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Legislative Correspondence City Manager's Office City Hall 50 West 13th Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864 (563) 589-4110 office (563) 589-4149 fax (563) 690-6678 TDD ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org DU~ ~ck~ June 1, 2006 VIA Email and 1st Class Mail www.qovernor.state.ia.us Governor Tom Vilsack Governor's Office State Capitol East 12th & Grand Des Moines, IA 50319 Re: Eminent Domain Dear Governor Vilsack, I am writing to encourage you to Veto the eminent domain legislation pass by the Iowa Legislature. Even with the proposed amendments, this bill would severely diminishes a city's ability to 1) redevelop older areas of town such as downtowns or 2) expand for large-scale economic development opportunities that provide benefit to the entire community. In order to spur redevelopment of our downtown, the city of Dubuque has had to use eminent domain on only one occasion, at the bequest of the parties involved in order to resolve a complicated property ownership issue that needed a legal process to rectify. However, the city has been able in the past, to raise the issue of eminent domain as a tool to bring previously uninterested parties to the table to negotiate. The results have meant successfully negotiated agreements for all parties involved as well as a tremendous economic investment in our downtown and the Port of Dubuque. Specifically, the Port of Dubuque area (formerly know as the Ice Harbor) was an old industrial area that at one time had a cold-storage operation, storage of logs and an oil operation all surrounded by a concrete floodwall. In addition there were property owners who showed no interest in making improvements to their property and no interest in negotiating with the City of Dubuque or private developers to sell their property and create a revitalized area. Today this thriving area is home to the $188 million America's River Project and is a gateway for downtown and our community. Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork Please veto the eminent domain legislation and let us continue our successful economic development efforts. Thank you for your continued efforts on behalf of cities. Sincerely, fYA~4~/Jt!~ Michael C. Van Milligen City Manager MCVM:cs Cc: Mayor Roy D. Buol Dubuque City Council Susan Judkins, Director of Governmental Affairs, Iowa League of Cities Bill Baum, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation Steward Sandstrom, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Dan LoBianco, Dubuque Main Street Ltd. Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Dave Heiar, Economic Development Director City Manager's Office City Hall 50 West 13th Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864 (563) 589-4110 office (563) 589-4149 fax (563) 690-6678 TOO ctyrngr@cityofdubuque.org TDILrB0t;t3}~ ~ck~ June 9, 2006 VIA Email and 1st Class Mail www.qovernor.state.ia.us Governor Tom Vii sack Governor's Office State Capitol Des Moines, IA 50319 Re: Eminent Domain Dear Governor Vilsack, I am writing to thank you for your Veto of House File 2351, the eminent domain legislation passed by the Iowa Legislature. This bill would have been a serious impediment to the removal of blighted areas in cities and would have significantly hurt economic development opportunities and revitalization efforts. As you know, the City of Dubuque has seen significant development in downtown Dubuque and at the Port of Dubuque. Since 2000 downtown Dubuque has been experiencing a true renaissance with over $34 million invested in public improvements, $75 million in building rehabilitations, nearly $119 million in new construction and 1,849 new jobs. This is in addition to the $188 million America's River Project, which has attracted over 1.5 million annual visitors to our community, creating a new energy and vitality for Dubuque and the State of Iowa. Throughout the development in downtown and at the Port of Dubuque, the city has only had to use eminent domain on one occasion, at the bequest of the parties involved in order to resolve a complicated property ownership issue that needed a legal process to rectify. However, the city has been able in the past, to raise the issue of eminent domain as a tool to bring previously uninterested parties to the table to negotiate. The results have meant successfully negotiated agreements for all parties involved as well as a tremendous economic investment in our downtown and the Port of Dubuque. Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovatiun Teamwork . By your veto action, you have given cities the tools we need to create economic opportunities. Thank you for your continued efforts on behalf of cities. S;"oef;ok~,,, Michael C. Van Milligen City Manager MCVM:cs Cc: Mayor Roy D. Buol Dubuque City Council Susan Judkins, Director of Governmental Affairs, Iowa League of Cities Bill Baum, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation Steward Sandstrom, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Dan LoBianco, Dubuque Main Street Ltd. Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Dave Heiar, Economic Development Director June 9, 2006 VIA Email and 1st Class Mail <<Email>> <<CompleteOFFICIALName _Add ress>> Re: HF 2351 - Eminent Domain Dear <<Title>> <<Last>>, I am writing to encourage you to oppose efforts to override Governor Vilsack's veto of House File 2351, the Eminent Domain Bill. This bill would be a serious impediment to the removal of blighted areas in cities and would significantly hurt economic development opportunities and revitalization efforts. As you know, the city of Dubuque has seen significant development in downtown Dubuque and at the Port of Dubuque. Since 2000 downtown Dubuque has been experiencing a true renaissance with over $34 million invested in public improvements, $75 million in building rehabilitations, nearly $119 million in new construction and 1,849 new jobs. This is in addition to the $188 million America's River Project, which has attracted over 1.5 million annual visitors to our community, creating a new energy and vitality for Dubuque and the State of Iowa. Throughout the development in downtown and at the Port of Dubuque, the city has only had to use eminent domain on one occasion, at the bequest of the parties involved in order to resolve a complicated property ownership issue that needed a legal process to rectify. However, the city has been able in the past, to raise the issue of eminent domain as a tool to bring previously uninterested parties to the table to negotiate. The results have meant successfully negotiated agreements for all parties involved as well as a tremendous economic investment in our downtown and the Port of Dubuque. Based upon the above information, I encourage you to support Governor Vilsack's veto of HF 2351 and oppose any efforts of a veto override. Thank you for your continued efforts on behalf of cities. Sincerely, Michael C. Van Milligen City Manager MCVM:cs Cc: Mayor Roy D. Buol Dubuque City Council Susan Judkins, Director of Governmental Affairs, Iowa League of Cities Bill Baum, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation Steward Sandstrom, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Dan LoBianco, Dubuque Main Street Ltd. Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Dave Heiar, Economic Development Director .. . The Honorable Mike Connolly Senate Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 The Honorable Pam Jochum House Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 The Honorable Steve Lukan House Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 The Honorable Tom Hancock Senate Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 The Honorable Pat Murphy House Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 The Honorable Ray Zirkelbach House Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 The Honorable Roger Stewart Senate Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 The Honorable Thomas Schueller House Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 June 9, 2006 VIA Email and 1st Class Mail <<Email>> <<CompleteOFFICIALName Address>> Re: HF 2351 - Eminent Domain Dear <<Title>> <<Last>>, I am writing to encourage you to oppose efforts to override Governor Vilsack's veto of House File 2351, the Eminent Domain Bill. This bill would be a serious impediment to the removal of blighted areas in cities and would significantly hurt economic development opportunities and revitalization efforts. As you know, the city of Dubuque has seen significant development in downtown Dubuque and at the Port of Dubuque. Since 2000 downtown Dubuque has been experiencing a true renaissance with over $34 million invested in public improvements, $75 million in building rehabilitations, nearly $119 million in new construction and 1,849 new jobs. This is in addition to the $188 million America's River Project, which has attracted over 1.5 million annual visitors to our community, creating a new energy and vitality for Dubuque and the State of Iowa. Throughout the development in downtown and at the Port of Dubuque, the city has only had to use eminent domain on one occasion, at the bequest of the parties involved in order to resolve a complicated property ownership issue that needed a legal process to rectify. However, the city has been able in the past, to raise the issue of eminent domain as a tool to bring previously uninterested parties to the table to negotiate. The results have meant successfully negotiated agreements for all parties involved as well as a tremendous economic investment in our downtown and the Port of Dubuque. Based upon the above information, I encourage you to support Governor Vilsack's veto of HF 2351 and oppose any efforts of a veto override. Thank you for your continued efforts on behalf of cities. . Sincerely, Michael C. Van Milligen City Manager MCVM:cs Cc: Mayor Roy D. Buol Dubuque City Council Susan Judkins, Director of Governmental Affairs, Iowa League of Cities Bill Baum, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation Steward Sandstrom, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Dan LoBianco, Dubuque Main Street Ltd. Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Dave Heiar, Economic Development Director The Honorable Mike Connolly Senate Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 The Honorable Pam Jochum House Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 The Honorable Steve Lukan House Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 The Honorable Tom Hancock Senate Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 The Honorable Pat Murphy House Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 The Honorable Ray Zirkelbach House Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 The Honorable Roger Stewart Senate Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 The Honorable Thomas Schueller House Chamber Iowa Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 City Manager's Office City Hall 50 West 13th Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864 (563) 589-4110 office (563) 589-4149 fax (563) 690-6678 TDD ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org THEClTYOF <'.~ DrJwQuI ~~~ June 8, 2006 Via 1st Class Mail and e-mail www.nussle.house.gov Congressman Jim Nussle 303 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-1502 Dear Congressman Nussle: Thank you for your response to our recent communication regarding the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act (COPE) of 2006. As the House takes up consideration of this bill, I would like to take this opportunity to re-affirm our opposition to this bill and urge you to vote NO. We welcome competition in our community but we must have a level playing field for all competitors, which this bill does not provide. The COPE Act would strip local governments of their authority to franchise their public rights-of-way for video/cable services and impose a national franchising scheme. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would oversee and second-guess all local rights-of-way management practices and customer service issues. It would allow new market entrants to pick and choose the neighborhoods they want to serve while bypassing all others completely. Additionally, amendments like the one sponsored by Representative Jackson-Lee of Texas (Amendment #19) will further reduce funding for Public, Educational and Government (PEG) access channels and Institutional Networks (I-Nets). This bill would be disastrous for communities in the First District as well as across Iowa. Passage of this bill and the elimination of local franchises will require Dubuque and other communities to reduce or eliminate vital services to our citizens or find alternate ways to raise funds to maintain the current level of service. Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork I respectfully request that you vote no to this bill. MCVM:rg Cc: Mayor Roy Buol Dubuque City Council Member Susan Judkins, Iowa League of Cities Barry Lindahl, City Attorney Cindy Steinhauser, Asst. City Manager Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer Craig Nowack, Cable TV Coordinator Sincer~ Michael C. Van Milligen City Manager