2 23 08 City Coucnil Minutes Official
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
OFFICIAL
City Council, Special Session, February 23, 2008
Council met in Special Session at 9:00 A.M. in the Historic Federal Building
Present: Mayor Buol, Council Members Braig, Connors, Jones, Lynch, Resnick,
Voetberg, City Manager Van Milligen
Mayor Buol read the call and stated this is a special session of the City Council called
for the purpose of discussing various City departmental budgets.
Council Member Resnick questioned whether there was still consensus to hold the
funding requests of St. Mark’s Community Center and the Maria House, and the CIP
regarding pet parks for separate discussion. After discussion by Council, consensus
was reached on holding the pet parks for discussion at the final public hearing, but not
for St. Mark’s Community Center or Maria House/Theresa Shelter.
The budgets for the following departments were discussed: Airport Department, Water
Department, Water Pollution Control Plant, Public Works Department, and Engineering
Department.
Airport Department: Buol questioned whether there was consensus to fund
Improvement Package #1 of 9 with carryover funds from Fiscal Year 2008 and to hold
this item for separate discussion at the public hearing. Consensus was reached.
Voetberg asked if by funding Improvement Package #6 of 9 it would mean a reduction
in staff. It was explained that staff hours saved by this package would be used in other
areas and no positions or hours eliminated.
Water Department: Voetberg questioned the increase in salary expense for the Water
Department Manager and Water Plant Manager. Van Milligen explained it was
necessary to raise the salary grades during the recruitment process for the position of
Water Plant Manager in order to get qualified candidates.
Water Pollution Control Plant: Voetberg questioned the increase in salary expense
for the Water Pollution Control Plant Manager and Assistant WPCP Manager. Van
Milligen explained that the employees in these positions were relatively new to the
positions and were still going through the normal five step wage scale.
Public Works Department: Resnick questioned whether the difference in cost
between the proposed hybrid power solid waste collection vehicle ($190,000) and a
non-hybrid (approximately $130,000) was money worth spending. Vogt explained that
he felt the savings would be significant in fuel cost and environmental issues. Jones
commented on the value of the food scrap program. Char Eddy, 565 Sunset Ridge,
requested that the City take over responsibility for plowing the alley behind St.
Anthony’s. Jones requested a staff report on this request.
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Engineering Department: Braig requested information on the Cleveland Avenue
Reconstruction Project and it was explained that the street is currently 40 feet in width
and it is proposed to make this a 37 foot street. This is an assessable project. She also
questioned why the Warehouse District street improvements seemed to be higher in
cost. City Engineer Gus Psihoyos said it could be due in part to the railroad tracks in
the area.
Mayor Buol thanked the department managers and staff for another good year.
There being no further business, Connors moved to adjourn. Seconded by Braig.
Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 11:26 a.m.
/s/ Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk
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