Comprehensive Plan Update Long Range
Planning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(563) 589-4210 office
(563) 589-4221 fax
(563) 690-6678 TDD
planning@cityofdubuque.org
www.cityofdubuque.org
THE CITY OF (~~~.....,
DUBLJQ)UE
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October 19, 2006
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Dubuque
City Hall - 50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
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RE: October 2006 Report on 2006 Comprehensive Plan Update Process
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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 September 2006 report:
:>> Public hearings on October 18, 2006 on the Human Services and Education
Elements.
On October 18, 2006, the Commission reviewed the final revisions to the Health and
Housing Elements of the Comprehensive Plan. By a vote of 4 to 0, the Commission
respectfully recommends approving the enclosed Health and Housing Elements 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 Health and Housing Elements is submitted for the
City Council to receive and file, and to provide direction to the Commission as needed
at this time.
Respectfully submitted,
C~llh~~ LU1Jo~/~
Charles Winterwood, Chairperson
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
Enclosure
F:fUSERSlLCARSTENNVPfCOUNCIUComp Plan Monthly ReportlLRPAC October 2006 report - Collneil Letter_doc
Service
People
Integrity
Responsibility
Innovation
Teamwork
HEALTH GOALS must address physical and mental health and medical issues that fall
within the scope of both public and private providers. Government often cites "health, safety and
the general welfare" as necessary and important public purposes. It accomplishes these purposes
thraugh assessment, assurance, and policy development. The public's health and continued
wellness must be of concern to the community as a whole. The promotion of good public health
practices and lifestyles and the provision of necessary and adequate prY/ate health care to all
members of the community must be the shared responsibility of both the public and private
sectors.
1. To reduce and prevent the occurrence of disease, and disability Ilnd Jelln of
poteBtiallife loss in the community.
1.1 Decrease smoking and tobacco use by people of all ages, particularly youth.
1.2 Increase the number of tobacco-free sites in Dubuque County.
1.3 Increase the proportion of people age 40 and over who receive regular exams for ooIefr,
Breast, {lfflstate, antIlItenlle early detection of cancer.
1.4 Reduce the hospitalization rate for pulmonary disease through pulmonary rehabilitation,
asthma treatment and prevention, and pneumonia and influenza vaccination.
1.5 Reduce the number of adults in Dubuque County with high cholesterol, and high blood
pressure, and diabetes through increased screenings, education and follow-up procedures.
1.6 Maintain community awareness, prevention, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted
diseases (STD's), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Hepatitis B and C.
1.7 Increase the proportion of people of all ages who follow preventative measures for skin
cancer.
1.8 Continue a-preventative health progmm initiatives which includes public information and
education on current health issues.
1.9 Continue to control the spread of communicable disease in the community through
information, investigation and immunization through a comprehensive coordinated
approach utilizing case management services and hiB emergene)' public health
preparedness plans.
1.10 Encourage participation in age and risk based preventative health care tests, screenings
and practices.
1.11 Increase the number of children aged 0 - 5 receiving recommended well-child
examinations.
2. To promote the physical and mental health, safety, and wellness of the citizens of
Dubuque through educational and outreach efforts.
2.1 Maintain citizen participation in the ongoing implementation of a the Dubuque County
community health needs assessment and health improvement plan.
2.2 Continue to evaluate and annually assess the health status of the community to plan health
goals.
2.3 Inerease Promote community awareness and recognition that injuries caused by violent
behavior are a public health issue.
2.4 Increase the proportion of Dubuque County employers/work sites that offer nutrition
education, weight management, stress reduction and/or wellness programs including
physical activity.
2.5 Educate the community that mental illnesses are real, can be screened, diagnosed, and 6llH
be effectively treated in affordable ways.
2.6 Develop a comprehensive mental health service delivery system including outreach, for
Dubuque County.
2.7 Create opportunities for and encourage community participation designed in programs to
reduce the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles in all age groups in Dubuque County.
2.8 Reduce the prevalence of being overweight and obese (based on Body Mass Index)
amoag people aged 18 lHld over in Dubuque County.
2.9 Develop an iftter-ageney strategie a comprehensive substance abuse plan to increase the
availability of and access to a full continuum of SHbstanee abuse education, prevention and
treatment services, especially for methamphetamine and alcohol and co-occuring
disorders.
3. To promote access to adequate health services for all members of the community
through a collaborative effort of federal, state, local, private and charitable agencies.
3.1 El{pand ooffellt pregFWHs aad serviees Provide health programs and primary care
services for underserved and high risk populations, i.e., underserved can include persons
isolated in rural settings, culturally-diverse individuals, and other grollps persons with
special needs.
3.2 Create access to community mental health treatment (on an equal basis with medical
treatment) throllgh a eellaborative effort offeder-al, state, loeal, pAyate aad eharitable
lIgeneies for individuals with dillgllosahle mental illness delivered in a timely and
confidential manner.
3.3 Promote health, safety and wellness by developing and helping to establish pF6':ia'ing
access to metIel community programs including oral, mental, and physical health.
4. To address the special health needs of pregnant women, children and the elderly.
4.1 De'telop Promote a system for obtaining and reporting reliable data for maternal, infant,
and child health across all Dubuque County providers.
4.2 Increase awareness of the definition of domestic violence and community resources for
intervention and prevention.
4.3 Reduce substance abuse of alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and
other drugs among youth (12-18 years of age) and pregnant women in Dubuque County.
4.4 Iffijlroye Decrease children's morbidity health and deenffis(! mortality through increased
use of car seats, breastfeeding promotion, lIIId health screenings, and through feweF
teenage pr-egaaaeies pregnancy prevention.
4.5 Continue to provide case management and homecare a health mwlltenRBee services
"..hereBy to the elderly eRB he treated at home rnther thaa institutionali:1Sed to delay or
decrease institutionalization.
5. To create safe and sanitary work, play and housing environments.
5.1 Strive for a community which provides a variety of easily accessible recreational programs
and opportunities at moderate or no cost to participants.
5.2 Increase the number of employers and organizations offering safety, pre'lentien, wellness
promotion, substance abuse and employee assistance programs.
5.3 Werk with area seheels te elljllHld eooeatienal pregrlllBHl-iRg fer a preventative health
pr-egraffi. Promote wellness programs within the schools that include nutrition and
physical activity.
5.4 Promote a _&!;e tobacco-free environments.
~ 5.5 Continue to promote a safe and healthy environment by ensuring sanitary conditions and
practices in accordance with municipal public health, housing and environmental
ordinances, codes and regulations.
H 5.6 Continue to protect and promote safe and sanitary conditions at food service
establishments and by food purveyors.
H 5. 7 Continue to provide safe and sanitary housing conditions through the reduction of radon,
lead hazards, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other environmental health concerns.
6. To contain the rising costs of health care in an equitable, efficient and collaborative
manner through community-wide planning.
6.1 Stress the efficient delivery of high-quality health care.
6.2 Develop a data base of community health resources of Dubuque area providers and
payers, including information on Benefit plans, l;Itilization !Ifld eest ffieehamSllls. Medicare
and Medicaid providers.
6.3 Facilitate active, responsible participation by health care consumers including personal
and family health plans.
6.4 Educate the community regarding the health status of the community and the existing
health care system in Dubuque.
6.5 Continue an ongoing forum to address health care quality, reform and cost containment at
the community level.
7. To retain and recruit quality health and medical personnel for our community.
7.1 Improve patient and provider satisfaction ratings of health and medical personnel with
health care administration and facilities.
7.2 Work to retain, llfttI-recruit and replace quality health and medical personnel, especially in
occupations with a shortage of skilled health workers to minimize out-of-city referrals.
7.3 Use satisfaction surveys from health care system users to improve services, facilities and
employee performance.
7.4 Promote edHea1ifffllill programs that /Fain educate health professionals.
8. To become a regional health care center providing a fnll-range of both general and
specialty health and medical services.
8.1 Provide health and specialty outpatient medical services coverage to area rural hospitals.
8.2 Network area rural hospitals' information systems with Dubuque providers.
8.3 Improve access to primary care and mental health physician services through recruitment
assistance to area medical community.
8.4 Pr-eviae Encourage secure and simplified access to financial, clinical, administrative, and
management data from any location in the health care information system among health
care providers.
8.5 Provide quality services and! or facilities as needed, including an emphasis on outpatient
care ineluding for the underinsured.
8.6 Evftwate the Heea far elffllll1aea Expand mental health, hehaviaral health, r-ehahilitatiaB
RBti aeooflatienal heakh seFviees.
F:/USERSILCARSTENIComp Plan Updatelcomp plan updatelHEALTH GOALS comments LRP AC final rec.doc
HOUSING GOALS must address the issues of housing availability, affordability and
accessibility for all members of the community. Public intervention in the private housing market
is sometimes necessary to promote and/or encourage an adequate supply of quality, safe, sanitary
and affordable housing within the city limits. , to adminiilter fedefftl ineeme Ils~iiltanee te these in
greate~t need or Public and private partnerships should continue to be developed to spur
reinvestment and renewal in existing, older neighborhoods. The provision of affordable shelter is
a basic human need that demands special attention in the arena of human services delivery,
including the administration of federal income assistance to those in greatest need. and iltands
alene as an illljlertant elemeat. Our community's very image is reflected in large measure by the
pride and well-being displayed in our neighborhoods.
1. To IlreNeR'e elliNting hORsing and ellisting residential neighborhoods. To promote the
preservation, rehabilitation, and investment in our city housing stock and
neighborhoods.
I. I Enforce minimum housing quality standards in all rental housing through systematic code
enforcement.
1.2 Moniter and seek te eelltmlless efviable re!ltal ileu~ing ilteek Ensure a range of
affordable, accessible, and decent rental housing options throughout the community.
\.3 Expand the City's use of housing preservation programs whenever appropriate and
possible.
\.4 Promote programs to improve energy efficiency and enlist the participation of utility
companies in promotional efforts.
1.5 Maximize participation in and use oflow-interest rehabilitation and home purchase loan
funds.
1.6 Recycle existing vacant or under-utilized structures, such as convents, schools, and
industrial buildings, into afiOrdable housing with an affordable component, where
appropriate.
1.7 Promote eElueatieaal worksilejls witilia aeigilberhoods. Expand the capacity of
neighborhoad associations.
1.8 Promote residential educational workshops regarding restoration, rehabilitation, and
maintenance.
1.9 Relocate existing housing as opposed to demolition whenever possible.
1.10 Communicate with legislators to empower local governments to have more local control
in the administration and monitoring of federal housing programs.
1.11 Support the integration of new neighborhood residents into the neighborhood
associations, local schools, and community activities.
1.12 Continue to support a decrease in the amount of vacant and abandoned housing in
Dubuque neighborhoods.
1.13 Promote programs, education, and training that support and encourage appropriate
landlord oversight.
1.14 Promote programs, education, and training that support and encourage appropriate
tenant accountability.
1.15 Support Community Oriented Policing and participation of neighborhood residents in
crime reduction strategies.
2. To promote the creation and maintenance of an adequate supply of sound,
affordable housing integrated throughout the community.
2.1 Promote City partnerships with private sector, non-profit, other government agencies and
neighborhood groups to access available public funding and attract private capital for
affordable housing development.
2.2 Promote mixed-income, mixed-rental housing developments.
2.3 Administer the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program to benefit lower-income families
seeking affordable rental housing.
2.4 Encourage local lenders to work with senieF all homeowners EI/'Id ethers to rehabilitate, {.
remodel, or repair existing homes.
3. To expand the opportunities for homeownership, especially for low to moderate
income households.
3.1 Encourage the use of flexible development regulations in order to assist affordable housing
production and decrease housing costs.
3.2 Encourage local lenders to participate in programs designed to assist first-time home
buyers.
3.3 Promote infill housing development opportunities, in the city's older neighborhoods,
through a combination of public subsidy, affordable housing incentives and owner sweat
equity.
3.4 Promote compact and contiguous development with a variety of higher density housing
options that utilize available infrastructure within the existing built environment.
4. To promote fair housing opportunity for residents in all city neighborhoods.
4.1 Provide for effective implementation of existing fair housing programs.
4.2 Involve neighborhood residents to the fullest extent possible when planning affordable
housing developments.
4.3 Monitor, evaluate and work to minimize federal, state and local codes and regulations that
are possible barriers to development of housing, particularly for persons with disabilities or
low income.
5. To assist local service agencies in providing shelter and semi-independent living for
persons in need of supportive services.
5.1 Monitor and evaluate homeless and other special needs populations in order to document
needs and design assistance programs.
5.2 Provide technical assistance to agencies in preparation of applications for program
funding.
5.3 Continue to develop partnerships with area agencies in sponsorship of housing initiatives
for special needs populations.
6. To promote the understanding that the availability and atTordability of housing is
an important key to successful economic development.
6.1 Promote corporate participation in employer-assisted housing, for home purchase
assistance for employees.
6.2 Encourage local institutions, i.e., hospitals, colleges, to establish replacement housing
programs for housing lost to corporate expansions.
6.3 Encourage corporate participation in the Federal Low Income Tax Credit Program, for
purposes of investment in affordable housing development.
6.4 Ene81lfllge llse of eorporate pension funds fer iW/estment in afferdable hOllSing
de'lelopment. Promote an adequate housing supply to support workforce development
efforts.
7. To promote the public's awareness of housing needs and issues through
informational and educational efforts.
7.1 Serve as a clearinghouse of information for housing issues and information, to include
providing educational programs for tenants and landlords.
7.2 Monitor housing market conditions and availability of housing.
7.3 Provide workshops for area housing industry members (contractors, lenders, realtors)
regarding changing regulatory mandates, i.e., lead-based paint, asbestos removal.
7.4 Work to combat the "Not In My Back Yard", or NIMBY, syndrome by dispelling
stereotypes associated with affordable housing.
7.5 Continue to develop linkages with housing industry groups (Board of Realtors, Mortgage
Lenders Association, Dubuque Area Landlords Association) to promote cooperation and
consensus-building regarding housing issues.
F:/USERS/LCARSTENIWP/Comp Plan UpdateJcomp plan updatelHousingIHOUSING GOALS comments LRP AC fmal ree.doc