Federal Legislative Priorities
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MEMORANDUM
December 15, 2004
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: City of Dubuque Priorities for Federal Appropriations
Economic Development Director Bill Baum is recommending City Council approval of
the "City of Dubuque Federal Legislative Priorities."
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
1/1 l ~( {/ ¡ll ! 1/
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Micháel c. Van Milligen "
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Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
William Baum, Economic Development Director
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MEMORANDUM
December 14, 2004
TO:
FROM:
Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
William Baum, Economic Development Director
SUBJECT: City of Dubuque Priorities for Federal Appropriations
INTRODUCTION AND DISCUSSION
On February 9, 10, and 11 of 2005, the Mayor and majority of the City Council will be in
Washington D.C., participating in the annual information sharing discussion with the
Iowa Congressional Delegation.
In preparation for the meeting, Congressional staff is requesting information on the
priorities or issues of the City. In reviewing the City Council goals for 2004-5, as well as
the information provided to the staff in the past, I have developed the attached report
entitled "City of Dubuque Priorities and Requests for Federal Appropriations,"
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend the City Council approval of the "City of Dubuque Federal Legislative
Priorities",
F : IUS ERS IWBaum IF edera I I n ~iatives Imem atom ikea bo utO5prio rities. doc
December 2004
CITY OF DUBUQUE
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
1.
TransDortation
IA 32 - (Southwest Arterial):
The Dubuque City Council, the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors, and Dubuque
Metropolitan Planning Organization (DMA TS) has identified the completion of the IA 32
(Southwest Arterial) as the No.1 surface transportation priority in the Dubuque area. The IA 32
connects the new Dubuque Technology Park on U.S. 61/151 with the new Dubuque Industrial
Center West, and the existing Dubuque Industrial Center near U.S. 20. The highway then
extends north to John Deere Dubuque Works.
Since October 2001, four companies have made expansion decisions at the Dubuque Industrial
Center West, based upon assurances that US 32 was under study and construction was in the
Iowa Department of Transportation five-year plan. The largest of the companies, McGraw Hill
Publishing Company made a decision to locate a new 330,000-square-foot distribution center in
the Dubuque Industrial Center West. The completion of Highway 32 is vital to the other
expansion announcements: Adams Company, Vessel Systems, and Giese Manufacturing.
Other companies asking for a connection between U.S. 20 and U.S. 61/151 include John Deere,
Nordstrom Distribution Center, AV. McDonald, Swiss Valley Farms, Flexsteel, and Dubuque
Stamping and Manufacturing.
Total Project Cost $71,000,000. The State of Iowa has committed $21 million for the project in
the Iowa Department of Transportation's five-year plan. The Metropolitan Planning
Organization, DMATS, has committed $7 million in Surface Transportation Program funds for
the facility. The City is also seeking financial assistance through the State of Iowa Department
of Transportation Revitalize Iowa's Sound Economy (RISE) program. In February 2003, Senator
Tom Harkin announced federal budget approval of $1 ,900,000 to assist in accomplishing this
work.
The Environmental Review process is complete and a final Finding of No Significant Impact on
the Environment has been prepared and is scheduled for publication in January of 2005. The
City has agreed to manage the next phase of the project, the Preliminary Engineering work. A
consultant (Earthtech) has been selected, and the Cityllowa DOT and Earthtech are finalizing a
formal agreement. This work should begin in early 2005 and be completed by summer of 2006.
The funding "gap" is $41 Million, The City is requesting this project be identified and
authorized in the next federal transportation bill.
Current Status:
Congressman Jim Nussle provided $20 million for this project in the new transportation
reauthorization bill. The bill will need to be revived in 2005 by the new Congress. The City's
request is that the $20 million be including in the new version of the bill in 2005. The City,
County, and IDOT will be ready for the next phase of the project in fiscal year 2006. Funding is
needed for property acquisition and final design. Funding similar to the previous $1,900,0000 for
these activities is requested in fiscal year 2006.
Capacity Improvements to U,S,20/Julien Dubuque Bridae
The U.S. 20/Julien Dubuque Bridge spans the Mississippi River and provides one eastbound
and one westbound lane of traffic. On either side of the river, the highway immediately expands
to four or more lanes. The result is a bottleneck in traffic on both sides of the bridge. This link is
important for an east-west connection between Dubuque and other communities. To the west:
Galena, III.; Rockford, III.; and Chicago. To the east: Waterloo, Iowa and the 1-35 interchange.
This project is a very high priority with the City Council and the Metropolitan Planning
Organization, DMATS.
The City of Dubuque appreciates the $28 million federal commitment to the bridge from
Congressman Nussle secured by Dubuque's Congressional delegation.
Current Status:
The location study and environmental documentation are complete. IDOT has selected the firm
of Parsons of Chicago, Illinois, in conjunction with WHKS of Dubuque, to perform the
preliminary and final design of the bridge, bridge approaches, and roadway improvements.
The City had hoped to see completion of Phase I construction plans for the new approaches in
June 2003. Phase I construction on the bridge approaches and roadway improvements on both
sides of the River was scheduled for the latter part of Calendar Year 2003 and Calendar Year
2004 with the current money available. New cost estimates raising the total bridge project cost
from $96 Million to $165 Million has derailed these plans.
The design and land acquisition will be completed with existing funds; however, no funding is
currently available for construction of the project.
Additionally, the City has been informed of City responsibility to pay the cost of relocation of
utilities, estimated to be approximately $3,000,000.
Latest estimates to complete the project are $130 Million. Therefore, the City is
requesting additional federal funding assistance in the next federal transportation bill,
The City also requests language be inserted into the bill providing that the $3,000,000 in
municipal utility relocation is an activity eligible for federal cost sharing.
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Dubuque ReQional Airport
The Airport Commission has completed the Airport Terminal Study, which has been accepted
by the FAA. The study identified the following needs:
Terminal Buildina
The Benefit Cost Analysis for the Dubuque Regional Airport's new commercial service terminal
has been completed and accepted by the Federal Aviation Administration. This makes the new
terminal project eligible for federal funding currently programmed to begin in Federal fiscal year
2006. The land and design phases essentially provide budget numbers for the following
construction phases of the new terminal development. The airport will use their entitlement
and will need discretionary funding in the amount of $1,625,000 in 2006 to accomplish
land acquisition and terminal/area design.
Control Tower Radar
The Dubuque Regional Airport is currently third busiest airport in operations for the State of
Iowa. Our objective is to increase control tower coverage in the evening by two hours. With
continued increase in corporate and general aviation activity, radar is a needed safety
enhancement for the airport.
A major contributor to our operational growth is the University of Dubuque, which in the past five
years has increased its aviation flight students from 91 to 202 and aircraft on the field from 13 to
23.
Currently the Airport is not eligible for the FAA D-Brite program due to regulatory secondary
radar limitations, but the Airport has been advised it has been placed on a list for a category of
radar currently not funded. It is the Airport's intent to install this system through the FAA
Facilities and Equipment with 100% federal dollars estimated at $500,000,
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2.
Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitiaation Project
Purpose: To limit flooding in low/moderate income neighborhoods.
In 1999, an unusually intense spring storm deluged Dubuque with rainfall. The storm produced
in excess of four feet of stormwater in city streets and five feet of stormwater in basements, and
resulted in a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Dubuque County. Flood damage devastated
hundreds of homes in the City of Dubuque. At the time of the flood, the City was in the process
of adopting a Stormwater Management Plan. On July 23, 2001, HDR Engineering, of Omaha,
Neb., the consulting firm hired by the City to produce the Stormwater Management Plan,
presented its findings to City Council.
One solution is an open waterway proposal for solving the Bee Branch Stormwater problems.
This solution has been controversial, and is therefore, under continuing study. However, an
important segment of the project, not involvina the open waterwav concept is not controversial,
and will assist greatly in mitigating the problems with the Bee Branch:
The expansion of the 3200 Street detention basin, at a cost of $4,000,000 would double
the size of the existing basin.
When completed, the basin would reduce peak runoff flows from the 100-year rainstorm by
69%. This significant reduction will lesson the threat of flood damage to the neighborhood, and
assist greatly in solving the problems in the Bee Branch.
The City is requesting an FY06 earmark through EPA's State and Tribal Grant program
"STAG." Any reasonable amount of funding for this project would be appreciated.
The City has approved the establishment of a storm water utility, and therefore the local match
is available for this project.
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3.
DubuQue Post Office Renovations
The City is very concerned about the ongoing deterioration of the Federal Building downtown
currently housing the Post Office. Our understanding is that the Social Security Administration
will soon be moving out of the facility, leaving only the Post Office operation in this magnificent
building.
City officials have met with the Regional Administrator Bradley Scott, Jim Ogden, Deputy
Assistant Regional Administrator, and other GSA representatives concerning the maintenance
of the building and the process for disposing of the property to the City or Dubuque Initiatives as
a potential solution. The building needs approximately $2 million in improvements. GSA has
indicated that after the building is declared excess inventory, and no other federal agency has a
need for it, the property is determined "surplus", the City or Dubuque Initiatives could purchase
the property, most likely for $1. However, the GSA must complete a property disposal procedure
that could take eighteen months.
The City requests the Congressional delegation work with GSA, the City and Dubuque
Initiatives to fund renovations to this building, and encourage federal agencies to lease
space in this downtown facility.
4.
AMERICA'S RIVER AT THE PORT OF DUBUQUE
Intermodal Facility
The City of Dubuque wishes to prepare a study to explore needs and justification for a
Downtown Transportation Center Intermodal Facility for the Port of Dubuque. The type of study
will include a parking and transit component and will be used to determine the location and
composition of a facility, establish a parking and transit plan, and operating revenue. The cost of
the study is estimated to be $130,000 with a total project cost estimate of $10 million. Similar
projects in Iowa have been funded between a range of $7.5 million for the Near Southside
Transportation Center Intermodal Facility in Iowa City, Iowa to $10 million for the UNI Multi-
modal project in Waterloo.
Next Phase of Museum Development
The City Council supports the efforts of the Dubuque County Historical Society in the next
phase of the development of the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. Detailed
plans or time schedules have not been provided to the City Council to date.
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Homeland Security
Regional Emergency Responder Training Facility
5.
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Dubuque Fire Department is part of the group developing the training facility as a joint
venture with all emergency response agencies in Dubuque County.
OUR VISION: To develop an emergency responder training facility including training tower, an
indoorloutdoor evolution lab and classroom to enable firefighters, law enforcement officers,
EMS personnel, and safety workers in local manufacturinglcommercial industry to safely train in
real-life emergency situations.
Firefighters, law enforcement officers, and EMS workers will now be able to participate in joint
training exercises, enabling:
-Preparation for multiple disaster scenarios
-The sharing of ideas and training techniques
-Introduction to and training with new and more efficient equipment
-Team building between departments and communities
FUNDING CHALLENGES: Private/public partnerships have been established to assist
with funding this project. However, additional funding assistance is necessary. Since
much of the training will be related to homeland security disasters, we are hopeful that
some funding may be possible from the federal government. The total cost of the facility
is $2,600,000,
6.
Federally Qualified Community Health Center for Dubuaue
Access to primary health and dental care has been identified as a critical need for the citizens of
Dubuque County, particularly low-income children and families. In addressing this crucial issue,
many organizations and agencies have together to develop a community health center for
Dubuque and the Tri-State area:
.
Mercy Medical Center - Dubuque
Finley HospitalNNA
Medical Associates Clinic & Health Plan
Dubuque Internal Medicine
Dubuque OB-GYN
Tri-States Independent Physician's Association
Gannon Center for Community Mental Health
Dubuque County Health Department
Iowa Department of Public Health
Iowa Department of Human Services
Hillcrest Family Services
Sisters of St. Francis
Clarke College
Northeast Iowa Community College
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Dubuque Community Schools
City of Dubuque
The health center envisioned by this community group would be a non-profit organization
structured so that it could receive federal funding under the Health Centers Consolidation Act of
1996 as amended by section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. The clinic would provide
comprehensive primary care services to all individuals within the center's service regardless of
ability to pay. Specific services that the center would provide either directly, through contract, or
by formal referral arrangements would include:
.
.
Primary health care services by physicians and, where appropriate, allied health
professionals
Diagnostic laboratory services
Diagnostic x-ray services
Preventive health services
Patient case management
Pharmacy services needed to complete treatment
Preventive dental services
Emergency services
Transportation for patients who would otherwise lack access to services.
.
.
.
.
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Dubuque is the only major metropolitan area in Iowa without a community health center.
The Dubuque community is now coming together in an effort to create a community health
center, which will meet the identified health needs of our citizens. In February of 2003, the
City was informed of a planning grant of $50,000 to Clarke College from the FY 03
appropriations bill. We are grateful to the Congressional delegation for the support.
A recent implementation grant application was denied; application will be resubmitted
for $650,000 in Fiscal Year 06.
7.
SUPPORT CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY
The City Council supports the efforts of Rentech, Inc (Royster-Clark Nitrogen) owner of a
830 ton per day natural gas-fed nitrogen fertilizer production plant in East Dubuque, Illinois
to convert the plant into a coal fed gasification plant using Illinois Coal instead of expensive
natural gas. The new and expanded gasification process will generate the synthesis gas
necessary to produce nitrogen fertilizer, Fischer-Tropsch (FTO) ultra-clean fuels and surplus
electricity.
The company currently employs 110 high paying quality jobs at the facility. During the
conversion, 1000 construction workers will be on the site. If the conversion to a coal fed
gasification plant is successful, the company will add 100 new positions to the workforce.
This project would provide economic benefits to the entire Dubuque Urban Area.
The City supports this effort and encourages the delegation to work with the company to
provide tax credits for clean coal technology in the next national energy bill.
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