Dubuque council approves series of resolutions, loans and appointments in 7-0 votes

The Dubuque City Council on Tuesday approved a set of resolutions, loan proceedings, consultant authorizations and board appointments in unanimous roll-call votes.

The votes clear the way for infrastructure projects, consultant contracts and preliminary steps to issue bonds and loans. Several items—including a $26.22 million state revolving fund financing action for the Old Mill Road lift station and force main project and the advertisement and preliminary offering documents for multiple general obligation bond series—were taken as action items after staff presentations.

Why it matters: The approvals provide formal authorization for planning, procurement and financing steps that enable multi-year construction and renovation work—from sewer upgrades to the planned Iowa Amphitheater—and set up the city to solicit market-priced financing. Several projects will be supported by a mix of funding sources, including American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, local option sales tax, refuse fund revenue, TIF and SRF loan proceeds.

Key actions (motions, movers/seconds, outcomes):

- Consent agenda (documents received and filed, resolutions adopted) except item 19: Motion by Resnick, second by Farber. Roll call: Resnick, Cavanagh, Farber, Sprank, Roussell, Jones, Wethal — all voted Aye. Outcome: approved (motion passed 7-0).

- Separate consideration and approval of consent item 19 (midyear FTE addition in Public Works, see separate article): Motion by Wethal, second by Sprank. Roll call: Resnick, Cavanagh, Farber, Sprank, Roussell, Jones, Wethal — all Aye. Outcome: approved 7-0.

- Set public bidding and public hearing for Ice Arena dehumidification system upgrade: Motion by Roussell, second by Sprank. Outcome: approved 7-0.

- Appointments to boards and commissions: Multiple appointments were approved (Building Code Advisory & Appeals Board; Community Development Advisory Commission low/moderate and 3-year terms; Equity and Human Rights Commission appointments). Various motions by council members (see roll calls in transcript). Outcome: all appointments approved 7-0.

- Central Avenue and White Street Corridor traffic study — adopt multimodal alternative and receive and file final summary report: Motion by Sprank, second by Wethal. Roll call: Resnick, Cavanagh, Farber, Sprank, Roussell, Jones, Wethal — all Aye. Outcome: approved 7-0.

- Dubuque Gate & Pump Station Flood Mitigation (Sixteenth Street Detention Basin) — approve plans, specifications, form of contract and construction estimate ($25,400,000): Motion by Roussell, second by Jones. Roll call: Resnick, Cavanagh, Farber, Sprank, Roussell, Jones, Wethal — all Aye. Outcome: approved 7-0.

- Receive and file presentation: Grand River Center FY2024 annual report: Motion by Farber, second by Wethal. Outcome: received and filed 7-0.

- Proceeding to complete action on issuance of $26,221,000 sewer revenue capital loan notes (SRF) for the Old Mill Road lift station and force main project, and associated loan and disbursement agreement: Motion by Roussell, second by Jones. Roll call: Resnick, Cavanagh, Farber, Sprank, Roussell, Jones, Wethal — all Aye. Outcome: approved 7-0. Staff stated the SRF loan interest rate will be 2.54% and the SRF loan matures 06/01/2046; ARPA funds are being used for design costs for phases 1 and 2; construction will be funded from SRF proceeds.

- Direct advertisement for sale and approval of preliminary official statements and electronic bidding procedures for three bond series: $6,500,000 tax-exempt GO bonds (2025A), $8,500,000 taxable GO bonds (2025B) and $9,250,000 taxable GO urban renewal bonds (2025C) — Motion by Jones, second by Farber. Roll call: Resnick, Cavanagh, Farber, Sprank, Roussell, Jones, Wethal — all Aye. Outcome: approved 7-0. Staff provided an itemized project list that those bond proceeds are intended to support (fire apparatus and equipment, solid waste vehicles, airport taxiway improvements, ice arena dehumidification, smart parking, Iowa Amphitheater on Schmidt Island, and issuance contingencies). Staff said repayment sources include local option sales tax, refuse fund, Dubuque Racing Association contributions and downtown TIF.

- Historic Millwork District outdoor community space — authorize city manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Confluence for engagement, design and construction management (with Snyder & Associates as fallback): Motion by Wethal, second by Sprank. Roll call: Resnick, Cavanagh, Farber, Sprank, Roussell, Jones, Wethal — all Aye. Outcome: approved 7-0.

- Set work session for Bridal Dubuque annual update (Feb. 3 at 6 p.m.): Motion by Roussell, second by Wethal. Outcome: approved 7-0.

Discussion vs. formal direction: Several items were informational or included public hearing steps; staff repeatedly noted that specific construction phasing, final design, specifications and funding decisions will return to council for future hearings and approvals. Where staff referenced timing, cost estimates, or funding sources these were presented as staff recommendations and subject to later council approvals.

Speakers (selected, first reference with title): Adrienne Anne Breitfelder, City Clerk; Mayor Cavanaugh; City Manager Mike Van Milligen; City Engineer Gus Soyas (presentation on corridor study); Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Larson (bond and loan items); Ryan Boniface, Grand River Center general manager; Marie Ware, Leisure Services Director; Planning Services Director Wally Wernemann; City Attorney Corwin Brumwell.

Authorities referenced in materials and staff commentary: Rule 15c2-12 (SEC disclosure rule) — referenced by staff regarding official statement requirements; State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) program (Iowa) — referenced as the financing program for sewer project.

Proper names (selected): City of Dubuque; Central Avenue and White Street Corridor; Sixteenth Street Detention Basin; Old Mill Road Lift Station and Force Main Project; Grand River Center; Oak View Group; Confluence; Snyder and Associates; Independent Public Advisors (municipal advisor; Tianna Pooler referenced).

Ending: Council members and staff emphasized that adoption of the study documents, approvals to advertise for bond sale and SRF loan proceedings are procedural steps that allow the city to advance design, procurement and construction work; final project scopes, contract awards, schedules and construction budgets will be returned to the council for subsequent approvals as required.