Comprehensive Plan Update July 2006
Planning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(563) 589-4210 office
(563) 589-4221 fax
(563) 690-6678 TOD
planning@cityofdubuque.org
www.cityofdubuque.org
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August29,2006
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Dubuque
City Hall - 50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: August 2006 Report on 2006 Comprehensive Plan Update Process
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
The Long Range Planning Advisory Commission has provided the following public input
opportunities on the adopted goals and objectives of the 2002 Comprehensive Plan and
the draft 2030 Future Land Use Map since our July 2006 report:
~ A public hearing on August 16, 2006 on the City Fiscal Element and the
Economic Development Element.
On August 16, 2006, the Commission reviewed the final revisions to the Infrastructure
Element of the Comprehensive Plan. By. a vote of 4 to 0, the Commission respectfully
recommends approving the enclosed Infrastructure Element as submitted. The
Commission's recommended new language is shown in italics, and recommended
deletions are shown crossed out.
The City Code requires a public hearing prior to adoption of any amendments to the
Comprehensive Plan. A City Council public hearing on the 2006 Comprehensive Plan
update is planned for January 2007. Consequently, this report and the Commission's
recommendation for approving the Infrastructure Element is submitted for the City
Council to receive and file, and to provide direction to the Commission as needed at this
time.
Respectfully submitted,
~.Ck1.k- ~~~
Charles Winterwood, Chairperson
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
Enclosure
F:IUSERSJLCARSTENNJP/COUNCIUComp Plan MonthlV ReportlLRPAC August 2006 report - Council Letter.doc
Service
People
Integrity
Responsibility
Innovation
Teamwork
INFRASTRUCTURE GOALS must address the maintenance, improvement and
capacities of aging utility and street systems while continuing to provide extensions and
expansions of these systems to meet changing community needs based on fiscal capability and
standards set by the City Council. "New" forms of infrastructure, including communication and
data and information processing systems, have become an important aspect of our community's
life and livelihood. The pace and extent of the city's growth and development pattern wiII impact
the timing and demand for infrastructure provision. Public expenditures for infrastructure can
shape the city's land use pattern as effectively as development regulations. The phasing of new
and extended infrastructure must be based on both the fiscal capability of the City and sound
land use decisions made in an integrated management process.
1. To provide, maintain and improve a cost-effective, functional and self-supporting
water utility system.
1.1 Ensure an adequate water supply.
1.2 Ensure cost-effective delivery of water.
1.3 Ensure a safe water supply that meets alIlocal, state and federal water quality standards.
1.4 Ensure ongoing improvements to water plant andfacilities.
1.5 Ensure ongoing improvements to water distribution system.
2. To provide, maintain and improve cost-effective, functional and self-supporting
sanitary sewer and water pollution control systems.
2.1 Maintain the integrity of the sanitary sewer system.
2.2 Operate the Water PolIution Control Plant (WPCP) and sanitary sewer system efficiently.
2.3 Minimize odors emanating from the Water PolIution Control Plant (WPCP).
2.4 Meet all local, state and federal air and water quality standards.
2.5 Minimize infiltration and inflow into the collection system.
3. To provide, maintain and improve a safe and functional storm sewer system.
3.1 Maintain the integrity of the storm sewer system.
3.2 Maximize and maintain the 6l1flabilities effectiveness of the City's releatiea detention
basins.
3.3 Meet all local, state and federal stomrwater management standards and regulations fef
steml'l;lI.ter E1is6karge, including National Pol/ution Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) stomrwater permit.
3.4 Identify existing and potential fI:\R effflood prone problem areas, and alleviate with
appropriate mitigation strategies, where possible.
3.5 Implement the Drainage Basin Master Plan.
3.6 Maintain and update the stomrwater utility billing database.
4. To provide, maintain and improve a cost-effective, safe and functional surface
transportation system.
4.1 Continue the ongoing street reconstruction, rehabilitation, and maintenance overlay
programs, ensuring the timely maintenance, repair and reconstruction of the City's streets
and bridges.
4.2 Identify new technologies, new materials and new concepts for street maintenance,
restoration and reconstruction.
4.3 Seek alternative funding sources for construction and maintenance.
4.4 Maintain and improve City alleys, guardrails, street lights, traffic control lights, street
pavement markings, traffic signs, street name signs, walls and other related facilities.
4.5 Extend the life and improve the quality of the City street system through preventative
maintenance programs.
4.6 Coordinate with State, County, and other cities for surface transportation system
improvements and maintenance.
4.7 Coordinate with Local, State, and Federal officials to complete the Iowa 32 (Southwest
Arterial) project.
5. To provide for, maintain and improve safe, accessible public sidewalks and steps
throughout the community, where possible.
5.1 Maintain and improve the condition of public sidewalks, steps, walks and handrails.
5.2 Ensure reasonable removal of snow and ice accumulations from public sidewalks, steps
and walks.
5.3 Require the installation of sidewalks in neighborhoods with curb and gutter throughout
the city to connect neighborhoods, provide safe routes to schools, and improve access for
persons with disabilities, where possible.
5.4 Rebuild existing stairs and build new stairs on hillslbluffs, or create alternate pedestrian
routes, and integrate these with walking/biking trails as a unique City attraction.
6. To provide, maintain and improve an accessible, functional and self-supporting
parking system.
6.1 Provide, maintain and improve a parking system designed to meet the needs of the
patrons of downtown business and retail establishments and downtown employees.
6.2 Ensure the financial integrity of the parking system by meeting bond covenants that
require the parking system to be self-supporting and by continuing sound fiscal
management practices.
6.3 Meet the requirements of federal and state laws regulating public handieltflped desigaated
and private disabled parking stalls.
6.4 Promote and practice preventative maintenance programs to protect the longevity of the
parking garage structures and municipal parking lots.
6.5 Maintain and improve the aesthetic qualities of the parking system's facilities.
7. To provide, maintain and improve the tloodwaU, harbors, fishing piers, and boat
docks and ramps for industrial, commercial and recreational use of the riverfront.
7.1 Coordinate the implementation of the Public Infrastructure planning component of the
Riverfront Plan with other public and private organizations.
7.2 Provide, preserve, and maintain aesthetically attractive waterfront areas.
7.3 Encourage the development and maintenance of riverfront facilities.
7.4 Operate and maintain the floodwaU facility.
7.5 Promote adequate harbor, channel and dock depths.
7.6 Install and maintain docks and piers for transient boaters.
7.7 Work to create fishing opportunities.
8. To provide, maintain and improve an accessible and functional communication
infrastructure.
8.1 Promote compatibility and connection of Dubuque's communication infrastructure to key
state, regional, national and global networks and systems.
8.2 Promote fair treatment of citizens by telecommunications service providers.
8.3 Determine Enhance Dubuque's communication infrastructure unilaterally and through
public/private partnerships.
8.4 Continue to promote maximum use of public, educational and government access
programming to increase citizen awareness.
8.5 Promote reasonable transmission capacity on new communication systems that is
dedicated to non-commercial government, education and public interest uses.
8.6 Promote equitable access to essential levels of communication systems, services and
opportunities by under-served segments of the community.
9. To provide. maintain and improve a cost-effective and functional data and
information processing system.
9.1 Utilize methods of systems implementation that make the best use of the City's resources
for the systems that are implemented.
9.2 Establish standards for the City organization for definition and articulation of system
needs, for acquisition, development and performance of information systems, and for
description, documentation and caretaking responsibilities of such systems.
9.3 Encourage the use of data processing technology and advances to improve service
delivery and increase employee productivity within the City organization.
9.4 Maintain, improve, and utilize the City's Geographic Information System (GIS).
10. To provide. maintain and improve City-owned buildings, structures, facilities and
properties.
10.1 Maintain and improve the energy efficiency and aesthetic qualities of City-owned
buildings, structures, facilities and properties.
10.2 Assure accessibility to City-owned buildings, structures, facilities and properties.
10.3 Utilize principles of good design and/or historic preservation in all public projects.
11. To plan for, build or improve infrastructure systems to meet anticipated growth and
development needs.
11.1 Encourage development and redevelopment in areas where existing infrastructure is
underutilized.
11.2 Ensure future infrastructure capacity will exist for future identified growth areas.
11.3 Ensure that City utility rate structures are both adequate to meet obligations and future
needs and are equitable for services received by residential, commercial and industrial
users.
11.4 Investigate usefulness of technological advances to optimize services.
11.5 Plan for orderly replacement and upgrade of public and private communication
infrastructure with attention to features, capacity, compatibility and future growth.
11.6 Consider opportunities for buried public and private communication infrastructure during
planning for street, water and sewer construction projects.
11. 7 Work with the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Dubuque
Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (DMATS) on the timely development of new
highway and arterial street systems to provide growth potential for the future.
11.8 Provide sanitary sewer and water main extensions within the city in a timely manner,
when economically feasible.
11.9 Evaluate periodically the water system's storage and hydraulics to ensure ability to serve
future growth demands.
11.10 Provide a "looped" water distribution system, where practical.
11.11 Continue to encourage and enhance downtown development by striving to meet current
parking needs and providing expansion programs that are cost-effective and innovative.
11.12 Monitor and coordinate appropriate implementation of gas and electric delivery systems.
Il.13 Extend City utilities along the Iowa 32 (Southwest Arterial) corridor.
12. To provide, mointain, and improve solid waste coUection and disposal infrastructure
and services.
12.1 Maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of the solid waste collection system.
12.2 Expand the recycling collection service wherever logistically andfiscally feasible.
12.3 Maintain and expand the lan4fill to ensure adequate capacity, in accordonce with
elTVironmental regulations.
12.4 Update and implement the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan.
PUSERSlLCARSTENlWPlComp PIan Update 20061comp plan update/INFRASTRUCTURE GOALS comments LRPAC final rec.doc