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MINUTES
CITY OF DUBUQUE LONG RANGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
City Council Chamber, Historic Federal Building
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Chad Darter; Commissioners Mark Dolson,
John Pregler, Alan Vincent, and Charlie Winterwood.
Commissioners Excused:
Commissioners Unexcused:
Staff Members Present: Laura Carstens, Jill Connors and David Johnson.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Darter at 5:30 p.m.
CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of Compliance verifying
that the meeting was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law.
MINUTES: Motion by Vincent, seconded by Winterwood, to approve the minutes of the
July 20, 2016 Long Range Planning Advisory Commission as submitted. Motion carried
by the following vote: Aye - Vincent, Winterwood, Pregler, Dolson and Darter; Nay —
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
ACTION ITEMS: None.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: None.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Amended and Restated Urban Renewal Plan for the Downtown Industrial Economic
Development District: Staff Member Connors presented the request for expansion of
the Dubuque Industrial Center Economic Development District to add the Subareas H, I
and J. She reviewed the property subject to the request. She noted the City is
interested in purchasing the land because it is contiguous to existing City-owned
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August 17, 2016
industrial land that can be expanded.
Staff Member Connors reviewed potential partnerships with Dubuque County, noting
that adjacent Dubuque County land will be included in the district to provide incentives
for development of County facilities. She explained that through a joint agreement with
the County, the City can include the land in a City urban renewal area. Recommending
including areas H, I and J to continue economic development in the city.
Commissioner Pregler noted Staffs recommendation appears in compliance with the
Comprehensive Plan. He asked how recent businesses that go out of business impact
tax increment financing (TIF) in Urban Renewal Districts. Staff Member Connors
explained how TIF is rebated. The Commission and Staff discussed how TIF is
structured and how agreements may differ.
The Commission complimented the cooperation and planning with Dubuque County.
The Commission and Staff discussed the mutual benefits.
Motion by Vincent, seconded by Dolson to approve the Amendment of the Dubuque
Industrial Economic Development District Urban Renewal Plan. Motion carried by the
following vote: Aye - Vincent, Winterwood, Dolson, Pregler, and Darter; Nay - None.
2017 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Teska and Associates Presentation: Mike Hoffman, Project Manager, Teska and
Associates, reviewed a PowerPoint presentation on the City of Dubuque's new
Comprehensive Plan and the Imagine Dubuque community engagement process. Mr.
Hoffman reviewed the project team. Bob Barber, Orion Planning and Design,
introduced himself and reviewed other team members not present that will be assisting
with the Comprehensive Plan. Diane Williams, BDI, introduced herself and noted she
will be working on the economic and market analysis of the plan to will help make sure
the economic development portion of the plan is clear and attainable.
Mr. Hoffman reviewed the types of engagement noting the importance of creating an
equitable process and plan. He reviewed the technology component. He indicated the
process will be transparent to build trust in the community. He noted that we want to
make sure we maintain momentum and make the process fun and engaging.
Mr. Hoffman reviewed the engagement plan. He reviewed the logo, branding efforts,
website, App, website video, comment wall, workshop kit, and promotional materials.
Mr. Hoffman reviewed key participants and activities for the project noting the business
community, planning staff, technical team, leadership team, LRPAC, Working Groups,
Focus groups, cultural groups, board/commissions, workshops, and area partners.
Mr. Hoffman reviewed his sustainability will be incorporated into the plan. He noted how
urban design will be included. He reviewed the plan will have a developable land
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August 17, 2016
analysis, land use, multi modal transportation, infrastructure and hazard mitigation
included in the plan. Mr. Barber reviewed how social and cultural vibrancy will be
addressed noting health, housing, historic resources, cultural resources, education,
public safety and parks and recreation. Ms. Williams reviewed how economic prosperity
will be addressed taking a look at past efforts, local, regional and national trends, peer
and competitive review, and a development and redevelopment analysis.
Mr. Hoffman reviewed how the plan will be created noting it will short, concise and
relatable and highly illustrated. The details will be contained in an appendix. Mr.
Hoffman reviewed how the plan will be implemented. He reviewed costs and funding,
tools, and metrics.
Mr. Hoffman reviewed the timeline. He reviewed key meetings and topics and the
Commission's involvement. Mr. Hoffman reiterated the importance of an equitable
process and plan.
The consultants took the Commission through an exercise, asking Commissioners to
offer a headline for what they would like to see in Dubuque in 10 years. Commissioners
offered the following: Dubuque on Target to reduce greenhouse gas by 50% by 2030;
City of Dubuque falls 25% below legal debt limit; Dubuque hosts Para-Olympics at the
new Millwork District Park; Dubuque is the best place to own a bicycle; Dubuque
develops a great workforce; and Dubuque MRT Side Trip route completed.
The consultants asked the Commission to discuss current opportunities and threats in
the community toward our environmental/ecological integrity. The Commission and staff
identified opportunities such as the need to improve multi-modal east west
transportation in the city, past efforts to develop an aquatics center, implementation of
the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan, better grade separation with the
railroads, improved air quality, the South Port and other riverfront master plans as
opportunities. The Commission noted threats include lead poisoning in the community,
the current state of sewer infrastructure is old and undersized, the potential for flooding
of Chaplain Schmitt Island, and the need for a plan in the event of a levee or flood wall
breach.
The consultants asked the Commission to discuss current opportunities and threats in
the community toward our economic prosperity. The Commission and staff identified
workforce shortages, skills gaps and wage gaps that have been recently studied and
reported as threats toward economic development. They also noted the need to provide
workforce housing and reduce poverty. The Commission noted the importance of
having the right people with the right skills in the right places in order to grow our
economy. They identified opportunities such as the Southwest Arterial and surrounding
development, the importance of our educational institutions in recruiting and retaining
businesses, and the productivity of people in the Dubuque area as an opportunity
noting John Deere as an example. They also noted the river and historic resources are
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big opportunities for our economic wellbeing as historic resources are a draw for
tourism.
The consultants asked the Commission to discuss current opportunities and threats in
the community toward our social/cultural vibrancy. The Commission discussed the arts
community, artwork, Riverwalk, River Museum, Art on the River, Arts Master Plan, and
Art Museum as opportunities. The Commission identified threats include crime noting
people's different perceptions of crime, homelessness, a lack of affordable housing,
and concentration of assisted housing noting it is mostly concentrated downtown. The
Commission identified distributing a variety of affordable housing, the health community
need assessment study and health plan, maintaining great hospitals and health care,
and more healthy local foods would be opportunities. The Commission noted there's a
better opportunity for residents to make better lifestyle decisions. Staff noted a threat
would be the affordability of quality food as there's a greater disparity of availability of
healthy food options for low income people.
The consultants gave the Commissioners a homework assignment due in one month. They
handed out project cards and paperwork. The Commission was requested to help promote
the planning process, take a picture and upload to the project website, propose groups
they think should be engaged, and think about and share their vision for Dubuque.
Commissioner Pregler reiterated the importance of making sure the Commission stays
engaged as much as possible, noting Commissioners should participate where and
when they can and want. He noted that this is the citizens' plan and having engagement
from the citizen board members will help with support and buy-in.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Vincent, seconded by Pregler to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Vincent, Winterwood, Dolson, Pregler and
Darter; Nay - None.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Adopted