Dubuque council hears City Life and iJAG presentations; members praise program and discuss expansion

DUBUQUE — At a May 18 special session, the Dubuque City Council heard presentations and first-hand testimony about the City Life program and its iJAG partnership, with students and alumni describing how the initiative connects residents to city services, work-based learning and leadership opportunities.

Temwa Phiri of the city’s Office of Community Impact and Neighborhood Support opened the session and framed City Life as a twice-yearly program that exposes residents of all ages to municipal departments, local businesses and civic-engagement pathways. “It’s an opportunity to build relationships with our local city departments,” he said, noting the program’s goal of giving participants “voice and choice” and supporting work-based learning.

Casey Smith, the program supervisor for iJAG, and Janie Hessong, an iJAG teacher at Hempstead, introduced students who described specific takeaways. “I really got to see how in sync our city departments really are with each other,” said Cyla Outlaw, a Hempstead freshman, calling the departments “like a well-oiled machine.” JaLiyah Hubbard, a junior who said she was elected Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates state career association president, credited City Life with strengthening her communication and networking skills and exposing her to job opportunities such as lifeguarding.

Alumni who recently completed City Life spoke about lasting effects and retention. “Programs like this that inform citizens about the city…give a better sense for us,” said City Life alumnus Jon Uzel, urging the council to view the program as a tool for building trust in local government. Tommy Mentz and Jeremiah Allen, an alumni organizer and recent Loras College graduate, outlined alumni-board ideas including two additional annual alumni meetings, a dedicated City Life website, targeted marketing to college students and a forum for alumni suggestions.

Resident Jeff Deacon, who said he toured the Water and Resource Recovery Center through City Life, praised staff and singled out Temwa’s work. “Mr. Temwa Phiri, you have the best possible advocate for the future of Dubuque,” Deacon told the council.

Program organizers and council members reported program metrics and constraints. Presenters said that since City Life’s 2013 start the program has had more than 372 participants and 67 alumni who indicated they had served on boards and commissions; those figures were presented as program-reported totals. Council members acknowledged the program’s growth but raised capacity concerns: the regular program runs at roughly a 30-person cohort and expanding to additional sessions would require funding and logistical supports for food, staffing and partnerships with local businesses.

Council members and staff discussed a possible additional fall offering to maintain momentum for students who otherwise lose continuity during the summer. Temwa and staff said expanding offerings would likely require additional funding or reallocation of resources and that the office is exploring creative ways to increase participation while maintaining quality. Transportation and childcare were cited as barriers: staff noted a partnership with AmeriCorps and specific staff (Sarah Burner) who provided child enrichment activities to allow parents to participate, and said transportation options were being explored.

Council members offered praise and next steps. Council Member Roussell called the alumni association “exciting” and said she looked forward to its development, while Mayor Cavanagh and others thanked participants and city departments for their involvement. No formal motions or votes took place during the City Life presentation. The Council noted the Community Foundation contracted service agreement update was scheduled to follow at 6:00 p.m.