Sustainable Dubuque Project Status Report_October 2011Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: October Sustainable Dubuque Project Status Update
DATE: November 3, 2011
Dubuque
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Sustainability Coordinator Cori Burbach is transmitting the October 2011 Sustainable
Dubuque Project Status Report.
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Micha Milligen
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Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Sustainability Coordinator
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Cori Burbach, Sustainability Coordinator
SUBJECT: October Sustainable Dubuque Project Status Update
DATE: November 3, 2011
Dubuque
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Attached please find the monthly Sustainable Dubuque project status update for
October. No action is requested; this document is provided for your information only.
City of Dubuque
Sustainable Dubuque
Project Status Report — October 2011
*Please note: in order to manage the length of this report, some historical, non - timely
information has been removed from the current report.
COMPREHENSIVE PROJECTS
Government:
University of Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (Management Agenda):
City Council approved a partnership with the University of Iowa Initiative for Sustainable
Communities. During the 2011 -12 and 2012 -13 academic years, graduate students
from the University's Masters in Urban Planning program will assist Dubuque leaders in
sustainability planning and analysis for several different areas. The University's desire
is to be able to have five projects for the 2011 -2012 academic year and a similar
number in 2012 -2013, with coordination through the City and Dubuque 2.0.
City and Dubuque 2.0 staff met with stakeholders from the economic
development/business, neighborhood, school (K -12 and college), non - profit, and
resource management sectors and Historic Millwork District property owners to
brainstorm potential projects to be completed through the partnership. Projects
identified for 2011 -2012 completion include the following:
• Sustainable Dubuque performance measures (Project lead: Cori Burbach, City of
Dubuque)
• Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (Project lead: Lindsey Harms, David Lyons,
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque)
• Local foods purchase at local colleges (Project lead: Bill Petsche, ISU Extension)
• Asset mapping of renewable energy resources (geothermal, solar, wind) and
policy implications (Project lead: Dan McDonald, GDDC, and David Lyons,
Smarter Sustainable Dubuque)
• Portrait of poverty: define dimensions of poverty in Dubuque and potential
models for addressing poverty. (Project lead: Eric Dregne, Community
Foundation of Greater Dubuque)
The next step for these projects will be definition of project scope and need for local
undergraduate interns.
In July, local project leaders (listed above) met to discuss desired outcomes of the
projects and plan for the students' work. A recruitment campaign for local
undergraduate interns was also conducted, with 25 applications being submitted by
students representing Loras College, Clarke University, University of Dubuque,
University of Wisconsin - Platteville, and Northeast Iowa Community College.
(Note that going forward, a general update on the University Iowa will continue to
appear in the Comprehensive Projects portion of this report, but project- specific updates
will occur under the principle they most relate to.)
The 38 University of Iowa students visited Dubuque for a three -day "boot camp" in
August to learn about the community, meet with project partners, and develop a scope
of work. Also participating in this event were some of the approximately 10 local college
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undergraduate interns who will be working with the UI students and the local project
partners throughout the next year. Undergraduate interns will be receiving college
credit for their work and have also helped to make connections between the UI project
and local professors.
Sustainable Dubuque Performance Metrics (UI IISC project):
The City and Dubuque 2.0 Steering Committee will work over the next year to analyze
sustainability metric best practices from across the country, including the ICLEI STAR
Community Index which City of Dubuque staff have been involved in creating. The City
and Dubuque 2.0 Steering Committee members, in addition to UI graduate students and
local interns, will work with additional partners and the community to define key
measurable outcomes and metrics for each of the sustainability principles, and to
establish a reporting system that allows City staff and partners to submit data on a
regular basis to update the Council and community on progress to meet their
sustainability goals.
UI students have completed a review of best practices from communities across the
country. They met with a small focus group in October to review the relationship of the
best practices they are finding to the community engagement process that has already
taken place. Students and local partners are currently developing a plan to present
draft metrics and benchmarks to the community for input.
Municipal Climate Action Plan: In July 2010, the Municipal Greenhouse Gas
Inventory was presented to City Council. A baseline for all municipal operations was
established for 2003 and 2007 as part of the ICLEI Five Milestone Process. The
Milestone Process is as follows:
1. Conduct baseline emissions inventories and forecasts.
2. Adopt an emissions reduction target.
3. Develop a local climate action plan.
4. Implement policies and measures.
5. Monitor and verify results.
A second Council work session was held in November 2010 to present to Council
potential emission reduction targets. Council was presented initial information on what
65% emission reduction targets by 2015, 85% reductions by 2030, and 95% target
reductions by 2050 might look like; additional analysis will be done by staff to determine
what actions will be needed to meet those targets. $5,000 has been proposed in the FY
2012 budget to allow City staff to complete a 2010 update of municipal emissions and
work with the City Green Team to identify opportunities for emission reduction. Staff will
continue to work with ICLEI staff and other experts to analyze the implications of various
targets in 2011 and seek additional input from Council before recommending a Climate
Reduction targets and an Action Plan.
Green Team — Department Resource Savings Plans: The Green Team comprised of
close to 30 representatives from a cross section of City departments met for the first
time in August 2010 and meets regularly. The (draft) Mission Statement developed by
the team is:
"The mission of the City of Dubuque Green Team is to lead in educating,
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communicating and implementing practices and technologies to achieve the
Sustainable Dubuque vision, to work in each of the 11 areas of sustainability identified
in that vision, to promote these practices among staff and departments; and to serve as
an example for other organizations, groups, businesses and the broader community."
Subcommittees are being formed to work across departments especially in the areas of
education, environmentally preferred purchasing, building energy management, and
developing a survey to obtain baseline information from departments and input into a
departmental action plan template. This baseline information will be used to track
measureable outcomes in the 11 sustainability principles.
A Green Team subcommittee developed an employee survey to be sent to all City staff
regarding sustainability habits. The results of this survey will be used to develop
department- specific plans to save resources in the coming months. The Green Team is
subdividing into groups that will become experts in the areas of water, purchasing,
resource /materials, and energy (heating, cooling, and lighting); these teams will then act
as mentors for other departments to implement changes.
Green Team members have developed signage to use at City Expo advertising their
participation in the Team and educating the public on their efforts to act more
sustainably.
In May a sustainability educational knowledge survey was distributed to all city staff.
The purpose of the survey was to gauge city employee knowledge on sustainability
issues. A total of 26 departments or divisions participated in the survey with a total of
337 employees completing the survey. This information will be used to drive individual
education needs on sustainability for employees. Directions coming from initial analysis
indicate that understanding and awareness of sustainability vary from department to
department and person to person. Educational needs that surfaced are around
recycling and signage needed to help remind people to do what they WANT to do (turn
off lights, etc.). A few employees feel they need education on the basics of
sustainability, what the 11 principles mean, and how they relate to their work situation.
Educational flyers, posters and prompts are in production.
Smarter Sustainable Dubuque Partnership w/ IBM
Smarter Water
• Update on Equipment & Technology (devices & data receivers):
The city has created a grant program for financial assistance on costs of repairs
of leaks identified through the project. To date there have been 267 homeowners
who have filed for assistance in the combined total amount of $11,546.79 being
paid out.
Participants in the Smarter Water pilot have access to new technology that
provides data and insights into how water can be utilized more efficiently in their
home. The following is a breakdown of the program on where we are today.
509 - Neptune R -900 Series water meters were installed as part of the City's
Sustainability Initiative Pilot Program in part with IBM. Now that the study has
been completed and the system is capable of operating with data from the
R450s, these R900s have been changed -out to the R450s in order to simplify
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data collection and reduce maintenance costs.
The first 1,000 water meter sets of the R450s series were part of the pilot study
for this project to make sure all devices, transmitters and its software is properly
working.
A total of 22,778 water meters have been installed. A total of 18,333
Unmeasured Flow Reducer (UFR) have been installed where applicable.
All water meters have been installed and staff is currently working on the final
radio transmitter collector sites. In addition, approximately 150 water meters will
need to be installed at a later time due to homeowners' foreclosures or where
citizens are on their own private well where a meter is required for billing sewer
usage.
Northern Water Works Supply is currently installing the remaining water meters
with a projected completion date being September 2011.
• Update on Pilot Households /Dashboard: Final Report Issues for Pilot study.
Results included: 6.6% decrease in water utilization; 8 -fold increase in leak
detection and remediation; 77% of users responding it increased their knowledge
of water utilization and 60% confirming that they had taken at least one specific
action to reduce their personal water utilization.
• Assuming that the 151 households are a fair sample of the City of Dubuque, the
aggregate annual community wide water savings across 23,000 households with
smart meters in the city would be 64,944,218 gallons. This would translate into
an aggregate water bill saving of $190,936 a year in total.
• The results of the study have been widely recognized and multiple local, national
and international contacts are occurring.
• Expansion to 4,000 units (3,000 households /1,000 businesses or multi -unit
facilities) underway. The 4,000 expansion slots will be prioritized as follows: 300
to existing volunteer households; 1,000 to small businesses and landlords to
participate; 2,000 to use with households targeted for recruitment due to R450
leak data; remainder available on a first come first served basis.
• Final R450 unit data testing complete, awaiting IBM confirmation for follow -out of
expansion.
Smarter Electricity
• Update on Equipment & Technology (devices & data receivers): Technology
installed and tested; @900 meters now equipped and data flowing; utilization
profiling system in place; 270 households are actively logged on the system;
significant outreach, education and community engagement continues.
• Significant press and media attention to the launch of the Smarter Water Portal
and the system going "live."
• Results include an average monthly reduction in energy utilization from 4% to
11%. IBM and Alliant researchers are jointly analyzing these early results.
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Smarter Natural Gas
• Meter Installation Update: City agreements completed and signed. Black Hills
collector technology installed and operating. MIUs for the pilot households
installed and activated for the final 250 volunteer households that have been
supplied by City to Black Hills. Historical data for these households has been
loaded into the system.
• Update on Pilot Households /Dashboard: Black Hills has historical data ready to
be loaded into system as soon as final 250 volunteer households selected. Work
on dashboard planned for late summer /fall, but no "live" date yet. Activities
completed:
o Invite letter to 500 current Water /Electric Pilot Members (Dubuque 2.0)
o Press release (City of Dubuque)
o Phone campaign to 900 invites to recruit 250 Pilot Households (Dubuque 2.0)
o Invite Postcard to 250 current Water /Electric Pilot Members (Dubuque 2.0)
o Invite letter to 400 additional eligible residents (Dubuque 2.0)
o Personal call follow -ups to 30 households
• Volunteer Outreach, Recruitment, Retention: Recruitment of volunteer
households has been successfully completed.
o In partnership with recruiting efforts led by Dubuque 2.0 SSD helpdesk
has processed @ 250 volunteers. SSD helpdesk scans each agreement
and forwards unique id and volunteer information to BHE. Summary of
recruitment efforts are:
• # of mailings sent out by Dubuque2.0: 1300
• # of follow -up calls made by AmeriCorps /Greencorps volunteers: 397
• # of agreements sent out by City as a result of callings: 17
• # of calls made to participants w/ questions from City of Dubuque: 5
• Smarter Natural Gas project is now behind schedule due to Smarter Electricity
and Smarter Travel taking significantly more IBM Research staff time than
originally anticipated. City has requested that IBM prioritize Natural Gas so that
the consumer portal will be available during the peak winter heating season. We
do not have confirmation yet from IBM if this will occur.
Smarter Travel (Management Agenda)
• Update on Equipment & Technology (devices & data receivers): Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) readers have been installed on all of the new Medium Duty
buses, The RFIDs tags used by the volunteers act like a proximity card which
allows us to track the bearer's boarding and de- boarding along the different bus
routes (once installed on all the buses). Approximately 500 RFID have been
distributed, and the data is flowing (anonymously) to IBM. IBM has completed the
development of its Smart Phone applications for Blackberry and Android phones.
These applications have been distributed for use by City and ECIA staff, and the
big push for city -wide volunteer participants is underway. In addition to tracking
the boarding and de- boarding's of passenger on The Jule's fixed route buses,
they are also functioning as GPS units on the buses . The GPS information will
from the RFID readers will help us to gather real -time information about the buses
and bus routes.
• Update on Pilot Households /Dashboard: The intent and goal of the Smarter Travel
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project is to provide Transit with information that can help guide changes in the
transit system. What we also hope to see, especially in the volunteers who use
the Smartphone application, is an increased awareness of how much they rely on
vehicle transportation to move throughout their day and a change in what form of
transportation they choose, e.g. instead of driving a car to the store ride their bike
or take a bus, etc. And towards this end, and with the assistance of ECIA, the City
is applying for a two year grant that will help pay for the cost of the project which
includes a design that will make the fixed route transit system more efficient and
more effective. The grant will allow the start up of two new routes, which in the
first year will operate in addition to the current routes (Red, Green and Grey Lines
and the Medical Loop). During this time IBM will continue to gather and process
the data received from RFID and the Smartphone application users. This
information will be used in helping to determine what changes need to be made to
the transit system in order to improve its overall function. These changes would
be enacted in the second year of the grant. We will know by year's end whether or
not the State has approved the grant application for funding.
• Volunteer Outreach: Active recruitment of volunteer for the Smartphone
applications is on -going (Blackberry and Android only, as an iPhone application is
not possible due to licensing issues).
• Participant's demographic information, when compared to the 2000 and 2010
Census information, can be inferred based on point of origin (e.g. north end of
town) and destination information (e.g. west end of town). The trip purpose(s) can
also be inferred based on point of origin (e.g. residential area) and destination
(e.g. a school or business site). The RFID and Smartphone data will provide the
number of trips per day and time of trips.). This information can then be compared
to data gathered from the travel patterns of the buses themselves, which will be
tracked using GPS. Program participants will be allowed to ride the buses for free,
provided they stay active in the program (what constituted "active" to be
determined). We are hoping the negotiations with a large cellular provider will be
completed by year's end, at which point IBM will have access to the cell tower
data (GPS /location only) of an additional 20,000 + cell phones.
• Community Engagement & Education: Volunteers in the RFID portion of the VMT
project are allowed to ride the bus (all routes) for free for the duration of the
project. To do so, participant must show the RFID in its holder to the bus driver
(for tracking purposes these free rides will be counted as a "monthly pass ").
• State of Good Repair Grant: As of September 5, 2011 all of the new buses have
arrived. A "Request For Proposal" (RFP) for the ITS technology /electronic
equipment, e.g. Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), Security Camera System,
Electronic Fare Collection, etc., is being prepared and will be present to the City
Council for approval within the next 30 days. The goal is to have the ITS
equipment purchased and the bulk of it installed on the buses by year's end.
• Climate Showcase Grant: (see section about 150 volunteers)
• First of A Kind (FOAK) City in Motion IBM continues to perfect and expand the
Smartphone application (release of the iPhone application is pending). Volunteer
recruitment for the RFID portion has been completed, and the recruitment of the
Smartphone application continues. The Iowa Department of Transportation has
expressed interested in the Smartphone applications for possible use in their
planning processes (e.g. road use, vehicle travel patterns, etc.), and ECIA staff
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are in the process of applying for a two -year grant that will support the
continuation of this project.
Additional Updates:
Examining opportunity to link the SSD effort to the Green and Healthy Homes
Collaborative being developed. If possible, this would allow us to begin to activate an
additional "silo of activity" within the integrated system (Health/Wellness). The initial
meeting of the Green and Healthy Homes Collaborative was held March 31St, 8:00 to
10:30 a.m. at the Hotel Julien. Over 40 program experts attended and developed the
initial workplan for the Collaborative. The 1st LEAN - principled process improvement
training was conducted June 9th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the NICC Town Clock
Centre and focused on coordination of Assessment, intake and funding collaboration.
The 2nd LEAN- principled training occurred July 21st at NICC and focused on work
development and conduct in the homes. The process is being developed for an
integrated GHH approach and was tested on the first pilot home in early July, the
second pilot home late July, and the 3rd and 4th pilots in September and October. The
team is also adding a "control home" that will be completed without GHHI programming,
in order to see the extent of savings possible between the existing systems and GHHI
systems. Dubuque has now been accepted as the 16th GHHI community in the country
and the only one with a population below 100,000.
Business:
Non - Profit:
Community Climate Action Plan:
The Plan: The GHG Reduction Plan was written to provide a realistic path to achieving
50% GHG reduction by 2030 in Dubuque. The recommendations discussed in the plan
are tailored to Dubuque's specific needs and capabilities. The costs, benefits, and GHG
reductions are then calculated for each action, which allows us to prioritize
recommendations based on GHG reductions achieved, effort required, and the side
benefits each action brings to Dubuque (notably, those "side benefits" often far outweigh
the GHG impact). Every recommendation in this plan is designed to benefit Dubuque's
health, transportation, and economic prosperity, reaching well beyond GHG reduction.
The Initiative: In March of 2010, the Dubuque Community Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Task Force was assembled by Green Dubuque in response to the completion of the
2003 and 2007 community greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories. The GHG Reduction
Task Force is a partnership of local environmental nonprofits, faith based organizations,
private sector green business, and individual activists with the designated purpose of
recommending a GHG reduction target and feasible implementation strategy to the
Dubuque City Council. Members of the Task Force include:
• Chad Oberdoester - Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
• Pat Hayes, President - Dubuque County Conservation Society
• Charles Winterwood M.D. - Chairman, White Pine Group, Sierra Club
• Jason Schatz - President, Green Dubuque Inc.
• Theothoros Giannakouros - Vice President, Green Dubuque Inc.
• Will Hoyer - Green Dubuque Inc.
• Mark Henning - 7th Power Sustainable LLC.
• Sr. Joy Peterson - Sisters of the PBVM
• Paul Schultz - Sustainable Dubuque
The work of the Task Force will be followed up by the GHG Reduction Plan, community
engagement initiative, facilitated by Green Dubuque. The GHG Reduction Plan
initiative, which will launch in late March will include an informational website
(dubuqueghgplan.org) where citizens and business owners can download the plan and
demonstrate their support, a series of interactive speaker events, television
advertisements and other media releases, a $1,000 scholarship from the Virgil J. and
Norma M. Denlinger Family Foundation for college student participation, a public input
meeting, and an envision style community workshop. The ultimate goal is to
demonstrate and build community support for the recommended GHG reduction target
of 50% by 2030.
In March, Green Dubuque launched its "50% by 2030" greenhouse gas reduction
campaign. "50% by 2030" is a grassroots effort for a community wide greenhouse gas
reduction target of 50% by the year 2030 below 2003 levels based on the
recommendation of the Dubuque Community Greenhouse Gas Reduction Task Force.
Green Dubuque launched this campaign with the presentation, "Preventing Climate
Disasters: It's Time for Action," by State Senator Rob Hogg.
With a letter of support from the City, Green Dubuque submitted an EPA Environmental
Justice Small Grant application to assist in the next steps of the community GHG
reduction plan. If secured, funding would assist with public education and engagement
as well as further analysis of the reduction goals and recommended actions. Though
Green Dubuque was a finalist for this grant, funding was not received. The City and
Dubuque 2.0 continue to partner with Green Dubuque to conduct a community
education and engagement campaign focused on greenhouse gas reduction.
As a wrap up to the 50 by 2030 campaign, Green Dubuque is hosting the Dubuque
Community GHG Reduction Workshop on Thursday, June 2 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm in the
Multicultural Family Center. Participants at the workshop will be presented with the
Draft Dubuque Community GHG Reduction Plan and then break up into subgroups to
give feedback and make additional recommendations. The Plan will be presented and
discussed the Dubuque City Council in a work session on July 5, 2011. The goal is to
work toward establishing community targets within the frame work of a Dubuque
Community GHG Reduction Plan. For more information visit:
www.dubuqueGHGplan.org
Green Dubuque held a City Council work session on July 5 to present the 50% by 2030
plan. The Council approved the 50 %Reduction Target by 2030 at its August 15, 2011
meeting.
Schools:
People & Neighborhoods:
REGIONAL ECONOMY
Government:
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Petal Project: The Petal Project is a regional green business certification program
designed to encourage organizations in the Dubuque area to adopt more
environmentally friendly business practices. Businesses receive Petal Project staff
assistance and a simple framework for saving money and resources. The program also
establishes a community -wide definition of a green business for consumers wishing to
shop based on their values.
The Petal Project is divided into five categories. Within each category a business must
complete all of the mandatory and a specified number of option criteria to earn that
petal. Once a business has earned all five petals, it is "Petal Certified ".
This project was initially funded by an Iowa Department of Economic Development
regional marketing grant. For the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years, the program is funded by
grants from the Dubuque Racing Association and Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid
Waste Agency. Since the project's inception in Fall of 2009, 14 businesses have begun
to work through the criteria after developing internal "green teams ". Many of the
businesses taking part have already begun to see cost savings by reducing resource
use. For example, Finley Hospital — the first Petal Certified business — has reduced
water usage by 16,329,000 per year for the last five years. This has amounted to nearly
$150,000 in savings.
The Petal Project has been awarded a the Governor's Award for Environmental
Excellence (2010) and the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)
2010 Innovation Award. Partners for the project include ECIA, Prosperity Eastern Iowa,
Iowa Waste Exchange, DNR Pollution Prevention Services, Dubuque Area Chamber of
Commerce, the City of Dubuque, DMASWA and the DRA.
Buyer Supplier Network: Buyer - Supplier is a web based program for businesses that
connects both buyers and sellers in Eastern Iowa to promote and facilitate regional
purchasing. Over $6.5 billion are being spent on goods and services from vendors
located outside of eastern Iowa that could be spent in the region. The goal of Buyer
Supplier is to encourage businesses to purchase from regional providers, shifting
dollars back into the regional economy. Businesses of all types and sizes are
encouraged to take part in the program; from small organic produce farmers, to large
corporations. There are currently over 1300 businesses with profiles on the system.
Partners: ECIA, Prosperity Eastern Iowa, Northeast Iowa Business Network, and Upper
Explorerland Regional Planning Commission
Waste Diversion Options Study: The Resource Management program facilitated the
2009 Waste Diversion Options Study for DMASWA. The scope of work for this study
was to identify options and impacts if the tonnage disposed in the DMASWA landfill
were to be reduced by 50% from current tonnage within 5 to 10 years. This study
identified economic opportunities in a developing local materials economy from the
estimated market value of the $4M in Iandfilled materials. This also translated to
creating a significant number of long -term green jobs.
Public Works Department:
The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA), its support staff from
the Public Works Department, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and the
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expert firm of Foth Infrastructure and Environment conducted a waste composition
analysis of materials brought to the DMASWA Landfill and eleven other Iowa landfills in
June of 2011. The purpose of the study was to identify the various solid waste streams
currently being landfilled in Iowa by type, volume and weight. In turn, when the Agency
receives proposals in the future for diverting and reusing said materials, it will be able to
provide proposers and advisors up -to -date and accurate information from the noted
study regarding Iowa's currently - landfilled waste stream. Market values for those
materials can then be compared with proposed recovery and reuse programs to
determine whether said programs are economically viable.
Library: Hosted "Value of Money" public event February 2011.
City Local Purchasing Policy: The City implements a Local Purchasing Policy (AP
3.10) that allows for a 5 -10% preference for businesses located within City limits,
excluding purchases made through the formal bidding process. Studies show that a
greater percentage of each dollar spent at a local business stays in the local economy.
Purchasing locally supports local jobs, in addition to cutting down on transportation
costs and emissions to ship goods from outside the community. City staff are currently
researching a Sustainable Purchasing Policy that would expand the parameters of the
purchasing policy to include considerations such as recyclable content, lifetime of
product, and chemical makeup of all products purchased by the City.
Business:
Dubuque Works: "Dubuque Live" was held Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at the
University of Dubuque. This event was open to all area college students as a tool to
connect to the business community and become more educated on the skills needed to
secure a job after graduation.
AccessDubuqueJobs.com investors continue to increase. Currently the workforce
investors hold steady at 111. In the past three months, 35 existing investors have
renewed their contract in the Workforce Initiative for 2011. AccessDubuqueJobs.com
has current investor retention rate of 96 %.
AccessDubuqueJobs.com currently averages 109,151 visitor sessions per month in
2011. The site hit an all -time monthly high in March of this year with 123,242 visitors.
Greater Dubuque Development's spring marketing campaign entitled "Post It!" is off to a
successful start with a total of 1,846 resumes being posted to the
AccessDubuqueJobs.com website since the Post It! Campaign launched in March of
2011. Greater Dubuque Development will continue the Post It! Workforce Recruitment
Marketing Campaign through the Fall of 2011. This multi -media marketing campaign
focuses on increasing resumes posted on the web and connecting local graduates to
entry-level careers in the Greater Dubuque area.
Fifty -three (53) businesses in our region (30 from Dubuque County) have signed a letter
of commitment supporting Iowa's National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) and
standing up for a skilled workforce. As of 12/31/10, 1,854 individuals have completed
NCRC assessments in Region 1 with 1,673 individuals (90 %) achieving their NCRC
credential. 200 students are funded annually by Dubuque Works to take the NCRC
assessment.
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Since the beginning of the Dubuque Works initiative, 365 Greater Dubuque high school
students have completed the NCRC assessments with 76% achieving the
certificate /credential. 125 Greater Dubuque high school students completed the NCRC
assessments from 1/1/11 through 6/30/11 with 79% earning their credential (this data
does not include the NICC students).
On June 13, 2011, information was presented on job trends and labor market
information to 22 faculty and guidance counselors from the Greater Dubuque area. As
part of the training, each of them took the NCRC. Many of them shared that their
current educational curriculum needs to be more focused on workforce readiness.
The Relocation Guide, Greater Dubuque Development's staple community recruiting
package, is sent nationally and internationally to individuals considering relocation to
Dubuque. A total of 1,401 Relocation Guides were sent around the world in 2010 and
495 year -to -date in 2011.
The Relocation Guide contains community resources including information on
employment, housing, education, and entertainment, as well as a DVD presentation that
highlights the great things that are happening in our community. A personal postcard is
sent to the individual two weeks later, and a follow -up email is sent two weeks after that
to answer any questions they may have, regardless of whether they have received the
guide in the mail or viewed it online.
A new workforce DVD will be released in July 2011, replacing the current DVD that is
distributed in both print and online relocation guides that are utilized by local employers
for recruitment. In the spirit of sustainable practices, human resource leaders are being
encouraged to take advantage of the online version of the relocation guide.
Dates have been set for the 2011 CEO Network Luncheon Series to be hosted on all 5
local college campuses in the Fall. The events will feature CEO's and top executives
from 20 of our investor companies to share their own personal stories with students and
highlight the job opportunities available in Dubuque.
Loras College
Clarke University
University of Dubuque
University of Wisconsin Platteville
Northeast Iowa Community College
October 19, 2011
October 21, 2011
November 2, 2011
November 8, 2011
November 16, 2011
Since the inception of the Newcomer Relations program in the spring of 2009, Greater
Dubuque Development has worked with local businesses to help recruit, relocate and
retain potential and existing employees. Current results include:
The last Distinctively Dubuque class of 2011 will begin on September 14 with a sold out
session of 35 participants. Four new Distinctively Dubuque sessions are scheduled for
2012.
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All classes meet 6 consecutive Wednesdays for three hours:
January 18, 2012 3:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. Wednesdays
March 7, 2012 5:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m. Wednesdays
April 18, 2012 5:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m. Wednesdays
September 19, 2012 5:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m. Wednesdays
321 newcomers to the community have been assisted since January 2011 from 70
companies. 128 tours of the community have been conducted since January 2011 (24
different businesses).
A group of local manufacturers have begun to meet to discuss their workforce needs and
how the Dubuque Community Schools can help to fill their skill shortage. Discussions
have begun with the local manufacturers and the school administrators to address these
issues. Teachers from Hempstead and Senior will be able to access training from local
manufacturers, a marketing campaign will begin in the 2011 -2012 school year, more
manufacturers will be present at the schools to give presentations to the students and
curriculum is being reviewed to make sure it aligns with the workforce needs and creates
a pathways to programs at NICC or other education opportunities. This all stemmed from
a High School Teacher and Counselor Day that was held at NICC and Bodine Electric on
April 7, 2011.
A display case has been given to AccessMyFuture to use throughout the school year to
market the website and local companies. Posters using alumni of Hempstead graduates
that are working in advanced manufacturing have been created and are on display
throughout the school. Pieces for other area schools are in the works.
An Advanced Manufacturing Exploring Program has also been a result of this partnership.
Eight area high school students are currently exploring careers as CNC Operators.
The Middle School After School Program for girls in skilled- trades was held on April 5, 7,
12, and 14, 2011. We had 15 students attend workshops in manufacturing, construction,
welding, and electricity. This program will be funded by a grant that the Dubuque
Community Schools has received for the next five years.
Dubuque Sustainability Innovation Consortium (support of GDDC: Top Priority):
Formed in late 2009, the Dubuque Sustainability Innovation Consortium is an informal,
beta organization comprised of manufacturing, technology, service, wholesale and other
industry sectors. Although the consortium is still a work in progress, members of the
group have already identified new /actual sales leads and introductions to key industry
players. The consortium includes Dubuque area companies that represent 1,126
employees and are currently engaged in both the sales and production of "green"
related services /products:
1,126 - Employment total of the companies serving on the consortium;
42 - Percentage of companies that operate in tech services /wholesale /consulting;
33 - Percentage of companies that operate in traditional manufacturing;
25 - Percentage of companies that produce a tangible, technical /IT related product;
154 - Age of oldest company in the group;
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1 - Age of youngest company in the group;
27 - Percentage of companies with corporate HQ outside of Dubuque;
73 - Percentage of companies with corporate HQ in Dubuque;
8 - Percentage of total jobs from consortium members (create /retained) due to green
movement.
The Dubuque Sustainability Innovation Consortium is staff - supported, in part, by
Greater Dubuque Development in partnership with the City of Dubuque. Overseeing
the strategic efforts is David Lyons. David is also spearheading local efforts related to
the Dubuque /IBM Smart City initiative.
2011: Feeling the need to facilitate cost - saving /sustainable goals for area businesses,
Greater Dubuque Development hosted a consortium event in February. The event
focused on an easy, low -cost, and immediate ways to save money through lighting.
With some 50 people in attendance, Crescent Electric provided case studies of
Dubuque area businesses that have recently changed lighting and saved significant
amounts of money. Going forward, Greater Dubuque hosted a second reception /dinner
to provide the same information to yet another group of bankers, accountants, and
electrical contractors who have direct access to businesses and hold an opportunity to
educate their clients. The idea is for these various professionals to share the
information with their customers, especially small /medium sized businesses in
Dubuque.
GDDC facilitated a presentation by Crescent Electric to city departments and city
partners on the savings from lighting conversions. In addition, GDDC is providing
information to members of the Innovation Consortium on target marketing recruitment of
smart energy systems to help local businesses grow their market.
Crescent Electric has offered to conduct free lighting /energy audits to Dubuque
businesses interested in the City's Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund.
Non - Profit:
Project HOPE:
History
In 2008, growing out of successful grant program called Youth Shared Vision, local
government, and human service providers identified the need to address economic
security of under - resourced community members. To address this issue, the City of
Dubuque partnered with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque to create
Project Help Our People Excel (HOPE).
Project HOPE is an economic development initiative contracted through the City of
Dubuque. Project HOPE is responsible for convening community organizations and
stakeholders around issues that relate to disengaged people (those in poverty,
unemployed and disengaged youth), researching and developing best practices to
share among local providers and ensuring action steps are being taken to address
identified strategies for improvement and hosting meetings to encourage
communication, data sharing, and improved outcomes.
Project HOPE Coalition is implementing a Results Based Accountability Framework to
ensure the Coalition has agreed upon Common Indicators, Strategies, Action Plans and
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Outcomes to ensure our work is accountable and results are measurable.
Project HOPE has identified 3 unique population groups to address impact.
1. Situationally Unemployed. These are currently unemployed, and under employed
people, age 21 -62, who have had full -time, living wage employment sometime in
the last 12 months and are willing and able to work. This type of poverty is often
caused by layoffs and cutbacks, lack of opportunity, underemployment, and
relocation. It also may be caused by lack of financial literacy which leads to an
inadequate personal safety net during a temporary emergency.
Project HOPE Coalition facilitates Bank On Dubuque moving unbanked and
underbanked individuals into traditional banking relationships and pairs the new
accounts with free financial literacy options. Project HOPE also facilitates Opportunity
Passport, a financial literacy program paired with an individual development account
(IDA) for at -risk youth.
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Summary of Accomplishments
Q1
In partnership with Operation: New View Community Action Agency, the
Jan 1-
sites preparing returns for free in Dubuque this year are registered
Mar 31
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites through the IRS. As part
of the preparation, clients at the sites are encouraged to use direct
deposit to receive the quickest possible return, leading the un- banked to
set up bank accounts. Paired with the upcoming BankOn product, and
financial literacy education, Dubuque families are being given new tools
to help them get out of generational poverty.
Since opening in January of 2011, 77 Federal returns have been filed,
The total Earned Income Credit (EIC) claimed is $82,700. The average
EIC return is $1,654. Total amount of refunds returned through the VITA
sites is $206,962 with an average refund of $2,070.
The Bank ON Steering Committee has worked with all of the financial
institutions in Dubuque to develop a free checking product to reduce the
barriers of unbanked households to opening bank accounts. Their goal
is to open 500 Bank On accounts in our first year with 80% of these still
open at the end of the year.
Bank ON's Financial Education Committee has partnered with the Iowa
State Extension to develop a series of classes designed to improve
financial literacy. These classes (Financial Accounts, Developing a
Spending Plan, and Using Credit) will be offered free of charge to all new
Bank On clients. Our member banks and credit unions may also require
the classes before opening an account in some cases.
Meanwhile, the Marketing Committee has recruited and partnered with
The Ad Club of Dubuque to design brochures, posters, print ads, radio
spots, website and other possible marketing tools. They are focused on
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three different audiences: potential Bank On clients, non - profit partners
who will refer clients to Bank On, and financial institution employees who
will work with new Bank On clients.
The Tracking and Evaluation Committee has recommended that we keep
the reporting requirements for our financial and educational partners to a
minimum. They'll be tracking the number of new accounts opened,
accounts closed, total accounts, and number of clients taking the
financial classes. After the first year, we may choose to at a sample of
Bank On accounts to see whether other metrics (like increased monthly
balances) to assess whether these are improving over time.
The product is scheduled for launch for August 2011. Financial institution
staff is being trained in July.
Q2
Totaled Results for
Number of Returns
124
Apr 1 -
Operation New View's
Number of Returns with EITC
53
June 30
Volunteer Income Tax
Total Federal Refunds
$223,149
Assistance Program are
as follows:
Total EITC Claimed
$ 93,055
In addition, Project HOPE sponsored the VITA coordinator to attend the
EITC Funders Network conference in Chicago, IL on June 6. At that
meeting some new information on how to connect the EITC to other
family economic security programs most effectively.
This year the Road to Success program is scheduled to occur on
Wednesday, August 10, at Prescott Elementary School from 3 -7pm.
Donations are being collected through a partnership with the Future
Young Professionals from the University of Dubuque, and City of
Dubuque employees. This year the program will also touch on "keeping a
job" and explain career advancement to participants.
Q3
Kicked off to Bank On Dubuque was held July 19, 2011. Bank on DBQ is
July 1-
a partnership of participating banks, credit unions, non - profit
Sep 30
organizations and the City of Dubuque that helps people, who do not
have a checking or savings account, learn to manage their money and
save for the future.
The Road to Success was held on Aug 9, 2011 at Prescott elementary.
The 55 attendees are now more ready to get and retain employment.
Project HOPE solicited $105 worth of donations for Road to Success
door - prizes, recruited 6 volunteers, and was represented by Bank On
Dubuque at the event in addition to assisting with staffing for the event.
As part of the new process model introduced to Project HOPE, the
chronically unemployed will be a focus and a task force is being made to
continue advocacy for a case manager for Getting Ahead graduates who
are seeking self- sufficiency.
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Q4
Oct 1 —
Dec 31
Project HOPE's core steering team has set a goal to fund 100 students to
get an uncredited trade certificate in programs available through NICC.
NICC will provide the funding. Currently uncredited certificates are not
eligible for federal financial aid.
2. People from Generational Poverty. These are people who have lived in poverty
for 2 or more generations but who are currently willing and able to work. This
includes ex- offenders although they may not be "able" due to their history. It is
caused by historical oppression, natural disaster (dislocation), under - education,
social isolation, lack of job skills, and missing role models.
To support this goal, Project HOPE is coordinating a committee to identify a model,
identify funding needs and solutions and initiate a program in FY2012 that will build on
the success of the Getting Ahead in a Just - Getting' -By World program and compliment
the Circles Initiative by increasing connections to unemployment and education for
Getting Ahead alumni and Circles members. Project HOPE also provides administrative
and staff support for the Bridges Initiative.
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Summary of Accomplishments
Q1
Jan 1-
Mar 31
Project HOPE has been assisting with capacity of the Bridges Initiative
through offering foundation resources, like access to a graphic designer,
marketing help, administrative assistance, and recruitment of 4 new
Circle volunteers. Through assistance donated from the Women's Giving
Circle at the foundation, and coordinated through Project HOPE, meals
were served to 70 participants in the Circles Program.
Project HOPE has been researching best practices employment
assistance from around the country. We've identified a particularly
successful program in Cincinnati and are currently advocating for the
creation of an employment support specialist position to help mitigate
business's risk in employing the traditionally hard -to- employ, but also to
add the intensive support that a person transitioning into the workforce
needs to increase retention of jobs obtained.
Q2
Apr 1 -
June 30
BRIDGES INITIATIVE GRADUATION
• 21 New Getting Ahead Graduates
• 8 of those graduates are Spanish Speaking and also used the class to
practice their English skills
• Since they began the class, 12 have new jobs (this includes
advancements)
• 48% of the grads were employed at graduation
• 21 Graduates have taken the National Career Readiness Certificate
with 2 achieving Gold, 12 achieving Silver, and 7 achieving Bronze
certification.
Q3
July 1-
Sep 30
Through assistance from Project HOPE, the Bridges Initiative was
honored with a $100 grant from the Women's Giving Circle, and $400 for
food and supplies for the Circles Program. Met with the director of
Dubuque Legal Aid and got their approval to be a partner in our creation
of an employment support specialist. Met with Express Employment
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3. Disengaged Youth. These are community members who are 16- 24- years -old and
are not connected to education or living -wage employment. This is caused by
students not completing high - school, not having employable skills, or having
barriers to staying engaged in school.
Project HOPE in partnership with ECIA is leading a committee to implement a Re-
engagement Program for Disengaged Youth. The committee is researching models,
identify funding needs and solutions and plan on initiating a program by January 1,
2012.
Services about their partnership in giving GA program participants priority
placement.
Q4 -Oct 1-
The Bridges Initiative is investigating applications and funding for a full -
Dec 31
time AmeriCorps member to keep communication and contact with
Mar 31
Getting Ahead Graduates. The member would also be responsible for
helping to schedule childcare volunteers, food service for the weekly
meetings, and grant writing for the organization.
The Project HOPE core strategy team has set a goal to pilot the a case
management employment program with 10 people and will councel them
through GEDs or Certificate Programs leading to employment. NICC will
provide the scholarships.
The Project HOPE core steering team has set a goal to fund 150 GEDs
for those seeking them removing any educational cost financial barriers
to GED achievement. The funding will be through NICC.
3. Disengaged Youth. These are community members who are 16- 24- years -old and
are not connected to education or living -wage employment. This is caused by
students not completing high - school, not having employable skills, or having
barriers to staying engaged in school.
Project HOPE in partnership with ECIA is leading a committee to implement a Re-
engagement Program for Disengaged Youth. The committee is researching models,
identify funding needs and solutions and plan on initiating a program by January 1,
2012.
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Summary of Accomplishments
Q1
Continuing to partner with Every Child I Every Promise and The
Jan 1-
Children's Trust in the creation of a childcare map. The goal is to be able
Mar 31
to assist working families in finding quality childcare in Dubuque, and
more easily identify gaps in both quality, and quantity. The Project is
ongoing and more updates will be given when available.
A new Opportunity Passport program class began on March 1st, 2011,
with 10 youth, age 16 -21. The classes will run through April 5t' 2011.
Students were referred to the program through Four Oaks aftercare
program, and the Department of Human Services. In addition to the 10
youth that qualify for the program, one 15 -year old, who won't be eligible
for the program until December of 2011,is attending the training at the
encouragement of his current guardian who had a former foster child
participate in the program and can testify to its need in the community.
The program's content is being taught though DuTrac Credit Union, in
addition to them setting up the accounts, and doing continued counseling
to the participants about purchasing of their identified qualified asset
goals.
The youth are being connected to job and career exploration through
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Door Openers offered through the program by Project HOPE. In addition
to scholarships to Capri College, students are being offered job
shadowing through the Tri -State Human Resource Association, resume
help through lowaWORKS, and career exploration planning supplies to
help them organize themselves to find a career.
Q2
Apr 1 -
June 30
Project HOPE has helped the Bridges Initiative apply for $2,060 of
funding and has facilitated training of 10 youth on the Bridges Out of
Poverty Concepts. Project HOPE has also connected Bank On to the
Getting Ahead students and invited them to give feedback on the early
product while teaching them some financial literacy skills.
Q3
July 1-
Sep 30
Project HOPE is convening a group to discuss how to strengthen and
resource the newly hired residency check coordinator funded by the
Dubuque Community School District. They continue to convene a group
about youth engagement programs.
Created a new partnership with AMP (formerly known as Elevate) to
share trainings for foster -care youth with Opportunity Passport. This will
mean more than the few who qualify for Opportunity Passport will be
involved in the financial literacy education available.
Project HOPE identified some assistance needed for the School District's
residency check coordinator. These include assessment tools for
identifying disabilities and emotional disorders, and charted out options to
graduation currently available in Dubuque and who qualifies for the
programs.
Q4 Oct1-
Dec 31
Project HOPE's core strategy team identified ways to connect at -risk
students and parents of students to trade programs that pay a living
wage. This will be done by presentations to the parents and families
involved in the LEAP program. Dates and content are being decided
through NICC/lowaWORKS, and the Dubuque Community School
District.
A class new class of Opportunity Passport to teach financial literacy to
youth aging out of foster care began Oct 28. Students were referred to
the program through Four Oaks aftercare program, and the Department
of Human Services. This class will focus on incorporating job attainment
skills to help the kids have more concrete knowledge of how to make
money. It then connects kids to and individual development account
toward purchasing an approved asset, like education, housing, and
transportation.
Project HOPE's core steering team has set a goal to pilot an youth
employment program for 10 kids to get GED in conjunction with a trade
certificate leading to employment.
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Schools:
NICC Green Jobs Program: The Northeast Iowa Community College Green Jobs
program is funded through an ARRA grant administered in partnership by ECIA and
NICC. The program is providing unemployed and incumbent workers with skills training
in energy auditing, deconstruction, wind turbine maintenance, and green residential and
commercial construction. New courses recently added are: Solar PV, Worm
Composting and Biodiesel. The Wind Turbine Repair Technician Program has
purchased a Wind Turbine Climb Tower and students will all be trained by December
2011.
Total students to train: 392
Students to date: 338 (85% Complete)
Training Programs /Industry Enrollment:
• Green Industry Sector: Energy Efficient Building , Construction
o Sustainable Deconstruction, COSC, HEART Youthbuild, HVAC NCI
• Green Industry Sector: Energy Efficient Assessment, Professional, Scientific,
and Technical Services
o RESNET HERS, BPI Building Analyst, Envelope — Shell, Heating, AC,
Heat Pump
• Green Industry Sector: Renewable Electric Power, Utilities
o Wind Turbine Repair Technician
o Solar, Wind, Hydro, Geothermal
o Intro to Wind Technology
o Solar Thermal Installation
o Intro to Solar Thermal
Sustainability of Programs: NICC will continue to offer Green Industry training courses
after the grant period is up, specifically in the solar and wind alternative energy fields. A
couple courses are being submitted for credit approval so students have transferrable
credits upon completion of the course.
NICC is also exploring state approval for wind and solar courses for both plumbing and
electrical update classes that can be applied to licensing. HVAC NCI curriculum is also
being incorporated into the HVAC program at NICC. As the "green" industries continue
to grow so will the programs at NICC, Geothermal and Solar PV will also be offered in
the future.
Dubuque Community School District: For the 2010/2011 School Year, the Buildings
and Grounds Department's "Dubuque Sustainable Smart Schools" Process will surpass
the energy management achievements of the 2009/10 school year. During the 10 month
period of July through April, 2010/11, the District reduced energy consumption over
13.214 billion BTUs (British Thermal Units), an 11.51% reduction from the established
baseline, with $207,314 in avoided costs and $110,778 in energy costs. These saving
were realized despite overall energy costs increasing by 5.66% for this 10 -month time
period compared to the baseline year and 4.07% from last year. The District's
2010/2011 certified enrollment for Pre K -12 is 10,516 students.
People & Neighborhoods:
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SMART ENERGY USE
Government:
EECBG: The City of Dubuque was the recipient of $574,700 in ARRA funding through
the Energy Efficiency Conservation & Block Grant program. The following funds have
been spent or obligated to date:
$75,000.00 Sustainability Coordinator Salary. Grant
administration and community engagement.
$100,000.00 First of a Kind (FOAK) agreement with IBM Watson
Research Center to fund part of the Smarter Travel pilot in the
Smarter Sustainable Dubuque project.
$44,997.00 Residential certified energy audits and energy
efficient retrofits. To date, this program has funded 54 certified
energy audits and assisted 123 Dubuque residents in installing
high- efficiency furnaces, insulation, new windows, and completing
basic retrofits including caulking around windows, weatherstripping,
etc. While a handful of applicants remain "in the queue ", waiting for
copies of their utility bills so that their rebates can be processed, we
have now exhausted all funds in this category and the program has
been closed. '
$43,000.00 Replacement of City Hall HVAC system.
$200,000.00 Commercial /Non - profit Energy Efficiency Revolving
Loan Fund (Management Agenda)
Additional funds remain in the categories of community education, commercial building
retrofits, and municipal retrofits.
City Hall Lighting Retrofit: Building Services staff have conducted a lighting audit of
City Hall and are now in the process of removing lamps and retrofitting fixtures to more
appropriately meet the lighting demands of the employees and customers that use the
building. To date, 66 fixtures have been re- ballasted, 102 lamps removed and 147
lamps replaced by smaller wattage lamps in the efforts to reduce electrical usage. This
project is on- going, and energy use trends are being tracked in EPA Portfolio Manager.
A final report on electrical savings will be presented when complete.
Power Down Settings for City Computers: In 2009, Information Services implemented
software that centrally manages the power setting on your computer, implementing power
conservation settings after no activity for defined periods of time. Before implementing these
settings each computer was using approximately 460kWh resulting in the release of about
626Ibs of CO2. After applying the settings we reduced each computer's power usage to
373kWh or reducing CO2 to 508 lbs - therefore about an 18% reduction in greenhouse
gases.
The Library has implemented a change in the power options network wide to turn off
monitors after 15 minutes of inactivity.
In March 2011, Information Services applied a new setting to the existing power settings that
will automatically shut down computers that are still powered up after 10:00pm every night,
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excluding computers that need remote access capabilities overnight. This setting will result
in significant additional energy savings to the City. In addition, Information Services
continues to work to educate staff on the importance of "phantom" energy use and other
opportunities to save energy and money through the use of technology.
Parking Ramp Lighting Project: The 5th Street and Locust Street Parking Ramps
have recently been updated with new fluorescent lighting. The system has been
provided by a firm from Holland, MI, TwistHDM. The system is fully programmable,
providing the maximum in daylight harvesting, occupancy sensing and provides a safety
factor in that e-mails are sent to maintenance staff any time a light is burned out or not
functioning for any reason. Each fixture has its own IP address allowing for state of the
industry programming to reduce energy usage. In the first months of operation, this
system has led to a 68% reduction in lighting costs, or 35% reduction in total electricity
consumption in the ramp. We are currently planning on retro fitting the Iowa Street to
this system in the very near future and this system is also being installed on the new
parking ramp at 10th and Central.
Public Works Department:
Kill -A -Watt Meters: The Public Works Department provides administrative and operating
staff support to the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA), a 28E
partnership of the County and City of Dubuque. In calendar 2010, the DMASWA
initiated its Kill -A -Watt Program. The DMASWA purchased wattage meters, which were
provided to five Dubuque County Library branches in Asbury, Epworth, Farley, Holy
Cross, and Dyersville for free use by their customers to assess energy usage by their
individual appliances. In turn, those Dubuque county residents can make informed
choices regarding replacing appliances that prove to be excessive energy users.
Hybrid- Powered Vehicle: A second DMASWA Smart Energy Use initiative was its
purchase of a hybrid - powered vehicle in the summer of 2005. This purchase was made
not only to reduce the amount of fuel used by Agency - employed staff and reduce the
DMASWA's vehicle - related carbon footprint, but also as an education tool by the
Agency's Education and Communication Coordinator. Now well over six years old and
with over 75,000 miles on its odometer, the vehicle has performed faultlessly and has
averaged 28 miles per gallon in the city. The DMASWA intends to retain it until
calendar 2015, when it should have well over 125,000 miles on its odometer.
CNG- Powered Vehicle: Just as the DMASWA was the first regional governmental entity
to purchase and use a hybrid - powered vehicle, it is now the first to purchase and use a
vehicle using compressed natural gas (CNG) as its primary fuel. This third Smart
Energy Use initiative not only further reduces the Agency's vehicle - related carbon
footprint, but is also an indicator of the Agency's commitment to expanding the usage of
domestically - produced /sourced fuels in all of its equipment in future years.
Landfill Methane Reuse: A fourth DMASWA Smart Energy Use initiative is its current
program to evaluate its options for reuse of the methane it currently collects and flares
from its closed landfill cells. To that end, it retained the services of an expert and
highly- regarded environmental engineering firm to evaluate proposals from local
industries and utilities. The DMASWA anticipates a decision regarding the methane's
future reuse in FY12.
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Biomass Energy Development: The Resource Management program has been an
internal partner in researching sustainable new energy sources from discarded
materials processed or which could be processed at the WWTP and the DMASWA
landfill. The methane produced at both facilities could be developed as a renewable
energy source and net revenue producer with Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
applications.
Library Kill -A -Watt Meter Checkout Program: In partnership with ISU Extension and
the City's Office of Sustainability, Kill -A -Watt Meters are available for resident check out.
These meters allow residents to measure the energy demand of appliances in their
homes, and is particularly helpful in identifying "phantom energy loads" that occur when
appliances and chargers are plugged in but not in use. 27 checkouts since the program
began in June 2010. Four check outs of the meters took place in March and April, 2011
and 10 were checked out in May, 2011.
Library: Lights in public areas now turned off when staff is present but the facility isn't
open to the public.
Fire Department:
• CIP upgrades for doors and windows for fire stations for energy efficiency
• Appliance replacement to be energy star compliant units
• Light bulb and fixture replacement in fire stations as part of capital improvements
are energy efficient type
• Staff researched and budgeted green roof for Fire Headquarters. Project was
deleted due to budget shortfall and construction of new parking structure.
• Energy study for Fire Headquarters researched by staff and budgeted.
Extra refrigerators and freezers have been removed and replacement plan is
being developed to replace appliances with Energy Star rated units.
• Inventory/survey done for light fixtures throughout all six fire stations to determine
type and researching cost involved for changing inefficient light fixtures to energy
saving type for next fiscal year budget purposes.
Leisure Services Department:
• Department incandescent light fixture replacement to CFL 2007 - 11
• Eagle Point park Bridge Complex Renovation - Replace all lights with LED
fixtures 2010
• Ongoing participation in the Alliant Energy Interrupt Program during peak energy
usage times
Water Department:
• Ongoing participation in the Alliant Energy Interrupt Program during peak energy
usage times.
• Replaced aged /inefficient windows with new ones at Pump Station #6 for more
efficiency, security and safety.
• A Water Treatment Process change reduced chlorine injection by 50% by
changing the chlorine injection point to after the filters. This allows the biological
nitrification of ammonia and saves the department approximately $50,000 a year
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in chemical costs.
• Installation of solar powered mixing unit in the West Third reservoir, which has
eliminated the need to boost chlorine in the distribution system, reducing costs
associated with chemicals and employee time needed to perform maintenance
on associated equipment and has improved water quality. Another mixing unit is
scheduled to be placed in the Asbury Tank.
• Agricultural land application of lime sludge.
• Elimination of paper forms used to track daily operations. Operational data is
entered into a tablet and uploaded into a database. Data is entered once and
decreases the chance of errors in transcription.
• Replacement of Circular Chart Recorders on 17 filters. Data from filters is
electronically transmitted into the SCADA system directly, eliminating the need
for expensive circular chart paper (which was replaced daily) and chart recorder
pens.
• Initiated an energy efficient lighting project, replacing old lighting system in filter
and pump rooms at Eagle Point Water Plant with more energy efficient lighting;
with a return on investment of less than two years.
Business:
Non - Profit:
Four Mounds Energy Center:
Education: The Energy Center has been working hard to educate Dubuque about
energy efficiency. Recent education has taken place at the drop in sessions for the
Energy Portal with Smarter Sustainable Dubuque. The Energy Center website is
continually being updated with information for residents of Dubuque and served as a
resource for news, education, and certified professionals. Due to the flooding at the end
of July, the Energy Center moved the offices from the Elm Street Location to the Four
Mounds White House. The Energy Center is now up and running in its new location.
Assistance to Green Career Training Initiative: The Energy Center has been a key
assistance to the training initiative. The fall class schedule is now available and
registrations are being taken. After successful completion of a program, graduates are
listed on energydbq.org for free under the certified professional's page. This gives these
new graduates opportunities to expand and grow their business. To date we have five
graduates listed on our site as well as other certified professionals in the area.
Leadership of Green Iowa AmeriCorps: The Energy Center will be assisting the city with
the relocation of the Green Iowa AmeriCorps Program. The program term will be 10
months and begins in October.
Schools:
Dubuque Community School Districts: 2009/10 school DCSD is financially and
environmentally healthier as a result of the energy management (efficiency and
conservation) measures implemented during 2009/10 with over $212,603 in avoided
costs and $151,576 in direct energy costs savings. Overall energy prices increased by
over 3% from the baseline year. These results directly impact the District's 12,330+
PreK -12 students, administrators, teachers, and staff in the 1,694,250 square feet of
DCSD schools and support facilities.
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2009/10 school DCSD is financially and environmentally healthier as a result of the
energy management (efficiency and conservation) measures implemented during
2009/10, reducing energy use within the District by 13.4 billion BTUs (British Thermal
Units), a reduction of 11% from the baseline year; this reduction is about equal to all the
energy used throughout the year by Washington Middle School, Irving Elementary
School, and Sageville Elementary School combined.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average school building in the U.S.
used 83,100 BTU per square foot last year. During the 2009/10 year the Dubuque
Community School District's building average was 66,833 BTU per square foot, 19.6
percent better than the national average. In energy intensity, (BTUs per SF) DCSD
Elementary Schools performed 30.3% better than the average Iowa Elementary
School *, DCSD Middle Schools outperformed the average Iowa Middle School* by
9.5 %, and DCSD High Schools were 11.8% better performing than the average Iowa
High School.
2009/10 school DCSD is financially and environmentally healthier as a result of the
energy management (efficiency and conservation) measures implemented during
2009/10 with 3,946,135 lbs. (1,790 metric tonnes) of greenhouse gas / CO2 emissions
avoided; the equivalent of removing 343 passenger vehicles from our streets and roads
for one year.
2010/11 6 -month progress - During the 6 month period of July through December for the
2010/11 school year, the District surpassed its previous progress by reducing its energy
consumption over 5.53 billion BTUs (British Thermal Units), a reduction of 15.52% for
the same period from established baseline. Compared to the 2009/10 time period, over
1.05 billion BTUs (7.51%) in further reductions were realized.
From July through December 2010, the District surpassed its previous progress with
over $103,487 in avoided costs compared to the same period of the baseline year.
Compared to the same 2009/10 time period, over $26,358 in additional avoided costs
were realized, despite overall energy prices increasing by 12.79% for this comparative
time period. The District's 2010/2011 certified enrollment for PreK -12 is 10,516
students.
During the 10 month period of July through April, 2010/11, the District reduced energy
consumption over 13.214 billion BTUs (British Thermal Units), an 11.51% reduction
from the established baseline, with $207,314 in avoided costs and $110,778 in energy
costs. Overall energy costs increased 5.66% for this 10 -month time period compared to
the baseline year and 4.07% from last year. The District's 2010/2011 certified
enrollment for PreK -12 is 10,516 students.
People & Neighborhoods:
SMART RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Government:
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Public Works Department:
The Green Vision Building Materials Management and Waste Minimization
Program is a high priority of the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency. The
Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has designated C &D waste as a
targeted material for diverting from Iowa landfills, noting that it accounts for 13.5% of all
materials landfilled in Iowa in calendar 2011. Building and demolition professionals can
play an important role in assisting the Agency and IDNR in meeting their goals of
diverting reusable and recyclable materials from land filling. Rethinking, reducing,
reusing and recycling - the "Four R's" - focus on resource efficiency. Typically, these
practices can save money and control costs by decreasing the amount of new materials
needed for building; and, reducing waste disposal costs. Equally important, the
program helps reduce the amount of materials being buried at the Dubuque
Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA) Landfill. Contractor and developer
efforts have frequently proven to be of value to owners.
Retail Plastic Bag Reduction Strategy: The City Council approved a strategy to
reduce the use of plastic bags in retail stores 90% by 2017. The approved plan begins
by targeting retailers over 40,000 square feet and focuses on tracking reduction and
recycling of checkout plastic bags, incentives and education, not enforcement or a
"ban." Staff will be working with retailers and other partners to implement the plan,
including creating reporting system and time table, an implementation toolkit for local
retailers as well as a City consumer education campaign.
Airport:
• Operations and Jet Center staff now use bicycles for routine transportation tasks not
involving fuel or airfield operations.
• Monthly invoices /statements are sent by e-mail instead of printing and mailing them.
• Customers are encouraged to use the online feature on the updated Airport website
to pay for parking.
• FIyDBQ Rewards members are able to download coupons from the Airport website.
Saves the Airport the cost of printing and mailing them.
• Laserfiche is used for scanning supporting documentation for accounts payable
activities such as purchase orders /direct pays, purchase order adjustments, journal
entries and receipts. This procedure eliminates the need for copying and filing
them.
• Press releases are e- mailed or sent by Notify Me
• Bid notices are sent by Notify Me
• Accept electronic payments for Airport accounts receivables.
• All checks received are deposited through a check scanner. Saves time and gas to
drive to bank.
• All buildings use recycling bins.
• Used oil from vehicles and equipment is returned for reuse and Airport receives
reimbursement for oil
• Finishing a Pilot Study for conversion of Airport Layout Plans to an electronic
version
• Tenants can report safety and maintenance issues through website
• All fuel quality assurance samples are sent through a reclaimer and reused
• Large documents are placed on the Sharefile for distribution
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• Wood scraps are made into chocks
• The backside of non - sensitive papers are used for note paper at the desk
• Flags are re- hemmed when they start to fray
City Clerk's Office:
• City Council agendas are now delivered to Council members electronically. At
one time we were copying about 500 sheets per agenda packet per council
member, CMO, and City Attorney (4500) per meeting. These reams of paper
were then delivered via vehicle. Installation and deployment of Novusolutions
agenda management software is expected for November 2011 and will further
reduce the need for paper versions of the agenda and increase electronic
access.
• Freedom of Information request are handled via e-mail attachments from the
City's Laserfiche repository decreasing research time and the need for large
quantities of hard copies.
Fire Department:
• Smaller vehicles purchased for Fire Marshals and EMS Supervisor that use flex
fuel, E -85
• All diesel vehicles use biodiesel blend fuel
• Improvement package for video conferencing for training of firefighters. Allows
crews to remain in stations instead of traveling to central location conserves fuel
reduces emissions.
• All fire stations recycle household items
• Intersection preemption project reduces fuel consumption and reduces emissions
by allowing emergency vehicles to proceed through without stopping and starting
and holding green light for snow removal equipment.
• Windows budgeted in FY12 for Fire Station 3, Tuck pointing budgeted in FY12
for Fire Station 6, Energy study for Fire Headquarters researched by staff and
budgeted.
Leisure Services Department:
• Bunker Hill Golf Course irrigation system upgrade electrical & water 2010 -11.
Computerized controllers include a weather station that detects precipitation and
shuts off system if it meets the preset threshold of moisture. Variable speed
pump also reduces electrical consumption of pump motor. Anticipate a 25%
reduction in electrical demand with new motor. Anticipate 20% reduction in water
use when complete.
• Use Notify Me to send press releases (instead of faxing or mailing).
• Brochures are required to be printed on white recycled paper, 15% minimum.
• The Leisure Services Department serves as a collection for CFL light bulbs for
employees and citizens. The city provides multiple collection sites and Public
Works employees pick up the recycled CFL light bulbs.
• Class registrations are accepted online so citizens can use computer at home to
register. This saves gas to come to us, mailing costs, et cetera.
Public Information Office /GIS:
• City News publications all printed on 30% recycled paper.
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• Most, if not all, publications sent to print are printed on 30% recycled paper.
• Assisted in making City Expo and Annual Boards and Commissions Picnic near
zero -waste events since 2009.
• Encourage all departments to purchase sustainable giveaways for City Expo.
• Use Notify Me to send press releases (instead of faxing or mailing)
• All GIS maps are converted to jpg or pdf, and all data acquisition and transfers
are completed via the Sharefile FTP site.
Public Works Department:
Tire Recycling Program: Initiated by the DMASWA in the 1990's as a result of
regulations prohibiting the burial of whole tires in landfills, the DMASWA took the extra
step of banning the burial of tires in any shape or form in its landfill. Current federal and
State regulations still allow the burial of shredded, chopped or halved tires. Tires
brought to the DMASWA Landfill are set aside for subsequent collection and processing
by a tire recycling firm. The cost of the tire recycling service is passed along to the
DMASWA's customers. The tires are currently being processed into fuel pellets,
playground equipment fall protection pads, pads protecting concrete floors from heavy
equipment tracks, and sundry items such as park benches and parking lot tire stops.
Community impacts of the DMASWA's Tire Recycling Program have included saved
landfill space /life and reuse of a valuable fossil fuel- derived product.
Appliance and Metals Recycling Program. Similar to the DMASWA's Tire Recycling
Program, and also initiated in the 1990's, the Agency's Appliance and Metals Recycling
Program also exceeds federal and State standards. While the USEPA and Iowa
regulations allow the landfill burial of metal household appliances that do not contain
freon or mercury, the DMASWA bans the landfilling of any appliances at its facility.
Appliances are accepted, however, for a fee to cover the cost of subsequent recycling
by a local firm. Also, the DMASWA provides a free drop -off container just inside its gate
where clean metal items may be dropped off without charge for subsequent recycling.
Finally, DMASWA - employed workers recover any metal items encountered in the landfill
cells and take them to the metals drop -off container. The main community impact
derived from this program is saved landfill space /life. A secondary community impact is
the recovery and reuse of recyclable metal.
Recycling Dropoff Stations Program. Beginning with a sole recyclables dropoff facility
on Dubuque's west side in the 1990's, the program has expanded to seven (7) at the
current time. In addition to the noted original facility on Radford Road, there now are
facilities in Cascade, unincorporated Key West, Farley, Epworth, in the Flexsteel
Industries parking lot at East 32nd Street and Peru Road in Dubuque, and at the
DMASWA Landfill. The Agency plans to add additional facilities in the northern,
southern and northwestern areas of Dubuque County in the near future. At these
facilities, residents are allowed to drop off unlimited quantities of clean metal, aluminum
beverage containers, tin cans, paper, cardboard, and #1 - #5 plastics. Glass containers
are allowed only at the Radford Road
and DMASWA Landfill drop -off facilities. The materials are collected by Agency
workers and transported to the Dittmer Recycling facility in Dubuque for processing and
subsequent shipment to regional manufacturers or exporters. The most relevant
measurable outcomes for this program would be pounds of materials received and
recycled annually through the noted dropoff facilities.
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Coal Combustion Fly Ash: A fourth DMASWA program that can be associated with the
City of Dubuque's Smart Resource Management sustainability principle is its use of coal
combustion fly ash as a soil supplement. Federal regulations heavily restrict the reuse
and disposal of coal combustion fly ash due to the likelihood of the presence of heavy
metals. In the 1990's, the DMASWA applied for and received permission from the State
to mix fly ash it receives from the local Alliant Energy power plant, the Deere and
Company Dubuque Works, and the City of Dubuque Water and Resource Recovery
Facility with soil it uses to cover waste materials in its landfill cells. In this way, the
DMASWA spends less labor, fuel, and equipment time excavating the daily landfill cell
cover soil mandated by federal regulations. Community impacts includes monetary
savings to the three noted entities, monetary savings to the DMASWA in the form of
less fuel, labor and equipment time used, and the smaller carbon footprint associated
with the soil excavation activity. Also, since the fly ash would otherwise have to be
buried in the landfill cells due to its metals content, landfill airspace /life has been saved
by this practice.
Pay As You Throw: PAYT is a sustainable model for the City's Refuse Collection and
Large Item Collection programs. It places an added cost to extra trash generation
which encourages source reduction, reuse through donations, recycling and
composting. The average customer only sends 20 pounds per week to the landfill
which is among the lowest of the ten largest cities in Iowa. Appropriately -sized City -
owned tipper carts have been supplied to many alley - collection customers to improve
sanitation and aesthetics in areas of high rental density.
Curbside Food Scrap Collection and Composting: The Public Works Department
provides administrative and operating staff support to the Dubuque Metropolitan Area
Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA), a 28E partnership of the County and City of Dubuque.
In 1990, the DMASWA constructed its first yard waste composting facility at its Landfill
site on Dubuque's west side along U.S. Highway 20. The facility and yard waste
composting program were mandated by a then -new Iowa law banning yard waste from
being landfilled as of the beginning of FY91. The yard waste composting facility was
later displaced by the construction of landfill cells #5 and #6 and was replaced by the
current facility in 1998. The second - generation composting facility originally consisted
of a large asphalt -paved area where yard waste was stored and shredded. The
shredded yard waste was then windrowed in an adjoining area lined with shale where
the actual composting process took place.
The City initiated a pilot program for the curbside co- collection (with yard waste) of food
scraps in April of 2006. The City program has reached its maximum allowed diversion
under the two ton per week cap under IDNR regulations. This project is in partnership
with the DMASWA and involves 230 subscribers and some schools, institutions and
commercial subscribers, who for a very small fee, diverted approximately 80 tons of
food scraps last year from regular refuse collection and processed them into 40 tons of
compost. This also reduced potential fugitive green house gas emissions from the
DMASWA Landfill by approximately 500,000 pounds per year.
In 2009 and again in 2010, the DMASWA applied to the State for permission to expand
its food scrap composting program. The State has denied the requests, insisting that
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further infrastructure improvements be made. Those improvements have been
estimated to cost more than $250,000. As a result of those prohibitive additional costs,
the DMASWA has tabled expansion of its food scrap composting program until the
State of Iowa adopts guidelines similar to those allowed by the USEPA and already
implemented in surrounding states. Community impacts of the DMASWA's Composting
Program to date include saving an estimated half year of landfill life /capacity over the
last twenty years, plus the generation and reuse of a valued byproduct — high quality
compost.
Curbside Recycling: The Recycling Collection Activity has maintained over the last
five years the lowest average curbside collection fees in the state while having some of
the highest diverted tonnage to recycling at 4,300 tons per year (approximately 40 %).
Recycling tonnage has been declining in Dubuque and nationally recently due partially
to the shift from print media and advertising (newspaper / magazine pages and junk
mail) to electronic media. The participation rate of customers setting out recycling bins
at least once a month is estimated to be over 90 %. The partnership of the DMASWA in
a processing contract with Dittmer Recycling has brought shared revenue to the City
even during the current economic recession. Additional curbside acceptable materials
have been approved: empty aerosol cans, new, clean empty latex paint cans, obsolete
hardback books, and crosscut shredded paper. The Resource Management
Coordinator facilitated the Sustainable 2010 Glass Management Options Study and
researched local costs and impacts. This research indicated that the curbside collection
of glass for recycling was no longer a sustainable activity and should be terminated;
thereby cutting significant costs and generating increased revenue. The City Council on
April 18, 2011 supported the recommendation to end the curbside collection of glass
food and beverage containers on July 2, 2011. More energy is expended in the process
in recycling the glass from curbside collection thru bottle manufacturing than is
conserved in using the recycled cullet. The small net environmental benefits, if any, are
not worth the $325.00 per ton to collect this glass that has a —minus $16.00 per ton
value delivered to the nearest and best market. No longer separating 300 tons per year
of glass at curbside with its hand sorting will reduce future repetitive motion arm work
comp injuries. This decision was perceived by the community as a re- education and
challenge to change old recycling habits. Non - curbside beneficial -use options for glass
are being developed and promoted. Over 95% of the glass previously set out for
recycling has been seamlessly diverted through other programs. Council approved a
$0.37 reduction in the monthly solid waste fee due to savings in eliminating glass from
curbside recycling.
Diversion Facility Development: The Resource Management program has provided
staff support to the DMASWA by conducting a 2010 Visual Assessment Report of all
landfill vehicle unloads (1.100) for a full week. This assessment provided the needed
data to identify the most easily diverted materials for improved community and
commercial diversion to recycling and reuse.
Electronics Banned from Landfill Disposal: As of July 1, 2011, all electronics brought
to the DMASWA facility are recycled — landfill burial is no longer an option. However, a
onetime amnesty for recycling electronics was offered from June 11th through June
25th (except Sundays) at the Dubuque Metro Landfill. Electronics were dropped off at
no charge from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on those dates. The Agency's Electronics Recycling
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Program provides an environmentally -sound and economically - feasible disposal option
for old, unwanted electronics. Electronics are defined as anything containing a circuit
board and /or cathode ray tube (CRT or "picture tube "). Examples include: computer
monitors and CPUs, cell phones, televisions, printers, DVD players and VCRs. All
recycled electronics are broken down into salvageable components at a secure
demanufacturing facility in Davenport. To ensure data security, computers are not
refurbished or reused. The DMASWA changed its electronics disposal program
because it is not only concerned about the space used electronics take up in the
Dubuque Metro Landfill, but also because of the hazardous materials contained in the
electronics - lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel, chromium, lithium, and PCBs, among
others. Electronics also contain many materials made from natural resources, some of
which are not renewable and will be depleted over time. By recycling electronics, those
valuable natural resources are used again to make new products, water pollution is
prevented, and energy is saved in the extraction and manufacturing processes.
Electronics Recycling Fees (As of July 1, 2011): $5.00 each for monitors and small
televisions (screen size under 27 "), laptop computers $10.00 each. Larger televisions
and monitors (screen size 27" or greater) - $15.00 each. No charge for all other
electronics and accessories.
Dubuque Area Task Force Addressing Illegal Dumping & Illegal Littering: The
Resource Management program has provided staff support to the Dubuque Area Task
Force On Illegal Dumping and Illegal Littering (DATFOIDIL) which was initiated in 2010
by the DMASWA. The City Resource Management office has hosted an Illegal Dumping
Hotline (589 -4345) since 2000, averaging approximately ten illegal dumping report
investigations per month - cleaning up as appropriate and sending warning letters to
identified households.
Dubuque Area Event Recycling and Zero Waste Programs: The Resource
Management program first initiated and since 2006 has provided staff and logistic
support to Dubuque Area Event Recycling and Zero Waste Programs in partnership
with the DMASWA. Since 2006, 257 civic and social events have utilized the Clear
Stream event recycling units with 4,363 unit usages. Recycling is required by the City
at stationary events requiring a City permit. Recyclable cups numbered 1 through 5 are
required to increase recycling. Events now typically divert over 50% by volume to
recycling and also significantly reduce litter. There have been a growing number of zero
waste events where event food discards and compostable paper products get
processed for beneficial use. This program provides appropriate containers, signage
and removes the captured materials to be composted. Further information and
instructional flyers are available on managing zero waste events. There is normally no
charge for specialized container usage, signage and collection of the event recyclables
and clean source - separated compostables when scheduled.
Green Iowa AmeriCorps: Seven new Green Iowa AmeriCorps members have just
arrived for their 10 month service term. With the closing of the Four Mounds Energy
Center, GreenCorps will be supervised by the City Sustainable Community Coordinator
this year.
AmeriCorps members will be stationed in Iowa through next August. Green Iowa
AmeriCorps is based out of Cedar Rapids and has three satellite offices throughout the
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state: Cedar Falls, Decorah, and Dubuque. Green Iowa AmeriCorps is a government
initiative to make Iowa more environmentally sustainable; their services include
residential weatherizations, education and outreach programs. My report will focus on
the Dubuque site since I am the Dubuque Site Supervisor.
Due to training and orientation Dubuque members have not have an opportunity to
weatherize many homes this month. This month the team is focusing on rebuilding
partnerships with local community organizations and re- establishing their presence in
Dubuque. Earlier in the month Dubuque members met with the Washington
Neighborhood Development Corporation. They have also met with representatives from
the Healthy Homes Initiatives, as well as a representative from Gonen properties.
AmeriCorps hopes to partner with the H.E.A.R.T (Housing Education and Rehabilitation
Training) Program and be part of the Green Christmas event at the Roshek Building.
Following, Green Iowa participated in the YMCA Halloween parade in order to re
establish their presence in the community. Members also are hosting a tabling event at
Hy -vee to promote reusable bags. Unfortunately, this report out went before the data
could be collected.
At the time of this report, members have completed one full weatherization and were in
the process of auditing a veteran's home. It should be noted that, this year members are
offering free weatherizations to active duty military families. Furthermore, members
underwent BPI training at the NICC to be certified home auditors.
Library: Hosted six public events since 2006 focused on Smart Resource Management,
reaching over 100 attendees. Hosted the Recycle Art Show from 2008 -2010 with 150
attendees.
Introduced scanning services to the public to reduce the need for paper copies.
Annual Report for FY 10 published on handmade paper with seeds imbedded so that
after reading the report it can be planted and will yield basil.
Annual Recycled Art Show is being planned for April and will last for the entire month.
Smart Money Week is April 2 — 9. The week will end with a large truck outside the
Library to accept up to two large bags of documents to be shredded and later recycled.
Forty -one bags were shredded at this event.
Met with a representative of Iowa Waste Exchange and placed unwanted items on this
web site which is sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources. This has
resulted in items being diverted from the landfill.
The Circulation Department has begun using receipt printer paper that is recycled and is
approved by the Forest Stewardship Council.
The Youth Services Department is using paper sacks to hold the Summer Reading
Program materials instead of plastic.
Purchase of floor mats in Library were from 100 percent recycled materials.
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Waste stream audit conducted in June, 2011. One week in the study showed and 80%
landfill diversion and the second week showed a 91% landfill diversion. Since this time
food scrap recycling has been introduced and increased employee awareness about
recycling. The waste stream audit will be conducted again in the second quarter of
FY2012 to measure improvement.
Children's program in July, 2011 included a craft where youth made musical
instruments from toilet paper rolls.
Finance:
1. The Utility Billing area serves as a collection for CFL light bulbs for employees and
citizens. This process began approximately one year ago. The City provides multiple
collection sites. Public Works employees pick up the recycled CFL light bulbs.
2. Laserfiche was implemented for storing supporting documentation for accounts
payable and accounts receivable activities such as purchase orders /direct pays,
purchase order adjustments, journal entries and receipts. This procedure eliminates the
need for departments to make a copy of documents for their files as documents are
viewed through Laserfiche.
3. Accepting electronic payments for Utility Billing, parking tickets, (Leisure Services).
Customer initiates EFT via website and City ACH initiated. Utility Billing saves paper by
not including a return payment envelope for customers who have their payment
automatically deducted from their bank account (currently 21.4 %). Citizens save
postage and post office saves labor /energy.
4. Accounts payable direct deposit of employee expense reimbursement and vendor
payments. Full implementation will be available. Saves City cost of printing and mailing
checks. Saves paper and energy.
5. Future initiative: Working toward electronic billing for utility bills.
Personnel:
We have instituted NeoGov on -line application processing, which allows hiring
managers access to applications on -line and eliminates the need for the Personnel
Department to distribute paper copies of the applications received.
We have also implemented electronic distribution, whenever possible, of internal
correspondence, job notices, health plan updates and open enrollment documents, thus
reducing paper and toner usage.
Police:
GoTo Meetings: Shane O'Brien (DARE coordinator) held a statewide DARE meeting via
GoTo meetings instead of having everyone drive to Ankeny, Iowa. It saved the City of
Dubuque alone over 300 miles in travel expenses, fuel and waste. It was positively
received by the members in attendance and will be expanded for future meetings.
Idleright Fuel Management System: The DPD installed a new "fuel management
system" to test called Idleright in vehicle 1843. This system enables an officer to turn
the ignition off and leave all emergency lighting on. The system monitors the voltage in
the battery system and when it reaches a certain level, restarts the car - charging the
system. When fully charged the system shuts off the car again saving fuel. Without this
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system a police car could idle for hours at an accident scene where lighting is needed.
Business:
Non - Profit:
Keep Dubuque County Clean & Green — serves as the local affiliate for Keep Iowa
Beautiful. Members include representatives from DMASWA, the Dubuque County
Conservation Board, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, and interested
individuals. The group works with the Illegal Dumping and Littering task force and other
community groups to educate the public on the effects of littering and illegal dumping.
Schools:
People & Neighborhoods:
Lenten Plastic Bag Fast: In September 2010 the City Council voted to look into
possible policies to reduce single -use plastic bags in the city.
Given the strong faith heritage of Dubuque, Lenten reflection and study materials on the
interconnected issues of single -use plastic bags were prepared and made available to
communities of faith to adapt for use in their congregations. A newly formed group, the
Intercongregational Ecological Working Group (IEWG) comprised of representatives
from women's religious congregations in the area, took on the coordination of this
project in December 2010. The IEWG is distributing these study materials to a variety of
church and faith groups to further raise awareness and foster conversation on these
issues. The Lenten materials have been presented to the Dubuque Ministerial
Association and DACU for their consideration. Several groups will be utilizing these
materials during Lent (churches of various denominations, one high school, a religious
education program, a university and several women's religious congregations).
In an effort to further engage these participants as well as the broader community in the
discussion, the IEWG partnered with Wahlert's SAVE Club (Students Against Violating
the Earth), several local environmental groups and Mindframe Theater to co- sponsor
two showings of the documentary "BAG IT: Is Your Life too Plastic ?" free to the public
(March 26 and April 2). Over 320 residents attended. This movie event was one of the
activities for Dubuque 2.0's Community Sustainability Challenge Game.
The partnership of environmental groups has scheduled additional showings of the
movie to aid in the public awareness of the Council's target of reducing plastic bag use
by 90% by 2017. Showings are planned at Mindframe Theater, and Bev Wagner,
DMASWA Solid Waste Educator, is willing to show the movie at other locations
throughout the community, including in schools. Wahlert High School students have
also created a "Bag Monster" costume, comprised of approximately 500 bags, and are
willing to make it available for public education events throughout the community.
COMMUNITY DESIGN
Government:
Sustainable Design Assessment Team: In 2009, the Dubuque SDAT Report was
incorporated into the Sustainable Dubuque Plan as well as the City's UDC.
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Unified Development Code (Management Agenda): In 2009, the City of Dubuque's
new Unified Development Code went into effect. The UDC updates and consolidates
zoning, subdivision, site development, historic preservation, and sign regulations into a
single city code. The UDC incorporates text, photographs, drawings, charts and
diagrams for ease of use in an online illustrated version.
The four -year process for developing the Dubuque UDC incorporated three citizen
advisory committees and an interdisciplinary task force of City staff working with JEO
Consulting. The last 12 months of the process were devoted to seeking and responding
to input on the draft UDC from developers, engineers, architects, neighborhood and
business associations, sign contractors, City Boards and Commissions, and the general
public prior to City Council work sessions and public hearings.
The UDC incorporates sustainable design while meeting smart growth objectives.
Sustainable design is the expectation. While traditional development is still allowed, it is
now the exception. The UDC received strong support from City officials and citizens
alike. This acceptance of sustainable design has continued through implementation.
Subdivision and site development regulations were extensively revised to promote
sustainable design, such as conservation design, solar access, and low- impact
development measures. Access for pedestrians, bicycles, and public transit as well as
design guidelines for historic districts, the downtown, and older neighborhoods also are
now part of the UDC.
The intent of the UDC is to guide the physical, economic and social development,
redevelopment and conservation of the community. The UDC protects and enhances
the historic, cultural and aesthetic resources that make Dubuque a unique, identifiable
and vital community.
Old Town Neighborhood Site Design Guidelines: Adopted as part of the UDC, the
Old Town Neighborhood Site Design Guidelines for development in Dubuque's older
neighborhoods provide form -based site design guidelines 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. They are intended to encourage new development that is compatible with
historic districts, downtown, and older neighborhoods in conservation planning areas.
Complete Streets Policy: Adopted in 2011, the City of Dubuque's Complete Streets
Policy was created with input from a variety of community stakeholders. The Complete
Streets Policy provides an integrated multimodal approach to roadway planning and
design. The Policy establishes that development of as many street projects as possible
will be done in an affordable, balanced, responsible, and equitable way that
accommodates and encourages travel by motorists, bicyclists, public transit vehicles
and their passengers, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. The Complete Streets
Policy also ensures that future demand and context sensitivity is integrated into new
facilities, recognizing that topography, cost, and right -of -way constraints are among the
limiting factors and that not every project is a candidate for this desired outcome. The
Policy also includes language regarding the review of street projects for consistency
with the Tri -State Trail Plan, posting annual street projects for public input, and
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documentation of project- specific exemptions. The Complete Streets policy allows for
project- specific exemptions to be approved by the City Council, or the City Manager
where a project does not come before the City Council.
Green Alley Pilot Project: This project involved the reconstruction of existing asphalt
alleys from 11th Street to 13th Street between White Street and Jackson Street and the
alley from 15th and 16th between Elm and Washington Streets. The project
reconstructed the alleys with pervious pavement surfaces to assist in evaluating suitable
pavement types for future alley reconstruction projects. The pavement surfaces allow
rainfall from low- intensity storms to pass through the pavement structure. This, in turn,
will recharge the water table and minimize storm water runoff. Completed in summer
2010
Engineering staff are now working on the design of the alley between Jackson and
Washington from 17th to 18th Street. The project is expected to be initiated in July 2011
and completed by October 2011.
Engineering staff will also begin design of the following alleys to be completed in FY
2012:
Alley between Jackson and Washington from 16th to 17th
Alley between Jackson and White from 9th to 10th
Alley between White & Jackson from 17th to 18th
Alley between Arlington & Loras from Dell to Prairie
The alleys above are part of the SEP (Supplemental Engineering Project) required by
EPA as part of the consent decree issued to the City. Originally the Alley between
Washington and Elm from 25th to 26th was part of the SEP list proposed. Due to the size
of that alley, it was determined a better approach is to use City Green Alley funds in the
next couple of years to address that alley.
Washington Neighborhood Initiative (Top Priority): Comprehensive effort designed
to address many housing and social challenges in this 55 square block neighborhood.
An ambitious "visioning" project for the Washington Neighborhood was concluded in
2008 and the Washington Neighborhood Strategic Plan was presented to the City
Council in April 2009. Homes have now been purchased and rehabbed by 37 first -time
owner families throughout the neighborhood. Previous rental dwellings and vacant
structures have been historically restored for owner occupancy. Since late 2005, the
Housing Department has loaned $3.9 million and a total of $7 million has been
reinvested in housing in the Washington Neighborhood.
With receipt of a $240 000 I -JOBS grant from IFA, the Historic Washington Row Houses
project commenced construction in November 2010. New individual sanitary sewer and
water services have been installed, lead paint removed from the interior of the buildings,
asbestos removed from the roofing structure and all new membrane roofs installed, and
installation of all new wooden windows and doors completed. A September completion
date is projected. All units will be sold as owner - occupied town homes to low- moderate
income households. The City will be reconstructing the alley behind the row houses as
a "Green Alley" in the summer of 2011.
35
Several other houses acquired by the Housing Department, using our Neighborhood
Stabilization Program (NSP) grant, continue under rehab. The HEART Program crews
are performing the bulk of the rehab work. As the completed homes are re -sold, NSP
funds are used to buy other foreclosed or vacated houses.
An exterior inspection program providing 'advisory inspections' for all Washington
Neighborhood homeowners commenced in November. All of the 200 homes have been
inspected with70 having exterior violations. Housing staff coordinated with church
volunteer groups and WNDC during the April Community Days of Caring event to
provide 11 homes with needed repairs. 7 interior healthy home assessments requested
by homeowners were completed to check for safety, energy and code violations.
We are working with the Four Mounds Energy Center in preparation to utilize the
AmeriCorps GreenCorps team to perform energy audits and weatherization work on
selected homes in the neighborhood.
Planning continues for a major rehab project in the 2200 -2400 block of Washington
Street. Houses acquired for the Bee Branch Project and no longer needed for the right -
of -way will be rehabbed and re -sold to owner occupant families. Two city- acquired
homes were moved to this block in June and will be sold to Habitat for Humanity. The
HEART crews have begun work on one house. The City acquired a tenth home in
August. All will be under contract for rehab by the end of September.
Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation (WNDC): a new non - profit
corporation was formed to promote revitalization efforts in the Washington
Neighborhood. The WNDC is staffed by a fulltime executive director, initially funded by
the City of Dubuque. A board of directors was recruited to represent the interests of
stakeholders, including residents, landlords, businesses and lenders, and city
government. The corporation promotes activities to improve the neighborhood in a
variety of ways. Key objectives include increasing homeowner occupancies,
refurbishing older buildings, improving the appearance of the area and greater resident
involvement.
Partnering with the following neighborhood initiatives: Harkin Wellness Grant,
Community Garden, Energy Center staff, Small Business Works, Community Days of
Caring( Central Ave focus), Iowa 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant,
Crime Study Report, Dubuque Board of Realtors, Gateway to Homes.
Additional activities of WNDC:
o Referrals made for Energy Center weatherization assistance.
o Updated the WNDC directory — 171 businesses.
o Inventorying empty retail space available.
o Partnering with Housing and Community Development to create a neighbor to
neighbor work program rehabilitating the exterior of residences
o Project leader for Community Days of Caring April 29th & 30th, providing facade
improvement to businesses and homes.
o Hosted the 2nd annual "Meet your Neighbor, Eat N Greet" on June 25th, with 800
in attendance,
36
o Collaborate and assist with the Small Business Works initiative
o Building relationships with Dubuque Board of Realtors to promote the community
o Volunteer and partner with the following events; Taste of the World (Multicultural
Family Center), Young Professionals Food Drive, Bowling on the River ( River
Museum and Aquarium raising money for Everybody's Museum program that will
give memberships to families in our neighborhood) Dubuque 2.0 Sustainability
Challenge, Hope House Volunteers (cleanup and weatherization of the
neighborhood). Small Business Works Initiative, Green Healthy Homes Initiative.
o Gave 3 tours (walking and bus tours) of the neighborhood in collaboration with
the 4th Annual Growing Sustainable Communities Conference, Green
AmeriCorps members and the University of Iowa Urban Planning students for the
Green and Healthy Homes Initiative.
o Board approved strategic goals for 2011 -2012 year beginning July 1, 2011.
o Inventory of vacant business fronts.
o Partnership with McGraw Hill for the giveaway of 250+ potted plants.
o Received DRA grant for ($4868) the Dr. Viner /Manasseh House Garden located
465 Lincoln Ave.
o Continued collaboration with Dubuque Downtown Christian Outreach,
Multicultural Family Center, Four Mounds, Community Foundation of Greater
Dubuque, Crescent Community Health Center, Project Concern and Orange
Park residents.
Orange Park: Creation of a park in the Washington Neighborhood as a result of
neighborhood input.
Historic Millwork District (Top Priority):
The Historic Millwork District Complete Streets Project will involve the reconstruction
and streetscaping of streets into complete streets. These streets include the following:
Street
10th Street
Washington Street
Jackson Street
Jackson Street Trail
10th Street
11th Street
Limits
Jackson to Elm Street
9th to 10th Street
7th to 11th Street
5th to 7th Street
Main to Jackson Street
Jackson to Elm Street
Additionally, 3 alternates were selected and they include:
Alternate Street Limits
1 Washington Street 10th to 11th Street
2 9th Street Washington to White Street
3 9th Street Main to White Street
Construction Type
Reconstruction
Reconstruction
Reconstruction
Hike /Bike Trail
Streetscaping
Water Reconstruction
Construction Type
Reconstruction
Streetscaping
Streetscaping
Sealed bids were received on the project on January 25, 2011. Portzen Construction,
Inc. of Dubuque, IA submitted the low bid in the amount of $5,575,005.92. This amount
is 20.06% under the estimate of probable cost for the base bid + alternates 1, 2, and 3.
A summary of the bid proposals received is as follows:
37
CONTRACTOR (Base + Alternates 1, 2, 3)
BID
Portzen Construction, $5,575,005.92
Inc.
Horsfield
Construction, Inc.
$5,814,598.29
A bid was received from W.C. Stewart, Inc but was deemed non - responsive since the
required Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) form and expected sub - contractor
listing was not submitted with the bid.
The list of bid results was submitted to the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) for
their concurrence. FHWA concurs with the award of the construction contract to Portzen
Construction, Inc. as the lowest responsive bidder. Construction is expected to start in
early March 2011.
City staff is continuing to work on development of plans and specifications for the
Historic Millwork District. Originally the project was to include the complete
reconstruction of Jackson Street from 7th to 11th Streets, Washington Street from 9th to
11th Streets and 10th Street from Jackson to Elm Streets.
The USDOT announced Dubuque was awarded a $5.6 million grant to fund Complete
Streets within the Millwork District.
A site in the district is being reviewed as a potential for the location of a future
intermodal facility.
The Alamo Block purchase agreement was approved by the City Council on October 4,
2010. Deconstruction of the non - historic buildings is completed which is ahead of the
March 31, 2011 schedule. City staff closed on the purchase of the Alamo real estate on
April 26, 2011.
Financing for the $28 million Caradco project is being finalized. Construction bids were
received in late May, and Gronen Properties has begun rehabilitation work at the
Caradco building. City staff worked with Gronen to determine collateral for the $4.5
million IFA loan. The recommended collateral was presented and approved by the City
Council at their July 18th, 2011 meeting. Closing on the financial package took place on
August 26, 2011. The City has received a release of funds and environmental clearance
for the $8.9 CDBG funding.
Staff prepared a Development Agreement for the CARADCO project with Gronen
Properties and a public hearing was held on March 21, 2011. The City Council
approved the Development Agreement following the public hearing.
The CARADCO building received two awards of $3 million and $5.9 million in CDBG
disaster assistance funds to develop income - restricted (80% of Median Income)
apartments.
The Council approved a $4.5 million loan agreement with the Iowa Finance Authority to
38
provide low- interest financing for Millwork District projects. As of August 26, 2011, the
City has drawn down $2 million of the $4.5 million loan.
Construction of the Historic Millwork District Complete Streets Project began on March
14, 2011. A ground breaking occurred on for March 23, 2011. Assistant Director of
FHWA Gary Nadeau attended from Washington, DC and along with Mayor Buol had
some nice remarks about the project and the City.
Currently the street pavement is in place on 9th street between Washington and White,
Jackson Street between 8th and 11th, and on 10th street between Jackson and White
Street. The contactor is installing the curb on 10th street between Iowa and Central.
Additionally the curb is getting formed on 10th street between Jackson and Elm. The
street lights on Jackson Street will start to get installed in early August. The contractor is
on schedule.
Smart Planning Grant (Management Agenda): In late 2010, Dubuque County and the
cities of Dubuque, Asbury, Cascade, Dyersville, Epworth, Farley, and Peosta came
together to form the Dubuque Smart Planning Consortium. The consortium's goals are
to develop a regional sustainability plan that includes the State of Iowa's Smart Planning
principles, the City of Dubuque's sustainability principles, and watershed planning, and
then incorporates the smart planning elements of the regional plan into local
comprehensive plans. This consortium is a two -year process. The consortium is
meeting monthly. The Consortium has developed a public participation plan and a 2011
meeting schedule. Consortium members and local elected and appointed officials
attended public participation workshops sponsored by the Iowa Department of
Economic Development on April 6, 2011 in Dubuque.
Public Works Department: The Public Works Department provides administrative and
operating staff support to the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency
(DMASWA or "Agency "). Since 1995, the Agency has employed an Education and
Communication Coordinator. This person is charged with educating the general public
in Dubuque and Delaware counties regarding best solid waste management practices.
The Coordinator develops public education programs, publicizes Agency services,
manages its website, presents programs to school and community groups, hosts facility
tours, provides education curriculum resources and assistance, coordinates the efforts
and initiatives of the Dubuque chapter of Keep Iowa Beautiful - Keep Dubuque County
Clean and Green, manages the Agency's Green Vision Education Program, and
provides staff support to the Dubuque County Illegal Dumping Task Force. The
Coordinator also prepares and updates the Agency's biannual Recycling and Reuse
Guide, which is inserted in all Dubuque and Delaware county daily and weekly
newspapers. The most measurable outcome for this program is the number of citizens
the Coordinator presented to and /or provided facility tours in any given year.
Leisure Services Department: In accepting two new parks, Westbrook and Creek
Ridge, the proposed park layouts included native open spaces, wetlands and woodland
areas. Highly maintained areas were limited in size. This limits the acreage of mowed,
manicured spaces with allowing preservation of open space — a much more sustainable
practice.
39
Business:
Non - Profit:
Schools:
People & Neighborhoods:
GREEN BUILDINGS
Government:
Building Services Department:
Solar Thermal
The Solar Thermal Licensing and Solar Thermal Permits and Inspections ordinances
were created in 2011 after a local solar thermal contractor met with City staff to
determine what licenses and permits they would need to install solar thermal systems
within the corporate limits of Dubuque. The current regulations would require multiple
licenses and permits.
The adoption of the ordinances will allow for streamlined licensing and permitting
processes and support the development of green jobs in Dubuque. Information Services
has updated the Permits Plus system to have solar thermal licensing and permits
capability. A solar thermal license has been issued.
City Building Efficiency Improvements
The 18th St project will significantly upgrade the energy efficiency of that building with
new HVAC, lighting (with the grant), etc.
On March 21, 2010, the City Council approved an upgrade to the HVAC system at City
Hall. Water cooled units will have their piping adjusted so that they are no longer
dumping the water into the sanitary sewer system, but into a cooling tower /tank,
instead.
An RFP for design has been issued. Responses were due June 3, 2011. Shive - Hattery
was selected to complete this work. Shive - Hattery has submitted a preliminary design
and review of alternatives. City staff reviewed the submittal and agreed that a fluid
cooler system would be used. Staff also requested that quantitative information on
expected savings of water, electricity, etc be provided by Shive - Hattery.
Grand River Center Smart Electric Meters (Management Agenda)
An RFP has been issued for design of a smart electric metering of the Grand River
Center. Responses are due June 4, 2011.
The City of Dubuque, Iowa is soliciting competitive sealed proposals from qualified
professional consulting firms to complete a design of smart electric meter improvements
to the Grand River Center to incorporate smart electric meters in the Grand River
Center. The smart metering of some circuits and equipment at the Grand River Center
will allow for the management and staff to track electrical usage. The cost of electrical
40
usage of special events can also be tracked. The efficiency of HVAC equipment can be
analyzed as well.
Responses to the design RFP are due June 24, 2011, with design expected to be
completed by August 5, 2011. Installation would be complete by the end of 2011. One
response was received from KJWW of Rock Island. A future meeting to discuss scope
with the responding firm is anticipated.
2009 International Energy Conservation Code
We have adopted the 2009 Intl Energy Conservation Code and will continue to adopt
the most - recent version.
Public Works and Water Departments:
Solar Energy
The City of Dubuque signed a contract with a Dubuque firm, Eagle Point Solar, in
August providing for the installation of 425 solar panels on the roof of the Municipal
Services Center. The panels will generate 200 kW of electrical power during optimum
conditions.
Workforce Housing (Mgt Agenda): City staff has been working diligently with local
developers to find new revenue sources to fund the financial gaps in the rehabilitation of
older buildings in the downtown /millwork districts. In 2009, the Iowa Finance Authority
conducted a study and based on current market conditions and projected employment
growth in Dubuque, their study indicated a significant demand exists for additional rental
housing in the local area. Given the relatively low HUD Median Income and the
estimated salary range of jobs, market rate rental housing appears to have the most
demand. Income restricted rental units, such as those with Low Income Housing Tax
Credits, would not alleviate future demands from household growth. While some
workers would prefer homeownership, affordable single family detached homes are
readily available in the market area with several new subdivisions under construction.
The lack of significant vacancies coupled with the lack of modern multi - family rental
communities indicates pent up demand for high quality market rate rental units. Based
on the IFA demand estimates, the Dubuque market area is in need of 300 to 400
additional rental units over the next two to three years. The City Council approved a
Loan Agreement with the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) for $4,500,000 with 3% interest.
The funding is available for creation of workforce housing unit creation in the Historic
Millwork District. Income guidelines exist for the units totaling 120% of Area Median
Income. At the same time, staff is pursuing changes to various tax credit programs on
the national level, to assist in rehabilitation of historic structures.
On September 7, 2011, the City's Economic Development Director was part of a panel
presentation at the Housing Conference sponsored by IFA. The presentation focused
on the local need for workforce housing.
The City Council approved a Loan Agreement with the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) for
$4,500,000 with 3% interest. The funding is available for creation of workforce housing
unit creation in the Historic Millwork District. Income guidelines exist for the units
totaling 120% of Area Median Income. At the same time, staff is pursuing changes to
41
various tax credit programs on the national level, to assist in rehabilitation of historic
structures.
The loan with Caradco Landlord, LLC was closed on August 26, and $2 million of this
loan has been drawn down. City staff has been working diligently with local developers
to find new revenue sources to fund the financial gaps in the rehabilitation of older
buildings in the downtown /millwork districts.
At the same time, staff is pursuing changes to various tax credit programs on the
national level, to assist in rehabilitation of historic structures. The Greater Downtown
Urban Renewal District was expanded by the City Council on May 2, 2011 which
provides additional tools to encourage reinvestment and redevelopment activities
throughout the expanded District to support the revitalization of the area.
Housing Incentives: The City Council created a $2.5 million pool of funds to
encourage downtown market -rate apartments. The City provides a CIP for the
Downtown Rehabilitation Loan, Planning and Design Grant, Fa9ade Grant, and
Financial Consultant Grant Programs which are designed to further the goals and
objectives of the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal Plan by creating the financial
incentives needed to eliminate conditions of blight, encourage revitalization efforts and
to retain or create employment opportunities and /or new housing units within the district.
To date, the Council has approved 199 units for the Downtown Housing Program. Of
those, 191 units will be developed. 75 units have been completed and 116 are currently
under construction.
Green Healthy Homes Initiative (Management Agenda): Working collaboratively
across jurisdictions and silos of funding to identify and remove barriers to holistic,
household centric approaches to improving health, safety, livability and affordability of
housing in Dubuque. The Initiative "will identify the help citizens need, help them get
that help and help them maintain and sustain the improvements." Initial meetings were
held on January 26th, February 11th and 18th to establish a working committee to set up
kick off meeting of the Learning Network activity. Key partners are the Housing and
Community Development Department, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque,
Health Department, Operation New View, Visiting Nurse Association, Northeast Iowa
Community College, Lead Hazard Control Grant, Healthy Homes Production Grant,
Smarter City Project Manager.
The Dubuque GHH Collaborative continues forward positively. In June 2011 all
partners received LEAN - principled training. It was supported by two professional LEAN
trainers provided through NICC. Process mapping of the first phase of coordinated
activity (identification, qualification, intake, assessment, funding, planning) occurred and
an approach to testing the new process with volunteer Pilot GHH Homes will
be developed. The Home Advocate concept being pioneered in Dubuque was
introduced and six Pilot Homes have now been identified. Meetings are held weekly to
consolidate activities and reduce duplication.
Dubuque has been contacted by several state and federal agencies /entities expressing
interest in the innovative effort, and seeking to discuss additional potential partnerships.
42
City and Community Foundation staff represented Dubuque at the National Healthy
Homes Conference in Denver in June. They gave a presentation to Congressional staff
during their visit to Dubuque in August and presented at the local Sustainability
Conference in October. City Staff also represented Dubuque at the Department of
Energy Regional Weatherization Plus Health Initiative in October.
Multicultural Family Center (High Priority): Completed in FY 2010 to empower
diverse neighbors, families and individuals through personal growth and participation in
community activities in the $ 1.2 million rehabilitation of a City building to expand the
Center. The Center's programs include cross - cultural educational and family activities.
The City hired a full -time director, half time assistant director and twenty hours of site
coordinators per week to staff the Center.
The MFC hosted Dia De Las Americas on Saturday, October 8th from 4:30- 11:00pm.
Over 400 people attended this cultural celebration for Hispanic Heritage month. Event
included cultural displays representing 12 countries, dance performances, two live
bands and an authentic meal with foods from throughout the Americas.
The MFC also offered a one -man show about the life of Satchel Paige on Tuesday,
October 25th at Five Flags. Around 175 community members attended this 90 minute
performance.
Bee Branch Realignment: Relocated 65 families as part of the City's Bee Branch
Drainage Basin Master Plan activities. 70 houses were purchased, families relocated
and the structures deconstructed to make way for a floodwater relief project designed to
remove more than 1000 homes from chronic storm water flooding. Seven properties
that the City bought as part of the Bee Branch Realignment are being made lead safe
and in the ,process of being rehabbed. They will then be sold as owner occupied
properties.
Roshek Building: The restoration and rehabilitation of the Roshek Building Core and
Shell project has achieved LEED Gold certification. Gronen Properties is working with
Evolve, the project LEED consultant, on behalf of Dubuque Initiatives, to determine if
the 5 points needed to achieve the Platinum certification is attainable. This
determination should be made by mid - November.
Step by Step: A Bluff Street building was renovated to create a residence for persons
with disabilities or special needs. The Hills and Dales agency completed occupancy
with eight persons with disabilities in 2010.
Washington Row Houses - City and Dubuque Bank and Trust purchased 'row houses'
on Washington Street from six private owners. The units are currently being renovated
and upon completion, will be re -sold to owner occupants as town homes. Recycled city
street pavers were used to create a courtyard in the back.
White Street Condos- 9 unit apartment building on White Street was purchased by the
City from the Dubuque Community School District, then sold to a developer and
converted into 5 condominiums. All units have been sold
43
Urban Revitalization Program: The purpose of the program is to attract development
to specific areas, which might otherwise continue to deteriorate, thereby stabilizing and
eventually increasing the tax base within those areas. The abatements are intended to
stimulate private investment by reducing the tax increases that would normally result
from making improvements to residential property.
The program focuses on revitalization of properties in the community's older
neighborhoods and offers a property tax exemption for new improvements made to
qualified residential properties and limited commercial properties. Owners who upgrade
their residential properties located within a designated urban revitalization area are
eligible to apply for a ten -year property tax exemption. Owners of commercial property
in the Washington Neighborhood UR district are eligible for a three -year exemption. To
qualify, improvements must increase the assessed value of the building by at least ten
percent or greater depending on the specific district, and applies to those
neighborhoods which have been designated as urban revitalization areas by the City
Council. $8,484,650 is the current value of properties in tax abatement as of the 2010.
Housing Code Inspections: Inspection and Licensing Division assures all residents of
rental properties in the City of Dubuque of decent, safe, and sanitary living conditions by
requiring all dwelling units to meet minimum livability standards through a
comprehensive Housing Code inspection program.
Lead Hazard Reduction Program: To reduce lead paint poisoning in Dubuque's
young children, begun in 1997 and refunded in FY2008 with a $2.9 million grant.
417 applications were received with 325 inspections and risk assessments of housing
units being completed since the grant activities began in January 2008. 232 units have
been completed. 61 training and certification classes were held providing training to
342 contractors, workers, and property owners, totaling 1,168 hours of both classroom
and on -site training by Department inspection staff. The grant was completed in FY
2011.
Lead Hazard Control grant: $3.1 million grant awarded in January 2011 to fund
several lead control initiatives including inspection and lead -based paint hazard
reduction in 185 Dubuque housing units. One hundred of those units will receive $740 in
additional funding for a more comprehensive Healthy Homes approach. It will provide a
comprehensive public education campaign aimed at teaching property owners, tenants,
and maintenance and remodeling contractors how to provide and maintain lead -safe
dwellings. Additionally, area contractors will be certified, trained and provided economic
incentives to grow their businesses and improve skills in lead hazard reduction. During
the first three months of the grant, 169 applicants enrolled, 30 units received a lead
hazard evaluation, and 1 unit was completed.
Healthy Homes Production Program: $1 million grant awarded in January 2011.
Provides funds to identify and remediate housing - related health and safety hazards in
100 housing units throughout Dubuque. This program will be used in conjunction with
the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative to address the conditions in the physical
environment in the home as well as issues in the lives of the dwelling's occupants.
During the first three months of the grant, 10 applicants enrolled and 1 unit received a
comprehensive healthy home assessment.
44
Neighborhood Stabilization Program: $444,328 from the Iowa Department of
Economic Development received in April 2009. The grant provides funding to purchase
foreclosed or abandoned homes and to rehabilitate, resell or redevelop these homes in
order to stabilize neighborhoods and deter decline in valuation of neighboring homes.
Four foreclosed homes have been purchased, of which two have been rehabbed and
sold. Four are currently being rehabbed. H,
1
Washington Court project: Acquisition and adaptive reuse of a blighted historic
building into 35 affordable rental housing units and the Crescent Community Health
Center.
Housing Rehabilitation: Housing and Community Development Department
administers housing rehabilitation programs, for both owner - occupied housing and
rental units.
Rental Assistance Program: The City's primary means of directly providing affordable
rental housing is through the federal HUD Section 8 Program. This program offers rental
assistance to lower- income families for approximately $4 million annually with HUD
funds paid to area landlords. This program has been operational in Dubuque since
1976.
Carnegie -Stout Public Library Renovation: We set a goal of diverting deconstruction
materials from the landfill; though final numbers are not available, we have reached
63 %. Our carpeting was sent to be recycled and the carpet we installed was made from
recycled carpeting. Our insulation is blue jeans - reduced to the kind of fluff you see in
a dryer basket. We have several counter tops made of sunflowers. Our lights are
designed so that they do not contribute to "light pollution;" the fixtures inside the building
are not directed so that they can shine out. Materials used, including paint, varnish, and
adhesives were LEED certified. The plantings around the library will require very little
maintenance. The greatest impact of LEED, however, will come in the many policies
we will be adopting that will regulate the percentage of "Green" cleaning products we
use, measure our trash to reduce it and increase recycling, etc., etc.
Studies show improved air quality will result in increased work productivity, fewer sick
days, and fewer health bills as compared to prior to the renovation.
Individual recycling baskets placed at every work station to facilitate ease of use to
increase the materials recycled in an effort to divert waste going to the landfill.
A meeting was held with the Library Maintenance Department to discuss current
inventory of cleaning agents and to plan for replacements of various types of cleansers
to be green. Our goal is to have the majority of cleaning agents purchased by green.
Leisure Services Department:
• Department incandescent light fixture replacement to CFL 2007 - 11
• Eagle Point park Bridge Complex Renovation - Replace all lights with LED
fixtures
45
• Bunker Hill boiler replacement - "right sized" smaller high efficiency fuel efficient
completed in 2011. The existing boiler was over 30 years old and has
experienced issues with poor distribution of heat in various segments of the
building. It was sized for the Bunker Hill building when it also heated the Bunker
Hill Golf Course clubhouse. The 2001 clubhouse remodeling included new
HVAC units and therefore the current boiler was oversized for the office area.
Business:
The following are private and public LEED- certified buildings in Dubuque:
Agreement
Date
Development
Jobs
Created/
Retained
Project Cost
LEED Status
2007
Durrant Architects
60
$3 mil
Platinum
2007
Medline Industries
300
$6.5 mil
Silver
2008
Hormel Foods
200
$89 mil
Gold
2009
IBM /Roshek Bldg
1,300
$39 mil
Gold
2009
Carnegie Stout Public
Library
35
$6.8 mil
Silver*
2010
National Mississippi River
Museum & Aquarium
110
$25 mil
expansion
creating $100
mil facility
Certified*
* Application pending; anticipated status.
Achieving 38 points, four points over the minimum required, the Roshek Building was
recognized as a LEED -Gold Building by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Non - Profit:
Schools:
People & Neighborhoods:
HEALTHY LOCAL FOODS
Government:
Dubuque Eats Well: Dubuque Eats Well (DEW) is a strategic partnership within the
Dubuque tri -state community that values sustainable Healthy Local Food (HLF) systems
for the benefit of all. DEW is a participant in our regional food system network as it
relates to the comprehensive social policy, economics and legislative issues. DEW
values systematic resilience within the six local food chain interlinks: production,
distribution /marketing, processing, purchasing /consumption, preparation and waste
minimization. DEW works to influence the Dubuque community's evolving food culture
and foodshed to support "well- being" related to: healthy eaters, access to HLF, food
safety and security, thriving local economies, rejuvenated neighborhoods, local and
ethnic cuisine, profitable producers, farmer laborers receiving a living wage, "fair trade"
support, vibrant biodiversity, lighter carbon and water footprints, eco- literate food
tourism and zero waste composting.
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Dubuque Eats Well is also currently partnering with members of the Downtown
Dubuque Christian Outreach in a container garden project. The group is specifically
targeting the Dubuque downtown area although all interested parties are encouraged to
apply. The project will be advertised through a brochure distributed through area
churches, DDCO members, and other organizations. The group has funding for 25 -30
gardens and will provide all of the necessary materials to participants free of charge.
Each participating individual or family will be paired with a "garden guide" who will serve
as a source of information and encouragement throughout the growing season. The
container gardens are easier to maintain than in- ground gardens and can provide an
abundance of healthy local food in a small space. The group hopes to partner with
Dubuque's Days of Caring for the installation of these gardens.
As of April 25, 2011, over 60 people have signed up to participate in the garden
container project and many more have called with inquiries. The Wading Pool Task
Force met on April 12 to select its 30 participants. The task force plans on delivering
garden materials on April 29th and installing the gardens the next day. During this time,
participants will also be paired with their garden guides and will meet with them to
discuss their garden set -up.
As of May 24, 2011, all gardens and materials have been distributed and gardeners
have been paired with their "garden guides." Gardeners have received vouchers for
seeds and seedlings and many have already planted their gardens for the season.
Dubuque Eats Well recently created a facebook page as the first step in its outreach
campaign. While DEW's ultimate goal is to create a website, the facebook page will be
used in the meantime to keep people informed about group developments and local
foods news. DEW has also been working with the River Bend Buy Fresh Buy Local
chapter in an effort to increase chapter membership, particularly in the Dubuque metro
area. Although a final directory list is not yet available, several Dubuque -area food
producers or supporters have joined the campaign for the first time. The directories
were printed in May with 60 local producers and supporters listed an increase from 37 in
2010. The directories are currently being distributed throughout the region at local
businesses and farmers markets. Extra copies can be obtained at the Dubuque Eats
Well office or online at www.riverbendbfbl.org or www.dubuqueeatswell.org /resource-
center.
On Saturday, March 19th, Dubuque Eats Well co- sponsored a legislative forum with
Rep. Chuck Isenhart entitled "Local Foods on the Menu for Discussion." Over thirty
people attended the forum, which featured Rich Pirog from ISU's Leopold Center. He
discussed the Center's recently - released "Local Food and Farm Plan." Representatives
from Hy -Vee were also on hand to discuss how the supermarket chain hopes to expand
its selection of locally - produced foods.
On May 19th, the Dubuque Eats Well steering committee held a visioning and strategic
planning session at the Dubuque County Extension office to discuss priorities and to re-
examine the group's mission statement and vision. DEW members will also be
investigating other models that facilitate greater public awareness and involvement.
On August 9, 2011, DEW assisted the ISU Extension and Representative lsenhart in
hosting a local sourcing event for area institutions. Purchasing agents from Iowa State
47
University and the University of Northern Iowa were on hand to give a presentation and
answer questions about their experiences in buying local foods and preparing them for
students. The event was well attended and the TH covered the story in an article the
following day.
Dubuque Eats Well is working closely with area Hy -Vee food stores to determine how to
best promote and market local foods in their stores. Buy Fresh, Buy Local imagery will
be prominently featured.
Limestone Bluffs RC &D received a grant, as part of a regional application, to fund a
part-time local foods coordinator for two years. This position will be advertised for soon
and housed at ISU Extension, a key DEW partner.
Community Garden Collaboration: Representatives from six organizations working on
community gardens met in March to share their progress and explore opportunities for
collaboration to increase access to healthy local foods for all Dubuque residents. City
Sustainability and Leisure Services staff attended to assist in the development and
marketing of these garden activities. These gardens include the Dubuque Jaycees
Community Gardens at Veterans Memorial Park, 2700 Northview Dr, St. Luke's United
Methodist Wading Pool gardens, the Mercy Gardens at the Holy Ghost field. The Four
Mounds community garden located at 4392 Peru Road, the Crescent Health Community
Garden at 21st Street between Elm and Kniest Streets and the Garden Organic
program which is filmed at Barrington Lakes garden (private property) and Steve's Ace
Hardware. More information about these gardens can be found at
www. cityofdubuque .org /communitygardens.
The City of Dubuque has partnered with the Dubuque Jaycees to create a community
garden at Veterans Memorial Park. These plots will be available to all area residents for
a fee of $30 for an in- ground bend and $40 for a raised bed, plus a $25 deposit which
will be returned after harvest if the plot is cleared. Income -based fee waivers are also
available to those who qualify. Under this agreement, the City will provide the land for
the garden plots and the Jaycees will maintain responsibility for all aspects of managing
the garden.
A Channel 8 program has been taped that highlights the Dubuque Jaycees garden at
Veterans Memorial Park, the Dubuque Rescue Mission garden, and one of the wading
pool gardens at a private residence. This program will air soon and will be helpful in
recruiting participants for next year's gardens.
Municipal Services Center Garden Share Project: The Public Works Department has
a small garden produce share project that provides the opportunity for workers to bring
in surplus garden produce and place these items in a share -box in one of the Municipal
Services Center's common areas. Other City facilities have replicated this "garden
share" space this growing season.
Leisure Services Department:
• Growing in Garden & Outdoor Fun 2009
• From Garden to your Table class 2010
• From your Garden to your Tummy class 2010
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• Organic Garden 101 class 2011
Public Information Office: More healthy food options available at City Expo beginning
in 2010.
Library: Held three public events focused on healthy local foods from 2008 -2010; 79
attendees.
Business:
Non - Profit:
In Partnership with the Crescent Community Health Center and Operation New
View's Head Start Program, the former Housing and Community Development
Department Building at 18th Street is being converted to a Health Promotion site
and Headstart classrooms. CCHC will utilize primarily the second floor for
diabetics /obesity education classes, stress reduction, fitness and other health
promotion and disease prevention activities and classes for their patients. The
mulit- purpose space will also provide a venue for staff education and
development. Headstart will house two classrooms on the first floor. A kitchen
will be shared by both organizations.
2011 Dubuque Farmers' Market: In this 166th year of market, there are 103 seasonal
vendors that rent a total of 118 stalls. This represents 21 first -year vendors. There have
also been several occasional vendors who attend on a limited basis. Vendors offer a
huge variety of home -grown and made -made products and services that fall into one or
more of these broad categories: Produce (35), Baked goods (16), Meats (5), Plants
(17), Wines (3), Crafts (28), Food prepared on -site (4), and Others (10). The Dubuque
Farmers' Market is administered by Dubuque Main Street on behalf of the City of
Dubuque.
Dubuque Farmers' Market has been involved with the Farmers' Market Nutrition
Program for Seniors and for Women, Infants, & Children for numerous years. Vendors
(26) who meet the criteria for selling produce apply through the Iowa Department of
Agriculture and Land Stewardship to be a certified vendor. Customers redeem their
benefits in the form of a check or voucher. Vendors deposit the checks and /or vouchers
at area financial institutions for reimbursement. There are no fees involved for vendors.
In addition, vendors are encouraged to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as food stamps), which is administered
through USDA's Food and Nutrition Services. Dubuque Farmers' Market vendors are
challenged to participate in SNAP due to limited access to electricity for land -line based
technology. The vendors (6) who do accept SNAP's electronic benefit transfer (EBT)
cards have to purchase or lease wireless equipment to accept the cards, as well as pay
transaction fees on each purchase.
New `smart' phone technology allows vendors (crafts and food) to accept debit and
credit cards at market without the use of separate equipment, but there is a $2.75
transaction fee on each purchase.
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On July 2, 2011, volunteers conducted a customer count at market. To count
customers, the volunteers distributed one sticker to each customer and asked the
customer to display it while at market. The amount of stickers distributed that day is
subtracted from the beginning balance. This year 3,682 customers were counted (this
date was selected because it fell before the availability of sweet corn). Dubuque Main
Street last counted approximately 3,800 customers on July 10, 2010, which was the first
day sweet corn was available at the market. Two more customer counts are being
organized for August 13 and October 1.
Schools:
People & Neighborhoods:
COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE
Government:
• Mayor & Council Sustainability Pledge: The original Mayor's sustainability
pledge was launched in 2007, and thousands of copies have been distributed to
schools, businesses, and residents in Dubuque, giving them concrete ways they
can implement each of the 11 Sustainable Dubuque principles. In October, a
new Mayor & City Council pledge was created to challenge residents to consider
new actions. For each principle three actions are suggested -a "beginner,
intermediate, and advanced" approach to implementing each principle in daily
life.
• CityChannel 8 programming
o Growing Sustainable Communities conference telecasts from 2009 &
2010
o City Journal interview programs
• Dubuque & Sustainability
• Smarter Sustainable Dubuque
• Green Alley Pilot Project
• Pay As You Throw
• Dubuque Recycling
• Waste to Wealth
• Bee Branch Project (three separate shows)
• Sustainable Design Assessment
• Winter Farmers Market
• Southwest Arterial (2011)
• Every Child I Every Promise
• Water Meter Replacement Project
• Landfill Diversion
• Water Pollution Control Plant Project
• Historic Millwork District Complete Streets Project
• University of Iowa Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities
partnership
• Community gardens
o IBM /Dubuque Smarter Cities project
o Sustainable Communities Tour
o Sustainability 101
o Keyline Rack & Ride promotional spot
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o Winter Yard Waste /Food Scrap Pickup
o City Expo live telecasts
o City Council work sessions on Sustainable Dubuque
o Reinforcement of Sustainable Dubuque initiative by station identification
spots, placing appropriate Green Pledge icons on programming,
CityChannel 8 graphics
o Sustainability Today, a new Channel 8 series, was launched at the end of
October. The regularly- occurring program will highlight City and
community efforts that help to achieve the Sustainable Dubuque vision.
The series kicked off with five new programs:
■ Sustainable Dubuque Initiative: Sustainability Coordinator Cori
Burbach speaks with Mayor Roy D. Buol about the impetus behind
the City's sustainability efforts that ultimately because the
Sustainable Dubuque initiative.
• Sustainability Down Under: As part of an international exchange
program, two Australians recently spent a couple of weeks in
Dubuque. Assistant City Manager Cindy Steinhauser talked with
Ian Fitzgibbon from Warrnambool and Greg Bruce from Townsville
about their visit to town and their experiences with sustainability.
■ Sustainable Communities Partnership: Sustainability Coordinator
Cori Burbach spoke with Charles Connerly, director of the
University's School of Urban and Regional Planning, about the
various aspects of the partnership. She also spoke with students
from the University of Dubuque, Clarke University, and Loras
College who are participating in the project.
• Sustainability Conference Conversations: During the Growing
Sustainable Communities Conference at the Grand River Center
earlier this month, Cori conducted brief interviews with four of the
presenters. Those conversations are combined in this program.
■ Community Gardens: This program highlights participants in three
different community gardens in Dubuque: the Rescue Mission
garden by the Hotel Canfield, the Jaycees community garden in
Veterans Memorial Park, and a personal wading pool garden.
Presentations /Interviews /Outreach: On July 21, Mayor Roy Buol and Sustainability
Coordinator Cori Burbach were featured in the Dream Green series on KRUU Radio, a
solar - powered radio station based in Fairfield, Iowa. Mayor Buol and Burbach
conducted the interviews in downtown Dubuque and the Historic Millwork District.
Dubuque was featured in the program as a model for communities in Iowa and across
the country.
City Expo 2011: Staff continue to strive to make Expo a more sustainable event. In the
past two years, the meal served to the public as well as the day -after employee
luncheon have become healthier. Both also use compostable tableware so that the
event is almost zero waste. Departments were provided with recommendations on how
to make their tables more sustainable (e.g. giving away products that don't come
individually wrapped, purchasing from local vendors). Green Team members
developed signage to educate the public about how their departments now operate
more sustainably.
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Growing Sustainable Communities Conference: In early 2008, Dubuque hosted its
first Growing Sustainable Communities Conference entitled Leading the Way to Global
Climate Solutions" at the Grand River Center in the Port of Dubuque. It was a regional
event that was attended by over 600 elected officials, business and community leaders,
and college students from the tri -state area. This inaugural event was designed to
provide community leaders with the knowledge of experts about the science of climate
and how to incorporate sustainability into their own communities. The conference has
grown to a full day regional attraction, attracting approximately 350 attendees from
seven states in 2010. This year's conference will be held on October 12.
The City has established a partnership with Sustainable City Network Inc. to host this
year's conference in an effort to market to a larger audience and establish the Growing
Sustainable Communities Conference as a premiere sustainability conference in the
Midwest. The theme of this year's conference will be "Economy, Engagement, Eco-
Efficiencies," and the workshop tracks will focus on the Sustainable Dubuque principles
of Resource Management, Smart Energy Use, Reasonable Mobility and Community
Knowledge. A sustainable foods luncheon is planned with food items produced by local
agriculturalists.
As of Sept 22, approximately 240 individuals have registered for the conference. All
speakers and sponsors have been confirmed. Keynote speakers include Dr. Mahmoud
Naghshineh, VP of Services Research at IBM Watson Research Center, and Michael
Mucha, chief engineer and director of the Madison, Wis., Metropolitan Sewerage District
and chairman of the American Public Works Association's Center for Sustainability. In
addition to the full -day conference on Oct 12, three workshops will be held on the
afternoon of Oct 11: Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, Sustainable Economic
Development, and a Sustainable Dubuque bus tour.
The 4th Annual Growing Sustainable Communities Conference hosted 350 attendees
from across the country. The event included a networking reception at the National
Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, three pre- conference half -day workshops, 21
workshops, and three nationally- recognized keynote speakers. The audience
demographics expanded to reach a larger geographic area and included a more diverse
mix of municipal representatives, business leaders, and local students.
Library: Hosted the Green Earth Magic Show and author Margaret Read MacDonald in
2010, attracting approximately 425 attendees. Created recycling displays in honor of
Earth Day in 2010. A recycled art display, in honor of Earth Day, was created for the
month of April, 2011 and included 48 exhibits. Two dozen unique works of art created
by children are currently on exhibit and the Library will accept additional exhibits
throughout the month. The art works are created with items that might otherwise have
gone to the landfill.
Safe Community Initiative (High Priority):
The Task Force has achieved the following since its inception. First, this diverse group
with very different opinions and perspectives, had open and difficult conversations so
that they could begin to reach some common understanding of the breadth of issues
52
that needed to be addressed and the difficulty of the task. Second, they agreed on two
primary goals:
1. Identifying and acting upon things that most effectively reduce crime and that most
effectively reduce the perception of crime.
2. Recognizing that people want to feel safe and identifying ways to provide that feeling
of safety for people.
Third, they gathered ideas from subcommittee members, brought those ideas to a
series of Task Force meetings, discussed them and ultimately forwarded 9
recommendations to Council on 2/1/10 and 33 additional recommendations to Council
on 7/19/10.
Impact: This type of resident engagement, while challenging and less than perfect, is a
fundamental necessity in order for a democratic community to be sustainable.
On October 4, 2010, the City Council approved, upon recommendation from the Task
Force, the creation of a Safe Community Advisory Committee whose role is to oversee
the implementation progress of the Task Force recommendations for a one year period.
The members were appointed in December and they held their first meeting on March
2, 2011 and their second meeting on April 13, 2011. They have decided to meet on the
second Wednesday of every month at alternate meeting locations throughout the
community to encourage broader community participation.
Impact: Having residents engaged in implementation oversight educates, empowers,
and engages residents by building resident awareness of the scope of the issues, by
supporting government accountability, and by building public trust.
Based on a Task Force recommendation, the City Council approved a contract with
Northern Illinois University Center for Governmental Studies to conduct a detailed study
on crime and poverty in Dubuque. NIU delivered the final study results to the Task
Force in January 2011, the Task Force met on February 5 and February 8 and
formulated 18 recommendations in response to the study, which were presented to the
City Council at a worksession on February 28, 2011 and later accepted by the Council.
Impact: The study provides detailed factual information, as well as information on what
scientific studies indicate are more or less effective in the areas of reducing crime and
the perception of crime and creating safety. The study results will assist with educating
and empowering both City staff and the general public in making wise decisions.
The Task Force recommended that its members be allowed to act as a conduit for
accurate information to the public. Task Force members were provided a broad range
of information as a result of participating on the Task Force and they have since
participated in a variety of speaking engagements.
Impact: Having community members hold discussions with the general public takes
advantage of their experiences as a member of the public reviewing information and
participating on a resident advisory group, and also allows for more effective distribution
of information so staff can focus on handling those aspects of daily governmental
operations that require staff expertise.
53
The Task Force recommended that property owners not be provided government
funding unless their properties are in compliance or they are working towards
compliance. In August, the Economic Development Department began using a
certification form and cross - checking compliance with code enforcement departments.
The Housing Department also began requiring code compliance for all rental property
owners seeking Rehab funds. Inspections and code compliance already are required
for property owners seeking to rent to those receiving Section 8 rental assistance.
Impact: These steps will result in safe buildings and will improve livability and equity for
residents in rental units.
The Task Force recommended encouraging people to improve lighting around their
properties. The City has expanded the Washington Neighborhood Yard Lighting
initiative to include neighborhoods east of the Bluffs and all low- moderate income
neighborhoods. Property owners are eligible for a rebate of up to $250 for front yard
lighting that meets certain requirements, and up to $100 for back yard lighting.
Impact: Extra lighting will enhance neighborhood safety.
The Task Force recommended reducing the time allotted for correcting property
violations from the current two years. In April 2010, the City Council amended the
Housing Code to reduce inspections and the appeals board process to be completed in
no more than 9 months.
Impact: This change will result in property violations being corrected more quickly.
The Task Force recommended that the Police Department enforce noise and traffic
ordinances more aggressively. Since February 2010, Chief Dalsing has instituted this
as part of Department goals and expectations. During 2010, loud exhaust tickets
increased from 202 in 2009 to 278 in 2010, a 38% increase; loud music tickets for
vehicles increased from 10 in 2009 to 31 in 2010, a 210% increase; warning tickets
increased from 90 in 2009 to 277 in 2010, a 208% increase. In addition, 30% of
Territory Accountability Design special enforcement efforts in 2009 were geared
towards traffic. In 2010, 44% of Territory Accountability Design special enforcement
efforts were geared towards traffic. Between January 1, 2011 and June 30, 2011, 220
traffic citations (plus 103 written warnings) have been issued for muffler /improper
exhaust violations. 161 citations (73 %) were issued for cars and trucks while 59 (27 %)
were issued to motorcycles. Enforcement of the ordinance will continue, along with
efforts to educate the public on legal equipment and acceptable noise levels.
The Task Force also recommended that the City require landlords to conduct
mandatory background checks. Beginning July 1, 2011, mandatory checks of felonies
and criminal misdemeanors of adult tenants went into effect, with landlords retaining the
option to use the City's free service to conduct those checks. The City has
recommended, and the City Council selected, a service provider to perform these
background checks. The City has a part-time staff person dedicated to implementing
this service. In addition, landlords are required to attend Crime Free Multihousing
Training, the first session of which was held on March 12, 2011, with 113 attendees.
The next two sessions are scheduled for October and November 2011.
54
Impact: Landlords will be aware of the criminal histories of their tenants when making
rental decisions, and also will be aware of the legal standards surrounding the operation
of rental housing.
The Task Force recommended that the City establish a threshold number of police
complaints that will result in the property being designated for City assistance to resolve
problems at the property. In January 2011, the Council adopted an ordinance change
describing the types and numbers of calls that will place the property in a priority
category. As of May 19, 2011, 2,119 letters have been mailed notifying landlords of
police calls to their properties since the inception of the notification program in
December 2009. Notifications are sent to registered landlords or property managers for
police calls to licensed rental properties that involve one or more of 72 different types of
police call natures. The Police Department is averaging 40 notification letters per week
so far in 2011. The Police Department also has hired two interns who are working to
insure accuracy of addresses in the database being used to send notification letters and
to assist with community policing efforts.
The Task Force recommended that the City intensify exterior code enforcement efforts.
In August 2010, the Housing Department implemented a homeowner exterior inspection
process in the Washington Neighborhood, which involves a compliance checklist and
information on financial assistance available. By June 2011, all 200 owner - occupied
housing had been inspected. The Department also is performing exterior -only code
enforcement inspections of all rental buildings in all downtown neighborhoods. By
delaying the normal comprehensive five -year cycles inspection and concentrating only
on exterior enforcement, all 2,130 rental buildings in the downtown carp be inspected in
12 months. This will directly respond to the Task Force recommendation and should
significantly impact the appearance and condition of downtown rental housing. As of
July 2011, all buildings have been inspected.
Impact: These efforts should significantly affect appearance of downtown properties.
The Task Force recommended efforts to increase public understanding of the Section 8
program. As a result, the Housing Department have had a variety of speaking
engagements, been interviewed on radio and television, and created a City Cable
Channel 8 presentation. They also began circulating a monthly newsletter and updated
and expanded their website with new links for the Family Self- Sufficiency and Circles
Programs.
Impact: The public will be educated about the facts surrounding Section 8 rental
assistance.
The Task Force recommended that the City address community concerns about the real
or perceived impact of the Section 8 program on the community by decreasing the
number of Section 8 vouchers in the program to 900, limiting voucher eligibility to
Dubuque residents, and increasing the staff capacity of the Family Self- Sufficiency
(FSS) Program. The target for a reduction to 900 housing vouchers was established in
November 2009; the program had been funded for 1063 vouchers since 1995. As of
November the City ceased issuing new turn -over vouchers and closed the waiting list to
55
new applications not qualifying for local preference points. To qualify for these points,
applicants had to have a Dubuque, Dubuque County, or Iowa address, or be elderly or
disabled. The program size reached the 900 threshold in October 2010, at which time
we began issuing vouchers again, only to persons qualifying for local preference points.
As of July 2011, all applications on the waiting list had been processed and either
issued or denied. For this reason, the waiting list was again opened to all applicants,
including those without local preference points.
Impact: There will be fewer families receiving Section 8 rental assistance, with those
living in Dubuque and /or elderly or disabled receiving highest priority. There will be a
corresponding reduction in federal funding received for the program.
The Task Force recommended increasing participation of Section 8 participants in self -
sufficiency programs. As of December 2010, the Getting Ahead program has graduated
its 112th participant. In addition, the Circles initiative has begun and the Circles coach
has been hired. The Resident Advisory Board also has become more engaged with
regular meetings with Housing Department staff. The Task Force also recommended
encouraging community wide support for initiatives that support self- sufficiency. The
City has obtained an Urban Youth Corps grant that will provide three youth who face
barriers to employment with paid employment and job skills training for the summer.
Impact: Participants in self - sufficiency programs and their allies will be empowered to
make responsible choices and to address systemic problems that interfere with
success.
The Task Force recommended increased human relations efforts as a priority in the
community, as well as mandatory intercultural training for City staff and City Board and
Commission members. In August 2010, the Human Rights Department reorganized to
permit additional staff time focused on conflict management, mediation, facilitated
dialogue, training on cultural differences and intercultural communication, and systemic
change initiatives. A pilot Board and Commission training was offered in the fall of
2010, and the first training open to all Board and Commission members, plus the
general public, is scheduled for April 2011. In addition, the Human Rights Department
partners with the Multicultural Family Center and faces & voices to offer a variety of
cultural events in the community. The Multicultural Family Center is designed to provide
a welcoming environment and build unity across differences. The Department submits
quarterly reports to the City Council on the ongoing strategic approach to improving
human relations. See the 2011 -12 Council Goals Reports for details. As of August
2011, staff has entered into two contracts with private organizations to provide
intercultural training and build the capacity of those organizations by developing internal
intercultural teams within the organizations.
The Human Rights Department is engaged in community outreach to increase bridging
social capital among residents and to provide support for traditionally marginalized
members of the community. Included in this activity is the development of affinity
groups, opportunities for interaction and dialogue, partnerships on cultural celebrations,
and volunteer and community events that have a particular focus on bringing people
together across differences.
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Current: During the first quarter of FY2012 we:
• Facilitated a joint community forum between the Transit Advisory Board and
Human Rights and Housing Commissions.
• Facilitated two speakers' bureau presentations at Clarke College — one on race
an done on sexual orientation.
• Completed the second set of training /dialogue sessions for the police- community
dialogue on race; participated in and facilitated several meetings to gather
information and options for proceeding.
• Obtained a volunteer intern who is assisting with the LGBTQ Youth group and
developing outreach materials to expand membership.
• Facilitated monthly meetings with the Hispanic Community Group and various
people in leadership positions to create dialogue, relationships, and information
sharing.
• Facilitated the beginnings of a partnership between the Black Men's Coalition
and the Dare to be King mentoring program in hopes of helping that program
succeed in the schools.
• Facilitated expansion of faces & voices membership to include quarterly
coordinating meetings between groups sponsoring diversity related events
throughout the community.
• Began gathering materials to develop a citizen academy.
• Handled four requests for assistance through the Dubuque Dispute Resolution
Center.
• Provided support for one victim of a hate incident.
• Conducted intercultural competence training for board and commission members
and interested members of the general public.
• See additional information below on the intercultural competence initiative
generally.
Impact: Staff will have time to engage in preventative efforts that focus on education to
insure that people are able to better communicate across cultural differences and
systemic changes that increase the likelihood that people of all backgrounds will be able
to reach their potential and contribute to the community.
The Task Force recommended a parental responsibility ordinance modeled after a
successful program that includes engaging parents and teens in prevention. On March
22, 2011, the City Council passed an ordinance.
Impact: The ordinance will hold parents accountable for the criminal behavior of their
children and includes referrals for parenting classes.
The Task Force recommended engagement of volunteers across race and income
levels as part of a monthly Community Days of Caring and also recommended use of
volunteers to address exterior code violations. The annual city -wide Community Days
of Caring occurred April 29 and 30, 2011. The Human Rights Department,
Neighborhood Development Specialist, Housing Department, and Washington
Neighborhood Development Corporation collaborated to bring a mixed group of more
than 50 volunteers together to work on improving the exterior appearance of a few small
businesses along the Central Avenue corridor and homes that were identified as having
57
exterior code violations through the City's inspection program. In addition, the City's
Department Managers and Management Team members are engaged in ongoing
discussions regarding how best to support and bring community resources to bear on
projects designed to build bridging social capital in the community.
Impact: These initiatives will lead to an improved ability to create an inclusive
environment, to build bridging social capital, and to negotiate conflict across cultural
differences.
The Task Force recommended that parents and youth be encouraged and engaged in
out -of- school -time programs and parenting classes designed to matter to the
participants. In response to a discussion with the Safe Community Advisory Committee
at its first meeting, the City submitted a letter to the Dubuque Community School District
expressing support for the District's Iowa 21st Century Community Learning Center
Grant Application. On April 7, 2011, the District was notified that the community will
receive $850,000 in state funding to increase out of school time activities for junior high
school students.
Impact: This collaborative effort will provide funding expanded after school program
options, including components to assist parents with literacy and adolescent
development. Research has indicated that engagement in after school programming
improves motivation and student achievement.
The Task Force recommended additional neighborhood clean -ups and educating the
community on City waste disposal policies in an effort to clarify the purpose of the
clean -up programs. The following clean -ups occurred in 2011, and each of them
included a social /get to know your neighbor component:
Downtown Neighborhood Clean -up
Orange Park/Washington Clean up
Historic Bluffs Neighborhood
Hilltop -Ivy League Neighborhood
Langworthy Neighborhood
Valley View Neighborhood
North End Neighborhood
April 30
May 7
May 7
May 13
May ?
May 21
fall -- date to be determined
In addition, the Public Works Department completed the expansion of its Alley Cart
Program in 2010. Nine residential alleys and 475 additional residences were added to
the program. Initiated in the Washington Neighborhood in 2009, the Alley Cart
Program has not only significantly improved residential alley aesthetics and sanitation,
but visibly demonstrated the City's commitment to improving the livability of its
neighborhoods.
The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency continues to offer 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 or the Dubuque County Road Department.
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Keep Dubuque County Clean and Green (KDCC &G) 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. KDCC &G 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 the Cathedral.
Impact: These clean -ups both improve neighborhood appearance and provide an
opportunity to engage neighbors in meeting one another and working together to care
for their neighborhood.
The Task Force encouraged community -wide support of initiatives that support self -
sufficiency, with a particular focus on existing programs: Circles, Project HOPE,
Intercultural Competency Training, Every Child /Every Promise. In May 2011, the City
Council approved a grant agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation for the
Urban Youth Corps Program which allowed the City to create a three person work crew
to use with maintenance projects from May through September this year. The Iowa
DOT Urban Youth Corps Program objective is to provide transportation - related
employment and training opportunities to youth between the ages of 16 and 21 who
face barriers to employment. The crew is assisting Leisure Services Department in
maintaining and improving the aesthetics of our community by working on two major
projects plus a number of high profile areas throughout the city.
Impact: Although temporary in nature, these three summer positions are new hires that
could lead to newly created opportunities for each of the three crew members who face
barriers to employment.
The Task Force recommended that all departments in the City be challenged to develop
and maintain a model Section 8 program for a city of this size, meeting the needs of the
elderly and disabled and also developing self- sufficiency for families. In addition to
tripling the number of FSS Program enrollees, graduating more than 140 Getting Ahead
Program participants and implementing the Circles Program, the Housing Department
has continued to improve Section 8 in other ways. The COP corporal assigned to the
Program has opened more than 1500 investigations, resulting in termination of benefits
for 306 households. The National Association for Housing and Redevelopment Officials
(NAHRO) recognized the Bridges Initiative with an Award of Merit for the Bridges
Initiative. The Bridges out of Poverty Workshops have now been conducted for more
than 2500 persons. Our most recent Section Eight Management Assessment Program
(SEMAP) score, a HUD assessment conducted annually, was 100 %. A new tenant and
financial management software system has been approved, to be purchased from the
national Emphasys firm, and will be installed at Housing. This will allow enhanced
communication between all activities at the Department, including code enforcement
and the Finance Department, as well as getting us closer to the goal of a paperless
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Section 8 program. The Resident Advisory Board is helping to revise and streamline
the application process by developing new application materials. An on -line survey for
Section 8 landlords has been posted and has generated a constructive discussion.
Now in planning is a series of 2 -3 dialogues with landlords to gain more ideas for
improving Program administration and the inspections process.
The Task Force recommended the creation of an ordinance prohibiting the boarding of
windows and doors facing streets. An ordinance is in place that applies to any windows
or doors boarded up after March 1, 2011.
The Task Force recommended implementation of an exception rent program to avoid
concentrated pockets of poverty. The exception rend program was implemented in
October 2010. Currently, approximately 17% of voucher holders are residing in the
west side census tract exception areas.
Impact: Greater housing choice for voucher holders and deconcentration of poverty.
The Task Force recommended the installation of street lights in the middle of the block
to brighten up the streets at night and increase visibility for residents. New street lights
at all possible alley- street locations from 12th to 20th in the Washington Neighborhood
have been installed. Existing street lights in the Washington Neighborhood have been
upgraded to use brighter bulbs.
Impact: Improved nighttime visibility in the neighborhood.
The Task Force recommended an increase in the number of trash receptacles in the
street. In October 2010, the Public Works Department submitted a budget request for
$30,000 for FY12 for the purchase and installation of litter and recyclables receptacles
in the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods. The Council approved this
budget request in March 2011. The Public Works Department is now making
recommendations to the City Manager regarding receptacle placements.
Impact: Residents can easily assist in keeping neighborhoods clean and clear of trash.
The Task Force recommended that the City develop and enforce policies that are
consistent with the "preservation briefs" to maintain historic properties. City staff has
indicated to the City Council that the City has used the preservation briefs as a matter of
City policy in local Historic Districts and federally- funded rehabilitation projects for many
years. Staff recommended that the City should continue to utilize these technical
publications as a reference and guide, with the exception of preservation brief #31,
which is contrary to another Task Force recommendation regarding boarded doors and
windows.
Family Self- Sufficiency (FSS) Program: A HUD grant funds a staff person who
provides homeownership and financial counseling for 45 FSS participants, who are
Section 8 recipients. In Fiscal Year 2011 another FSS staff position was approved by
the City Council. The additional staff will allow an expansion of the program to include
75 -90 families being served. The FSS Program prepares participants for financial
independence and possible homeownership. Participation has increased from 2% in
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2009 to 11% in 2011. As of October 1, 2011 we had 115 total participants.
Bridges Initiative (Management Agenda): Our FSS coordinator also coordinates
"Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin'- By World," a program for people in poverty to help
them understand the hidden rules of the middle class as well as communication skills,
value systems, and expectations used in order to bridge the gap from poverty.
Participants are exposed to the `Bridges out of Poverty' concept based on Philip DeVol
and Dr. Ruby Payne's research on poverty, which offers a framework for understanding
the culture of poverty. In FY 2011 we held 4 classes for adults (one was a Spanish
speaking class) for a total of 144 graduates since Getting Ahead began. In addition we
held our first teen getting Ahead group. This group graduated in March 2011. 63
applicants were selected to participate in three separate classes from August 16th
through December 16th
One year after Getting Ahead, nearly 81% of participants were employed. There also
was an increase in the number of participants who moved from part time to full time
employment. For education, there was an increase in the number of people working
towards post- secondary degrees. Homelessness greatly decreased. Additionally,
although Getting Ahead graduates comprise about a quarter of the participants enrolled
in the Family Self- Sufficiency program, the accounted for 36% of the employed clients
and 40% that earned degrees.
"Getting Ahead" graduates can now become leaders in the "Circles" initiative, begun in
September 2010, that matches them with community members known as allies, who
support them in their journey to self- sufficiency. With the help and friendship of these
allies, each Circle leader sets and achieves goals unique to their own needs.
As of September 1, we had 4 matched Circles. This means 5 Getting Ahead graduates
became Circle Leaders. Each set of graduates was paired with 4 community Allies who
will continue to support them for the next 18 months. Circles meetings are held weekly.
This program received an Award of Merit from the National Association of Housing and
Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).
Four matched Circles now created; Ten Big View meetings and eight Guiding Coalition
meetings have been held. A new Community Chair for the Guiding Coalition has been
chosen and is actively working on recruitment for Circles In addition, a professor at
Loras College, Nancy Zachar Fett has taken a sabbatical from Loras and joined our
team as an additional part time Circles Coach.
Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re- Housing Program (HPRP): $502,294 ARRA
Grant received in 2009 provides financial and other assistance to prevent individuals
and families from becoming homeless and helps those who are experiencing
homelessness to be quickly re- housed and stabilized. The funds target individuals and
families who would be homeless if not for this assistance.
The HPRP grant has assisted 174 families (428 persons) since the inception of the
program in September 2009. Homelessness prevention, which assisted families and
individuals at risk of becoming homeless, provided financial services to 110 households
(311 persons) in the form of rental assistance, security and utility deposits, utility
payments, moving cost assistance and motel /hotel vouchers. Case management and
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outreach were provided to 117 households (325 persons). Homeless assistance provided
financial assistance, to 57 households (101 persons) and case management and outreach
to 59 households (104 persons). As of the end of September 2011, a total of $406,092 has
been expended.
Road to Success jobs fair for Family Self- Sufficiency Program participants, "Getting
Ahead" participants and residents of our community shelters as well as many of our
community agency partners. At this event, 62 participants took part in mock job
interviews, received critical feedback and also "shopped" for good business clothing
donated by the Housing Department and other City staff as well as from community
volunteers. This prepares Section 8 renters and other low income families for entry into
the job market and eventual graduation from welfare assistance. This program also
received a NAHRO National Award of Merit. The 2011 Road to Success will be held on
August 10. This year in addition to eh clothing and mock interviews we will be offering a
variety of learning tracks including: How to Apply for a Job; How to Maintain
Employment; How to Prepare for a Job Interview; How to Look for a Job When You Are
Already Employed; Cover Letters and Resumes; What To Do After The Job Interview
and a hands on demo by the staff of AccessDubuaue.com on how to use the website.
Shelter Plus Care Program: The $536 000 grant commenced in FY 2008 for the five -
year program to provide rental assistance to homeless persons with disabilities. The
Housing and Community Development Department administers the funds and provides
them to Project Concern, who contracts with private landlords to provide needed
housing.
Arts and Culture (Top Priority): The City of Dubuque is participating in national
studies of arts, culture, heritage and preservation. Two highly acclaimed studies are
underway pertaining to the art, cultural, heritage and historical preservation aspects of
the Dubuque area. Both studies have been developed by Americans for the Arts, the
nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts. The Arts and Economic
Prosperity IV, an economic impact study conducted with the non - profit sector in the city
of Dubuque, will evaluate the impact spending by nonprofit arts organizations and their
audiences have on their local economies. The City of Dubuque will collaborate with the
community's arts organizations to collect surveys from at least 800 Dubuque arts and
culture event attendees during 2011.
The Local Arts Index (LAI) will be conducted with both the non - profit and for - profit
sectors throughout Dubuque County. Dubuque has been selected to be one of only 100
communities that will participate in the inaugural LAI. Dubuque is the only county in
Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota participating in the study, an 18 -month research
initiative that serves as a complement to the National Arts Index. The findings from the
LAI will be reported in fall 2011 with a customized report for the county. The index
provides an evidence- based look at key issues such as the growing number of artists
and art organizations, changing audience demands, the impact of technology, personal
participation, and the relationship to the arts and economy.
This information will provide the possibility for greater partnerships, cooperation,
improved access, and increased funding for the arts. The entire community can use this
broad and detailed hard data in grant making, advocacy, economic development,
tourism and attracting people and business to Dubuque, important elements in
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contributing to our social and cultural vibrancy. This knowledge about arts, culture and
heritage in Dubuque County has never before been collected in one source.
Specifically, the Arts and Economic Prosperity study's results will include:
• The total dollars spent by Dubuque's nonprofit arts and culture organizations
• The total dollars spent by audiences as a direct result of their attendance at arts and
culture events in Dubuque
• The number of full -time equivalent jobs supported by arts spending
• The amount of resident, household income — including salaries and wages — generated
by arts spending
• The amount of local and state government tax revenues generated by arts spending
The Local Arts Index is the first county -level study ever designed to measure the health
and vitality of the arts industries throughout the United States. It will use a single
methodology with information gathered from research produced by the federal
government and private research organizations and covering multiple industries,
including non - profit groups, for - profit arts businesses, employment figures, and more.
When these quantitative measures are taken together, the Local Arts Index will provide
a year -by -year and community -by- community comparison of the nation's arts sector.
The Index is being developed so that it can be replicated in communities across the
country. Through the Local Arts Index, the character of Dubuque County's art culture
will be explored to determine: what makes the county unique from other areas in the
nation; the vitality of the arts and how much exists, and; how we compare to other
counties. The main areas of study are:
• Performing arts venues
• Local ownership of cultural resources
• The local literary scene
• Festivals
• K -12 arts education
• Performance and presentation opportunities for young artists
• Coverage of local arts and culture in print media
• Reputation and artistic reach
• Tourism draw of local arts and culture
• Nightlife and the arts
• Tourism marketing of the arts
• Ethnic groups in the cultural life of the community
Arts Funding: The City of Dubuque has provided over $1.5 million dollars in funding
for the arts since 2005.The City has invested $1,560,000 through three programs:
$1,200,000 has been awarded to area arts and cultural organizations through the
Operating Support Grant Program and $240,000 through the Special Projects Grant
Program, with an additional $120,000 to fund Art on the River, a temporary sculpture
exhibition along the Mississippi RiverWalk in the Port of Dubuque.
Operating support is provided to established 501(c)(3) arts and culture organizations
located in the City of Dubuque that primarily serve Dubuque residents with year -round
arts and culture events, programs and services, and that can demonstrate a record of
programmatic and administrative stability. The Special Projects Arts and Culture Grant
program provided funding to 34 separate projects which have expanded arts and
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cultural opportunities in our community, significantly contributing to our community's
social and cultural vibrancy.
In May 2011 City received funding requests from fourteen different Dubuque Arts and
Culture organizations —the largest number of applicants ever. The funding requests
totaled $260,836. The maximum funding levels initially established for the program are
6% of organization's previous year's operating expenses or $50,000, whichever is less.
Total funding available in the FY 2012 budget is $200,000. The Arts Commission is
requesting City Council approval of fourteen FY 2012 Arts and Culture Operating
Support funding requests
Intercultural Competency Initiative (Management Agenda): 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 one for - profit business,
and has had discussion about offering courses for businesses through the NICC
Business Consortium and 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.
This intercultural competence initiative inside the City organization includes training,
organizational development, and strategic planning to increase Intercultural
Competency within the City of Dubuque organization and to work towards
organizational changes that will foster inclusion. During the first quarter of FY2012 we:
• Conducted Foundations of Intercultural Competence I sessions for new
employees who joined the organization in the past year.
• Facilitated management team input for our five year report.
• Drafted a five year report for steering committee review.
• Invited new members to the employee teams from various departments and
scheduled an orientation session for October, followed by strategic planning in
November.
• Developed a plan for department specific training and development and
scheduled a meeting with our first proposed pilot department.
• Continued to facilitate the work of the tips, media, training and steering teams.
• Met with front -line staff in each department to make sure they are aware of how
to use the Language Line for people who speak English as a second language.
The organizational development part of this work includes development and support of
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City of Dubuque employee involvement teams, recruitment of city employees, and
development of partnerships with local employers on recruitment and retention
strategies. During the first quarter of FY2012 we:
• Held a half -day strategy session with an outside facilitator to review department
manager feedback and begin laying out a strategy for employee engagement
teams; we have a second work session scheduled for October.
• Attended a college recruitment fair with recruiters from the Engineering
Department.
• Finalized recommendations for adjustments to the police recruitment process
• Engaged in a pilot coaching session to assist a manager through the hiring
process and began a session with a second manager — the goal of these
sessions is to assist managers in thinking more broadly about qualifications,
diversity, and intercultural skills.
• Began the firefighter recruitment process.
We also work to partner with local institutions in education, business, non - profit and the
faith community to promote and expand Intercultural Competence initiatives in the
community and to build a collaborative relationship amongst diversity /intercultural
committees across organizations in the community. During the first quarter of FY2012
we:
• Finalized contracts with Hillcrest, Riverview Center, and Goodwill to build internal
intercultural competence teams amongst their staff over the coming year; created
training materials; began administration of the Intercultural Development
Inventory.
• Finalized a contract with NICC to begin offering five different courses as part of
the Business Consortium starting in January.
• Continued to negotiate with a private business on partnership opportunities. We
will be meeting with their chief diversity officer in later November for additional
discussions.
• Conducted two, 2.5 hour sessions on intercultural competence for board and
commission members
• Conducted two sessions as part of the Midwest Inclusive Communities
Conference at the University of Wisconsin Platteville.
• Conducted training for Clarke College resident hall advisors.
• Facilitated a learning project with Loras students involved in a hate crimes
course.
CARADCO Training Center: ECIA, in partnership with NICC, Iowa Workforce
Development, the City of Dubuque, AmeriCorps and Four Mounds HEART Program,
are working collaboratively to expanding the award - winning HEART Program by
developing a downtown community training center in the heart of the Historic Millwork
District. The Mission of the program is:
To educate and enhance the employability of youth and adults through progressive
education and community engagement.
The Goals and objectives of the initiative are to:
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1. Inspire diverse learners through individualized goals and an urban learning
environment.
2. Develop relevant educational outcomes in partnership with business and
industry.
3. Form partnerships and leverage community resources to grow creative capital
and promote entrepreneurism.
4. Foster connections with the community through mentoring opportunities.
5. Provide a multitude of counseling and support services to ensure individual
success.
6. Educate the whole person for success as people, workers and citizens.
ECIA is helping to coordinate monthly meetings of the partners. Work to date includes
the development of a capital and operating budget, identification of curriculum for the
Training Center as well as development of a future capital and operating campaign.
Business:
Non - Profit:
Dubuque 2.0:
• Dubuque 2.0 has provided innovative tools and partnership to Sustainable
Dubuque in 2010 and 2011. Currently, Dubuque 2.0 is developing strategies to
carry this innovation forward to engage community members in issues beyond
sustainability. We will focus our resources on developing tools to inform and
inspire community members about important issues. Dubuque 2.0 will continue
to support Sustainable Dubuque as needed.
• Dubuque 2.0 is a key partner in developing (SDI) Sustainable Dubuque
Indicators. Dubuque 2.0 is assisting the City with development of the concept,
working closely with the technology provider to develop the beta and coordinating
the development of a governing body through the Dubuque 2.0 steering
Committee.
• The Dubuque 2.0 Dashboard is live. Modeled after www.parkcitygreen.org, it
enables users to document, visualize, and make more informed decisions based
on their resource use (water, natural gas, electricity, travel, food, and waste).
This tool personalizes a users "footprint ", be it in terms of carbon, consumption,
or dollars. The dashboard suggests specific activities one can do to better
manage their use and create efficiencies of their choosing. The aggregate data
collected through this process allows us to obtain measurable results of our
community engagement with participants and create comparisons to baseline
survey results collected throughout the community
• The Dubuque 2.0 Sustainability Challenge wrapped -up late last month, and it
was nothing short of a great success. Over 1,000 Dubuque Community members
participated in this 11 -week game. After participating in over 40 sustainability-
related events and activities, players walked away with a greater sense of living
sustainably. And don't forget, over $15,000 in cash and prizes were given away.
May 25th was the Grand Finale of Dubuque 2.0's Sustainability Challenge. Over
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50 people came to play Sustainability Trivia. And while only some walked away
with prizes, everyone walked away with a smile on. The positive energy that
came from such a fun night was all anybody needed.
• Dubuque 2.0 continues to inspire the community each month with the Dubuque
2.0 eNewsletter. This electronic newsletter focuses on one of the 11
Sustainability Principles each month, highlights the definition, and features a
guest column written by an expert in the respective field.
Thanks to support from our partners at the City of Dubuque, we have launched
our interactive and mobile Green Map. The Green Map is a tool for visitors to
locate and share sustainable assets with others in the community. The map
identifies businesses, schools, landmarks, and amenities throughout the
community that exemplify sustainable practices, behaviors, products, and
services. The map allows users to not only locate these resources in the
community, but allows for participation by adding sites, commenting on sites,
sharing how a site has changed one's behavior, and sharing personal
experiences about sites.
• An off -line game board is supported by information and activities provided in the
Dubuque 2.0 Sustainability Toolkit. 1000 tool kits are being distributed now in
the Washington Neighborhood, Library, Multi- cultural Family Center, and other
places aimed at reaching underserved communities in Dubuque.
• Dubuque 2.0 and Loras College are collaborating on a project to meter dorms
and provide that information to students and school officials to create a more
sustainable campus. Loras received a grant to support the metering process and
Dubuque 2.0 is providing a web portal on Dubuque2.org for viewing the
information as well as eco- literacy support to inspire students to reduce use of
water, heat, electricity and to increase recycling efforts.
• Dubuque 2.0 continues to provide convenient access to the Smarter Sustainable
Dubuque (IBM + City of Dubuque + Utility Providers) web portals. Each group of
pilot study participants can access a unique and secure web portal developed by
IBM Researchers as part of the IBM Smarter Planet initiative. More information
on our work with Smarter Sustainable Dubuque can be found below under
Dubuque 2.0 Partnerships.
• Dubuque 2.0 will continue its partnership in the Smarter City project by
supporting recruiting and engagement in the Natural Gas, Electric, and Travel
studies.
• Since September of 2010, we have been hosting monthly "Dubuque 2.0
Community Cafes ". These community gatherings encourage dialogue, learning,
and community participation around sustainability. The Dubuque 2.0 Community
Cafes are events open to the public, but are hosted in a variety of venues to
reach a variety of interested participants.
• We have launched our online discussion forum, called Share It on our website.
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After listening to community members and learning from the Knight Foundation's
Media Learning Seminar and Digital Boot camp, we aimed to create a "one -stop
shop" for sustainability information. We are currently posting and sharing
information on the forum and are gathering regular "contributors" who will
populate the forum with a variety of topical and local information for our
audience.
Every Child, Every Promise (High Priority): Current priorities include:
• Out of School time (Management Agenda) - Through a collaboration of ECIEP,
the Dubuque Community School District and key OST providers the community
has received an $850,000 grant in April 2011 to start a coordinated, collaborative
OST program for Middle School Students at Jefferson and Washington schools.
There has been an overwhelming response of 300 students per school who have
signed up for activities, a huge increase in involvement in after school programs.
The program is getting ready for the second semester registration with over 20
programs to offer students.
• Data- A committee of business and provider leaders is developing a web -based
Youth Indicators Report to provide key indicator data to the community regarding
our young people age 0 -20. The Data committee has identified 36 key indicators
with 5 years of supporting data to identify our community's strengths and
opportunities for providing the five promises to our young people. The Dubuque's
Promise: 2011 Youth Indicator report will be released at an event on November
9th at The Hotel Julien, program starts at 8am.
• Transportation- A committee of stakeholders is implementing a Walking School
Bus program at Fulton School. Additionally, in collaboration with the Jule and a
group of providers, we will be promoting free transportation for young - people all
summer, starting in May 2011. Free Way to Fun City a summer program, offered
free rides on the Jule to all school age children helped over 2000 kids get to
summer activities at parks, pools, and libraries in Dubuque.
• Dubuque has been named to the 100 Best Communities for Young People for
the 4th time in 5 years by Americas Promise Alliance. A recognition event will be
held on November 9th at the Hotel Julien, event starts at 8am with a member of
Americas Alliance and ING presenting an award to our community.
• One October 14th a letter of intent was submitted for the All- American city award.
The 2012 All- American City Awards will go to communities that have developed
the most comprehensive, realistic and sustainable plan to increase 3rd grade -
level reading proficiency. We have asked partners in the community including
the schools, City, Chamber, Community Foundation, Iowa State extension and
others to evaluate their interest in a collaborative , comprehensive program.
America's Promise Alliance uses the Five Promises framework to shape their efforts
and improve the odds for youth:
1) Caring Adults
2) Safe Places
3) Healthy Start
4) Effective Education
5) Opportunities to Help Others
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Continuum of Care: A working network of homeless shelter and service providers
created in 2001 to respond to the needs of the City's homeless population. The
successful development of the Maria House, the four Davis Place SROs and Hillcrest's
transitional housing facility has provided significant new shelter opportunities. The
Teresa Shelter for homeless women and children was opened during FY 2006.
Manasseh House, a 19 room single room occupancy (SRO) facility for 19 single women
was completed in FY 2007. The Salvia House SRO opened in 2010.
The City partners with Project Concern, Maria House, Hillcrest Family Services, and
Manasseh House for the annual allocation of Continuum of Care funds. This grant,
under the "Supported Housing Program" category, provides funding for support services
for homeless persons and families. These activities include outreach services,
counseling, a "homeless hotline," and staffing for transitional housing and the Manasseh
House SRO for women.
Green Dubuque: Green Dubuque is a registered 501(c) 3 non - profit organization
committed to improving and beautifying Dubuque by reducing the city's greenhouse gas
emissions, promoting smart development and urban green space, and protecting the
health and integrity of local ecosystems.
The group works to unite local organizations and individuals who are already doing so
much to make our city a healthy and pleasant place to live. They provide resources for
those who wish to stay informed about global environmental issues as well as
opportunities for responsible citizens to get involved in local environmental and city
improvement projects.
Since 2006, Green Dubuque has led or been involved in numerous projects to support
the Sustainable Dubuque vision, including organizing grassroots events, research and
reporting on a variety of sustainability and climate change - related topics, lobbying for
local and state government activity, community education and supporting local foods
initiatives in a variety of ways. Specific projects of significance that they have been key
partners in include the following:
2012 by 2012: The 2,012 by 2012 program is an effort to reduce Dubuque's greenhouse
gas emissions by the amount that 2,012 cars would produce annually by 2012. Green
Dubuque is working with partners to distribute free CFLs and sign residents up for
Alliant's Second Nature renewable energy purchasing program to achieve these goals.
CARE Bombs: CARE stands for Citizens Applauding Responsible Enterprise. Green
Dubuque organizes CARE Bombs, where members and other community members
make an effort to get a large group of people to shop at a local store on the same day,
purchasing as much as possible from a locally -owned business.
Green Drinks: The local chapter of an international movement meets monthly to network
and discuss sustainability topics.
Complete Streets: Green Dubuque members have taken a leadership role in
advocating for both a local and state policy on complete streets, providing analysis on
economic impact, education to staff and elected officials, and advocacy support.
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Dubuque Community GHG Reduction Task Force: See page 9 for additional detail and
update.
HEART:
The Housing Education and Rehabilitation Training Program, or HEART, with its broad
partnership and deep community impact, is re- engaging disconnected youth and
building strong connections to community through education, service and job training.
Transforming the Washington and downtown neighborhoods, students in our program
have participated in almost 40 community projects since 2004, including turning over 20
substandard rentals into 12 owner occupied homes. Since 2003, the HEART program
has met the needs of 55 individual young people on a full -time basis, as they work to
attain their high school diploma. Our students come to us at -risk of dropping out, but
they make a commitment to hard work until they graduate, splitting their days on the
worksite and classroom. Since 2003, HEART students are achieving a 92% high school
graduation rate, with 100% of this year's senior students graduating. This year, we
integrated a 9 -week green construction training course into the HEART Program, taken
by program staff and students alike, with a 93% pass and completion rate.
Four Mounds mission of preservation, service and education aligns with the three focus
areas of the Sustainable Dubuque model. We reclaim threatened, historic structures
and find new relevant uses for the community, using the opportunity to train youth and
prepare them for healthy adulthood. The illustration below shows how the HEART
program is helping to meet the principles set forth in the Sustainable Dubuque model.
Quality,
affordable -
housing
Reuse on a large scabs
Removal of
slum & bight
Thwarting sprawl through
ro.derebspment
Envlronrrentdl'Rological
I ntegrty
Restored historic
neighborhood
Economic
Prosperity
Social. Cultural
Vibrancy
Connection to
green coYarjobs
s
Mdnlloung
people with shins
& education
Meeting
community
needs
Youth comma-tadta
history & community
Sustainability Career Exploration Program. The Boy Scout Career Exploring
Program added a new field to curriculum this year. The program focuses on careers in
green technology, engineering, environmental science, and city development. Through
this program students have the opportunity to have fun while gaining experiences in
green careers, hybrid technology, recycling, and renewable energy. Presenters include
the City Sustainability Coordinator, Durrant staff, and representatives of Black Hills
Energy, the City Water Treatment Plant, DMASWA, and Dittmer Recycling.
Schools:
Dubuque Community School District: The Dubuque Community School District
exceeded energy and resource management goals through the "Dubuque Sustainably
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Smart Schools" process during the 2009/10 school year. Many people and actions
contributed to the success the District achieved, resulting in an 11% reduction from the
baseline year with 13.4 billion BTUs of energy reductions and over $212,600.00 saved.
Additionally, 3.9 million lbs. of greenhouse gas / CO2 emissions were avoided; the
equivalent of 343 passenger vehicles for one year.
For their support and participation in the District's energy and resource management
efforts; special recognition is merited and "Red Carpet" awards were presented by the
School Board at 7:00 pm, Monday, November 8, 2010 to the following schools and staff
for their outstanding performance and actions to dramatically impact improvements in
energy management. The recipients are;
• Fulton Elementary School — 13.41%,
• Jones (Hand -in -Hand) Pre - school — 27.49 %,
• Irving Elementary School — 31.20 %,
• Kennedy Elementary School — 10.69 %,
• Lincoln Elementary School — 7.83 %,
• Marshall Elementary School — 9.48 %,
• Prescott Elementary School — attaining the lowest energy intensity,
• Sageville Elementary School — 10.91%,
• Table Mound Elementary School — 7.03 %,
• Jefferson Middle School — 10.81%,
• Roosevelt Middle School — 6 %,
• Washington Middle School — 23.56 %,
• Hempstead High School — 10.29 %, and
• Senior High School — 9.46%
For outstanding efforts to implement District -wide energy initiatives and practices;
• Operations & Maintenance Staff,
• Custodial Staff, and
The District Energy & Resource Management Office will also present Special
Recognition to:
• The Dubuque Community School District, Board of Education.
Energy & Sustainable Management is now District policy and encourages everyone to
"Turn -off ", "Shut -off', "Power- down ", and "Save ".
Since July 2009 — April 2011, DCSD through the Dubuque Sustainably Smart Schools
process has achieved:
Total Energy Consumption (BTU) reductions = 26.612 billion BTUs (Equivalent to the
annual energy use of over 133 average U.S. homes)
Total Energy Costs Avoided = $419,417
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Total GHG Emissions Avoided = 7,210,487 lbs. / 3,271 metric tones
(Equivalent to 144 semi - trailer loads @ 50,000 lbs each)
Green Vision Education Program (Management Agenda): The list of Green Vision
Education Schools is growing! Since the beginning of the program in 2005, eleven
schools have received the award and several more are working towards achieving it
during this school year.
Current Green Vision Education schools are:
• John Marshall Elementary School
• Resurrection Catholic Elementary School
• Table Mound Elementary School
• Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
• St. Columbkille's Catholic Elementary School
• Dubuque Montessori School
• Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School
• Prescott Elementary School
• Holy Ghost Catholic Elementary School
• St. Anthony's /Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Elementary School
• Sageville Elementary School
• Wahlert Catholic High School
Through these schools, over 600 staff members, 3800 students, and 2600 families are
participating in the Green Vision Education Program. The program recognizes student
and staff efforts to reduce waste in their schools, as well as the schools' recently
implemented energy- saving practices. Green Vision schools receive flags to hang
outside their buildings and banners to display in their hallways or gyms. Some of the
practices that have been implemented by the schools include food scrap composting,
worm bin composting, increased paper and container recycling, and reduction in the use
of disposable products.
Green Vision evaluation and support partners include the DMASWA, the Dubuque
Community School District, the Holy Family Catholic Schools, Durrant Inc., the Dubuque
County Conservation Board, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources - Mines of
Spain, the Catfish Creek Watershed Project - Dubuque County Soil and Water District,
the Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative, Keep Dubuque County Clean & Green, the
City of Dubuque, and Green Dubuque.
Schools continued to work on additional patches for the 2011 -2012 school year.
A Green Vision Schools City Council work session was held in September. City staff
are also working on a Sustainable Dubuque patch that focuses on social /cultural
vibrancy and community knowledge concepts.
Sustainable Loras: Many organizations and individuals are working hard to be green.
Loras College's efforts are ongoing, but its commitment to the cause goes one step
further. In 2008, President James E. Collins signed the American College & University
Presidents Climate Commitment, joining the leaders of more than 500 other institutions
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across the country to accelerate the research and educational efforts to equip society to
re- stabilize the climate.
Loras has signed on to take an active approach to sharply reduce and eventually
eliminate all of the College's global warming emissions. A Sustainability Committee has
formed to evaluate ways in which the College can conserve, preserve and protect
Earth's resources. Many initiatives have already been implemented, demonstrating
Loras' commitment:
• Loras participates year -round in the food scrap recycling program with the City of
Dubuque.
• A print - release system requires students to enter an ID number at printers on
campus before their documents are actually printed. This has reduced
unnecessary printing and the number of printed documents not retrieved.
• The student senate has purchased recycling bins for each individual residence
hall room, classroom and outdoor space across campus.
• The cafeteria at Loras has eliminated trays, thus conserving water and energy
from the cleaning of the trays. It has also increased social awareness of food
waste.
• Alliant Energy presented Loras College with $327,000 in energy efficiency
rebates for the green building practices used in the construction of the Athletic
and Wellness Center.
• Faculty and students use eLearn as a way to electronically share documents
and take tests, cutting back on the amount of paper handouts in the classroom.
• Loras participates in RecycleMania which last year collected 13 pounds of
recyclables per person.
"These efforts build on Loras' ongoing commitment to sustainability, which as a natural
outgrowth of its Catholic identity will bear witness to careful, thorough, lasting and
sustainable stewardship of all creation for the sake of present and future generations
and for the common good," notes Collins.
Loras College has taken great strides toward becoming a sustainable campus. Loras is
also proud to have signed on as a partner with the City of Dubuque in support of the
economic, environmental and social aspects of sustainability, which are the
cornerstones of the City's 11 -point plan to address sustainability issues long term.
Loras College hosted a presentation on campus sustainability efforts at Luther College.
About 50 people were in attendance including students, staff, and faculty from Loras,
Clarke, and the University of Dubuque, as well as community members.
As part of the Loras College commitment to sustainability, the College received a grant
from the State of Iowa Office of Energy Independence to place water, electricity, and
steam meters on the four residence halls previously without them. This semester all
seven residence halls will compete in the "Use Less — Win More" sustainability
challenge with each other to reduce energy consumption on campus. In addition,
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the College is also participating in Recyclemania, a national competition that pits
colleges across the nation against each other to see who can recycle the most.
Residents of halls that most lower their consumption of water, steam, and electricity,
and that recycle the largest amount can win prizes.
To stimulate campus interest in the "Use Less — Win More" challenge and sustainability
in general, Loras hosted a Sustainability Expo on March 23, 2011, from 11:00 a.m. —
12:50 p.m., in Alumni Campus Center Ballroom (corner of Cox Street and Loras
Boulevard). Local businesses and organizations that focus on sustainability and
environmental efforts were invited to participate in this interactive educational event. In
addition, Eric Schmechel spoke about the impacts of improper storm water runoff
practices and the effects they have on flooding.
People & Neighborhoods:
Make A Difference Day: Thanks to everyone for a very successful Make A Difference
Day. We were able to reach 65 homes and had around 300 volunteers.
Dubuque Community Days of Caring: The 4th annual Community Days of Caring
was held on April 29 -30. Over 540 volunteers provided assistance to 28 non - profits
throughout the community. Significantly, the Washington Neighborhood Development
Corporation coordinated over 50 volunteers painting and providing property
maintenance to eight properties in the Washington Neighborhood.
Earth Day: On April 22 and throughout the week, the Dubuque community celebrated
Earth Day. A variety of schools and businesses hosted their own events and /or
provided education and incentives to their customers related to sustainability.
REASONABLE MOBILITY
Government:
SW Arterial (Top Priority):
The Southwest Arterial project is the No. 1 surface transportation priority in the
Dubuque area and will provide for a 6.1 -mile four -lane divided freeway with priority 1-
access control between Highway 61/151 and Highway 20.
Mobility Benefits: The Southwest Arterial project will connect two growing sections of
the community together and will support future anticipated expansion growth to the
southwest of the City toward the Dubuque Regional Airport. The Southwest Arterial will
also provide an efficient bypass around the City thereby reducing travel times and
minimizing delay by reducing traffic volumes and congestion on the local street system.
Environmental Benefits: The Southwest Arterial project will provide an alternate, direct
and efficient route for traffic through southwestern Dubuque, which will provide
significant travel time savings by avoiding the numerous signalized intersections on
Highway 61/151, Highway 20 and Central Avenue (Hwy 52/3) through Dubuque,
thereby providing fuel energy savings, reducing vehicle emissions and improving air
quality. The Southwest Arterial project will be designed and constructed with forward
thinking sustainability initiative incorporated, which will include an environmentally and
resource sensitive highway corridor, an integrated bike / pedestrian trail with amenities,
and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technology.
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Passenger Rail: The proposed project, which was identified as an Envision 2010 goal,
will reestablish passenger rail transportation to the Chicago — Dubuque Corridor and
improve freight rail transportation by upgrading the railroad infrastructure. The overall
project area lies along the 300 - kilometer (180 -mile) Chicago — Dubuque rail corridor,
which extends in a northwest direction across the state of Illinois between Chicago,
Illinois, and Dubuque, Iowa. The improvements proposed lie primarily within existing
railroad rights -of -way with minimal work adjacent to the track. The Chicago- Rockford-
Dubuque corridor project will rehabilitate existing rail infrastructure to current maximum
operating speeds of up to 60 mph to restore previous intercity passenger rail service.
This project is the first step in achieving a more balanced modal use of the
transportation network by leveraging the existing railroad infrastructure to restore
intercity passenger train service that was discontinued in 1981. The need for the project
stems from the lack of modal options in the corridor. Highway -based modes, including
automobiles and bus service, face growing traffic congestion that cause travel delays
and unreliable schedules, inherent safety risks, and air quality impacts. This project is
the first step in achieving modal balance in the transportation system between these two
cities with an environmentally friendly, reliable and convenient travel option.
Highway -based modes, including automobiles and bus service, face growing traffic
congestion that cause travel delays and unreliable schedules, inherent safety risks, and
air quality impacts. This project is the first step in achieving modal balance in the
transportation system between these two cities with an environmentally friendly, reliable
and convenient travel option.
The State of Illinois has budgeted $60 million to rebuild the railroad tracks. To move
ahead with this project, the State of Iowa must commit to providing $550,000, a share of
the annual operating subsidy, beginning in Fiscal Year 2014. The State of Iowa has
challenged local governments to provide 50% of the annual subsidy. On March 9, 2011,
the City Council approved to commit 25% of the subsidy ($137,500) beginning in Fiscal
Year 2014. Dubuque County and other area cities are considering the other portion of
the local match that is required.
On August 23 and 24, 2011, T.Y. Lin was in Dubuque to meet with CN, CP, and Amtrak
and IDOT officials about passenger rail options.
On September 20, 2011, T.Y. Lin met with Amtrak representatives to discuss the
platform needs in Dubuque.
Intermodal Facility: The City of Dubuque has been planning for the construction of an
Intermodal Transportation Center in Dubuque for several years. The center is
envisioned to provide passenger train access from an elevated platform for passenger
rail service running between Dubuque and Chicago. Other components of the project
will include: construction of an elevated parking structure with a capacity for
approximately 500 vehicles, a IP addressable video camera system, ticket booths at
vehicle access points supporting the operation of a paid parking structure with the
potential inclusion an automated traffic counter system, a hub for local transit and long
distance bus service, aspects that are pedestrian friendly and accessible which includes
access to the center via bike lanes, public restrooms and provide for approximately
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10,000 square feet of retail or commercial office space and /or childcare area. The
center must contain architectural aspects that enhance the overall esthetics of the site
and further contribute to the overall vitality of the area. A key measurement for the
success of the project will be the resulting smooth traffic flow in and out of the facility
including convenient driveway connections to roadways that access other adjacent
areas.
The consultants identified 11 potential sites for consideration. The review committee
narrowed these options down to 2 sites through a ranking system established in
conjunction with the Federal Transportation Authority (FTA). One site is in the Port of
Dubuque and one in the Historic Millwork District. After weighing the pros and cons of
each site, the review committee unanimously recommended the Historic Millwork
District for the Intermodal Transportation Facility. On March 7, 2011, the City Council
concurred with the recommendation to pursue the Historic Millwork District for a future
Intermodal Transit Facility.
The Phase I feasibility study and site selection process of the Intermodal Center is
complete. The recommendation to pursue the Historic Millwork District site was
approved by City Council on March 7, 2011. Phase II design work will begin once the
final decision is made regarding the RFP for architect design and engineering services
which was due March 30, 2011. The City received 8 proposals and the interview
committee narrowed it down to 4 firms. The interview committee interviewed 4 firms
and made a recommendation to negotiate a contract with Neumann Monson. The City
Council approved on May 16, 2011 to award Phase II (Engineering Design) to Neumann
Monson Architects.
City staff worked with Neumann Monson and finalized a contract for services. Staff also
has worked with ECIA to submit applications for grants to fund construction of an
Intermodal facility. On August 15, 2011, the City Council acknowledged and approved
the submittal of two grant applications (Bus Livability and State of Good Repair) to the
Federal Transit Authority. The City committed to a 30% match in both grants. On
October 12, 2011, an $8 million State of Good Repair grant was awarded to the City.
On August 31, 2011, City staff along with Neumann Monson Architects held multiple
input sessions with special interest groups and a public session to get input on what the
specific needs of the facility should be for the City of Dubuque.
The center must contain architectural aspects that enhance the overall esthetics of the
site and further contribute to the overall vitality of the area. A key measurement for the
success of the project will be the resulting smooth traffic flow in and out of the facility
including convenient driveway connections to roadways that access other adjacent
areas.
The vision for the ITC is that it will support transit connections, rail connections,
vehicular parking, electric vehicle charging, bicycle parking, intercity bus, a passenger
waiting area, taxicab stands, public restrooms (including lockers and showers /changing
areas), a ticketing office along with the potential for retail space, a daycare facility, and
possibly commercial office space. The consultants will be back in Dubuque on October
24 to meet with Millwork property owners and City staff to review alternative site layout
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proposals.
Medical Loop: The new Medical Loop, which was funded by a state grant and began in
December 2010, replaced the old Orange Line. The Medical Loop proves increased
service to the medical centers and clinics in Dubuque (e.g. Mercy and Finley Hospitals,
Dubuque Internal Medicine, Medical Associates East, etc.), the colleges and
universities, and regular service to S. Locust Hy -Vee and the S. Grandview area, this
fixed route also proves deviated route ( "upon demand ") service to the KeyWest area
(e.g. Dept. of Motor Vehicles and businesses in the immediate area), Mount Carmel, the
YMCA, Mystique Casino, etc.
ARC Transfer Center: A state grant was awarded for the Phase I building of a Transfer
Center at Area Residential Care's (ARC) new facility. Phase I will be a canopy large
enough for three fixed route buses to pull underneath. If funded (application will be filed
in May 2011) Phase II will allow for the building of an enclosed waiting area with public
bathroom facilities at the JFK Circle (the old Econo Foods store). A lease agreement
between ARC and the City will be drawn up for approval by City Council, and an RFP
for the actual canopy design will be released.
Shopping Circulator: The Shopping Circulator, which will start October 2011, is also a
state grant. The Shopping Circulator route will link the major shopping centers located
on the west end of Dubuque and will operate on an hourly basis. Transfers between the
Shopping Circulator and the Red, Green and /or Grey Lines will occur at the JFK Circle.
Smarter Travel: The partnership between IBM and The Jule on the Vehicle Miles
Traveled (VMT) study and "First Of A Kind" (FOAK) is beginning to move forward. It is
anticipated that the volunteer recruitment and subsequent first phase of the study will be
underway by March or April of 2011.
Annual Asphalt Overlay Paving Program: The Public Works Department's annual
Asphalt Overlay Program, which began in 1993, has paved 159 centerline miles of city
streets over the subsequent years. While asphalt is an oil -based paving material, since
2007 the program has been reclaiming and reusing old asphalt milled from the streets to
be paved. With up to 20% of the "new" asphalt actually containing old, reclaimed
asphalt from the city's streets, this program now has a significantly smaller resource,
fossil fuel, and carbon footprint. Community impacts include reduced program cost,
along with the noted reduced resource, fossil fuel, and carbon footprints.
Bicycle /Pedestrian Network:
Most recently, the City partnered with the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs to create
bilingual trail signs, map kiosks, and a bilingual trail map brochure that identifies
trailheads, which include map kiosks, parking and other amenities, and trail map kiosk
locations. The major ongoing new trail project in Dubuque is the continued extension of
the Iowa 32 Bike /Hike Trail along the Northwest Arterial. This trail provides an
important and safe connection for bike and pedestrian traffic between the Heritage Trail
and the City's trail system, and the west side of Dubuque -- the city's fastest growing
shopping, employment and residential area. Approximately 2 miles are built with
another 2 -mile segment expected to be completed in 2011.
In May the city partnered with the Tri -State Trail vision committee to submit a Bicycle
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Friendly Community application to the League of American Bicyclists.
Leisure Services Department:
• Trail projects completed -NW Arterial Ph 1 2008, Ph II 2010, Phase III 2011,
Bergfeld Rec Trail 2010
• Middle Fork Catfish Creek Trail Feasibility Study in process.
Business:
Non - Profit:
Schools:
People & Neighborhoods:
CLEAN WATER
Government:
Low Impact Development Conference: This year the City of Dubuque held its 4th
annual "Put a LID on it" stormwater conference in partnership with Durrant, The
International Erosion Control Association's Great Rivers Chapter, and the Dubuque Soil
and Water Conservation District. The 2 day conference focused not only on low impact
development topics such as rain gardens and native plantings, but also erosion and
sediment control topics as they relate to the construction industry. Nearly 120 people
were in attendance both days, which included students from the local colleges,
professors, engineers, private consultants, construction companies, and other
regulatory agencies.
Permeable Pavement/Green Alley: The City of Dubuque began in fiscal year 2011 an
annual program for reconstructing Dubuque alleys using permeable pavement. The City
currently has three green alleys that utilize either porous asphalt pavement or
interlocking concrete pavers which allow stormwater to pass through the pavement.
These alleys help reduce stormwater runoff by infiltrating and cleaning the water before
it reaches the City's aquifers. In the fall of 2011 another alley will be reconstructed using
interlocking concrete pavers. This alley is located between Washington and Elm from
17th to 18th Streets. The alley abuts the historic row houses recently rehabilitated by
the Housing Department. Construction of the alley is expected to be complete by
October 30, 2011.
Bee Branch (Major Project): Project involves the daylighing of 4,500 feet of the buried
Bee Branch storm sewer. Episodic damage to public and private property due to
flooding results in recurring expenditures related to repairing damages. Moreover, it
leads to a reluctance to improve property or even maintain property.
• Update on Property Acquisitions:
o All sixty -five of the original residential properties identified for purchase
have been acquired. Three additional properties near Audubon School
were identified for additional usable green space on Kniest Street have
been acquired.
o Thirteen (13) non - residential properties have been acquired. Only one of
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the original properties identified for acquisition remains. It is scheduled to
be acquired by February 1, 2012.
• Update on Design:
o Design of the first phase of the project, the Lower Bee Branch Creek
Restoration Project is complete.
o Design of the second and last phase of the project, the Upper Bee Branch
Creek Restoration project is on schedule to be complete by November 1,
2011.
• Update on Construction:
o Construction of the Lower Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project started
in the fall of 2010 and with the possible exception of some final landscape
elements it is on schedule to be completed by December 2011.
o Construction of the Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project is on
schedule to start in early 2012.
Water & Resource Recovery Center Upgrade (Major Project): At the very outset of
the project sustainability has been in the forefront of the process, from the selection of
the design professionals to the selection of the anaerobic digestion process for bio-
solids management. In addition to these the following items have a significant
sustainability component;
1. The use of low mow and native grasses for landscaping
2. Incorporation of rain gardens for storm -water management
3. Using plant effluent as a heating /cooling source for the Admin /Lab building
4. Pursue Energy Star Rating for the entire plant
5. Combined Heat and Power utilizing digester gas
6. Elimination of the use of Chlorine gas for disinfection
7. Reuse of existing structures for new purposes
8. Researching utilizing available digester space for high strength organics and food
residuals for addition energy production.
9. 99.8% Construction materials diversion rate from the landfill
Progress continues on the WPCP upgrade project. #1 and #3 digesters bases are being
formed, reinforced and poured. #2 and #4 are being dug and shaped to proceed after
#1 and #3 bases are completed. The UV system is moving forward and scheduled to be
ready for training and start-up by the last week in March and be ready for use in April.
The new water line is complete and storm water piping continues as weather and
conditions allow. One of the areas for a rain garden is being prepared. The South
incinerator has been removed and the floor is being prepared for the main heat
exchangers for the digesters. Electrical work continues in all areas of the plant installing
conduit prior to pouring floors in major areas. The laboratory addition is schedule to
begin in April. Strand Associates submitted the cogeneration report for the combined
heat and power system. RFP's for the Bio- Solids management program was released
and the proposals are due March 14. Once the proposals are reviewed an interview
process will take place to select the firm for Bio - Solids Management.
The return date for the Bio Solids RFP has been extended to March 31, 2011 to allow
more time for the interested firms to prepare their proposals. This extra time will not
interview with plans for starting the digesters or using the bio- solids produced. The
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current schedule has the digesters online by the end of March 2012. In addition to the
digesters being online the solids processing facilities will also need to be in operation.
The schedule for this process is early summer of 2012. The cleanup of the flow
equalization structures is nearing completion with as scheduled date of March 28, 2011.
The UV system has been completed to the point where its operation has been taken
over by WPCP staff. The staff will being testing the UV system the last two weeks in
March with it fully operational by April 1, 2011. Work continues on the digesters with the
bases completed for #1 and #3. #2 and #4 are being prepared for pouring of the bases
the first full week of April. The forms for the walls for #1 and #3 are being set and will be
ready to pour the first part of April. Electrical work continues in all areas of the plant
specifically for the new transformer pad and the pads for the standby generators. The
incinerator fuel storage tank has been successfully removed and provisions are being
made for the installation of three one thousand gallon tanks to be used for the
incinerator until this unit is ready to be shutdown in the spring of 2012. Strand
Associates, WPCP staff, and City of Dubuque staff continue to work on strategies for
the installation of two and possibly three microturbines for the generation of combined
heat and power for the operation of the plant. With successful operation of this type of
system we will be able to dramatically reduce the need to purchase electrical energy.
Work continues on the construction of the anaerobic digesters. All bases have now
been poured and rebar work on the walls of digester #4 is in process. When rebar work
is completed forms will be installed and the process of pouring the walls will take place.
All digester walls are scheduled to be poured by this summer. The
Administration /Laboratory building has begun with the foundation being dug and
preparations made for the forming of the foundation and then walls of the structure. The
Admin /Lab building is scheduled to be complete by December 2011 with the remodeling
of the existing building to take place following. The UV system has been turned over to
plant staff and is fully operational. Some startup issues remain to be cleared up but the
system is doing what it is designed to due which is to disinfect the discharge of the
plant. Other work continues in all aspects of plant reconstruction including new storm
sewer piping, New DEW (Disinfected Effluent Water) piping, flow equalization tanks,
flow equalization piping and preparation of the solids handing building. Mercury cleanup
in the flow equalization tanks has been completed and the mercury spill incident has
been closed by IDNR. Bio Solids RFP's have been received and are in review by the
Bio - Solids team. Interview will be held within the next few weeks to select a Bio - Solids
Management partner. Plant staff are continually being challenged by the construction
process trying to find new ways to keep the plant operating during construction with
major portions of the plant being removed from service. City council approved the name
update of the facility from Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) to Water & Resource
Recovery Center (W &RRC). The new name will hopefully reinforce the concept that we
are moving away from waste disposal to resource recovery.
Work continues on all aspects of W &RRC upgrades. The foundation for the Laboratory
addition has been poured and the walls are being formed in preparation of pouring
concrete. Issues with the UV system have been mainly resolved and the unit is working
as designed. We are successfully disinfecting the effluent without using Chlorine gas.
The area for the South incinerator has been completely reworked and the heat
exchangers for the digestion process have been installed. Digester wall work continues
and is anticipated that the walls will begin to be poured early in June. The UV control
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building exterior work is 90% complete with the exterior brickwork done and the
permanent roof has been installed. Conduit is being installed throughout the plant and
this work should be complete in early June. Digestor construction and the support
structures are on schedule and should be ready for operation spring 2013.
Interviews for the Bio- Solids handling contract will take place June 23, 2011 with the
goal of having a firm under contract within a month. The digester construction is on
scheduled and will be started up late March early April of 2012.The digesters will
operate for 40 to 60 days prior to needing to have Bio - Solids removed and land applied.
It will be necessary to have the Bio - Solids handling system fully on line by that point.
Work continues on all portions of the project. Major portions of the underground work
has been completed with some storm sewer work and some ductbank work remaining.
At this point it is estimated that we are at 25% completion of the project. The
construction of the fourth primary clarifier has begun and the demolition of the primary
clarifier domes is underway. In addition to the digester structures work is progressing on
the piping associated with the digester operation with the installation beginning of the
many pumps and motors required for the process.
On July 11, 2011 at about 6:10 a fast moving thunderstorm with winds of approximately
74 mph caused damage to two of the four digesters. It will be required to remove the
damaged reinforcing steel bar and redo the re -bar construction. It is estimated at this
time that this work could delay the startup of the digester complex by two to three
months. This delay would mean the startup of the digesters would take place in June or
July of 2012. Other portions of the project were not impacted by the storm and work
continues throughout the facility including the undamaged digesters. The dome was
removed on primary clarifier number 1 and the underground work was completed for the
new primary clarifier. When the new clarifier is online and number 1 is back in service
clarifiers 2 &3 will then be taken out of service and work on their reconstruction will
begin. A Bio - Solids handling contract is being worked on with Nutri -Ject Systems of
Hudson, Iowa.
On July 27& 28 a significant thunderstorm parked over the City of Dubuque leading to a
total rainfall event of 14+ inches of rain in less than twelve hours. This amount of rain
caused considerable damage to the construction site and may lead to delays in the
competition of the project by up to 3 -4 months. At this time it is estimated that between
$1.5 and 2 million dollars of damage was done to the site and pumping stations serving
the community. The past few weeks have been centered on recovery from the rain
event and cleanup of the construction site. Work has begun and progress is being made
in the reconstruction of digesters #1 and #3 that were damaged during the July 11
windstorm and then further damaged during the July 27/28 h rain event. The UV
disinfection system was flooded and parts of the system damaged. The UV system was
back in operation Saturday July 30th with some repairs still being carried out. The full
extent of damage to the UV system is still being determined and repairs continue. Work
has continued to progress on other portions of the project that were not impacted by the
rain event. The Administration/ Laboratory building is moving forward with a completion
date for the Laboratory portion of the project projected for the end of December 2011.
Upon completion of the Laboratory addition the existing building will be totally renovated
and placed into service. The Administrative /Laboratory Building will be a highly energy
efficient building using plant effluent to meet heating and cooling needs. The entire
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structure is highly insulated and will use a minimum of energy for lighting, heating and
cooling.
The W &RRC construction project has caught up with the damage caused by the July
11, 2001 wind storm and the July27/28, 2011 major rain event. Digesters #1 and #3 tall
walls are completed and work progresses on the short walls for all digesters and
concrete work on all aspects of the digester complex. Clarifier #1 (an existing clarifier) is
80% complete and should be able to be returned to service within two months. The start
up of clarifier #1 will allow the contractor to move on to the reconstruction of #2. The
base work for the additional primary clarifier is ongoing with a pour scheduled for the
week of September 26, 2011. After the base is completed the walls of the clarifier will be
constructed at which point the mechanisms will be installed.
The City of Dubuque Builders Risk provider has agreed that the complete replacement
of all of the flooded modules in the UV Disinfection System is warranted. These
modules have been ordered and will be installed upon arrival in approximately six to
eight weeks. The UV system is however functioning as required to provide disinfection
for the plant effluent.
Work continues on all aspects of the project and plant staff and contractor personnel are
beginning the preparation for operations and construction to continue as the winter
approaches.
Negotiations are taking place with the W &RRC neighbor Inland Protein for the use of
part of their property to facilitate construction of the digester covers. The availability of
this land will provide for much needed storage space and an area any from construction
traffic for the assembly of the covers.
Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Program (Management Agenda):
The City of Dubuque is conducting an Inflow and Infiltration (I &I) Reduction Program to
eliminate storm water inflow and groundwater infiltration into Dubuque's sanitary sewer
collector system. Excessive I &I can cause sanitary sewer back -ups into basements,
overflows into creeks and wetlands, and increased operating costs to process the water
at the Dubuque Water Pollution Control Plant.
Five neighborhoods have been identified as sources of high sanitary sewer flows during
rainfall events, which indicates excessive I &I. To address this issue, the City will
conduct mandatory inspections of private property connections to the City system in
areas with excessive l&I over the next five years. City inspectors enter the yard and
basement of each home to observe and record the property's drainage facilities. A
typical inspection is completed in less than 15 minutes.
> Through September 16, 2011, the City has notified 2,943 property owners that
their neighborhood has been identified as a source of high sanitary sewer flows
during rainfall events, which indicates excessive I &I. The property owners were
asked to schedule an appointment for City inspectors to enter the yard and
basement of each home to observe and record the property's drainage facilities.
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➢ Of the 2,943 properties, City staff has inspected 2,222. This is a response rate of
approximately 75 %.
• One - hundred and forty one of the 2,222 inspections (approximately 6 %) found
improper connections to the sanitary system.
➢ Smoke testing has been conducted in Sewersheds 11 and 12. Smoke testing
consists of introducing non -toxic smoke into sanitary sewer pipe sections under
moderate pressure. Engineering personnel will document where the smoke is
emitted and prioritize needed repairs.
Additional smoke testing may be conducted this fall near the Bee Branch and
Sycamore Street Lift Station.
➢ City staff is holding bi- monthly meetings to ensure compliance with the Consent
Decree.
➢ Engineering staff has prepared a work plan for the Supplemental Engineering
Project (SEP) as required by the Consent Decree. The SEP was submitted to the
EPA and DNR on July 27, 2011.
Rain Garden Program
The City of Dubuque continually offers a cost share program for the construction of rain
gardens for citizens. The City will pay for up to $500 of materials provided that an equal
or greater amount be spent on equipment rental / labor by the citizen.
Streambank Stabilization Program
The City of Dubuque continually offers a cost share program for the stabilization of
ditches and creek on private property (residential only). The City will pay for up to $500
of materials provided that an equal or greater amount be spent on equipment rental /
labor by the citizen.
Leisure Services Department:
• Bunker Hill Golf Course tree donation program 2006 -2010
• Flora & Sutton pools paper recycling 2006
• Flora Park Bioswale Project 2009
• Eagle Point Park Stormwater control Project
• Bergfeld Recreation Area Prairie Installation
Public Works Department:
Household Hazardous Materials Regional Collection Center (HHMRCC): The Public
Works Department provides administrative and operating staff support to the Dubuque
Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA or "Agency "). An Agency program
dating back to the mid- 1990's is its Household Hazardous Materials Regional Collection
Center (HHMRCC). Initially a once - per -year special event staged at the Dubuque
County fairgrounds, the program is focused on keeping hazardous materials out of the
DMASWA Landfill. Based on the premise that landfills are not perfect and that they all
eventually leak, the intent of the program is to reduce hazardous chemicals in that
leachate. By 1998, the Agency funded and established a permanent year -round
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collection and storage facility at its Landfill. Citizens are encouraged to take their paint,
solvents, automotive chemicals, cleaning fluids, etc. to the Agency's RCC for reuse or
incineration at no cost to them. A small fee is charged small businesses and
governmental entities to cover the cost of the service provider. The HHMRCC Program
also provides staff and equipment support for special, one day collection events at
locations throughout the Agency's two- county service area. The measureable
outcomes include pounds /tons of hazardous materials collected and managed annually.
The DMASWA RCC partnered with the Dubuque County Drug Task Force and others
earlier this year to collect materials from household medicine cabinets on April 29th and
30th. Total weight collected including packaging was 635 pounds and total number of
households participating was 400.
E -Scrap Recycling Program. Established in 2006, the Agency's E -Scrap Recycling
Program educated and encouraged its customers to recycle, versus landfill, their old
television sets, VCRs, cell phones, computers, and other electronic entertainment and
communication devices. While such household items are allowed to be landfilled by
federal and Iowa regulations, the Agency provided a recycling alternative for a fee. The
fee, while more than what was charged for landfilling, is needed to cover the cost
charged by the Agency's recycling service provider. Given the recent drop in the
number and weight of the e-scrap brought to the Agency for recycling, and the
generally - acknowledged toxicity of some e-scrap components, the Agency adopted an
e -scrap landfill ban, which became effective July 1, 2011. As a result, the DMASWA no
longer buries electronics in its landfill. A two week, free dropoff period was offered for
recycling these items in June, with fees subsequently charged for monitors and
televisions only beginning on July 1st. The most significant measurable outcomes for
this program are the number and /or weight of e-scrap items recycled.
Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulb Recycling Program. Begun in 2009 due to the
national perception regarding the mercury contained in CFLs and the increasing number
of old CFLs being sent to landfills for disposal, the DMASWA established a free dropoff
program for Dubuque and Delaware county residents. Through the Agency's website,
its biannual Recycling and Reuse Guide, its advertisements, and presentations by its
Education and Communication Coordinator, the Agency makes its customers aware of
the twenty -one (21) locations throughout Dubuque and Delaware counties where the
CFLs can be dropped off for recycling. The most significant measurable outcome is the
number of pounds of CFLs diverted and recycled by this program annually. The primary
community impact in future years is cleaner leachate and groundwater at the DMASWA
Landfill.
Sustainable Dubuque Watershed Network. The University of Iowa College of
Engineering and Environmental Science, in collaboration with the City, will provide
funding and support for the Sustainable Dubuque Watershed Network. The research
would be intended to coordinate with existing University watershed research, but take it
a step further by incorporating advanced measuring devices and analysis into an urban
watershed, the North Fork — Catfish Creek. It is intended that the outcome help inform
and analyze future infrastructure design and renovation and low- impact development
options for the community and its stakeholders. Specific research will be sought for
analysis of infrastructure design and renovation and low- impact development options for
stakeholders such as rain gardens, bioswales, bioretention areas, green roofs and other
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policy options within a watershed. Handling watershed issues before they become
Water and Resource Recovery Center issues will be an economic and environmental
benefit to the community.
Business:
Non - Profit:
Schools:
People & Neighborhoods:
HEALTHY AIR
Government:
Clean Air Attainment Strategy /Air Quality Task Force (Top Priority): In November
2009, the DMATS Board facilitated a meeting with the Iowa DNR to discuss air quality
data in Dubuque and the surrounding area. From this meeting, city and ECIA staff
recommended forming a public /private partnership to study the data and work on
improving air quality. Greater Dubuque Development Corporation was approached and
agreed to facilitate an Air Quality Task Force, which would consist of local government
and business representatives. GDDC engaged businesses who had a stake in local air
quality. After several meetings, the Task Force agreed that further study of our air
quality was needed to: 1) determine if there are local factors contributing to poor air
quality outcomes; and 2) how can we improve air quality regardless of local factors.
The results of UNI's analysis may show a need for a more detailed study to determine
an action plan. GDDC continues to facilitate local business and government working
together on air quality.
Public Information Office:
• Implementation of online bill pay on the City's website saves citizens a trip to City
Hall and from mailing the payment.
• Online service requests make contacting the City easy to do from home or work,
saving a trip to a City facility.
Transit Fleet Replacement (Major Project): In 2010 two large federal grants were
awarded to The Jule (formally known as Keyline Transit): State of Good Repairs at $2.3
million dollars and Clean Fuels at $1.5 million dollars. These two grants, coupled with
vehicle replacement money from the State, will allow for the replacement of the entire
transit fleet (both fixed route and mini bus). All new buses will use Clean Diesel engines,
a proven technology that will allow for increased fuel efficiency and lower engine
emissions. The State of Good Repairs grant also allows for the purchase of ITS
equipment for both fixed route and mini bus service. This equipment is expected to help
increase efficiency and effectiveness of the transit service. This equipment will include,
but is not limited to: an Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system along with web -based
software that will allow passengers to see when the next bus will arrive to a particular
bus stop; LED display boards that will be placed a key transfer points to display pending
arrival time(s) of the next bus, as well as (e.g.) public service announcements; an
Automatic Voice Announcement (AVA) system that will announce the approach of (e.g.)
major intersections and points of interest for passengers that have a visual impairment
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(or who are otherwise not familiar with the area); an electronic fare collection system
that will broaden the choice and type of bus passes, as well as allow for better ridership
data collection; Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) that will allow for real -time dispatching in
mini bus service; new scheduling software for mini bus service to work in conjunction
with the MDTs; camera (security) systems on both fixed route and mini bus; etc.
The first delivery of clean diesel transit fleet is anticipated in July 2011.
Sprinter Bus Replacement: In late December /early January 2011 The Jule accepted
the delivery of three new Sprinter buses, one of which is owned by the City and the
other two by the RTA. The two RTA buses were purchased through a RTA capital
(vehicle) grand, with the local match paid by the City. A four -year lease agreement was
signed, with the local match to be used as payment on the lease agreement. Some of
the electronic equipment will come in during FY2011, and the rest in FY2012.
Public Works Department:
Landfill Methane Collection System Project (Management Agenda): The Public Works
Department provides administrative and operating staff support to the Dubuque
Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA or "Agency "). One of the Agency's
recent initiatives relevant to the Healthy Air principle is its Landfill Methane Collection
System Project. Begun in FY10 and completed in FY11, the methane collection system
was installed in the Agency's oldest "closed" landfill cells. Since project completion in
September of 2010, the methane is being measured as it is flared off. By flaring the
methane, the Agency is significantly reducing a very potent greenhouse gas previously
emitted by its landfill facility. The Agency's Board of Directors is currently evaluating
how its methane will eventually be used and has begun a process to hire an industry
expert to counsel it regarding the best end -use of the Agency's landfill methane.
Anticipated future measurable outcomes include amount of usable methane produced
annually and revenue garnered and /or costs avoided.
Clean Diesel & Biofuels Technology: The Public Works Department is spearheading the
City's conversion of its diesel - engined truck and heavy equipment fleet to the use of
"clean diesel" technology. To date, sixteen (16) heavy trucks and six (6) heavy
equipment machines have been replaced with units equipped with clean diesel engines.
Clean diesel engines produce fewer airborne particulates and harmful emissions. The
most measurable outcome for this conversion program is the number of "dirty diesel"
versus "clean diesel" units in the department's fleet at any given time.
The Public Works Department has also spearheaded the City's use of biofuels in its
many trucks and heavy equipment. Its diesel - engined trucks and heavy equipment use
20% biodiesel during warm weather months and 5% biodiesel during the coldest
months. The department's light vehicles use 85% ethanol in their gasoline engines
year- round. The most likely measurable outcome is total departmental fuel usage by
type annually.
Climate Disruption, Mitigation and Adaptation: The Resource Management program has
provided staff support and intern supervision as part of the city's commitment to the
ICLEI Climate Change 5 Milestone Process related to assessment, draft targets and
potential action steps in government operations community practices for GHG
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reduction. The RMC has also acted as the liaison with the community group drafting
the "Dubuque Community GHG "50 by 2030" Initiative ".
Fire Department:
• Pumper replacement schedule provides for diesel engines that meet lower
emission standards
• Hazmat — prevents and mitigates chemical spills and protects environment
• Fire suppression — reduces air contamination
• Fire prevention — reduces number of fires and emissions to atmosphere
• Turnout gear cleaning project controls the spread of contaminants after fire or
incident into community
Leisure Services Department:
• Trail projects- NW Arterial Ph 1 2008, Ph II 2010, Bergfeld Rec Trail 2010
• Bunker Hill Golf Course tree donation program 2006 -2010
• Department incandescent light fixture replacement to CFL 2007 - 11
• Eagle Point park Bridge Complex Renovation - Replace all lights with LED
fixtures 2010
Business:
Non - Profit:
Schools:
Dubuque Sustainably Smart Schools: From July 2009 through April 2011 the
Dubuque Community School District has avoided 7,210,487 lbs. (3,271 Metric tones) of
greenhouse gas (GHG / CO2) emissions; the equivalent of 144 Semi dumptrucks. (At
50,000 lb. Capacity each)
People & Neighborhoods:
NATIVE PLANTS & ANIMALS
Government:
Planning Services Department:
Sustainable Development Tools: The City's 2009 Unified Development Code (UDC)
requires that new major subdivisions achieve a minimum score of 40 points by utilizing
approved sustainable subdivision development tools. Subdivision and site development
regulations were extensively revised to promote sustainable design and low- impact
development (LID) measures. These tools include Conservation Subdivision design, in
which development is clustered to optimize open space, preserve natural features,
protect environmentally sensitive areas, and minimize infrastructure demands. The UDC
has a residential density bonus for conservation subdivisions. These tools also include
the provision that native and regionally appropriate trees and vegetation are preserved
or planted, which limits turf grass, limits water demand, improves infiltration or filtration,
and enhances the natural environment. Such vegetation is to be phased so denuded
areas are quickly vegetated. Turf grass should not exceed 30% of the landscaped area.
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As noted above, new major residential subdivisions currently must score a minimum of
40 points by utilizing sustainable subdivision tools approved by the City Council. A
major subdivision involves public improvements (street, water, sanitary sewer, etc.) In
March 2011, the City Council adopted a standard for sustainable development
incentives for residential subdivisions. The City Council established an 80 -point
standard be used for a new residential subdivision to qualify for sustainable
development incentives from the City of Dubuque.
Mines of Spain /E.B. Lyons (Management Agenda): The 1,387 -acre Mines of Spain
State Recreation Area near Dubuque has served as a focal point for environmental and
cultural educational programs and interpretive activities for the tri -state area of Iowa,
Illinois, and Wisconsin for many years. Burgeoning interest in the rich history of the tri-
state area and growing awareness of the significance of the Mississippi River and its
watershed created greater demands for exhibits and educational programming.
Demand for more programs and services increased over time. Continued success and
growth in visitation, interpretation and education were inhibited by space limitations.
More space was needed at the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center at the State Recreation
Area. In response, the Friends of the Mines of Spain (FOMOS) planned and
coordinated an expansion that updated and more than doubled the original space for
educational purposes. The FOMOS raised private, local, state and federal funds for the
expansion and education project. They raised $1,575,569 -- $98,575 over the cost
estimate of $1,476,994 for the expansion. Construction began in September 2009, and
was completed a year later.
The Friends also raised an additional $325,000 for enhanced exhibits and educational
programming. Thanks to excellence in interpretive support by the FOMOS, the
Interpretive Center now welcomes visitors to one of the region's best - conserved natural
and cultural resources, where people can explore the history and natural riches of the
park. The updated exhibits at the Interpretive Center invite visitors to discover the
history, geology, and ecology of the park and region, and prepare the visitor for forays
onto the many trails and interpretive sites throughout the Mines of Spain. The
Interpretive Center has displays on the park's historic farm site, archeology, prairies,
woodlands, wetlands, lead mining, Native Americans, and wildlife of the park on both
the upper and lower levels.
Land Acquisition for Mines of Spain: The City of Dubuque, in conjunction with the
Friends of the Mines of Spain, has been working with the Iowa Natural Heritage
Foundation (INHF) on the acquisition of the Bottoms Farm, 9097 Bellevue Heights
Road, Dubuque, Iowa to expand the land area of the Mines of Spain State Recreation
Area and the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center. The 52.19 acre property abuts the Mines
of Spain on the north, and the 30 -acre Interpretive Center site on the east. The INHF
acquired the land at auction in August 2011. The City of Dubuque has a purchase
agreement with the INHF for the property. The Iowa DNR's Natural Resources
Commission approved the City of Dubuque's 2011 Resource Enhancement and
Protection (REAP) Grant of $200,000 toward the acquisition of the Bottoms Farm in
October 2011.
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The acquisition of this land is extremely important to the Mines of Spain and the
Interpretive Center. The land acquisition would allow: the creation of a buffer for the
State Park and the Interpretive Center from encroaching development; protection of the
historical, archeological, cultural, and natural resources we anticipate are on the
property; restoration of native landscape to improve and expand wildlife habitat and
storm water management; and opportunities to expand parking, interpretive signage,
and other park amenities that will improve the visitor experience.
The plan for future management of the project area is to leave the archeological sites
undisturbed, unless the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) authorizes
development for the additional parking. The objectives of reestablishing vegetation on
the farm's cropland are to reduce erosion, create wildlife habitat and reconstruct
examples of original native vegetation. The current management plan for the Mines of
Spain has been to replace most of the current croplands and restore them to native
prairie to create a landscape that dates back to the 1700's.
Leisure Services Department:
• Organic Gardening 101 class 2011
GIS assisted Parks Division in GPSing and identifying locations of native plantings near
Bergfeld Recreation Area and new recreational trail, as well as Eagle Point Park.
Library: Hosted seven Nature Days and one Flower Power public event from 2006 -
present. Hosted a "Garden" story time in April, 2011 with 20 attendees.
Bee Branch: The City, in partnership with Black Hills Energy and other community
partners, has obtained a Trees Forever grant to plant 1,000 trees in Phase I of the Bee
Branch project, valued at over $6,000. Volunteers from the neighborhood will be
engaged in the planting of the trees.
Business:
Non - Profit:
See Land Acquisition for Mines of Spain above.
Schools:
People & Neighborhoods:
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