Minutes_Long Range Planning Advisory Commission 2 20 13Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
2012
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MINUTES
CITY OF DUBUQUE LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
City Council Chamber, Historic Federal Building
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Jim Prochaska; Commissioners Craig Beytien,
Richard Van !ten, John Pregler, Chad Darter and Charles Winterwood.
Commissioners Excused: Commissioner Alan Vincent.
Staff Members Present: Laura Carstens and David Johnson.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Prochaska at 5:30
p.
m.
CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of Compliance verifying
that the meeting was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law.
MINUTES: Motion by Van Iten, seconded by Pregler, to approve the minutes of the
January 16, 2013 as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Prochaska,
Van Iten, Pregler, and Darter; Nay — None; Abstain — Beytien and Winterwood.
ACTION ITEMS
FY2014 -2018 Recommended Capital Improvement Program: Staff Member Carstens
explained the Five -Year Capital Improvement Program. She explained the process and
role of the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission. She noted the Commission is
advisory, and makes a recommendation on the consistency of the Capital Improvement
Program with the City of Dubuque Comprehensive Plan. She stated the project
relationships with the Comprehensive Plan are identified on each CIP.
Commissioner Beytien questioned the description of the Aquatic Center Activity. He
specifically questioned whether any funds are budgeted in the Five -Year CIP for
construction - related activities. He reviewed the partnership with the Dubuque
Community School District, and stated early meetings on the Aquatic Center indicated
immediacy to the project. Staff Member Carstens reviewed the CIP, noting $100,000 is
budgeted for a feasibility study and needs assessment. She explained it is the practice
of the City of Dubuque to first undertake the necessary studies and then develop
projects and construction budgets and schedules based on the information obtained
from them. She stated if the project moves forward, construction - related activities
would likely appear in next year's budget. Commissioner Beytien explained the biggest
Minutes — Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
February 20, 2013
Page 2
unknown about the project is the wellness center component, which is in the interest of
the City. The Commission noted the Aquatic Center is a high priority for the City
Council. Commissioners requested a copy of the Commission's letter of support for the
Aquatic Center that had been sent to City Council.
Commissioner Winterwood noted the City of Dubuque has adopted a Complete Streets
Policy and expressed disappointment that trail and complete street funding had been
removed from Fiscal Year 2014 and reduced in following years. Staff Member Carstens
noted that the original funding level of $250,000 included $50,000 of City funds to
leverage $200,000 in anticipated grant applications for trail projects. The Commission
noted funding will again increase after 2018. Staff Member Carstens explained the
local funding is from the Sales Tax Fund, which helps reduce street assessment costs
and helps fund park and recreation projects.
The Commission commended the effort to replace hike /bike trail and pedestrian
wayfinding signs and kiosks in the city as well as the commitment towards Safe Routes
to School and crosswalk warning devices. The Commission noted the roundabouts
would make ideal locations for crosswalk warning devices.
The Commission discussed the East/West Corridor Study, and noted a Public Works
CIP which budgets for the preliminary design required for right -of -way requirements,
complete street requirements, and the roundabouts in the University Avenue area.
The Commission commended the trails and parking lot seal coating CIP, noting the
oldest portion of the Northwest Arterial is in need of seal coating.
The Commission discussed the Pavement Marking Project, which they hope will include
bike lanes. The Commission noted more marked crosswalks are needed on University
Avenue from Asbury Road east to Grandview Avenue. The Commission questioned
whether crosswalks in that area would be part of the East/West Corridor Study. Staff
agreed to follow -up.
The Commission discussed the Cedar Cross Road Reconstruction, noting sidewalks
are described in the projects, but bike lanes do not appear to be part of the project.
Staff agreed to follow -up.
The Commission expressed support for the Source Water Protection Program, noting
Dubuque's quality drinking water and the importance of maintaining this.
The Commission discussed the Lead Hazard Control Program. They questioned why
money is not budgeted beyond Fiscal Year 2014 for the program. The Commission
questioned whether the City will apply for more grants due to the number of homes with
lead hazards. Staff agreed to follow -up.
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February 20, 2013
Page 3
Commissioner Van Iten commended the justifications for the Capital Improvement
Program, but noted an important missing component, which addresses the social
aspects of the budget. He explained while living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the City
approached the budget with both a qualitative and quantitative approach. He felt the
budget narrative should include content which gives the citizen a sense of the cost to
provide services per citizens and tie that to the quality of their lives. He noted it is
important to communicate how the City budget makes a difference in areas of peoples'
lives and how does it affect their quality of life. He felt the budget has a social
component and should engage and inform people and acknowledge different
perspectives from people of different cultures and means. He noted that for many,
knowing where the City of Dubuque ranks compared to other communities is less
important than knowing the quality and range of services provided compared to the
quality and range of services provided by other communities. He felt communicating the
level of service to citizens is as important as communicating the cost of services to
citizens. Commissioners discussed a more qualitative description for all aspects of the
budget would be an important component of the budget message. The consensus of
the Commission was that the City Manager's message was well done and adding a
quality of life analysis would enhance it.
Motion by Pregler, seconded by Beytien, to recommend the next budget include
additional quantitative and qualitative benchmarks for comparative analysis of level of
services and resident fees compared to other large cities in Iowa. Motion carried by the
following vote: Aye — Prochaska, Beytien, Van Iten, Pregler, Darter and Winterwood;
Nay — None.
The Commission noted the analysis will be a better indication of not only the quantity of
services but to some degree the quality of service.
Motion by Pregler, seconded by Van Iten, that the City of Dubuque Fiscal Year 2014
budget is consistent with the City of Dubuque Comprehensive Plan. Motion carried by the
following vote: Aye — Prochaska, Beytien, Van Iten, Pregler, Darter and Winterwood; Nay
— None.
LIAISON /SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Enterprise Zone Commission: No report.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: None.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
FY2014 Recommended Planning Services Department Budget: Staff Member Carstens
explained the City Manager's recommended Fiscal Year 2014 Planning Services
Department Budget relating to the City Planning activity. She reviewed the changes.
There were no additional comments.
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February 20, 2013
Page 4
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Adopted