Report on 2006 Comprehensive update processPlanning Services Department
Gty Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(563)589-4210 office
(563) 58911221 fax
(563) 690-6678 TDD
plamling®cityofdubuque.org
www.cityofdubuque.org
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Dubuque
City Hall - 50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
THE CITY OF
~t't3LF~'~UE
~~ /
December 27. 2006
RE: December 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 November 2006 report:
- Public hearings on December 20, 2006 on the Public Safety and Diversity
Elements.
On December 20, 2006, the Commission reviewed the final revisions to the Recreation
and Cultural Arts Elements of the Comprehensive Plan, and approved the final revisions
to the Public Safety and Diversity Elements. By a vote of 6 to 0, the Commission
respectfully recommends approving the enclosed Recreation, Cultural Arts, Public
Safety, and Diversity 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 work session on the 2006 Comprehensive Plan
update is planned for January 22, 2007. Consequently, this report and the
Commission's recommendation for approving the Recreation, Cultural Arts, Public
Safety, and Diversity Elements are submitted for the City Council to receive and file at
this time.
Respectfully submitted,
CGli2fn,~P~- (.fir w~ ctnnr~/~
Dr. Charles Winterwood, Chairperson
Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
Enclosures
F'./USERS/LCARSIENM/P/COUNCIL/Comp Plan NbnMly ReporoLRPAC December 2006 report -Council Letter.tloc
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
RECREATION GOALS must address the provision of facilities and activities for leisure
time enjoyment by all members of the community. Both public and private resources aze needed
to provide a full range of recreational experiences. The community's overall health, wellness and
quality of life are interrelated with the variety and availability of pazks, open space and
recreational opportunities that are accessible to all. Accessibility includes both physical and
financial access to recreational facilities and activities. Recreation can serve to meet positive
human needs and is one of the key factors in Dubuque's livability.
1. To provide a safe park and recreation system that continues to meet the
community's needs for useable and accessible park and open space.
1. I A4aintain Continue to improve the existing high-quality, safe pazk and recreation system.
1.2 Continue to identify the type of parks, pazk facilities and hike/bike trails lacking in the
community.
1.3 Continue to identify potential park and recreation sites and hikePoike trails to meet the
needs identified in the Comprehensive Plan.
1.4 Contimre to identify funding sources for land acquisition and development.
I.5 Provide and encourage parks, green space, trails and similar park/open space uses easily
accessible to residents at neighborhood level.
1.6 Encourage and develop incentives for providing common open/green space, hike/bike
trails, and landscaping in all new development wherever possible.
1.7 Establish Dubuque as a bicycle friendly town, with bike lanes and bike trails where
feasible.
2. To promote and encourage the wholesome and enjoyable year-round use of leisure
time.
2.1 Update periodically the marketing plan materials to promote the City's Leisure Services.
2.2 Bevelep-a Continue marketing plan to promote the health benefits of proper use of leisure
time.
2.3 Continue to identify the times and locations to offer programs so as to make them easily
accessible to users.
3. To offer a variety of affordable and accessible spectator and participatory events
and experiences for people of all ages.
3.1 Continue to identify potential users and promoters to provide sporting events, concerts
and AeeF family shows in the Five Flags Center and other recreation facilities.
3.2 Contirme to identify sponsors to host seftball sports tournaments at the McAleece Park
and Recreation Complex and other recreation facilities.
3.3 Continue to meet the needs of the community for adult/youth leagues in a variety of
sports.
3.4 Encourage establishment of a variety of community recreational facilities based on need.
3.5 Consider opportunities for major recreational facilities to serve the regional market.
4. To provide a variety of affordable and accessible recreation classes and activities for
people of all ages.
4.1 Continue to identify the needs and interests of people of all ages and the types of
programs they desire/need.
4.2 Maintain an inventory of organizations and groups identifying what programs they are
offering in the community.
4.3 Provide a vaned program offering activities and programs not being provided by other
organizations and groups.
4.4 Assess the facility needs of the community (including the need for a recreation center in a
new or existing building and outdoor facilities for other sports) so as to meet the
recreational needs of the community.
5. To provide opportunities for young people to learn the skills of various sports and
leisure activities.
5.1 Continue to identify the needs and interests of young people as to what sports they would
like to participate in.
5.2 Review periodically the concept of offering programs that stress fundamentals, skills
development and sportsmanship.
5.3 Survey students about their recreation interests.
5.4 Encourage opportunities for teen centers /teen dance clubs.
6. To improve and expand recreational opportunities for adults, the elderly and the
disabled persons with disabilities.
6.1 Assess the needs and interests of adults, elderly and tHe-disobled persons with disabilities
as to what programs they would like to see offered.
6.2 Assess what other groups and organizations in the community are doing to provide
programs for these individuals.
6.3 l~evelep-a Continue to evaluate programming that will offer activities not presently being
offered in the community.
7. To enhance the visual attractiveness of the community and park system.
7.1 Maintain and enhance all park azeas in a manner that fosters community pride in the park
system.
7.2 Provide flowers and other landscaping accents to enhance the beauty of all park areas and
City-owned property.
7.3 Review periodically the street tree program and policy to provide plantings on right-of-
way on all streets in the city.
7.4 Continue improvement program for park equipment, pavilions, and rest rooms.
7.5 Encourage property owners to plant more trees.
8. To optimize the recreational amenities offered by the city's riverfront.
8.1 Coordinate the implementation of the Recreation, Entertainment, Culture and Education
Planning component of the Itiverfront Plan with other public and private organizations.
8.2 Coordinate the implementation of the Environment Planning component of the Riverfront
Plan with other public and private organizations.
8.3 Encourage more attractions at the Port of Dubuque.
8.4 Promote a clean riverfront.
F:/USERS/LCARSTEN/WP/Comp Plan Update 2006/oomplplan uplate/Recreation/RECREATION GOALS conm~rnis LRPAC final rec.doc
CULTURAL ARTS GOALS must address the arts as an important aspect of our
community's basic quality of Gfe. The cultural arts not only enrich our experiences but educate us
about the world we live in. The diversity of the world as represented through the cultural arts is
one way to shaze the culture and knowledge of different peoples and places. The freedom and
opportunity to create and explore the cultural arts should not be understated or ignored.
1. To celebrate the arts as an opportunity to enjoy and enrich community life.
1.1 Promote opportunities for residents of and visitors to Dubuque to enjoy the arts.
1.2 Encourage arts and cultural programming year-round for children and adults in the
Dubuque azea.
1.3 Foster multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary artistic and educational opportunities to expand
cultural horizons and improve the quality of life.
1.4 Encourage opportunities for personal, educational, cultural and recreational enrichment.
1.5 Promote collections, services, experiences and programs that respond to individual and
community needs.
1.6 Promote the arts as a common ground for all members of the community.
2. To provide a variety of affordable and accessible cultural arts activities and
resources for all ages.
2.1 Expand cultural and recreational opportunities for all ages.
2.2 Coordinate and increase public and private support ofwide-ranging, affordable cultural
and recreational events and organizations.
2.3 Support affordable access to cultural arts activities and resources, whenever possible.
2.4 Promote accessible arts activities for members of the community, regardless of disabilities.
2.5 Develop expanded, affordable use of public facilities.
3. To promote affordable and accessible spectator and participatory arts experiences
and cultural events.
3.1 Continue and expand the opportunities to bring cultural events to community facilities.
3.2 Promote art, drama, frlm, music and dance experiences for audiences and participants of
all ages.
3.3 Continue to and expand the role of the Five Flags Center and other venues as a~ejer
centers for cultural events; seaventiens and arts experiences.
3.4 Develop and strengthen a strong community base of support.
4. To utilize the arts to encourage a better understanding of the cultural diversity of
the world.
4.1 Encourage presentations of minority artists and arts reflecting ethnic traditions.
4.2 Foster global awareness activities and intercultural education.
4.3 Foster the celebration of cultural diversity.
5. To support the expression of the cultural arts and access to that expression.
3~ 5.1 Foster accessible cultural opportunities which increase appreciation and broaden
perspectives.
3-3-5.2 Provide the recorded wisdom, experiences and ideas of others -- assembled, organized and
made accessible to all.
3-4 5.3 Maintain opportunities for arts groups to utilize the Five Flags Center, and Five Flags
Theater, and other venues for the expression of art.
3-3 5.4 Promote free expression of and full access to that expression of artists worldwide.
3-6 5.5 Promote and improve public awareness and appreciation of the arts.
3-~ 5.6 Preserve, collect and interpret the fine arts.
5.7 Support local area artists and artistic endeavors.
6. To safeguard the cultural and historic resources of the community as critical to the
quality of life and the attractiveness of Dubuque.
6.1 Promote the preservation of historic buildings and architectural resources in the
community.
6.2 Educate the community about the benefits of historic preservation to the community's
quality of life, economic development efforts, tourism and tax base enhancement.
6.3 Explore, preserve and interpret for present and future generations, the history of Dubuque
and the Mississippi River.
6.4 Increase appreciation, education, technical assistance and funding for the community's
historical and architectural heritage.
6.5 Develop marketing plan for the cultural and historic resources in the community.
7. To encourage the availability of adequate funding and facilities to support arts
activities.
7.1 Promote preservation and reuse of historic buildings and sites in the community for the
cultural arts.
7.2 Strive to maintain cultural arts, entertainment and continuing education services offered by
local cultural and educational institutions.
7.3 Encourage coordinated services and shared resources among cultural arts organizations in
the Dubuque area.
7.4 Encourage establishment of a performing arts center and/or a concert hall for large
venue concerts.
F:/USERS/WP/LCARSTEN/Comp Plan Update 2006/comp pian update/CULTURAL, ARTS/CULTURAL ARTS crnmmeNS LRPAC final rec.doc
PUBLIC SAFETY GOALS must address acceptable and appropriate levels of risk and
response. As the city grows and equipment and facilities age, the need for quality public safety
services continues and may increase. Acknowledge that in addition to fire, police, emergency
communications, and emergency medical services, public safety has a broad defrnition that
includes water, sewer, public health, facility design and maintenance, and inspection services for
zoning, housing, building, engineering, health and environmental codes and regulations. Current
and potential residents and businesses are attracted to the community in part because they wish to
have a sense of security about their lives, families and properties. Public safety efforts should seek
to reduce the amount and effect of external harm to individuals and damage to property, as well
as to promote an atmosphere of personal security from external events.
1. To ensure the fair, equitable and uniform enforcement of rules, regulations and
laws.
1.1 Continue to work toward uniform interpretation of City codes for all building, fire,
housing, health and development services reviews and inspections.
1.2 Contirme to respond promptly to citizen inquires about practices and procedures of public
safety agencies.
1.3 Continue to investigate and respond to complaints about public safety and inspection
personnel.
1.4 Maintain information and records to document the public safety situation of the City and
to record the public safety agencies' response to events.
. Strive to foster
partnerships between public safety agencies and community groups and agencies that
share similar goals.
1.6 Strive for a more diverse workforce.
1.7 Continue to serve the public with integrity, compassion, competence and open
mindedness.
1.8 Provide comprehensive public safety classes involving a wide range of topics related to
human interaction and diversity.
2. To maintain adequate-aed appropriate readiness response capabilities in all areas of
public safety.
2.1 Provide effective and efficient dispatch for public safety personnel for prompt, appropriate
responses to calls from the public.
2.2 Provide adequate safe and efficient buildings, facilities, vehicles, and equipment to
support efforts of public safety agencies, while striving for state-of--the-art technology.
2.3 Ensure communications capabilities with operational personnel and equipment.
2.4 Contimse to improve and maintain the readiness status of all public safety personnel by
monitoring their operational status and providing adequate training.
2.5 Expand the use of ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) equipment, including regional
partnerships.
2.6 Recognize the effrciencies and partnerships created with joint facilities.
2.7 Provide appropriate staffing levels and equipment to serve growth and development.
3. To prevent, control and investigate #azardeus volatile, at risk situations; and
criminal behavior and-aetwtiEies.
3.1 Provide professional public safety personnel Yc:i~~e in the city which protects life
and property and enhances thee-peace community safety.
3.2 Respond to crimes, accidents and other emergency situations and take the appropriate
action promptly and effrctently.
3.3 Identify criminal activity and volatile, at risk situations, and take
appropriate action.
3.4 Provide comprehensive investigation of criminal offenses, apprehension of offenders, and
recovery of stolen property and deterrence of criminal activities.
3.5 6e8al3erate Partner with community members to enhance public safety previde-law
enfersemen~services that meet the needs of various neighborhoods and segments of the
community.
4. To create a safe community environment through increased awareness and
education in order to eliminate violent crime, gang activity, drug use, and-juvenile
crime, and domestic violence
4.1 Inform and cooperate with community crime prevention groups and agencies Laving-a
4.2 Deter organized crime activity and desrease eliminate the availability of illegal substances
and vice activities to citizens.
4.3 Foster a positive attitude in youth toward their own welfare
and the welfare of others,
4.4 Emphasize prevention as the preferred and primary method to eliminate gang activity,
substance abuse and juvenile crime.
4.5 Recognize that this is not just a police problem, and solicit the assistance of other
community groups and City departments as well as all public safety agencies, schools,
and other relevant facilities should be included.
4.6 Maintain public safety partnerships with schools and community-based organizations.
4.7 Promote activities that foster positive relationships between youth and public safety
personnel.
5. To prevent, control, suppress and investigate Tires, affect rescue, mitigate hazardous
material incidents, limit collateral damage, and manage emergencies.
5.1 Prevent fires through public education, fire code enforcement, property inspections and
incident pre-planning.
5.2 Protect the lives and property of Dubuque citizens through the use of trained personnel,
ongoing education, and adequate appropriate equipment, while striving for state-of-the-
art technology.
5.3 Continue to use national standards as a guideline.
5.4 Continue to use and expand the use of cooperative mutual aid agreements in the future
due to growth and development.
5.5 Study response times and deployment, to help determine future needs.
6. To prevent or minimize the impacts of natural or man-made disasters.
6.1 Continue to develop and maintain comprehensive emergency
management planning for local governments which include
severe weather, major mass casualties, hazazdous material incidents, demestie-terrorism
and weapons of mass destruction.
g:3 6.2 Maintain an-adequate a high level of disaster preparedness, to meet or exceed state and
federal requirements.
Fr.4 6.3 Develop mitigation programs and activities which will lessen possible catastrophic results
from possible disaster occurrences.
6-5 6.4 Provide an appropriately-taxed w~.d ~ ..: ~ °~°'xF - a_,.~..u.:..,. ,,._., .,.,c _,.,.~......
.~q....f.ta:.as ~~
disaster response training and
equipment for public safety agencies.
7. To provide emergency first responder and advanced life support medical care to the
community.
7.1 Assure the provision of first responders to provide medical aid for emergency medical
calls and accidents, including adequate staff levels.
7.2 Assure the provision of prompt and efficient ambulance services and emergency medical
care to those in need.
7.3 Maintain readiness status of public safety personnel through adequate appropriate training
to meet required certifications.
8. To provide review and inspection services that regulate the safe and sanitary
construction and maintenance of buildings and structures.
8.1 Regulate and control the design, constructioq quality of material, use, occupancy,
location and maintenance of all buildings, structures and signs.
8.2 Regulate and control the design, construction, installation, quality of material, location,
operation and maintenance of plumbing, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, electrical,
and fire suppression equipment and systems.
8.3 Assure that rental dwelling units, the buildings in which they are located and the building
sites meet housing quality standards.
8.4 Monitor vacant and/or dangerous buildings to return all suitable buildings to code
compliance.
8.5 Assure sanitary conditions and practices in accordance with municipal public health and
environmental codes and regulations.
8.6 Continue coordinated review and inspection services of zoning, housing, building, fire,
engineering, health and water codes and regulations for buildings, structures and sites.
8.7 Collaborate with law enforcement, social service, housing and other agencies to respond
to public safety problems and issues.
9. To educate the community in all areas of ,
' public safety.
9. I Promote and educate the community about self and family preparedness for emergency
situations.
9.2 Promote home storage of essential items to sustain family needs in times of disaster.
1-4 9.3 Educate ~-ssheel-students to foster a positive attitude, lawful-bekavier good
citizenship, and cooperation with law-enfereemext public safety efforts.
9 i 9.4 Educate the community general-puhlis about fire safety, fire and
prevention, crime prevention, disaster preparedness and ert~ergeasy response, severe
weather, and other subjects related to health and safety.
..~..r~ ~~« e _ __ _________
9-4 9.5 Develop educational programs and outreach services to inform targeted groups and the
general public of minimum housing standards and building safety codes.
F:/USEAS/I.CARSTEN/WP/Comp Plan Update 2006/comp plan update/Public Safety/PUBLIC SAFETY GOALS connnc`ns I.RPAC final reu.doc
DIVERSITY GOALS must address the differences and the similarities found in our
community. As siti~eas-ef-Btebuclue a community ; we share common hopes and dreams for our
future even though we may not look, er dress or think alike. Our diversity can be our strength as
we i~,.~.::.;,v:-::aTS-a~nd-large develop new friendships. The world is no longer a place where
Dubuque, or any other community, can exist in isolation; rather, the world has come to Dubuque
in all its many colors, its-x~any ideas, its--many challenges and opportunities. Dubuque must
continue to expand its intercultural competency to meet the needs of an ever-changing
community.
1. To promote community understanding of the content and spirit of the City's Human
Relations Ordinance.
1. I Identify and clarify the more complex provisions of the City's Human Relations
Ordinanc~,T..
1.2 Educate the community on their rights and responsibilities, as protected and as legislated
in the Human Relations Chapter, particularly as new groups are added
1.3 Strive to eliminate misconceptions about the Human Relations Ordinance.
1.4 Expand the public relations efforts of the Human Rights Commission in the community,
to increase the public's awareness of the Commission, its mandate and its spirit.
2. To ensure coropliance with civil and criminal anti-discrimination laws.
2.1 Increase community knowledge of anti-discrimination laws.
2.2 Reduce the number of violations of the Human Relations Ordinance.
2.3 Increase awareness of what hate crimes are and reduce number of hate incidents.
3. To understand, respect and welcome diversity people and eliminate fear based on
differences.
3. I Foster a harmonious, diverse community by educating people on the d~erent life
experiences of community members, and community standards and expectations.
3.2 Cultivate public acceptance and appreciation of diversity.
3.3 Identify diversity problems of in the community and attempt to coordinate efforts to
lessen the tension resulting from those problems.
3.4 Provide an avenue, such as the Dubuque Dispute Resolution Center, for sitizens
community members to manage their conflicts in a manner that fosters awin-win
outcome.
3.5 Identify tools and educate •°'-~,.~h-^~:; community members ^°~ ~•'~'~°°'~ ' on
the value of resolving conflict peacefully.
3.6 Work with community members to keep the Multicultural Family Center viable and
operating.
3.7 Educate community members with regard to differing social dynamics, issues and fears.
4. To educate community members about diversity and open avenues of
communication and interaction within the community.
4.1 Encourage a spirit of openness and cooperation among the diverse citizenry people of the
community.
4.2 .Utilize the City's
intercultural competency training as a model for the community to promote better
communication across cultural differences.
4.3 Inform the community of the advantages to associated with being a community .•~h
that welcomes and encourages diversity.
4.4 Support a community that values all citiaens people and promotes a comprehensive
education t#aHflsludes including multi-cultural diversity.
4.5 Increase awareness of socioeconomic d~erences to foster understanding, such as
offering poverty awareness training throughout the community.
5. To recognize, appreciate and celebrate diversity as an opportunity to experience and
share both our differences and our similarities as a unified community.
5.1 Promote the positive results of accepting and sharing diversity among community
members.
5.2 Strengthen the City's working relationship with the neighborhoods, local agencies,
businesses and schools, to increase productivity and effectiveness through a joint effort,
and to foster the spirit of cooperation and collaboration.
5.3 Foster a recognition that, although people aze different, they share many similaz
experiences and values.
5.4 Foster a community atmosphere that is non-threatening and open to change, challenge,
and diversity -- a community that offers people the opportunity to experience diversity.
5.5 Continue to provide forums °' -°'-~~-..rrr '~ °rr; where community members can celebrate
diversity and discuss those things which make them different, yet whisk also enrich them.
6. To promote equal opportunity hiring practices and inclusiveness in both the public
and private sectors as a means to diversify the workplace and expand role-model
and leadership opportunities.
6.1 Encourage a more diverse workforce.
6-3 6.2 Encourage estpleyers-recognition by employers that economic development and growth
are dependent on a diverse and tolerant workforce as well as a welcoming community.
6.3 Utilize the City's intercultural competency training as a model for the rest of community
to promote inclusiveness in the workplace.
F:/USERS/LCARSTEN/WP/Comp Plan Update 2006/rnmp plan update/Diversity/DIVERSITY GOALS comments LRPAC final rec.doc