Minutes_Long Range Planning Commission 11 20 13Masterpiece on the Mississippi
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MINUTES
CITY OF DUBUQUE LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
City Council Chamber, Historic Federal Building
Commissioners Present: Vice Chairperson Dick Van Iten; Commissioners Craig
Beytien, Charles Winterwood, Chad Darter, and Alan Vincent.
Commissioners Excused: Chairperson Jim Prochaska.
Staff Members Present: David Johnson and Eric Van Buskirk.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairperson Van Iten 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 Beytien, seconded by Darter, to approve the minutes of June 19,
2013 as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - 5; Nay - 0; Abstain - 0.
SPECIAL SESSION: DUBUQUE COUNTY SMART PLANNING CONSORTIUM
Consortium Members present: Beth Bonz, City of Asbury; Anna O'Shea, Dubuque County;
Eric Schmechel, Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation; and Dan Fox, East Central
Intergovernmental Association.
Members of the public included: Larry Deckard, Bernard IA; Jeff Pape, Dyersville IA; Rob
Ostwinkle, Cascade IA; Paul Kurt, Bellevue IA; and Larry Mescher, Peosta IA.
Consortium Members O'Shea and Fox introduced themselves and provided a background
on the Dubuque County Smart Plan, and the public input period extension authorized by
the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors.
Consortium Member O'Shea opened the meeting to public comments. Presentations were
given and Consortium Members O'Shea and Fox fielded questions and provided
comments to public input as necessary. Comments from the public included transportation
and energy mandates, permit fees, and government involvement. Consortium and staff
members explained the difference between comprehensive planning and regulations which
have the effect of law. Commissioners provided additional comments through the process
Minutes — Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
November 20, 2013
Page 2
and engaged the members of the public present in dialogues about their concerns with the
Dubuque County Smart Plan.
Staff Member O'Shea closed the public meeting after public comments were finished. The
special session was closed at 6:30pm.
The regular session of the Long Range Planning Advisory Commission resumed.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Addition of Sustainable Community Health & Safety Principle: Staff Member Johnson
addressed the Commission about adding a twelfth principle of Community Health & Safety
to the Sustainable Dubuque Vision. He noted that this principle would be incorporated by
staff into future planning efforts and the upcoming City of Dubuque comprehensive plan
update.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Downloading Packets: Commissioners noted issues with retrieving the packet from the
City FTP site. Staff Members Johnson and Van Buskirk explained the process. Staff
Member Johnson explained the reason for Commissioners to sign -in is so staff is made
aware of who has accessed the information.
Public Engagement: Commissioners discussed the need for public engagement
throughout the planning and approval process, noting that trust in the process is essential
for the planning process and addressing national concerns about government regulations
and efforts. Commissioners noted the public has not updated the plan in a long time, and
discussed the need to understand the culture of the community, historical plans, and what
experiences have taught us about the specific needs of the community. Commissioners
noted it is sensible for people to be concerned about regulations, but also when there is no
regulation. Commissioners discussed specific examples presented by the public during the
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David Johnson, Assistant Planner Adopted