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Dubuque approves Hills & Dales street mural; staff tasked with drafting citywide review policy
Summary
Council authorized an interim approval for a Hills & Dales street mural on 4th Street and directed staff to draft formal code amendments and a review policy; vote was unanimous 6–0. Staff and engineers addressed safety and liability questions.
The Dubuque City Council on May 4 authorized Hills & Dales to proceed with a community street-mural project on 4th Street and directed staff to draft a formal city policy and code amendments to govern future murals.
The motion approving the project under an interim administrative process passed unanimously, 6–0. Hills & Dales’ representative Deanne Althoff said the group has been planning the accessible-art project for months, with a proposed schedule that includes preparatory work May 15, a community painting day on May 16, and final touches no later than 5 p.m. on May 18. “We will have traffic control on site that can move barriers and can allow access if needed for the residences or for any safety or emergency situations as well,” Althoff said.
Traffic Engineer Justine Hull described the materials under review: the artists plan to use a waterborne traffic paint similar to pavement-marking paint the city already uses. Hull said staff will evaluate the use of a non-reflective grit additive to reduce slipperiness in wet conditions and will finalize technical requirements in an agreement. “They are using a traffic paint, waterborne paint that is very similar to what we use on our center lines,” Hull said.
Council members noted public questions about notice and liability raised during public comment; Council Member Wethal summarized staff guidance that the city will not assume maintenance responsibility and that the sponsoring organization must provide liability coverage and indemnify the city in a formal agreement. She also cited national research suggesting asphalt art can act as a traffic-calming measure.
Council directed staff to return with proposed code amendments establishing a formal review and approval process for street murals in the public right of way, including maintenance, insurance, content/design review, and safety requirements. The Hills & Dales project will proceed under the interim administrative approval while the permanent policy is developed.
Next steps: staff will complete an internal technical review this week, include any required surface-additive or safety remedies in the agreement, and bring draft ordinance language and a formal policy back to council.
