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2016 Federal Legislative Priorities Copyright 2014 City of Dubuque Consent Items # 6. ITEM TITLE: 2016 Federal Legislative Priorities SUMMARY: City Manager recommending adoption of the 2016 Federal Legislative Priorities. SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File ATTACHMENTS: Description Type 2016 Federal Legislati a Priorities-MVM Memo Staff Memo Supporting Documentation Supporting Documentation THE CITY DOF Dubuque B &E Imerica City Ur Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007-2012-2013 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: 2016 Federal Legislative Priorities DATE: February 11, 2016 Assistant City Manager Teri Goodmann has worked with the Department Managers and City of Dubuque strategic partners to develop a set of recommended 2016 Federal Legislative Priorities and is recommending adoption of the attached priorities. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council adoption of the 2016 Federal Legislative Priorities. / k�4 S4-Z�2=" Mic ael C. Van Milligen MCVM:sv Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager THE CITY OF Dubuque DUB E i"� I11I® Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007.2012•2013 2016 Federal Legislative Priorities Table of Contents ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT .............................................................................................. 13 HOUSING ................................................................................................................................ 12 PLANNING.............................................................................................................................. 16 PUBLIC HEALTH ................................................................................................................... 15 STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP PRIORITIES.....................................................................26 SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES ....................................................... 19 TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND CONNECTIVITY .........................................................22 TRANSPORTATION................................................................................................................2 1 THE CITY OF Dubuque All-Am DuB TE 11111.1 Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007•2012•2013 TRANSPORTATION The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act is a five year legislation to improve the Nation's surface transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, transit systems and rail transportation network. This legislation was passed in December 2015 and provides direction for transportation activities for the next six years. The bill reforms and strengthens transportation programs, refocuses national priorities, provides long term certainty and greater flexibility for states and local governments, streamlines project approval processes and maintains strong commitment to safety. Reauthorization of the transportation bill provides builds on and strengthen the innovations begun in MAP-21 in areas such as performance-based planning, safety, design, and freight planning. FAST Act supports policies, such as, transit, Transportation Alternatives, and TIGER grants, which expand choices, bolster public health, and strengthen communities. East-West Corridor Study— University Avenue Overlap Section On August 29, 2007, the City Council listed the completion of the East — West Corridor Connectivity Study as a "High-Priority" on its Goals and Priorities for Policy Agenda 2007-2008. The US 20 corridor is the primary east-west route in the City of Dubuque and future traffic projects indicate US 20 alone will not provide sufficient capacity for east-west travel in the city. Capacity along alternate east-west corridors will need to be improved to provide connectivity between the western growth areas and the downtown. On February 18, 2008, the City Council approved the consultant selection of HDR (Omaha, Nebraska)/IIW Engineers & Surveyors, PC (IIW - Dubuque) to complete the study. On July 22, 2008, an agreement was signed between the City and HDR Engineering, Inc. (HDR) of Omaha, Nebraska, to provide professional engineering, consulting, and related services to the East-West Corridor Connectivity Study. The purpose of the study was to: analyze the east-west traffic flow in the City; identify corridor improvements or modifications to support growing traffic demands; and to consider transit needs, pedestrian needs, and sustainability. In addition to reviewing the east-west corridor needs for the City of Dubuque, Asbury Road west of the Northwest Arterial, including Asbury Road within the City of Asbury, was reviewed to determine recommended improvements for this corridor. The City of Asbury has paid for this portion of the study. On November 17, 2009 the Engineering Department presented the East-West Corridor Connectivity Study Draft Report the City Council during a work session. As part of the council memo for the work session, the Engineering Department requested "input from the City Council and approval to create an implementation plan for the recommendations contained in the East- West Corridor Connectivity Report." 2 One of the recommended corridor improvements from the study was the conversion of three intersections along University Avenue to roundabouts. The City took action on this recommendation in 2015 as part of its goal setting and listed the East-West Corridor study implementation as a top priority. Currently DMATS funding has been identified for the preliminary engineering phase of the project. The City is looking at all available funding sources for the improvements themselves along this federal aid route. 14th Street Railroad Overpass The Canadian Pacific (CP) Railroad travels through the urban core of the city with numerous at- grade crossings on local city streets in the downtown area. With approximately 15-20 trains passing through Dubuque on a daily basis, this impedes the ability for pedestrians, vehicles, commercial traffic and emergency responders to access the northeast segment of the city. Rail transport through Dubuque will continue to negatively impact existing at-grade crossings which could potentially be blocked more frequently and for longer periods of time. The City of Dubuque's East –West Corridor would be crippled. A 14h Street Overpass would provide an unimpeded elevated crossing over the railroad tracks and thus provide unimpeded access to the Kerper Blvd. Commercial Business Park, the redeveloped 16th Street Corridor, the tourism and recreational amenities on Schmidt Island, Highway 61/151 into Wisconsin, the Washington and Northend neighborhoods, the Historic Millwork District and downtown. Included in the project is implementation of the Complete Streets Concept from, and including, the five points intersection to 11 th Street or Elm Street. The City will pursue funding opportunities at the federal level through application to TIGER, TCSP and other transportation infrastructure programs. Bee Branch Bike — Pedestrian Railroad Overpass The bike/pedestrian bridge over the CP Railroad will provide an off-street trail between the 26- mile Dubuque County Heritage Trail and the Mississippi River that does not exist at this time. The Dubuque County Heritage Trail links Dubuque to Dyersville. The project will be part of the City's 53.3-mile network of on-street routes and off-road trails connecting the north end of the city with the riverfront, the downtown area, City parks, and the Mines of Spain State Recreational Area on the south end of Dubuque. The Bee Branch Creek Trail—MRT (Mississippi River Trail) Route will join with miles of other trails that line Dubuque neighborhoods, skirt the Mississippi River, and wind through steep hills all within the city limits. The trail project will enhance connections to the pedestrian grid via vehicular and pedestrian bridges- links to public spaces, like Comiskey Park, and the Great River Road. The Bee Branch Creek Trail -- MRT Route will extend the North End Neighborhood Trail, an off-road trail from 24th Street to 32nd Street in a former railroad right-of-way along Elm Street. The project will be built on a currently vacant and level site that will be accessible from sidewalks and bike/hike trails that will link to neighborhood streets. This vital connector will link one of the most economically challenged areas of our community to jobs, shopping opportunities and recreation. 3 Southwest Arterial - Project Status Update l > u ue Industrial Center I Dubuque Industrial Center West j f LJF_ rP`� m Dubuque Tech nobgy Park �a _ Jy i Key Southwest Arterial da HighwayslStreeWRoads Q" Dubuque City Limits dei` N ate^ A J The Dubuque City Council, the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors, the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (DMATS), the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation have all identified the completion of the Southwest Arterial project as the No. 1 surface transportation priority in the Dubuque area. The proposed Southwest Arterial project will be a 6.1-mile four-lane divided freeway with priority 1- access control between Highway 61/151 and Highway 20. Economic Development The Southwest Arterial project will significantly improve the efficiency and safety of the regional highway transportation network that is vital for the statewide, national and global distribution of local commerce and the continued growth and sustainability of the strong regional economy. q3 rA Traffic Congestion on Local Street Network 4 Mobility Benefits The Southwest Arterial project will connect two growing sections of the community together and will support future anticipated expansion growth to the southwest of the city toward the Dubuque Regional Airport. The Southwest Arterial will also provide an efficient bypass around the city, thereby reducing travel times and minimizing delay by reducing traffic volumes and congestion on the local street system. Environmental Benefits The Southwest Arterial project will provide an alternate, direct and efficient route for traffic through southwestern Dubuque, which will provide significant travel time savings by avoiding the numerous signalized intersections on Highway 61/151 , Highway 20 and Central Avenue (Hwy 52/3) through Dubuque, thereby providing fuel energy savings, reducing vehicle emissions and improving air quality. The Southwest Arterial project will be designed and constructed with forward thinking sustainability initiative incorporated, which will include an environmentally and resource-sensitive highway corridor, an integrated bike / pedestrian trail with amenities, and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technology. Current Status The preliminary engineering design phase is completed and the Southwest Arterial project is now proceeding with the final engineering design phase, right-of-way property acquisition, and archaeological and cultural resource phase III mitigation work. Final Engineering Design The technical design team is currently working on the final engineering design elements, including: interchange layout and configuration, bridge and structures design, geotechnical subsurface investigation, sustainable highway design concepts, architectural and landscape enhancement concepts, wetland delineations, and mitigation. Property Acquisition The City is currently proceeding with right-of-way property acquisition for the remaining 28 of the 60 impacted properties. As of December 2015, the City has purchased 32 properties and has expended approximately $8.5 million in eligible acquisition costs. The City is currently working on the partial acquisition of 14 impacted parcels along the U.S. 20 corridor which are needed for the Menards Frontage Road project which is currently scheduled for a June 2016 bid letting. Another seven properties will be acquired for the SW Arterial — U.S. 20 Interchange grading project which is currently scheduled for a July 2016 bid letting. All property is scheduled to be completely acquired by October 2016. There are currently five properties that are temporarily on hold while the City works to obtain gas pipeline utility relocation agreements. Once the agreements are in place, the necessary easements can be obtained from the respective property owners. The City is optimistic that said agreements can be in place in 2016. Archaeological and Cultural Resource Mitigation In the summer of 2010, work began on the archaeological and cultural resource mitigation phase of the project. As of December 2014, approximately 90 percent of the mitigation sites have been completed. The remaining mitigation sites will be completed as those respective properties are acquired and prior to the start of construction. 5 Construction The first phase of construction, the North Cascade Road project was substantially completed in November 2013. The project provided for the reconstruction (grading, paving & bridge) and realignment of North Cascade Road which will allow the Southwest Arterial to travel under the new North Cascade Road Bridge. The second construction phase, the English Mill Road reconstruction project, was bid in July 2015 and the construction contract was awarded to Taylor Construction in the amount of $3,536,064.29. Work on the project began in September 2015 and will involve side road improvements that will allow the highway to travel under the new English Mill Road Bridge. The third construction phase, the Military Road reconstruction project, is scheduled for bid letting in the spring of 2016 and will involve side road improvements that will allow the highway to travel under the new Military Road Bridge. The City, Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) staff and the consultant design team are developing and finalizing the construction production schedule for construction of the main line Southwest Arterial between Highway 61/151 and Highway 20. The first construction project to be let by the Iowa DOT will be a box culvert structure at Granger Creek / Highway 61/151 in the summer of 2015, followed by the Menards frontage road in 2016. Transfer of Jurisdiction The greatest recent accomplishment for the Southwest Arterial project was the execution of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which was formalized with a signing ceremony on August 9, 2013. This historic achievement would not have occurred without the collaborative partnership between the Iowa DOT staff, the City of Dubuque and its partners. The following is a brief summary of the overall intent and principle objectives set forth when developing the MOU: The Iowa DOT and City, in joint cooperation, will Transfer the Jurisdiction of the Southwest Arterial from the City to the State in exchange for the Transfer of Jurisdiction of the Northwest Arterial (or Iowa 32), and portions of existing U.S. 52 / Iowa 3 through downtown Dubuque, from the State to the City. The Transfer of Jurisdiction will occur after the Southwest Arterial is completed and open to traffic. Funding As a result of hard work from Dubuque's congressional delegation and the strong support and partnership of former U.S. Senator Harkin, U.S. Senator Grassley, former Congressman Nussle and former Congressman Braley, the City has secured approximately $32.8 million in federal funding for the Southwest Arterial project. The Iowa Department of Transportation Commission approved in the current Iowa 5-Year Highway Transportation Improvement Program $97.4 million in funding programmed for the Southwest Arterial project. 6 The following table summarizes the maximum City and County local match funding, including both federal earmark and Iowa DOT funding for continuing the advancement and completion of the Southwest Arterial: Total Funding Projection Summary Status Amount Total Federal Funds Committed $ 32,860,720 ** Total Local Funds Committed $ 7,152,913 ** Total State Funds Committed $ 94,600,000 Total Federal /State/ Local Funding: $134,613,633 " Following the completion of the North Cascade, English Mill and Military Road construction projects, along with the completion of final engineering design, right-of-way property acquisition, and mitigation work, it is projected that all current federal appropriated funding and local match for the Southwest Arterial will be expended. Subject to future continued funding availability in the Iowa DOT's 5-Year Transportation Program, the Iowa DOT projects that the Southwest Arterial (two-lanes) could be open to traffic by the end of 2019. Requested Action: The City of Dubuque requests any additional financial assistance that can be provided on the federal and state level, as well as continued support of the Iowa Department of Transportation Commission to maintain its current programmed funding for the Southwest Arterial in the Iowa 5-Year Highway Transportation Improvement Program, which includes $94.6 million programmed in for the Southwest Arterial. Dubuque is also seeking an additional $25 million to complete the project to four-lane. The City also requires $3 million for the SW Arterial Trail. In addition, we request federal support for funding of priority projects including 14h Street Overpass and Bee Branch Pedestrian Overpass. Capacity Improvements - U.S. Highway 20 Transportation infrastructure connectivity is essential to a vibrant economy and thriving community. Requested Action: The City of Dubuque supports completion of four-lane construction on Highway 20 to Chicago. TIGER Program The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER Discretionary Grant program, provides competitive grant funding for local governments to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that focus on addressing critical national objectives. Since 2009, Congress has dedicated more than $4.1 billion for six rounds to fund projects that have a significant impact on communities. Dubuque received a TIGER I grant in 2010 for $5.6 million to restore streets and utilities in the Historic Millwork District. These funds were key to leveraging over $100 million in private development in this reclaimed area of Dubuque's urban core. 7 Requested Action: The City of Dubuque supports continued funding of the TIGER program. Public Transit Funding The FAST Act increases dedicated bus funding by 89% over the life of the bill. It provides stable formula funding and competitive grant program to address bus and bus facility needs. This bill does not appear to increase operational formula funding to support existing or service expansion efforts. The City of Dubuque is partnered with the Iowa DOT, East Central Intergovernmental Association and IBM Watson Research Center to analyze travel patterns in the community and develop a replicable model for responding to travel demand through planning of transportation investment that incorporates all modes - car, bus, bike and pedestrian. The goal of this research is to create a more efficient and cost effective public transit system modeling tool for cities under 100,000 population. Requested Action: This nationally acclaimed research effort and integrated approach to addressing community travel needs will provide opportunities to expand public transit service to our citizens. Without additional operating funding to support current services and new operating grant opportunities to expand services, implementation of this project could be limited. Technical assistance for cities interested in undertaking bus rapid transit projects earlier in the planning stages would also be appreciated. Currently, most planning must be complete and Small Starts funding already secured for a city to be eligible for this type of assistance. Expansion of the Julien Dubuque Bridge The City of Dubuque continues to anticipate the need for expanded access to Illinois across the Mississippi River. Proposals dating back a decade include construction of an additional span on the Julien Dubuque Bridge. It is incumbant upon City leaders to continue to plan and prioritize with the knowledge that any desired outcome must include planning, prioritization and support from our neighbors across the river, and from the Illinois Department of Transportation and federal partners at U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). While this project is several years away, planning for a project of this magnitude requires inclusion in our federal legislative priorities. Requested Action: We ask that our elected representatives in Congress partner with the City to advance discussion and planning around Julien Dubuque Bridge expansion and that they responsibly support increased funding for all transportation infrastructure. Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP): Recreational Trails, Safe Routes to School and Community Improvements Program The FAST Act eliminates the MAP-21 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and replaces it with a set-aside of Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program funding for 8 transportation alternatives (TA). These set-aside funds include all projects and activities that were previously eligible under TAP, encompassing a variety of smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school projects, community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management, and environmental mitigation related to storm water and habitat connectivity. Requested Action: Support full funding of the Surface Transportation Block grant (STBG) program funding for transportation alternatives. Dubuque Regional Airport Dubuque encourages the following considerations in developing the 2016 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization: Through the annual Appropriation process, Dubuque encourages increasing spending levels for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), Essential Air Service, Small Community Air Service Development Grants, Contract Tower Program, and other programs that safely operate, develop and maintain facilities at airports around the country. AIP A major component of the FAA is the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides funding for airport expansion, rehabilitation and capital projects. In Iowa, 69 general aviation airports and eight commercial service airports are eligible for funding from the AIP program. AIP and its predecessors FAAP and ADAP, has worked well for Iowa airport since 1947 and Dubuque would like to see increased funding of this program. Requested Action: 1 . Dubuque encourages reinstating the local match levels in past legislation of five percent (Vision 100). 2. Fund the AIP program to provide $3.6 billion in 2016 with $100 million in increases every year throughout the reauthorization period. We have been static for ten years. 3. Since these are monies already collected and deposited in the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, we must protect these funds and budget from Sequestration or FAA Operating uses. 4. Allow Small and Non-Hub airports the ability to use AIP entitlement and Passenger Facility Funds (PFC) funds to develop or improve revenue producing facilities in order to make airports more self-sustaining. 9 I I N1 47. fuel �. Legend . i 1.Lam kgOsdon(103 acres) , 2.Rwy.31 ParaleMomecbrg •'�• Taxiways 3.TenninalAocess Roadway i 1 '•� � 4.AircraftApron 5.Terminal Raiding(26,000 SF) 6.Tertnirial Roadway 7.Auto Parkrg(450 spaces) • I I Contract Tower Funding: Compromises in public safety services like Air Traffic Control (ATC) are never to be used as a means to protect the FAA administrative structure. ATC cuts should be the last option on the table, not the first. 251 public use airports had been identified for tower closures in 2013 by the FAA Administrator, three are in Iowa. This is not acceptable. The only contract tower in Iowa on that list is the Dubuque tower which is operated by a private firm on contract with the Federal Aviation Administration. Continued funding for this program is essential for public safety. Dubuque has the third busiest airport in Iowa. Requested Action: Safety and common sense dictates continued funding of the ATC program and the contract tower program or restoration of FAA staffing of these facilities. Funding cannot come from a reduction in AIP Discretionary funds. Passenger Facility Charges (PFC): These FAA authorized funds are levied and collected locally and are used to construct runways, taxiways, terminals, security improvements, and many other items travelers encounter daily. The current collection amount of $4.50 per passenger and is not indexed to inflation which restricts the amount of money available for large capital projects. Since the PFC came into existence in 19907 it has had only one increase to its current amount. In the meantime, construction costs have more than tripled. Requested Action: Increasing the PFC to $8.50 and indexing it to inflation would ensure long term funding viability for even the smallest of commercial service airports. Allowing these funds to be used for revenue generating items like parking lots, airline offices, etc. would significantly reduce the impact on smaller airports, their tenants, and their sponsors. 10 Air Service Development Program The U.S. Department of Transportation manages the Small Community Air Service Development Program. This program helps small and non-hub airports with monetary support of airline recruitment endeavors. The USDOT's grant application has very restrictive guidelines, which limit airport participation to one-time projects. If those methods work to attract one carrier, you may not seek a grant to offer the same incentives to another carrier. Requested Action: Eliminating that restriction would allow communities to implement previously viable methods for recruiting new/expanded air service. Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010 This legislation mandated that the Federal Aviation Administration require pilots to complete 1 ,500 flight hours before they're allowed to apply for an airline position has decimated the regional airline industry. Iowa has already lost service in Fort Dodge and Mason City. Airlines are unable to hire qualified pilots and more communities will lose service unless this legislation is repealed. This legislation does nothing to promote safety and is destroying an industry. Requested Action: Repeal the 1 ,500 hour requirement in the Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010. Continued Diversion of Federal Taxes on Aviation Jet Fuel The City of Dubuque strongly opposes the convoluted tax process of aviation jet fuel. Fuel taxes from the sale of jet fuel are currently credited to the Highway Trust Fund. In order for the taxes to be properly credited to the Aviation Trust Fund, the fuel vendor or buyer must apply with the IRS for a refund of the tax, and only then are the funds transferred to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. The process is confusing and places the burden on the fuel vendor or buyer to get the fuel taxes credited to the proper trust fund. In addition, the aviation community seriously questions if fuel tax fraud involving jet fuel and the trucking industry is actually occurring and has seen no statistical evidence to support those claims. Requested Action: Place a tax on aviation kerosene at the same $0.244 rate as highway diesel eliminating any incentive for suspected fraud. The resulting tax revenues could then be deposited into the respective trust funds directly eliminating the burdensome reporting and record keeping requirements that now exist, in addition the resulting increase in fuel tax would help strengthen the Aviation Trust Fund helping to eliminate the need for user fees in the future. Outsourcing Air Traffic Control and Introducing User Fees We believe user fees will damage the fragile general aviation environment. Jet A or aviation fuel already exceeds $6.00 per gallon and in some locations $8.00 per gallon. Operating costs for flight training, medevac, agricultural, small package shipping, and business aircraft use has skyrocketed over the past seven years. Assessing fees for use of the air traffic control system will end this form of aviation for all but the very wealthy. The effects of such fees in Europe and Canada have devastated private and corporate aviation. 11 Requested Action: Oppose user fees on the air traffic control system. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) The TSA is considering removing the CT-80 system used for baggage screening from the "1 airport and replacing it with hand inspection of all bags. This proposal would be time and labor • _NCO intensive without any improvement in productivity or efficiency. Hand inspection requires extra staff, opening each bag, inspecting its contents, closing each bag, and an additional Explosive Detection Test system. Additionally, Dubuque (DBQ) has consistently been unable to recruit and retain the part-time staff required to meet the current TSA screening needs. Adding to that burden by removing a critical piece of equipment is inefficient. Lastly, DBQ traffic numbers rose 2012-2013 3.8 percent, 2013-2014 6.8 percent, and 2014- 2015 so far 7.1 percent. We are growing and should not be hampered by equipment transfer decisions made in a vacuum. The equipment is onsite, in use, and fully employed by TSA staff. Requested Action: Halt any attempt by the TSA nationally or regionally to reallocate equipment which diminishes the efficiency of TSA Screening Personnel at the Dubuque Regional Airport. HOUSING Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding The City of Dubuque relies on CDBG money to fund many of its vital programs. Projects that are at least partially funded by CDBG include rehabilitation of rental and owner-occupied housing, homeowner education classes, lead paint hazard abatement, commercial and industrial building rehabilitation and economic development, childcare referral services, dispute resolutions services, to support operations of several non-profits providing direct services to income-eligible individuals and families, as part of the community development/neighborhood strategy program.. In the last ten years, the City's formula allocation of CDBG funding has been cut by nearly 32 percent, or $444,283. This severe cut has hurt local communities — local economies, local projects, and, most importantly, the low- and moderate-income households that reside in these communities and need the assistance. Due to reductions in funding, we expect to serve 2,718 fewer low and moderate income people than we served in 2010. In addition, we expect to serve 693 fewer households with housing development programs like down-payment assistance or homeowner rehabilitation. The CDBG formula funding has never been adjusted for inflation (since the inception of the program in 1974), even though construction costs, wages, and other program costs have escalated sharply in the past four decades. Continued funding of CDBG is needed to provide the 12 flexibility for communities to fund a myriad of activities, fill gaps where needed, and attract additional resources to projects. The U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Community Development Association are calling for $3.3 billion, in formula funding for the Community Development Block Grant program and continued administrative funding for CDBG. Currently, CDBG communities can use up to 20 percent of the grant on administrative and planning costs. Communities need the flexibility to use up to 20 percent of their grant to meet the administrative and planning requirements of the program. Requested Action: The City of Dubuque requests that our congressional members support the CDBG program during the budget and appropriation process, seeking support of $3.3 billion in formula funding in 2016 and continued administrative funding levels. The City of Dubuque also requests increased funding for the administration of the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT New Markets Tax Credit Program The New Markets Tax Credit program provides a potential financing tool for major economic development projects in Dubuque including the Historic Millwork District restoration and revitalization, the Dubuque Pack site redevelopment and the Briggs project on the Fourth Street peninsula. Unfortunately, the program has not benefited rural states and communities in the same manner it has benefited larger metro centers. Expanding and streamlining the program and helping to ensure it is accessible to smaller communities in rural states would benefit the City of Dubuque and its partners in the private sector. Additionally, the flexibility of the program is desirable, but its accompanying complexity tends to increase legal, accounting, and Community Development Entity (CDE) fees, since each project is unique and thus requires extensive planning and oversight to achieve and maintain program compliance. These increased fees reduce the amount of equity available for the project, often rather significantly. Finding ways to streamline the program would benefit projects and communities that make use of this funding tool. Requested Action: Continued support for this important program for urban restoration. Federal Historic Tax Credits The Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit is the nation's largest federal incentive promoting urban and rural revitalization through private investment in reusing historic buildings. The credit encourages reinvestment in downtowns, generates jobs, and is instrumental in preserving the historic places that give cities, towns and rural areas their unique character. Requested Action: • Raise the credit from 20 percent to 30 percent for projects with Qualified Rehabilitation Expenditures under $5,000,000. 13 • Allow full compatibility of federal Historic Tax Credits with federal Consumer Energy Efficiency Tax Credits. • Redefine "old" buildings as those more than 50-years old vs. the current 1936 standard. • Strike three of the four disqualified lease rules (all except the "sale leaseback") from the program. • Increase federal tax credits from 20 percent to 30 percent for the first $5 million in expenditures for a project and to 24 percent for the remaining portion of a project. Marketplace Fairness Act The Marketplace Fairness Act is proposed legislation that would enable state governments to collect sales taxes and use taxes from remote retailers with no physical presence in their state. This legislation would essentially "level the playing field" for our small business retailers, who compete for business with online sellers, by applying sales tax to the online competitors' customer purchases. Small businesses have generated over 65 percent of the net new jobs since 1995. Supporting the Marketplace Fairness Act would support local, small business and improve the economy. Requested Action: Support the Marketplace Fairness Act. Arts & Culture The Dubuque City Council has prioritized the arts and has commissioned and funded an Arts Master Plan. The arts make an annual economic impact of$47 million, support 1550 jobs, distribute $36.7 million in household income to local residents and return $5 million in state and local government revenue. Requested Action: Support Funding of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Support of the NEA widens citizen access to the cultural, educational, and economic benefits of the arts, and advances creativity and innovation in communities across the United States. Federal funding for the arts leverages private funding. On average, each NEA grant leverages at least seven dollars from other state, local and private sources. Private support cannot match the leveraging role of government cultural funding. The arts mean jobs! The nonprofit arts industry generates $166.2 billion annually in economic activity, supports 5.7 million full-time equivalent jobs in the arts and related industries, and returns $12.6 billion in federal income taxes. Measured against direct federal cultural spending of about $1 .4 billion, we see a return of nearly nine to one. 14 PUBLIC HEALTH Crescent Community Health Center Community Health Centers (CHC's) across the country have consistently demonstrated the value of the care they provide. Community Health Centers are an affordable and accessible source of primary and preventive health care for 23 million underserved individuals, including more than 181 ,000 here in Iowa. In 2014, Crescent served over 5,750 patients for a total of almost 15,000 patient visits. Requested Action: Address the funding shortfall for Health Centers and ensure that Health Centers can continue to meet the health care needs of millions of Americans, including 180,000 patients in Iowa. Failure to fund health centers will result in site closures, staff layoffs, and massive service reductions. Cost — effective programs with proven positive outcomes such as the Health Center Program must be preserved and strengthened. Since its inception in 1972, the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) has been building healthy communities by connecting primary health care providers to areas of the United States with limited access to care. By supporting scholars and loan repayment recipients, the NHSC plays an important role in supporting the mission of Community Health Centers throughout the country. In 2012, NHSC clinicians provided primary, oral, mental, and behavioral health care to 10.4 million underserved people. The program is a tremendous success story, and has been since 1972. NHSC loan repayment and scholar programs are essential recruitment tools for community Health Centers and must be sustained. In Iowa, more than 50 providers working in CHCs are current recipients of NHSC support or have completed their obligations and chose to continue practicing at CHCs. Requested Action: We ask that Congress act to ensure the future of the National Health Service Corps. Continue funding for the National Health Service Corps and the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education programs, both of which support the primary care workforce necessary to serve underserved communities with high-quality integrated care. The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) provides malpractice coverage to Section 330 health center grantees (CHCs) along with their officers, directors, employees, and certain contractors who have been deemed Federal employees for the purposes of medical malpractice coverage. CHCs face many challenges in recruiting a sufficient number of primary health care providers to meet their growing patient population. One solution to help alleviate this workforce shortage is the use of volunteer providers. Many health professionals are willing to volunteer at Crescent Community Health Center, but they are dissuaded from doing so because of the high cost of supplemental medical liability insurance, the burden of which must be borne by either the provider or the health center. Recent CBO estimates indicate that extending FTCA coverage to volunteers may cost approximately $30 million over five years. Because the health center FTCA judgment fund is appropriated as a subpart of annual Health Center program appropriations, this law could be implemented without the addition of new annual appropriations. 15 Requested Action: We urge Congress to expand FTCA coverage to include volunteer health professionals in Health Centers by passing the Family Health Care Accessibility Act, introduced in the House (H.R. 2703) by Reps. Tim Murphy and Gene Green and the Senate (S. 2151) by Sens. John Thune and Robert Casey. PLANNING Certified Local Government Program The Certified Local Government (CLG) program was established as part of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 to create federal, state and local governmental partnerships, provide historic preservation training and technical assistance, and encourage preservation and wise use of historic resources at the local level. In Iowa, the Certified Local Government program is one of the historic preservation offerings of the State Historic Preservation Office, part of the State Historical Society of Iowa, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. To participate in the CLG program, a local government must have a local historic preservation program that complies with CLG program requirements. To qualify for or obtain "certified status", the local government must demonstrate that its local historic preservation program meets certain standards. For the local government, its staff and Historic Preservation Commission, there are some direct benefits of participating in the CLG program. There is free historic preservation training and technical assistance from the State's historic preservation staff. Participating cities and counties receive a start-up preservation reference library for use in developing and administering the program. Cities and counties in the CLG program qualify for a small, competitive, matching CLG grant program that is open only CLG program participants. These federal pass-through grants can be used to underwrite all historic preservation activities except rehabilitation. In Iowa, the CLG program has helped cities and counties to develop their local historic preservation programs as a tool to help promote downtown revitalization; to protect, stabilize and revive historic neighborhoods; and to provide an authentic foundation for heritage tourism. Requested Action: The City of Dubuque supports continued federal funding for the Certified Local Government (CLG) Program. Land and Water Conservation Fund Land and water conservation fund has been critical to the development of outdoor recreational opportunities in Dubuque. Past grant awards have funded softball field development for youth and adults, open space development in the area of historically significant places along the Mississippi River and expansion of the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center at the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area. Each of these developments has been very important to expansion of outdoor recreation. Continued funding of this program is critical to Dubuque as a partnering source for accomplishing outdoor recreation for our citizens. 16 Requested Action: The City of Dubuque supports reauthorization of and full and dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Livable Community Initiatives Building Stronger, Healthier, and More Resilient Communities through Planning The American Planning Association believes that federal policy can be a vital tool for supporting local planning that builds communities of lasting value. A supportive framework in federal policy for good local planning is vital to the safety and prosperity of the nation and its communities. Requested Action: The City of Dubuque supports federal legislation to integrate comprehensive planning efforts with livable community initiatives that promote sustainability, economic growth and local innovation. Advance federal tax and fiscal policies to better support stable, strategic, and place- based investment in critical infrastructure and economic development. Investment in infrastructure and communities are critical to the nation's long-term prosperity and competitiveness and short-term economic and job growth. Efforts to overhaul the tax code, reauthorize key programs, or address broader fiscal policy should support and advance this needed investment. Policy decisions should strengthen and stabilize proven tools while advancing innovative approaches to infrastructure funding and local economic development. Any broad tax reform should include policies that strengthen communities and advance a place- based strategy for growth. Key issues: Transportation Trust Fund Community Development Block Grants Water Infrastructure New Markets Tax Credit Marketplace Fairness Act Transit Commuter Benefits Tax Reform Encourage communities to improve planning for water hazards, use, and quality. Whether facing historic drought, rising sea levels, frequent flooding, or aging infrastructure, America's communities have significant and growing challenges related to the essential resource of water. Expanded planning for water resources, infrastructure, coastal changes, and hazards is essential to successfully confronting these challenges. While these water plans are inherently local, federal policy can play a critical role by providing critical data, supporting research, and creating appropriate incentives and standards. Maintaining a robust federal role in funding and financing capital projects in partnership with states, localities, and the private sector is vital. Key issues: Hazard Mitigation Flood and Coastal Mapping 17 Infrastructure Standards and Performance Measures Planning Grants, Incentives, and Assistance Building Codes Energy Policy Provide high-quality federal data resources that support the needs of local governments, planners, and decision makers. Good planning is based on sound, comprehensive data. The federal government is a key provider of essential data for understanding economic, social, environmental, and demographic trends shaping the nation's communities. These resources make government programs more effective and efficient and allow for better decision making by local citizens and businesses. It is vital that federal data agencies and resources are maintained, coordinated, and strengthened with a focus on supporting local communities. Often federal data direct allocations of government spending and aid programs at all levels, as well as inform local plans. It is essential that these resources fully consider and analyze changes related to key demographic trends ranging from aging to immigration. Key issues: Census and American Community Survey Digital Coast Economic Data Federal Geospatial Data HUD and Other Federal Location Efficiency Data Assist communities working to address affordable housing, encourage economic mobility, and build stronger neighborhoods. A rebounding economy but persistent challenges in wage growth combine to create significant housing affordability problems in many communities. Communities and developers of affordable housing need critical financing support and reforms to programs to improve their use and speed projects. As the future of housing finance and government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) are debated, it is important to maintain a commitment to supporting low-income and multifamily housing, improving energy efficiency, and addressing homelessness and supportive housing. Partnering with local governments, planners, and residents to build neighborhoods of opportunity and promise should be a fundamental goal of federal policy. This challenge should be met with a combination of proven tools and programs; targeted and coordinated investments and incentives; thoughtful strategies for immigration policy and demographic change; and strategic support for new economic and community development strategies. Key issues: Community Development Block Grants Choice Neighborhoods Low Income Housing Tax Credit Fair Housing GSE and Housing Finance Reform Land and Water Conservation Fund Neighborhood Stabilization Promise Zones and Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) 18 • Aging in Community • HOME Investment Partnership Program • Housing Trust Fund Respect state and local planning authority. While the City recognizes the importance of federal involvement where necessary to address certain historic inequities, we remain vigilant in defense of local planning authority as a cornerstone value in our system of government. Congress should continue to respect local planning and community safeguards by rejecting any efforts to impose regulatory takings standards that increase lawsuits and undermine locally adopted plans. Respect for the critical role of planning is especially vital in energy policy. Federal policy should support and encourage energy-related local planning that addresses issues of community impacts, safety, economic development, and environmental quality. Federal policy should respect and appropriately engage local decision makers in the siting of key federal facilities and energy and telecommunications infrastructure. Key issues: • Takings • Telecommunication Siting and Facilities • Federal Buildings and Facilities • Energy Siting and Safety SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES The City of Dubuque identified becoming a more Sustainable City as one of its top priorities in 2006. Since then, multiple strategies and practices have been implemented to make Dubuque a more sustainable community. This year, the City was honored to be recognized as one of the White House's 16 Climate Action Champions. The City is a member of Climate Communities, the Urban Sustainability Directors Network and ICLEI — Local Governments for Sustainability, and joins those organizations in supporting local government action on climate change and resiliency as essential for America to achieve energy independence, renew economic prosperity and preserve biodiversity. Federal policies must empower local governments with the tools and resources to respond to the climate challenge. We request your support in achieving the following goals: • Invest in local climate capacity through annual federal appropriations such as the Department of Energy Clean Cities program, the US Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry program, Stormwater and Drinking Water funding, and Green Infrastructure programs. • Build self-reliant communities that are prepared for climate impacts. • Support community revitalization by: • Reviewing legislation in order to balance historic preservation and energy efficiency requirements; and 19 • Supporting Economic Development Administration tools such as Brownfields grants and technical assistance programs to support environmental cleanup and community redevelopment. Weatherization Assistance Program Recognizing the increasing cost of energy and the significant impact this required cost has on low- and moderate-income residents, the City advocates for continued sufficient funding of the Weatherization Assistance Program. National Energy Planning Policy As a member of the American Planning Association (APA), the City encourages adoption of a long-term, sustainable national energy policy, addressing decreasing availability of petroleum, energy self-sufficiency, economic competiveness, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental protection, and social equity. This policy should recognize and separate the long-term development of replacement and alternative energy sources from short-term fluctuations in market prices for energy. This policy should also recognize the impact that energy-efficient land use patterns, building design, and transportation modalities have on the demand for energy. Data and Measurement The City recognizes the importance of easy, consistent, and affordable access to energy data at the community level as an integral component of energy, sustainability, healthy communities, and community planning. We advocate for transparent data processes that allow communities to review utility data while also ensuring adequate data security and privacy. Energy Effects With the APA, we encourage evaluating the energy effects along with other impacts resulting from proposed plans and development as well as the siting of energy generation and transmission facilities in order to mitigate their adverse impacts on land use, environment, economy, health, quality of life, and national security. We encourage federal and state legislation supporting Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing so that the costs associated with energy efficiency improvements can be shared by the property owners who experience the benefits of those improvements. Environmental Justice We support state and federal efforts in striving to attain environmental equity and justice with regard to the siting of energy facilities, resource extraction, energy generation, distribution infrastructure, and energy-related waste disposal. Distributed Energy Generation The City supports distributed energy generation systems that utilize community energy generation and "smart grid" public infrastructure that supports both conservation and energy efficiency. Smart Grid Technology We support modernization of the nation's electrical grid that will allow for the efficient integration of innovative technologies such as renewable energy systems and electric vehicles, and makes it possible to offer dynamic electricity pricing options that can reduce strain on the grid while benefitting consumers. Advances in metering technology also create opportunities to provide consumers with access to more information about their electricity usage and costs, which can inform their decisions about energy consumption. 20 Research and Development The City recognizes that in the short and mid-term, oil, coal, and natural gas will continue to be significant sources of energy for the United States and other nations until other forms of energy can be developed at a scale to adequately replace the world's reliance on fossil fuels. Therefore, continued focused research and development in improving the efficient use of these sources while reducing the environmental costs must be a high priority for the United States. We support expanded research and development funding and efforts to create and improve alternative and renewable energy sources and the development of energy transition scenarios for use by local officials and the general public. The City of Dubuque identified becoming a more Sustainable City as one of its top priorities in 2006. Since then, multiple strategies and practices have been implemented to make Dubuque a more sustainable community. The year, the City was honored to be recognized as one of the White House's 16 Climate Action Champions. The City is a member of Climate Communities, the Urban Sustainability directors Network and ICLEI — Local Governments for Sustainability, and joins those organizations in supporting local government action on climate change and resiliency as essential for America to achieve energy independence, renew economic prosperity and preserve biodiversity. Federal policies must empower local governments with the tools and resources to respond to the climate challenge. Requested Action: • Invest in local climate capacity through annual federal appropriations such as the DOE Clean Cities program, the Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry program, Stormwater and Drinking Water funding, and Green Infrastructure programs. • Transform the nation's transportation strategy by: • Substantially increasing federal resources for public transit; • Supporting local initiatives to reduce vehicle-dependence and use including resources for smart growth and transit-oriented development, VMT reduction planning and implementation, walk ability programs, bikeways and greenways, infill and brownfields revitalization, and reuse of historic and existing buildings; and • Funding low-emission busses, clean local fleets, and local alternative fuels infrastructure. • Build self-reliant communities that are prepared for climate impacts. • Support community revitalization by: • Reviewing legislation in order to balance historic preservation and energy efficiency requirements; and • Supporting EDA tools such as Brownfields grants and technical assistance programs to support environmental cleanup and community redevelopment. Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program effectively reduces threats to communities and structures at risk for flooding by funding preparation in advance of natural disasters, while also reducing a community's reliance upon Federal post-disaster recovery funds. PDM provided over $70 million in pre-disaster planning and mitigation to 39 states and territories in 2011 , saving money by investing in disaster preparation, when every dollar spent on disaster mitigation yielded four dollars in benefits. We 21 support the value of PDM as a program that protects the City and makes Dubuque more resilient. Requested Action: Support and fully fund the Federal Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program at the requested level of$200 million. TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND CONNECTIVITY Communications As a member of the National League of Cities (NLC), the United States Conference of Mayors, and the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA), the City of Dubuque joins these organizations in acknowledging that the historic transformation of our communications infrastructure is essential to the economic competitiveness of the local governments, states and the nation. Preserve local authority to manage public rights of way for the benefit of everyone. Cable television and video franchise agreements are an essential part of managing the rights of way and ensuring appropriate compensation for the benefit of the public. These benefits include not only monetary payments, but also franchise terms such as support for public, educational and governmental (PEG) access, including institutional networks (I-Nets). Protect local authority to establish taxes that are consistent with local needs and maintain adequate revenue. Local governments recognize and support efforts to modernize the collection and administration of local communications taxes, but in a manner that preserves the ability of local government to impose and collect taxes to fund vital services for its citizens consistent with local values. Protect and enhance local ability to provide for homeland and hometown security. Local government's first responders need fully deployed E911 , access to spectrum and funding for interoperable communications to protect the public. Recognize local roles in promoting nondiscriminatory access to the full range of communications services. Municipalities are helping to bring advanced services to individuals and small businesses. Cities must have the autonomy necessary to encourage competition and infrastructure deployment that will lower prices and improve service quality for their citizens. Requested Action: • Do not nationalize cable and video franchising. • Protect local governments' ability to facilitate or offer advanced communications services to their citizens • Any changes to the collection and administration of communications taxes, including extensions or modifications of the Internet Tax Freedom Act, must preserve local authority to collect revenue consistent with local needs. 22 • Do not undermine or eliminate support for PEG access and I-Nets. Specifically support Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act of 2009 (H.R. 3745) by making this a federal legislative priority Local Government Principles for Communications Policy Modernization We believe that Congress and state and local governments can achieve these goals by embracing the following principles: • State and Local Authority The City of Dubuque supports a balanced federalist approach that encourages new innovation and technology while preserving appropriate authority for state and local governments to protect their citizens — particularly in relation to public safety and homeland security, promoting local competition, promoting economic development, taxation, expansion of access to advanced networks, rights-of-way management, and consumer protection. • Public Safety State and local public safety agencies rely heavily on communications services and systems to protect public safety. In order for states and localities to carry out this mission, it is essential that important obligations, such as E911 and CALEA, be applied to all relevant communications platforms, regardless of technology. States and localities must also have sufficient spectrum and funding to obtain interference-free, interoperable emergency communications. In addition, it is important to preserve and strengthen the ability of state and local government to protect and warn the public through emergency alert systems. • Competition States and localities benefit from, and support, competition and innovation and technology neutrality. When a fully competitive market does not exist, states and localities must retain the authority to ensure nondiscriminatory access to essential facilities, to prevent incumbents from using market power to stifle competition and innovation, and to maintain consumer safeguards when market forces fail. • Use of public property and right-of-way State and local governments are the trustees of public property and must retain the power to manage those assets for the benefit and safety of the community. • Municipal Broadband State and local governments can play an important role in making advanced services, including broadband services, available to their citizens, based on specific local needs and conditions. Federal policy should promote the rights of local governments that choose to offer those services directly to their citizens. • Video Franchising The federal government should not preempt or restrict local authority to negotiate mutually beneficial agreements and grant franchises to video providers. Public, educational, and governmental channels are important tools citizens use to participate City of Dubuque Supports: Legislation that preserves and extends municipal government authority to provide communications services to their constituents. 23 Legislation that overturns the FCC cable franchise order and returns to the local franchising scheme set out in the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984. The City of Dubuque opposes a wireless tax moratorium. Ensuring expanded access to multichannel video programming is an important role of local government. • Expanded Access States and localities support policies and programs that advance access to communications services and ubiquitous broadband deployment in all areas of the country. Current initiatives that promote universal and affordable access to communications services include the federal and state universal service funds, the E-Rate program, Lifeline and Linkup, urban and rural infrastructure support mechanisms, and obligations ensuring equitable cable and broadband deployment. • Taxation States and localities should retain full flexibility, as does the federal government, to structure their tax policies in ways that best serves their citizens. • Consumer Protection States and localities are best positioned to respond effectively to a wide variety of consumer concerns, including but not limited to complaints related to: service quality and affordability, reliability, deceptive practices, billing practices, privacy, and criminal activity. • Wireless Zoning and Siting It is essential for local communities to be able to address the expansion of wireless facilities so as to promote the deployment of advanced communications while also protecting the interests of citizens in safety, sound planning, and aesthetic concerns. Cellular carriers have petitioned the FCC to create new, onerous regulations that would make it more difficult for local governments to carry out their responsibilities in this area. The Communications Act prohibits such FCC regulation. Congress should ensure that the balance struck in federal law is not overturned by agency action. Local government strongly endorses promoting competition for all consumers and treating like services alike. The elected leaders of our nation's cities and counties stand ready and willing to welcome video competition in their communities. Centralizing franchising at the federal or state level, however, limits the benefits of head-to-head video competition to a chosen few, and deprives consumers of important protections. -The FCC Recent FCC actions to regulate local franchising have compromised local governments' ability to act in the best interests of their citizens. Congress should act to prevent the FCC from overstepping its authority and altering the balance of federal, state, and local authority that Congress established in the Cable Act. The FCC's recent orders fly in the face of the law and threaten to disrupt long-standing cable television franchise agreements. The City of Dubuque supports efforts for Internet to remain a level playing field for all and the FCC to protect an "open internet" sometimes referred to as "Net Neutrality" using Title II of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The FCC's rules were challenged in federal court, and on January 14, 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit affirmed the Commission's authority to regulate broadband Internet access service and upheld 24 the Commission's judgment that Internet openness encourages broadband investment and that its absence could ultimately inhibit broadband deployment. The court upheld the transparency rule, but vacated the no-blocking and no-unreasonable-discrimination rules. The court also invited the FCC to act to preserve a free and open Internet. In response, the FCC on May 15, 2014, launched a rulemaking seeking public comment on how best to protect and promote an open Internet. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking poses a broad range of questions to elicit the broadest range of input from everyone impacted by the Internet, from consumers and small businesses to providers and start-ups. Requested Action: • States where statewide or state-controlled franchising is currently in place do not see greater or faster video competition deployment than states where it is not. • Franchises do not just provide permission to offer video services. They are the core tools local government uses to manage streets and sidewalks, provide for public safety, enhance competition, and collect compensation for private use of public land. Eliminating local franchises deprives local government of the power to perform basic functions. • Competition is for everyone. Current national policy implemented through franchises encourages competition throughout the country, not just in urban or suburban areas and not just for the wealthy. In less than ten years, under the current system, broadband service has been made available to 91 percent of all homes passed by cable. • Neither Congress nor the FCC should try to manage local streets and sidewalks from Washington. National franchising would abrogate a basic tenet of federalism by granting companies access to locally owned property on federally defined terms. • Market factors, not local governments, control the pace of new broadband deployment. Telephone companies have not yet seriously dedicated resources to negotiate franchises in many markets. Potential video competitors require relatively few franchises to implement their announced business plans (for AT&T 1 ,500-2,000 franchises, for Verizon 100-200 franchises). City/County Emergency Services The need for a combined 911 Communications Center and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been brought to the forefront of the public safety committee after multiple recent events. The current communications center is undersized for the needs of our increased population and calls for service. The center is unable to expand to meet the increasing demands of the emergency calls and for future technologies. The recent disasters that occurred in Dubuque County and the State of Iowa brought the need for a dedicated emergency operations center to the forefront. The city and county now use the classroom areas of the Dubuque County Firefighters Training Center which is converted as needed to an EOC operation. An extended flooding event along the Mississippi River or any other long term disaster would tax the resources of the city and county and the current set up would hamper our response to disasters. We are experiencing more major weather events and disasters and we have received seven presidential disaster declarations in the past 12 years. Our 911 center needs to have room available for expansion. A dedicated EOC will allow local government the ability to enhance response and recovery operations following an event it would also assist us in preparing for planned events that overtax our response capabilities. 25 Requested Action: Assist the City of Dubuque in identifying funding support for a combined 911 Center/EOC estimated to cost $12-14 million dollars. Indian Gaming Regulations The City is concerned about the uncontrolled growth of Indian Casinos on off premises (reservation) lands. The City supports legislation that places safeguards on the growth of Indian casinos. Requested Action: • Rewrite Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which authorizes reservation shopping. This means that under no circumstances can a tribe that already has land in trust acquire more land that is not contiguous to its reservation, and use it for gaming. This will put a permanent end to reservation shopping. • Give local communities a seat at the table during the process to mitigate impacts of casinos proposed by newly recognized or restored tribes. This means the tribe and local community must enter into a memorandum of understanding where the tribe must pay the community for mitigation of direct effects of the casino on infrastructure and services like transportation and public safety. • Ban any attempts to establish off-reservation casinos outside of the state where the tribe presently resides. • Allow States to regulate Fantasy Sports and internet gambling. STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP PRIORITIES AmeriCorps The City of Dubuque has been active with AmeriCorps Partners in learning program for the past thirteen years. The program has touched over 850 plus AmeriCorps members giving almost 235,000 hours of service in our community. In the past the program's impact has been seen in the academic assistance given in classrooms improving performance of children in K-12th grade. Community organizations such as Multicultural Family Center, Washington Neighborhood Corporation and Crescent Community Health Center to name a few, impact our citizens in the lower incomes and neighborhoods needing most assistance. The involvement of AmeriCorps members is critical to efforts of the city, schools and non-profits. This year the focus is on improvement of third grade reading scores with most members being placed in the school system at the K-3 rd grade level. Impressive results are already being seen. AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members have also been used by the City. Currently the City has an Economic Opportunity VISTA working with Human Rights Department in collaboration with Iowa Campus Compact and three VISTA members serving non-profit partners. Three VISTA members work with a community-wide Campaign for Grade Level Reading Initiative in the areas of school readiness, attendance and summer learning and 26 a fourth VISTA member coordinates data and performance measures. The capacity building efforts are very important to these powerful initiatives of the City. Dubuque is home to the first in the nation National Service Partnership, a partnership between local government, higher education, local non-profits, and state government that draws on multiple AmeriCorps resources to collectively impact poverty in Dubuque. The Dubuque National Service Partnership (DNSP) uses Days of Service and other events to educate the public about community needs and opportunities to serve in areas of need, while simultaneously focusing on improved business processes within organizations and improved outcomes for families served. On September 16, 2015, the Corporation for National and Community Service recognized the Dubuque National Service Partnership with an award in honor of retired Senator Tom Harkin. In 2013, Governor Terry Branstad recognized the DNSP with the Iowa Non-Profit Collaboration Award for outstanding efforts to engage volunteers to impact complex social and economic needs. Of note, in 2013 several DNSP partners and Iowa Campus Compact collectively leveraged VISTA members to: provide financial literacy services to 257 citizens, provide job training to 194 citizens, mobilize 1 ,801 volunteers, and expand the organizational capacity of 60 non-profits. Three non-profit partners directly served by VISTA delivered these outcomes related to economic opportunity in 2013-14: 1) 83 percent of clients in a homeless program moved to permanent housing, 46 percent increased mainstream benefits, and 28 percent increased cash income; 2) $248,187 in federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) dollars and $34,897 in state EITC returned to families in the community; and 3) 70 percent of clients in the Circles Program for 18 months were employed, 55 percent were enrolled in education, and 12 percent earned certificates or degrees. This same year, DNSP partners mentored 1 ,361 individuals, served 5,433 disadvantaged youth, and recruited 6,133 community volunteers. 67 percent of students served by an AmeriCorps member improved their reading scores. Requested Action: Support AmeriCorps and funding for National Service Partnership through the Corporation for National and Community Service. Youth Re-engagement The city and its partners support legislation for youth re-engagement efforts that are designed to re-engage out-of-school youth and that provide multiple routes to high school completion, college, and career readiness. • To provide grant funding to district partnerships to significantly increase the rate of recovery for out-of-school youth in earning a high school diploma on a pathway to post- secondary success; • To incentivize and support the expansion and effectiveness of out-of-school youth reengagement programs that identify, re-enroll, and provide an individualized program that meets needs of out-of-school youth and leads to post-secondary success • To incentivize states and districts to develop funding and accountability policies that facilitate, and remove barriers to, the sustainable expansion of programs designed to re- engage out-of-school youth and that provide multiple routes to high school completion, college- and career-readiness, and the transition into post-secondary and career; and 27 • To create a national exchange on effective practices, as well as other efforts, to support out-of-school youth reengagement policies and programs. Requested Action: The city supports the engagement of federal, state and district level leadership, policy and funding to reverse the growing trend of out-of-school youth. America's River at the Port of Dubuque: Vision: The National Mississippi River Museum will be the nation's premier center to interpret and preserve the Mississippi River's natural environment and history, inspire a global audience, and create more knowledgeable and engaged citizens. The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium has become the most comprehensive river museum in the nation with a $50 million, 14-acre educational campus. We have hosted 2.3 million on-site visitors in the past 12 years. Each year we serve 375,000 people — 200,000 on site visitors and 175,000 people in our RiverWorks Discovery outreach in 18 states. Over 100,000 of our 375,000 annual audience members are school children and teachers. In the next five years we will reach two million people through our Dubuque facility and our outreach programs and exhibits across the country. CRITICAL ISSUES We believe in the next decade that access to clean water, loss of critically endangered species, and a necessary increase in the public understanding of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education will continue to be at the forefront of the global issues facing us all. River of Innovation: As the premier Mississippi River educational institution in the world, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium will inspire the next generation of River explorers, improve science literacy, encourage environmental stewardship, increase sustainability and community resilience, conduct original research, and increase the diversity and size of our audiences. This project received funding from Vision Iowa in 2015 and will be a major effort in future years. . 1. Dynamic Experiences: We will inspire and engage a global audience with compelling and dynamic exhibits and programmatic experiences which give meaning to STEM education in an informal learning institution. Those are: a. River of Innovation Exhibits, Makerspace, and educational components as a part of a grouping of immersive experiences which drive the Museum & Aquarium's STEM focus — to inspire the next generation of river explorers. This multi-year project will improve science literacy by providing inspiring, rewarding, and innovative experiences for all ages and particularly youth audiences' grades four through eight. These transformative experiences will be created in partnership with the Science Museum of Minnesota, Conner Prairie Museum, the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, and other partners. We will fuse our existing Mississippi River themes and collections with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts to create new and even more effective visitor experiences. 28 2. Mississippi River Research Labs: We will use the Museum & Aquarium as a research facility to propagate threatened species, showcase new scientific discoveries, broaden partnerships, and improve habitats within the 31-state the Mississippi River watershed. a. The River Museum's conservation focus will educate the public as to how they can promote conservation, convey the global importance of clean water, and foster efforts to protect and porpigatwe endangered species. b. The US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFW) has continued interest in working with our organization to survey and potentially propagate Mudpuppy and other species like the Salamander Mussel whose survival is directly linked to that of the Mudpuppy. The River Museum also prides itself on being a host site for FrogWatch USA, a citizen science program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that provides individuals, groups, and families with an opportunity to learn about wetlands in their communities and report data on the calls of local frogs and toads. c. Student Led River Research Program (SLRRP) is designed to engage middle school and high school students in authentic, meaningful scientific experiences so that they will develop a keen understanding of human and environmental impacts on endangered species. In 2015, we worked with 144 high school students, 102 summer campers, and over 100 STEM educators to propagate Higgins' eye Mussels, a native endangered species. d. These and similar projects will significantly enhance the Museum's ability to deliver biological, environmental, and conservation education message focused on endangered species to youth and families, school groups, and educators. Opportunities for New and Continued Federal Partnerships: • Continue to work with USFW and other federal and state agencies to study, nurture, and propagate important species which are endangered or threatened and are typically not the primary focus of state DNRs. These include mussels, mud puppies, salamanders, toads, and other vital and often ignored species. • Work with USDA and others to engage people to reduce nutrient loading, understand sediment flow, and improve water quality for the Mississippi, its 31-state watershed, and the Gulf of Mexico. • Work with University of Iowa Flood Center and with other regional and federal partners to raise awareness of flood prevention and flood control. The Museum has several partnerships with Federal agencies which can be explored for funding opportunities. The Museum is on the executive committee of Coastal America which works with NOAA, EPA, US Fish & Wildlife, Department of Agriculture and other agencies. Requested Action: We ask for support for the peer review competitive grants listed below which we have applied for and are currently under deliberation at the Institute for Museum and Library Services and National Endowment for the Humanities. 1 . Institute for Museum & Library Services Grant: Museums for America National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium 29 Title: Learning Experiences: River of Innovation Application Date: 12/1/2015 Requested Amount: $149,915 2. Institute for Museum & Library Services Grant: Museums for America Dubuque County Historical Society Title: Collections Stewardship: Collections Documentation Project Application Date: 12/1/2015 Requested Amount: $148,795 3. National Endowment for the Humanities Grant: Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections Dubuque County Historical Society Title: Planning for a Sustainable Preservation Environment Application Date: 12/1/2015 Requested Amount: $50,000 Mines of Spain- E.B. Interpretive Center The Mines of Spain State Recreation Area comprises 1 ,440 acres of forest and prairie along the Mississippi River, and is a significant resource for the Driftless Region. The park is a National Historic Landmark and a state preserve with rich historic, archeological and natural resources. It includes a state nature preserve and adjoins the Upper Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Refuge. This National Historic Landmark preserves rare riverfront habitat and also contains thousands of years of human history dating from the early Mississippian period through the early-twentieth century. The E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center serves as a visitor information center and park office for the Mines of Spain. It opened in 1976 on land acquired with a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant. The Interpretive Center was doubled in size in 2010 to include more accessible space for educational purposes. The Friends of the Mines of Spain obtained private, local, state and federal funds for the project. Federal funding included LWCF, National Scenic Byway, and Preserve America grants. The 30-acre E.B. Lyons Interpretive Area surrounding the center was nearly tripled with acquisition of 52 adjacent acres in 2013. Land acquisition was funded by state grants, private contributions and a federal LWCF grant. In 2015, interpretive opportunities were expanded on the 82-acre E.B. Lyons Interpretive Area with construction of the state park's first accessible multi-use trail, an outdoor classroom, interpretive kiosks, and additional parking. Development was funded with a federal LWCF grant, state grants and private contributions. Additional land acquisition and park development will enhance and increase the park's cultural, natural, and recreational opportunities available to area residents and visitors while buffering the park from surrounding development. 30 Additionally the support of AmeriCorps and other programs that would help to expand and strengthen permanent staffing needs for the E.B. Lyons Nature Center. This in turn would ensure outstanding and consistent programming especially related to education of youth and families about sustainability, the environment, history and more. Requested Action: The Mines of Spain asks for continued support for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and for AmeriCorps program which provides staff for myriad tasks at the Mines of Spain. 31