City Council Meeting Recap: May 18, 2026
The Dubuque City Council proceedings for Monday, May 18, 2026 at 6:30 PM included 46 agenda items spanning public hearings, major capital contracts, ordinances, and routine consent business at the Historic Federal Building.
⚡ Meeting Highlights & Key Actions
City Manager Recommends Public Bidding Process for Traffic Signal Improvement Project
Public hearing set for June 1, 2026, with estimated construction cost of $297,082.25
Southwest Arterial / US 52 ITS Corridor Project Initiate Public Bidding Process
The City Council considered Southwest Arterial / US 52 ITS Corridor Project Initiate Public Bidding Process and ($1,791,400.00) scheduled for June 1, 2026.
Private Lead Service Line Replacement Project Pilot Program - Phase 2:
The City Council considered Private Lead Service Line Replacement Project Pilot Program - Phase 2: City ($3,320,000.00) scheduled for June 1, 2026.
📢 Public Hearings & Ordinances
Request to Rezone 1836 Washington Street: Motion by Sprank to receive and file
1. Request to Rezone 1836 Washington Street: Motion by Sprank to receive and file the documents and that the requirement that a proposed ordinance be considered and voted on for passage at two Council meetings prior to the meeting at which...
Unified Development Code Text Amendment for Community Gardens by Listing
2. Unified Development Code Text Amendment for Community Gardens by Listing Community Gardens as a Permitted Use in all Office, Commercial, and Industrial Zoning Districts and Zoning Advisory Commission recommending approval: Moti...
River City Property Management, LLC Development Agreement and Providing for
3. River City Property Management, LLC Development Agreement and Providing for the Issuance of Urban Renewal Tax Increment Revenue Grant Obligations Pursuant to the Development Agreement: Motion by Roussell to receive and file the documents...
Fiscal Year 2026 Second Budget Amendment: Motion by Wethal to receive and file
4. Fiscal Year 2026 Second Budget Amendment: Motion by Wethal to receive and file the documents and adopt Resolution No. 201-26 Amending the Current Budget for Fiscal Year Ending June 2026 (as last certified or amended...
Bee Branch Trail Project - Phase 3 (12th to 9th Street) Iowa DOT Project: Motion
5. Bee Branch Trail Project - Phase 3 (12th to 9th Street) Iowa DOT Project: Motion by Sprank to receive and file the documents and adopt Resolution No. 202-26 Bee Branch Creek Trail Project – Phase 3, Iowa DOT TAP-U-2100(711)—...
Greyhound Park Road Water Main Loop Project - Conduct Public Hearing and
6. Greyhound Park Road Water Main Loop Project - Conduct Public Hearing and Approve Bidding Documents: Motion by Roussell to receive and file the documents and adopt Resolution No. 203-26 Greyhound Park Road Water Main Loop Proj...
🏗️ Major Contracts, Bids & Capital Investments
City Council approval to receive FY 2027 Iowa Department of Public Safety,
$17,00010. City Council approval to receive FY 2027 Iowa Department of Public Safety, Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau Grant funds of $17,000. Upon motion the documents were received, filed, and approved.
City Council approval to proceed with Legat Architects (in partnership with
$92,50012. City Council approval to proceed with Legat Architects (in partnership with McClaren, Wilson, and Lawrie) with a cost of $92,500 to conduct the Dubuque Law Enforcement Center Space and Fea...
City Council approval of an agreement with Kellhoff Properties, L.L.C. (Kellhoff)
14. City Council approval of an agreement with Kellhoff Properties, L.L.C. (Kellhoff) related to the vacation and sale of certain alley right of ways adjacent to the property at 3860 Peru Road in Dubuque, Iowa. Upo...
Private Lead Service Line Replacement Project Pilot Program - Phase 2: City
$3,320,000.001. Private Lead Service Line Replacement Project Pilot Program - Phase 2: City Manager recommending City Council adopt the resolution granting preliminary approval of the plans, specifications, form of...
Initiate Public Bidding Process and Setting Date for a Public Hearing for the
$297,082.254. Initiate Public Bidding Process and Setting Date for a Public Hearing for the Asbury, Carter & Chaney Traffic Signal Improvement Project: City Manager recommending City Council grant prelimin...
Southwest Arterial / US 52 ITS Corridor Project Initiate Public Bidding Process and
$1,791,400.005. Southwest Arterial / US 52 ITS Corridor Project Initiate Public Bidding Process and Setting Date for a Public Hearing: City Manager recommending City Council grant preliminary approval of the construction p...
North Schmitt Island Collection System Project Contract 2: City Manager
$155,000.006. North Schmitt Island Collection System Project Contract 2: City Manager recommending City Council authorize the public bidding process and set a public hearing for June 1, 2026, and to preliminari...
Loras Boulevard & Locust Street Storm Sewer Reconstruction Project Award
$512,919.92
Awardee: Gansen Excavating
2. Loras Boulevard & Locust Street Storm Sewer Reconstruction Project Award
Public Improvement Contract Project to Gansen Excavating, Inc. in the amount of
$512,919.92 for both the Base Bid and Alter...
Loras Boulevard Reconstruction and Repairs Project Award Public Improvement
$405,706.20
Awardee: Eastern Iowa Excavating
3. Loras Boulevard Reconstruction and Repairs Project Award Public Improvement
Contract be awarded to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete, Inc. of Cascade, Iowa in
the amount of $405,706.20. This contract a...
2026 Public Works Asphalt Milling Profile Project Award Public Improvement
$135,229.474. 2026 Public Works Asphalt Milling Profile Project Award Public Improvement Contract to WK Construction Co., Inc. of Middleton, Wisconsin in the amount of $135,229.47. This award contract amount i...
Request for Qualifications - Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Consultant
8. Request for Qualifications - Fire Headquarters Bunkroom Remodel Consultant selection of FEH Design as the consultant for the Fire Headquarters Bunkroom and Bathroom Remodel project and to fin...
📋 Action Items & Council Resolutions
City Manager Recommendation to Appoint Assistant Chief of Police Joe Messerich
1. City Manager Recommendation to Appoint Assistant Chief of Police Joe Messerich as the Next City of Dubuque Chief of Police: Motion by Roussell to receive and file the documents and approve. This appointment requires approval by a majorit...
Ordinance Establishing Minimum Sanitary Sewer Charge for FY27: Motion by
5. Ordinance Establishing Minimum Sanitary Sewer Charge for FY27: Motion by Roussell to receive and file the documents and that the requirement that a proposed ordinance be considered and voted on for passage at two C...
Fire Cost Recovery Billing Ordinance: Motion by Wethal to receive and file the
6. Fire Cost Recovery Billing Ordinance: Motion by Wethal to receive and file the documents and to bring back to Council with additional information. Fire Chief Amy Scheller addressed questions from Council. Seconde...
Relocate Taxiway A - Combine Construction Phase 4 and Phase 6 which serves
7. Relocate Taxiway A - Combine Construction Phase 4 and Phase 6 which serves as a parallel taxiway to Runway 13/31: Motion by Roussell to receive and file the documents and approve. Airport Director addressed questions from C...
📑 Consent Agenda & Routine Governance
The City Council approved 22 routine actions, contracts, and permits under the consent calendar:
- Item No. 15 Gronen Development, Inc., Mixed-use Building Project at the Corner of
- Notice of Claims and Suits: Donald Boyle for Vehicle Damage; Thomas Mercer for
- Disposition of Claims: City Attorney advising that the following claims have been
- Approval of City Expenditures: Upon motion the documents were received and — Resolution No. 180-26 Authorizing the Ch
- Signed Contracts: Des Moines Area Community College for Education to Health
- The Arbor Day Foundation named Dubuque a 2025 Tree City USA in honor of its
- Crescent Community Health Center Letter of Support for application and
- Housing Commission recommending City Council approval to appoint
- Civil Service Commission submitting the certified lists for the positions of EMS
- City Council approve the FY2026 Annual Action Plan Amendment #2 as — Resolution No. 181-26 Adopting the
- City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 1 to — Resolution No. 182-26 Approving Gran
- City Council approval of the Plat of Survey consolidating Block 17 in Dubuque — Resolution No. 184-26
- City Council adopt the resolution rescinding Resolution No. 135-26 thereby — resolution rescinding Resolution No.
- City Manager providing information for the enrollment of the Dodds and Sinclair
- City Council approval of the individual resolutions of support for Workforce — Resolution No. 186-26 Supporting
- City Council accepting the Deed to certain real property in Dubuque County,
- City Council approval of the resolution for the Final Plat of Sky Blue Estates #3 as — Resolution No. 190-26 Authorizing Approv
- City Council approval of retail alcohol licenses as submitted. Upon motion the — Resolution No. 191-26 Approving applicat
- City Council approval of the retail tobacco permit and device retailer permits as — Resolution No.
- Petition to Vacate the 20' alley right of way lying between Peru Road, Toledo — resolution. Upon motion the document
- Petition to Vacate Certain Street Right of Way Easements in Julien Addition, from — Resolution No. 195-26 Intent to Vac
- MacHom Windows, LLC, Second Amendment Lease Agreement: Item pulled from
📋 Additional Municipal Business
Planning Services Director Wally Wernimont recognized Zoning Advisory
1. Planning Services Director Wally Wernimont recognized Zoning Advisory Commissioner Martha Christ for her 32 years of service on the Zoning Advisory Commission. Christ's term is
Public Works Week Proclamation (May 17- 23) Accepted by Assistant Public
1. Public Works Week Proclamation (May 17- 23) Accepted by Assistant Public Works Director Max O’Brian and additional Public Works staff on behalf of the Public Works Department.
National Mississippi River Day (June 2, 2026) Accepted by Jim Earles and others
2. National Mississippi River Day (June 2, 2026) Accepted by Jim Earles and others on behalf of the Shalom Spirituality Center and Franciscan Land Justice Team. Motion by Wethal to receive and