Dubuque Council Approves Housing Voucher Plan Revision 5-2, Adopts Two Urban Renewal Plans

REAL DUBUQUE NEWS (RDN) The Dubuque City Council approved a revision to the Housing Choice Voucher program administrative plan on a 5-2 vote at its November 2 regular session, according to the meeting minutes posted by the city. Council Members Staver and Leyendecker voted against the revision. Housing and Community Development Director Maddy Haverland summarized the amendments and explained that Community Solutions of Eastern Iowa will partner with the city to provide referrals for certain vouchers. Council members discussed the voucher process and the partnership and confirmed an update on the program could be provided during the department budget presentation. The council unanimously approved amended and restated urban renewal plans for the Sky Blue Housing Urban Renewal Area and the Dubuque Technology Park Urban Renewal Area, both Version 2026.1. It also passed the related tax increment ordinances for both areas on 7-0 votes, including Ordinance No. 48-26 repealing the prior Sky Blue tax-division ordinance, Ordinance No. 49-26 setting up the Sky Blue tax increment fund, and Ordinance No. 50-26 covering Subarea D of the Technology Park area. Economic Development Director Jill Connors clarified the intent of the Technology Park amendment and confirmed rezoning the property is not necessary. The council also confirmed the two headline actions from the November 2 meeting previously reported by RDN: the general obligation bond resolution setting the November 16 sale date for the Series 2026A and Series 2026B bonds passed 7-0, and the ImOn Ice Arena cooling tower replacement project plans, specifications and estimated cost were approved 7-0. Assistant City Engineer Bob Schiesl told the council the existing cooling system will not support a second sheet of ice and must be replaced. Three public hearings were set for the November 16 meeting at 6:30 p.m.: a communications facility license agreement with T-Mobile Central LLC for the West Third Street cell tower, a third amendment to the lease agreement with MacHom Windows LLC, and Amendment No. 1 to the fiscal year 2027 budget. In other action, the council authorized releasing a request for qualifications for a space needs analysis and concept design study for the first floor of City Hall at 1398 Central Avenue, heard a presentation on The Jule Network Redesign Study, and received and filed a report on the city support for community efforts addressing unhoused residents. The council awarded Community Support and Empowerment Grants to Convivium Urban Farmstead, ElevateHER Network, Mindful Minutes and the Red Basket Project of Dubuque. It also received and filed stipulations of settlement for 2025 and 2026 property tax appeals filed by Conlon Enterprises LLC for property at 4131 and 4141 Westmark Drive, Walmart Inc. and Sam’s Real Estate Business Trust for property at 4400 Asbury Road, and Kwik Trip Inc. for property at 2035 John F. Kennedy Road. During public input, residents spoke about homelessness in the community and the city direction to Oak View Group to remove the covering from the Solidarity Mural at the Five Flags Center in connection with President Donald Trump’s November 1 visit. The council recognized City Manager Mike Van Milligen, who with his wife Nancy Van Milligen received the Ruby Sutton Humanitarian Award from the Dubuque branch of the NAACP. The council went into closed session at 9:19 p.m. to discuss the purchase or sale of real estate and reconvened at 10:43 p.m., when the meeting adjourned. All seven council members were present.