement
in performance as the system is continually enhanced.
Council-approved Code amendments in April of 2010 now allow a maximum of nine
months for extensions of time to complete required repairs. Previously, up to two years
was allowed, through time granted by the inspector and the Housing Code Appeals
Board. In addition, we are researching an “administrative court” model which may
further streamline and professionalize the appeals process.
Increased enforcement in vacant and abandoned buildings has resulted in removal of
29 long-term, chronic problem properties from the VAB list, since 2007. All VAB
properties are licensed and inspected annually. Currently, only 25 residential buildings
remain listed.
The Housing Department also implemented two additional inspection initiatives in
November 2010. The first is to perform “advisory” inspections of owner-occupied
homes in the Washington Neighborhood. Although not a code enforcement action,
owners receive a checklist of exterior Housing Code violations and also receive a
packet of information describing sources of assistance to perform the repairs. By the
end of January 2011, about 90% of the total of 200 houses had been inspected and
approximately 29% have been found to have code violations.
The second initiative is to perform exterior-only code enforcement inspections of all
rental buildings in all downtown neighborhoods. By delaying the normal comprehensive
5-year cycle inspection and concentrating only on exterior enforcement, it is projected
that all 2130 rental buildings in the downtown can be inspected in 12 months. This will
directly respond to the Task Force recommendation and should significantly impact
appearance and condition of downtown rental housing. To date, 17% have been
inspected about 41% have been found to have code violations. Orders have been
issued.
Finally, the housing inspectors are now concentrating on exterior inspections of all
rental properties identified in the NIU/CGS study as UCR crime “hot spots” along the
Central Avenue Corridor.
12. Create a data clearing house limited to verifiable and factual information
that landlords and tenants can share and reference when making their
rental decisions.
RESPONSE: The City Attorney’s Office created a form for the Records Division to use
on collection of data. The Police Department will continue to work with the newly hired
staff person to evaluate this system and determine whether modifications are
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necessary. The part-time records clerk assigned to landlord background checks will
begin collecting data as part of the background check process beginning in July 2011.
13. Develop and offer frequently a training program on code enforcement and
property management for all landlords. Require all landlords to attend the
program; issue only temporary occupancy permits/licenses until training
has been completed.
RESPONSE: In January 2011, the City Council amended the Housing Code to include
a requirement that landlords complete the Crime Free Multihousing Program. This
program has been in existence for more than ten years, but will be updated to include
additional code enforcement information and a video describing the enforcement
process. A program of continuing education otherwise approved by the City Manager
may substitute for this requirement. The Crime Free training will be offered to all
owners, managers and licensed real estate professionals phased in over a three year
period. Managers holding a professional license or owners or managers who have
previously completed a Crime Free training since 2000 are exempted from this
requirement. Until completion of the training annual rental dwelling licenses will be
issued on a temporary basis. The next training is scheduled for March 12, 2011 and the
City is currently accepting registrations.
Section 8 Program
The City Council has addressed community concerns about the real or perceived
impact of the Section 8 program on the community by:
1. Decreasing the desired number of Section 8 vouchers in the program
to 900
2. Limiting voucher eligibility to Dubuque residents
3. Increasing the staff capacity of the Family Self Sufficiency Program
4. Adding a Police corporal position working within the Housing &
Community Development Department to investigate Section 8
violations
Additional recommendations include supporting and providing resources to:
• Increase public understanding of the Section 8 Program
• Increase participation of Section 8 residents in effective self-
sufficiency programs
• Provide training to housing commissioners to increase their
leadership, public relations and community building skills
• Implement an Exception Rent Program to avoid concentrated
pockets of poverty
• Develop a stronger role for the Resident Advisory Board to
encourage residents of subsidized housing to give feedback on
proposed new policies and procedures and to cultivate leadership
within the low income residential community
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• Provide community service credits for participation in effective
programs that foster self sufficiency
• Continue to provide resources to FSS program based upon evidence
of success
RESPONSE: In the Housing Department, all of the recommendations from the SCTF
are being considered as part of the “Section 8 Management Plan” now in development.
Housing is working on this internally as a priority and reviewing that work monthly with
staff and with the Housing Commission. For several months, the City Manager, Housing
Department, City Attorney’s Office, and the Police Department met weekly to evaluate
and develop Housing policies.
Public Education: The City has taped a City Channel 8 program on Section 8 to better
explain the program and address myths and misperceptions. In addition, Housing
Department staff have spoken at neighborhood associations, service clubs, the Board of
Realtors, and the Chamber of Commerce. They have been interviewed by KCRG and
KWWL, and participated in a call-in radio show on KDTH. The Housing Department
website has been updated and expanded, with new links for the Family Self-Sufficiency
and Circles Programs. A monthly Section 8 newsletter – Community Matters – began
publication in October 2010.
Self-Sufficiency Programs: The Council authorized a second Family Self-Sufficiency
(FSS) program coordinator in August 2010, with the goal of doubling the number of FSS
family participants. Staff are developing innovative marketing efforts, including using
housing inspectors to disseminate program information to Section 8 tenants during
inspections, a redesigned website, and forming relationships with landlords and area
employers for referrals.
The Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World trainings have been expanded to two
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trainings per year. In December 2010, the program graduated its 108 participant. Two
more classes, for 45 participants, began in January 2011. Two additional Getting
Ahead classes, for Spanish-speaking persons and for teens, also began in January.
The new Circles Program was introduced in September 2010. This program creates
“circles” consisting of graduates from the Getting Ahead trainings and community
volunteers interested in forming longer-term supportive relationships. A Circles Coach
began employment with the Housing Department in January, funded through a grant
from DubuqueWorks, under sponsorship from the Community Foundation of Greater
Dubuque. As of February 2011, the first five circles have been formed.
The Bridges Initiative was recognized by the National Association of Housing and
Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) with a National Award of Merit.
Exception Rents: An exception rents program was approved by the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development and implemented in the fall of 2010. This allows the
Housing Department to pay higher rents in five westside census tracts, in an effort to
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deconcentrate the number of Section 8 participants living in downtown neighborhoods.
The Housing Department is marketing this program now, to both participants and
landlords, and since October 2010, 9 families have moved with housing vouchers to
new westside units.
Commissioner Training: Housing has proposed a program of trainings for Housing
Commissioners to gain more understanding of the Section 8 Program and be better
able to advocate and educate the public.
Resident Advisory Board: A Resident Advisory Board was recruited in the summer of
2010 and monthly meetings began in August 2010. Meetings give participants an
opportunity to interact with staff, provide feedback on and recommend changes in
Program policies and procedures. One member has been appointed by the City
Council to the Housing Commission. Efforts to expand membership and develop in-
service programs at monthly meetings have been implemented, resulting in increased
participation and dialogue.
Community Service: In order to be eligible for community service credit, the Bridges
Initiative must obtain 501(c)(3) status. Staff is currently trying to find an attorney willing
and able to donate the time to complete the necessary legal paperwork for this process.
Neighborhood Engagement and Social Capital
1. Human Relations - The SCTF believes that in order to achieve its goals
there will need to be a major City-wide human relations effort. The human
relations effort will have these objectives:
a) Increase tolerance and mutual understanding among the diverse
segments of the population. The adoption of educational initiatives
that foster community solidarity and global citizenship should be
among the first practical steps taken by our City.
b) Implement appropriate measures that safeguard the rights and
opportunities of all.
RESPONSE: In March of 2009, the Training and Workforce Development Coordinator
was hired. The Coordinator is involved in implementing the components of the
Intercultural Competency Strategic Plan which include reviewing and modifying the
City's recruitment efforts in order to attract a larger number of women and people of
color to apply for City positions and in developing training programs for City employees
that focus on increasing our ability to interact with the public and co-workers as our
community workforce continues to change.
A reorganization of the Human Rights Department was approved by the City Council at
the August 16, 2010 City Council Meeting. The reorganization shifted investigation of
human rights complaints to the City Attorney’s Office, allowing The Human Rights
Department to focus on early intervention and mediation opportunities for parties who
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seek assistance. If mediation fails and/or a party chooses to pursue a formal
investigation instead of mediation, the Human Rights Department assists them with
filing that complaint but does not make the legal determinations. The reorganization
also shifted the Training and Workforce Development coordinator position and duties to
the Human Rights Department.
The reorganization allows staff to focus on:
Conflict engagement through performing equal employment opportunity
counseling; adding/expanding mediation opportunities both internally for City
employees and externally for the community; further building the capacity of the
Dubuque Dispute Resolution Center for neighborhood disputes.
Intercultural competence/systemic change through coordination of intercultural
conflict efforts, including steering, training, and employee engagement teams;
working with local organizations and businesses to assist them in developing
their own intercultural competence programs.
Community engagement through leverage and increase of partnership efforts in
the community to improve the ability to build unity through diversity and prevent
fractures. This would include capacity building with the Multicultural Family
Center and faces and voices, and with other organizations that choose to
improve their intercultural competence in long-term, strategic ways.
Workforce development through continued work with Personnel Director Randy
Peck on employee recruitment and retention issues and expansion of work with
employee involvement teams. These teams are designed to address sources of
conflict and service delivery concerns within departments by engaging
employees directly in decision-making and resolution.
The Leisure Services Department is also reorganizing some staffing to focus on
directing and coordinating programs for youth and a few adult programs with an
emphasis on providing programs and services to targeted neighborhood community
members. This will be accomplished through not only programs Leisure Services offers
but also partnering with community organizations of Dubuque. Emphasis will be given
on coordinating efforts with the Multicultural Family Center. The staff reorganization will
allow for concentrated efforts to evolve ideas, impact neighborhood engagement, and
increase social capital.
Over the past year, the Multicultural Family Center has been working to increase
neighborhood engagement and social capital. Programs have sought to increase
tolerance and mutual understanding, foster community solidarity, and increase
community involvement. A sample of programming includes:
Taste of the World
Future Talk (summer education and employment program)
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Community and Police Dialogue on Race offered by Human Rights
Housing Townhall Meeting offered by Human Rights Commission
2. Develop a Neighborhood Watch program.
RESPONSE: Neighborhood Watch is a copyrighted program that was previously used
in the community and died out for lack of resident participation. The first step in
potential re-implementation of the program is to assess citizen interest. Beginning in
January 2011, Police Department personnel began to explore interest, starting with
active neighborhood associations. Department representatives are providing
information on what is required to develop and maintain and successful program and
then assessing level of interest. During this time, the Department will also utilize media
outlets to encourage interested neighborhoods to contact the Department to arrange a
presentation. Again we will determine interest levels, verify citizen commitment with
regard to attending training, completing reporting and all other requirements as
prescribed by the program.
By the spring of 2011, the Department should have a general idea of the community’s
interest in a neighborhood watch program. If there is sufficient interest and commitment
is evidence, we will then determine whether to align with the official National
Neighborhood Watch program or develop our own. One benefit of the official program
is the amount of available resources ranging from training materials to signs. A
potential drawback to the official program is the prescribed steps and requirements
needed to maintain a watch area and the subsequent failure of the program if the
citizens do not commit for the long term. A second option is to develop our own
program. The greatest benefit would be our ability to design the program specifically to
Dubuque’s history, current trends, and needs. One of the most significant drawbacks is
that we wouldn’t have the training materials and signs available through the national
program, thus creating a need to develop and manufacture our own. By the summer of
2011, if the Police Department has verified there is sufficient interest to resurrect this
program, they will have either created a program or subscribed to the national program
and begin recruitment, training, and meeting needs in the neighborhoods.
One aspect of a neighborhood watch program to be considered is the installation of
security cameras and 911 kiosks to deter crime and improve the feeling of security in
neighborhoods and parks. The camera and kiosk information has been previously
provided.
Another option that is under consideration is helping improve communication amongst
residents through use of the internet.
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3. Increase resident participation using such vehicles as clean-up campaigns,
neighborhood picnics, new neighbor welcome events, and other strategies
developed by residents.
RESPONSE: The development of a comprehensive brochure for new residents to help
them be more informed of Dubuque policies is a suggestion that has come up on
numerous occasions to welcome individuals. A brochure could cover basic policies like
City utilities; refuse and recycling; quality of life ordinances the City has related to loud
music, loud vehicles, pet waste and other issues that have been discussed by the
SCTF. The brochure could also include information on civic engagement opportunities
provided by the City. The publication could reach every new utility customer at City Hall
and also be made available to new and existing employers to provide for their
employees. Kiosks at the Historic Federal Building and community organizations would
facilitate this information sharing as well. The City website does currently provide a
"New Residents Guide" at http://www.cityofdubuque.org/index.aspx?NID=1204, but it is
basically a listing of referrals. A project of this nature would involve multiple
departments, could potentially be a very large guide, and involve printing costs.
Over the past year, the Multicultural Family Center has been working to increase
neighborhood engagement and social capital. Programs have sought to increase
tolerance and mutual understanding, foster community solidarity, and increase
community involvement.
Additionally, the Multicultural Family Center has the following programs to welcome new
families to the community:
Welcoming Program
English Language Learner Classes (NICC)
Spanish Choir
Marshallese Dancing
The Center has been expanding its programs to focus more on family programs, cultural
programs, and welcoming programs. The welcoming programs will include a welcome
dinner hosted every other month by the Center. If grant funding is received, the dinner
will be open to families that have joined the community within the last two years. The
event will include dinner, guest speakers, an overview of programs and services in the
community, transit and community maps, question and answer session, and time for
networking. The Center also sponsored The Mercy Garden, hosted by Holy Pastorate
Parish and located on Holy Ghost old football field (transportation is provided). The
garden lasted from May-October and the group of residents met twice a week to
prepare, plant and pick the produce.
Through encouragement and support of neighborhood organizations and neighborhood
based non-profit organizations; the City has actively promoted resident participation.
The City has provided both technical assistance and grant funding (in low and moderate
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income neighborhoods) through the Community Development Block Grant funded
Neighborhood Grant Program and the Community Building Grant Program.
Following is a listing of some of the neighborhood-based events over the past year.
Events that are new this year are indicated with an asterisk.
January 2011
The Human Rights Department’s AmeriCorps VISTA member worked with
other AmeriCorps members, community organizations, and community
volunteers to conduct a service project for Dr. King Day.
December 2010
Multicultural Holiday Party, December 10
October 2010
*Dia de la Raza, October 9
*Oktoberfest, October 23
September 2010
*Mexico Independence Day, September 18
August 2010
*Street Jam, August 6
*National Night Out Event at Comiskey Park
*Movie at Comiskey Park, August 18
Music in Jackson Park, August 8
North End Neighborhood/garage sale & fund raiser, Comiskey Park
Langworthy Neighborhood Annual Block Party
Crescent Community Health Fair, Aug 14
*Bike Safety Rodeo, Jackson Park, August 21
*Neighborhood Ice Cream Social, Comiskey, sponsored by Holy Spirit
Pastorate
July 2010
*Point Neighborhood - Fireworks gathering
Music in Jackson Park (event postponed due to rain)
*Movie in Comiskey Park
Hilltop-Ivy League Neighborhood Picnic
June 2010
*Eat N Greet Event- Orange Park, Washington Street
Music in Jackson Park June 13
Hilltop Ivy League Neighborhood Clean-up
May 2010
Valley View Neighborhood (clean-up Pot Luck)
Marshall Islands Constitutional Day Anniversary @ Prescott School
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*Point Neighborhood "junque in the trunk" fundraiser
Langworthy Neighborhood Clean-up (and coffee/juice)
April 2010
Downtown Neighborhood Clean-up/cookout at Boys and Girls Club
Community Days of Caring with Washington Neighborhood Association
In February 2011, the Leisure Services Department filled a volunteer coordinator
position through AmeriCorps VISTA.
4. Cultural Competency Training should be offered periodically to businesses
and the community at-large. It should be mandatory for City board and
commission members as well as for City staff.
RESPONSE: The Human Rights Department offered 40 sessions of intercultural
competence training to City staff and the community in FY 2010. This included a 3.5
hour training on Intercultural Conflict Styles for all City staff. In addition, the Human
Rights Department offers two 3.5 hour introductory trainings for City staff each summer,
which is required training for all new employees (longer term employees have already
attended these sessions). Staff also has planned four intercultural mini-trainings for City
staff during 2011, the first of which was held in February. In the fall of 2010, the Human
Rights Department offered a pilot program consisting of two, 2.5 hour sessions for the
SCTF members and Human Rights Commissioners, and these same training sessions
will now be offered to all Board and Commission members twice a year in April and
September, beginning in April 2011. These sessions will be open to the general public
as well. Staff is in the process of developing partnerships with three non-profit
organizations and with the Chamber of Commerce in hopes of expanding opportunities
for Intercultural training to the general public. In addition, staff has offered various
sessions for local college students over the past several months, including for a class of
future teachers.
5. The Human Rights Department should receive continued support. In
addition the City should devote resources to a human relations initiative
that could include programs in the arts, cultural programs, and other
strategies that promote respect and understanding among residents.
RESPONSE: In January 2011, the Human Rights Department partnered with faces &
voices and the NAACP on Dr. King Tribute Days events, including the Sunday awards
ceremony, the Monday breakfast (which had record attendance), and a community
leaders luncheon. We participated in a panel discussion for Dr. King Day at Loras
College entitled “Does Race Still Matter?” We’ve also offered several “speakers
bureau” engagements – these are opportunities for the general public to hear from, and
ask questions of, community members who are African-American, gay or lesbian, or
have a disability.The Department also responded to a racial incident at a local high
school and arranged for mediation between the involved students. We will be meeting
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with the schools again to plan for ways we can be engaged on a regular basis with
students in the schools, given the department’s new role.
From June through December 2010, the Human Rights Department developed a pilot
program called the Police-Community Dialogue on Race. The program involved police
officers and African-American community members working together to offer panel
presentations on frequent miscommunications and tensions that occur between the two
groups. The group provided sessions for City staff, police officers, the Multicultural
Family Center, and the NAACP. Going forward, the group will focus particularly on
offering these sessions for police officers.
Over the course of the upcoming year the Multicultural Family Center plans to offer at
least one cultural event a month. The goal will be to allow individuals to share their
culture, traditions, and norms in a safe and respectful environment while fostering
understanding and awareness of the diversity in this community. Cultural programs for
this fall, winter, and spring may include Dia de la Raza, Independence Day celebrations,
Native American heritage month celebration, Las Posadas, Chinese New Year, Taste of
the World, Juneteenth, and GLBT awareness month event.
6. Support a welcoming program for all new renters through community
based organizations (such as GDDC provides for new families coming to
Dubuque).
RESPONSE: The Multicultural Family Center has the following programs to welcome
new families to the community:
Welcoming Program
English Language Learner Classes (NICC)
Spanish Choir
Marshallese Dancing
The welcoming programs will not be limited to renters, but will include all new residents
of the community. This year the Center plans to expand its programs to focus more on
family programs, cultural programs, and welcoming programs. The welcoming
programs will include a welcome dinner hosted every other month by the Center. If
grant-funding is received, the dinner will be open to families that have joined the
community within the last two years. The event will include dinner, guest speakers, an
overview of programs and services in the community, transit and community maps,
question and answer session, and time for networking.
A CityChannel 8 program may also be a way to share information with citizens new to
the community.
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Management of Physical Environment:
1. Install Street lights in the middle of the block to brighten up the streets at
night and increase visibility for residents.
thth
RESPONSE: New street lights at all 38 possible alley-street locations from 12 to 20
Streets in the Washington Neighborhood have now been installed. Existing street lights
in the Washington Neighborhood have been upgraded to use brighter bulbs.
The Engineering Department has researched the costs to install mid-block lights in
neighborhoods. Alliant Energy will provide the pole and light fixture at mid-block
locations for a monthly fee. This fee includes the rental of the pole and fixture, energy
cost, and maintenance cost. Below is a summary of the current monthly costs per light.
Lamp Size Luminaire Rate New Pole Rate Total
100 Watt $6.70/month $7.38/month $14.08/month
If another pole is required, there will be an additional cost of $7.38/month
For a year the average cost would be $168.90 per light. If there is an existing pole to
mount the street light, the pole cost is $2.57/month. These rates are based on a
secondary wire being installed to a maximum distance of 150 feet. Any distance in
excess of 150 feet would have additional monthly wire costs.
It should be noted that some abutting property owners may not want the light in front of
their residences. Engineering has received some residents concerns to placement of
mid-block lights due to light potentially shining into bedrooms at night.
2. Improve Dubuque neighborhoods by:
a) Encouraging home ownership,
b) Encouraging a mixed income approach to neighborhood
development,
c) Creating (or re-creating) a sense of place through good design. All
buildings using city, state, or federal dollars should be required to
meet these objectives and all projects should be required to meet the
City's sustainability goals.
RESPONSE: The Economic Development Department has several financial assistance
programs available to property owners. These programs would be a logical first place to
begin implementation of this recommendation.
The SCTF suggestions for improving neighborhoods are all cornerstones of the Housing
Department’s approach to housing and community development. All buildings using
public funds are required to meet the objectives and meet the City's sustainability goals.
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The City has zoned the vast majority of the community for residential development, from
single- and two-family to multi-family. With the adoption of the Unified Development
Code in 2009, single- and two-family homes now are permitted in the R-3 and R-4 multi-
family districts. This Code change encourages home ownership city-wide. The City’s
Building Codes accommodate a variety of home ownership, from detached single-family
to attached townhouses to condominiums.
The Code retains the zoning provisions adopted in 1993 that allow non-conforming
residential structures, such as homes in a commercial or industrial zone, to be rebuilt
and renovated. This Code provision has enabled people to remain in their homes and
make home improvements that also improve their neighborhoods.
The Historic Preservation Housing Grant Program and a low interest Historic
Preservation Revolving Loan Fund provides grant funding for low and moderate income
qualifying homeowners, while homeowners at any income level can qualify for the loan
program. Both programs have been extended to Conservation Districts, Individually
Designated Historic Properties, and City Landmarks.
In addition to the residential zoning mix described above, the Code allows upper story
housing in office, commercial, and industrial districts. These zoning regulations promote
both a mixed-use and a mixed-income approach to neighborhood development. The
City’s Building Codes accommodate mixed development as well.
Creating a sense of place through good design can be broken down into four separate
areas of analysis, which involve the Building Services Department as well as Planning &
Zoning Department, buildings, Section 106, streetscapes, and sustainability.
BUILDINGS: The City Council mandates the design review for exterior
renovations of buildings in Historic Districts as well as City Landmarks and
Individually-Designated Historic Properties regardless of the funding source.
Design review applications are handled by Planning Services staff, with Historic
Preservation Commission review for material changes in appearance. Code
compliance, site inspections, and enforcement of these design reviews is
handled by Building Services staff with assistance as needed from Planning
Services staff.
The City Council also mandates design review of exterior building alterations in
the Port of Dubuque and the Historic Millwork District regardless of funding
source. These design reviews are handled by Planning Services staff.
As of June 2009, the City Council mandated design review of exterior building
alterations and public works projects, such as streetscapes, in the Downtown.
The Downtown Design Guidelines must be followed, unless a waiver is granted
by the Commission, for all projects using city, state, or federal dollars. Design
review applications are handled by Planning Services staff, with Commission
review for material changes in appearance. Code compliance, site inspections,
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and enforcement of these design reviews is handled by Building Services staff
with assistance as needed from Planning Services staff.
SECTION 106: For projects receiving federal funds outside the Historic Districts
and the Downtown, a “Section 106” review is required. Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act mandates a review of the potential impact to
historic resources from the expenditure of federal funds. The Planning Services
staff is able to conduct Section 106 design reviews in-house for the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development funded programs. These
programs include the City’s Community Development Block Grant funded
housing rehabilitation program and the lead-based paint programs. For projects
using other federal funding sources, Planning Services staff prepares reports for
the State Historic Preservation Office to conduct the Section 106 reviews.
Design Guidelines used for HUD-funded and other federally-funded projects are
less defined than the design guideline manuals used in the Historic Districts and
the Downtown. Compliance with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards guides
these design reviews.
STREETSCAPES: The City Council mandates design review of public works
projects in the Historic Districts and the Downtown, regardless of the funding
source. The Planning Services staff signs off on simple projects that comply with
the applicable design guidelines, and the Commission advises the City Council
on significant projects.
Historic District Public Improvement Program funds are a matching grant
program for neighborhoods to retain and re-create their sense of place. HDPIP
funds have been used for streetscape improvements in all five historic districts
such as historic street lights, benches, trash receptacles, planters, and signs.
A similar design review process was adopted in 2009, for public works projects in
the Downtown, using the Downtown Design Guidelines Manual.
Old Town Neighborhood Site Design Guidelines were established in the 2009
Code for new development in Conservation Districts and Conservation Planning
Areas. They provide form-based guidelines in Dubuque’s older neighborhoods,
where strict application of “suburban style” site design standards for new
commercial, industrial, and residential development are difficult to apply due to
the dense development patterns of these older urban areas.
SUSTAINABILITY: Historic preservation can be considered the “poster child” of
sustainability. While the design review process and Code provisions described
above foster historic preservation, the City’s Building Code options also foster
sustainability goals. The adoption of preservation minded codes gives owners,
contractors, architects, and the Building Services staff alternatives when dealing
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with existing buildings. It also reduces the barrier (real and/or perceived) of codes
when owners are contemplating renovation of their downtown buildings.
On February 22, 2011, the City Council approved the expansion of the Washington
Neighborhood Conservation District. Expansion of the Conservation District responds to
the Task Force recommendations by encouraging homeownership and mixed-use
opportunities, while preserving the character and sense of place of the neighborhood.
The Washington Neighborhood is a mixed –use neighborhood with many single-family
and duplex units, scattered multi-family units, and major commercial zones in the
Central/White corridor and the Five Points area.
In historic districts and conservation districts, property owners have an additional City
loan program, in addition to the Housing and Community Development Department’s
program, to help with exterior repairs to their buildings. The historic preservation
revolving loan fund is available to home owners, landlords, institutions, and commercial
businesses in conservation districts to correct exterior code violations. Loans are for up
to $25,000 for 10 years at 3% interest. The HPC reviews and approves all loans,
subject to underwriting criteria of the Housing and Community Development
Department.
3. Create an ordinance prohibiting the boarding of windows and doors facing
streets.
RESPONSE: Through a Commission initiative and the City Manager’s direction, staff in
the Planning Services, Building Services, Housing and Community Development, and
City Attorney’s Office have discussed, researched, and drafted an ordinance addressing
boarded-up windows and doors in Historic Districts and Conservation Districts. The
Commission advocated for this ordinance to reduce blighting conditions in these
districts. The Commission encountered resistance to this proposed ordinance from
impacted property owners and the Dubuque Main Street Board of Directors. Learning of
the SCTF’s interest in this type of ordinance, the Commission directed Planning
Services staff to share their efforts with the Task Force.
Related to properties outside of historic and conservation districts, the Housing
Department and Building Services Department codes and policies provide some basis
for preventing boarded up windows and are used regularly by inspectors. The City
Attorney’s Office was able to expand the ordinance to include all property in the City.
On February 22, 2011, the City Council adopted a boarded-up openings ordinance that
establishes requirements for the exterior security and appearance of buildings. City staff in
Planning Services, Building Services, Housing and Community Development and Legal
Departments have discussed, researched and drafted the adopted ordinance with input
from the Historic Preservation Commission and Dubuque Main Street (DMS). The
ordinance states no building openings, except basement windows, in a building with any lot
frontage on a public street may be boarded or covered in whole or in part. Doors and
windows located on a façade of a building with lot frontage on a public street must be
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properly maintained, painted, and trimmed in the same manner as if the building was
occupied. The ordinance includes a provision that provides for discretion in allowing for
extensions for replacement of boarded-up openings. The Ordinance “grandfathers” existing
windows, doors, and similar openings that are boarded up prior to the effective date of the
Code. The Ordinance also requires that a survey be conducted every two years in order to
gauge the impact of the ordinance and market conditions on the inventory.
4. Develop and enforce policies consistent with the "preservation briefs" to
maintain historic properties.
RESPONSE: The Technical Preservation Services (TPS) of the National Park Service
(NPS) provides information and guidance on the care of historic buildings. TPS helps
home owners, preservation professionals, organizations, and government agencies
preserve and protect this nation's heritage by providing readily available materials --
guidance pamphlets and books, videos, and NPS web home page -- on preserving,
restoring, and rehabilitating historic buildings. Preservation briefs are just one of the
publications provided by the TPS.
The TPS is one of a number of resources the Commission and City staff use when
advising or reviewing a project. Other standards for review include the Architectural
Guidelines Manual and the Streetscape and Landscape Guidelines Manual for the
Historic Districts, and the Downtown Design Guidelines Manual. All documents,
including those published by the TPS, are founded on principles outlined in the
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic
Properties. The City website currently offers links to all the resources listed above,
including the TPS.
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards are not technical or prescriptive, but are
intended to promote responsible preservation practices that help protect cultural
resources. For example, they cannot, in and of themselves, be used to make essential
decisions about which features of the historic building should be saved and which can
be changed. But once a treatment approach is selected, the Standards provide
philosophical consistency to the work. The four treatment approaches are Preservation,
Rehabilitation, Restoration, and Reconstruction. The Architectural Guidelines,
Landscape Guidelines, and Downtown Design Guidelines Manuals expand on these
basic rehabilitation principles as they apply in Dubuque. The TPS publications are, as
one might expect more technical in nature, offering more in depth and detailed
information and guidance on the care of historic buildings.
The City Attorney’s Office requested Planning & Zoning staff to research the
preservation briefs related to the proper “mothballing” of historic structures. Assistant
City Attorney Crenna Brumwell met with Planning & Zoning staff on August 5, 2010 to
review the preservation brief for possible implementation. The TPS preservation brief
on “mothballing” is inconsistent with the SCTF recommendation to prohibit boarded up
windows and doors. The “mothballing” preservation brief lists boarding up windows and
doors as a proper way to seal and preserve a building. The brief is also inconsistent
25
with the City’s vacant or abandoned building ordinance which is used to ensure the
maintenance of and encourage the re-use, rehabilitation and renovation of structures.
5. Increase the number of trash receptacles on the street.
RESPONSE: The Public Works Department has engaged in a series of discussion to
evaluate the option of using a portion of the $30,000 budgeted for FY’11 for the
purchase and installation of litter and recyclables receptacles in the downtown area
towards the placement of receptacles in the residential areas abutting the downtown. A
memo with recommendations will be forthcoming shortly.
The Health Services Department responds to complaints on a regular basis and
enforces regulations regarding garbage, weeds, and environmental nuisances.
Additionally, Health Services works closely with Police, Housing, Planning, and Public
Works to address physical environment and Health Department enforcement issues.
6. Increase the number of neighborhood clean-ups and educate the
community on city waste disposal policies in an effort to clarify the
purpose of neighborhood clean-up programs.
RESPONSE: The Public Information Office and Cable TV division are currently working
with Paul Schultz, Resource Management Coordinator, to create a CityChannel 8
program on proper solid waste and recycling methods for curbside collection.
The Public Works Department is evaluating a budget request to fund additional support
for neighborhood cleanup campaigns, using the resources of its solid waste collection
and DMASWA solid waste management activities. These resources would include solid
waste collection trucks, dump trucks, recyclables drop-off receptacles, access to solid
waste disposal and recycling facilities, its partnership with the local chapter of Keep
Iowa Beautiful – Keep Dubuque County Clean and Green, and its many related front-
line workers and management support personnel.
The Public Works Department would recommend continuation of the annual asphalt
overlay program for street improvements and expansion of the alley cart program which
can have a dramatic impact on neighborhood aesthetics.
Providing an incentive for neighborhoods to act may be as simple as a contest to select
the most improved landscape in a neighborhood or at private homes. This could
improve neighborhood aesthetics, bolster relationships, and reduce enforcement.
The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency offers free use of litter cleanup
equipment to community organizations in Dubuque County. The litter cleanup
equipment includes gloves, safety vests, litter tongs, and disposal bags. Volunteers are
asked to complete a liability waiver form and cleanup information form. Free pickup and
disposal of the collected materials can be arranged ahead of time through the Public
Works Department and the Dubuque County Road Department.
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Keep Dubuque County Clean and Green citizens group is the local affiliate of Keep
Iowa Beautiful. Its focus is on litter and illegal dumping prevention, waste reduction, and
community beautification in the rural and urban areas of Dubuque County. KDCCG is
made up of representatives from several city and county agencies and civic groups, as
well as individuals interested in community improvement and environmental
stewardship.
The City has also funded a number of neighborhood beautification efforts initiated by
neighborhood groups including landscaping improvements in the Washington Street
traffic diverters, flower planting/landscaping at Grant Park, Jackson Park, Avon Park,
11th Street gateway, and the 2nd Street Island across from Cathedral.
The Community Development Advisory Commission could review the Neighborhood
Grant Program. One possibility for the Commission to consider would be to prioritize
funding for proposed projects which address one of the recommendations of the Safe
Community Task Force.
CONCLUSION
In addition to the above actions that have been taken to date to implement SCTF
recommendations, there are also a series of budget recommendations that have been
presented as part of the FY2012 budget process that are responsive to various
recommendations.
City staff looks forward to reviewing the above information with the City Council to
answer questions and receive direction. Thank you.
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