Minutes_City Council Proceedings 9 12 11CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL SESSION
The City Council met in special session at 6:00 p.m. on September 12, 2011 in the
Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th Street.
Present: Mayor Buol, Council Members Braig, Connors, Jones, Lynch, Resnick,
Sutton, City Manager Van Milligen
Absent: City Attorney Lindahl
Mayor Buol read the call and stated this is a special session of the City Council to
conduct a work session on Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project.
WORK SESSION
UPPER BEE BRANCH CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT
Civil Engineer Deron Muerhing provided historical information on the Bee Branch
Creek and current project and presented a video production related to area flooding.
Muering introduced representatives from Strand Associates, Mike Bridwell, and IIW
Engineers, Mike Jansen and Ken Saiki who assisted with the presentation. Highlights
included:
• Creation of the Drainage Basin Master Plan
• North Fork Catfish Creek Watershed
NW Arterial Detention Basin
• Bee Branch Creek Watershed
o Carter Road Detention Basin
o West 32nd Street Detention Basin
o Open Waterway 16th to 24th Street
o Bee Branch Creek Alignment Study
• Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project
o Primary purpose: flood protection
o Secondary purpose: community asset
Public meetings and input (commercial district, Lincoln to Railroad, 22nd to
Lincoln, 24th to 22nd Streets)
o Separated into Phases I (lower) & 11 (upper)
• Lower Phase I projects and suggested design elements (plazas
and overlooks)
• Upper Phase 11 projects and suggested design elements (railroad
property acquisition, bike tunnel, level control facility and operation,
Heritage Trail connection, bike /walking paths, activity "nodes" with
pedestrian amenities, biofields runoff treatment, boardwalks,
bridges, amphitheater, water feature, orchard /community garden
space, parking, information kiosks, sediment collection,
embankment slide, fish habitat, overlooks, safety piers, pervious
allies for adjacent property owners, headwaters structure, possible
pet amenities,
Construction will take place from downstream to upstream with the 24th Street
headwater area constructed last.
Ground restoration is expected to include bluegrass; prairie grasses; low -
maintenance, low -mow Fescue grass, and a low- volume drip irrigation system.
Current site plan includes: a trail system, drinking fountains, lighting, banners,
planters, flags, interpretive project signs, security kiosks and cameras
Outside funding sources: IJOBS, State Revolving Fund, Environmental Protection
Agency, Vision Iowa, Federal Highways Trail, America's River, and ongoing funding
searches.
Schedule /timeline for engineering, design permitting, parcel acquisition, and
construction underway with functionality for Phase II by spring 2013.
Questions and comments from Council included what style of pavement and fixtures
are to be used; concerns about water level control and rate, path width, shade,
reservation of amphitheater and overlooks for private /public events; benefits to the
Northend neighborhood and greater community; and incorporation with Kaufmann
Avenue storm sewer. Van Milligen reiterated that the City Council has designated the
area a Conservation District to preserve the character of the neighborhood and the
project.
There being no further business upon motion the City Council adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Kevin S. Firnstahl
City Clerk
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