Council approves flood-mitigation contract, fuel-island rehab, sewer fix and bond resolutions

The Dubuque City Council on Feb. 17 took multiple motions that fund and authorize construction for several city infrastructure projects and accepted federal grant awards.

Pump station and detention basin: City engineer Gus Ahoyas recommended awarding the Dubuque Gate and Pump Station flood mitigation project (Sixteenth Street detention basin) to Ports & Construction as the low bidder at $26,557,106 (4.56% over the engineer’s estimate). Ahoyas said the project includes new flood gates, replacement of two existing pumps with four new pumps, electrical upgrades to current standards and a backup generator for resiliency. The project’s funding plan combines federal and state grants, local stormwater user fees, sales-tax increment, DRA funds and a state revolving loan fund; the total funding package listed in staff materials was $28,546,104, including an EDA grant for $7,700,000 and a FEMA grant for $7,900,000. The council adopted the resolution awarding the contract by a 7-0 vote.

Fuel island rehabilitation: Public Works Director Ariel Swift recommended city approval of plans, specifications and an estimated construction cost of $1,355,888 to fully rehabilitate the municipal fuel island. Swift said the kiosk and fueling hardware are obsolete and that the project would replace three 12,000-gallon tanks with three 15,000-gallon tanks, add a diesel exhaust fluid meter, replace two pumps with four pumps, extend the canopy and preserve bulk-water sales operations. Staff estimated a roughly 12-year payback comparing current outside purchases vs. internal bulk fueling and said a 40-year service life is anticipated for the improvements. The council adopted the resolution 7-0.

Southgate Drive sanitary sewer: City engineer recommended adopting plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated construction cost of $193,600 for sanitary sewer replacements along Southgate Drive. Ahoyas said pipe defects have prevented proper inspection and maintenance, increasing the risk of sanitary sewer overflows; the council adopted the resolution 7-0.

Bonds and financing: Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Larson presented series 2025 bond proceedings. The council approved resolutions authorizing issuance of tax-exempt general obligation bonds (series 2025A for $6,420,000), taxable general obligation bonds (series 2025B for $8,370,000), and taxable general obligation urban renewal bonds (series 2025C for $8,945,000). Larson summarized allocations for the 2025A bonds (fire equipment, airport improvements, solid-waste vehicles and issuance costs), 2025B allocations (fire ladder/pumper replacements, ice-arena dehumidification, ABC building deconstruction and federal building renovation, parking improvements), and 2025C allocations (Iowa Amphitheater on Schmidt Island). The council adopted the authorizing resolutions by a 7-0 vote and appointed UMB Bank as paying agent and registrar.

HUD grants: The council accepted two HUD awards. Housing and Community Development Director Lehi Steger recommended acceptance of a $2 million Healthy Homes Production Grant to rehabilitate low- and moderate-income housing for healthier living conditions, and $1,431,743 for an Older Adult Home Modification Grant to assist households age 62+ with minor home modifications to improve safety. Both awards were accepted by unanimous vote.

Nut graf: The meeting advanced several capital projects — including a federally and state-funded flood mitigation contract that had been years in planning — while also authorizing bond resolutions and accepting federal grants that will help pay for infrastructure and housing-related work. Most financial votes were unanimous and included specific project allocations and funding sources.

Votes at a glance: The council recorded unanimous (7-0) votes on the award of Ports & Construction for the Sixteenth Street detention basin project; adoption of Fuel Island rehabilitation plans; Southgate Drive sanitary sewer improvements; the series 2025 bond authorizations and paying-agent appointment; acceptance of HUD Healthy Homes and Older Adult grants; and several other ordinance and plat actions taken the same evening.

Ending: Council members praised staff for securing federal funding for the flood-mitigation project and for preparing technical analyses that supported bids and grant awards. All of the primary construction and funding actions were adopted unanimously.