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2019 State Legislative Priorities

Table of Contents Arts and Culture ....................................................................................................................... 30

Economic Development ........................................................................................................... 8

Emergency Management – Homeland Security ............................................................... 19

Historic Preservation .............................................................................................................. 25

Housing....................................................................................................................................... 17

Human Resources ................................................................................................................... 20

Iowa Code Changes................................................................................................................. 22

Library Services ....................................................................................................................... 20

Park and Recreation ................................................................................................................ 26

Partnerships .............................................................................................................................. 39

Planning & Zoning ................................................................................................................... 23

Public Health ............................................................................................................................. 33

Public Safety ............................................................................................................................... 2

State Mandates ......................................................................................................................... 13

State Tax Policy ........................................................................................................................ 12

Sustainability............................................................................................................................. 32

Technology and Innovation .................................................................................................. 17

Transportation .......................................................................................................................... 13

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Public Safety On January 24, 2017, Dubuque Chief of Police Mark Dalsing and Davenport Chief Paul Sikorski, along with the County Attorneys from Polk and Blackhawk Counties, and the Mayor of Des Moines, testified before the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee to request the State take a harder look at firearms and violent crime issues across the state. Chief Dalsing gave a statement requesting the following, and this is Dubuque’s current Requested Action:

• Requirements for high, cash-only bonds for crimes involving firearms or violent crime

• Review of existing codes to determine if penalties are sufficient (as compared to federal penalties)

• Exploration of new codes to address additional unauthorized persons possessing firearms (as compared to federal codes)

• Exploration of limitations on plea bargains for cases involving firearms or violent crime

• Review of sentencing guidelines for gun crimes, including mandatory minimums

• Analytical research into the individuals involved in gun crime and violent crime for commonalities and cause and effect variables so effective treatment can take place

Chief Dalsing has provided the following information on shots fired calls:

Confirmed Shots

Fired Murders

2016 2017 2018** 2016 2017 2018**

Dubuque 26 20 3 1 1 1

Davenport 152 146 170 6 12 6

Cedar Rapids 77 103 96 4 6 3

Waterloo 99 62 85 3 6 6

Iowa City 20 20 NA 0 4 0

Ames 3 3 1 1 1 1

NA = Not Available

**2018 - Year to date as of 11/13/18

As you can see from these headlines from across the state of Iowa, gun violence is becoming more prevalent and deserves some attention from the state legislature.

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IOWA HEADLINES

Gun violence drops in Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids Gazette – January 22, 2017 Despite the brutal start, Cedar Rapids in 2016 saw its first drop of shots-fired incidents in three years. Overall, there were 86 such incidents last year, a 14 percent decrease from 2015’s total of 100. Importantly, homicides also were down in 2016: four compared with six in 2015 and eight in 2014.

Trio of Cedar Rapids shootings remain under investigation City has seen 64 shots fired incidents so far this year Cedar Rapids Gazette – Oct. 23, 2017 Police said when the victim approached Rarey about his insult, Rarey pulled a knife and stabbed the man twice in the abdomen. The man was hospitalized for several days due to his injuries, police said. Rarey admitted to the stabbing.

String of serious Iowa City crimes, homicides put police, prosecutors to the test Authorities working long hours on homicide, attempted murder investigations Cedar Rapids Gazette – Oct. 20, 2017 There have been three homicide investigations this year. From 2010 to 2016, there were two homicides investigated by Iowa City police. The last time three homicide investigations took place in the same year was 2008. There also have been four attempted murder investigations this year, up from only one in 2016.

Cedar Rapids police investigating suspicious death as first homicide of 2018 Cedar Rapids Gazette – Jan. 16, 2018 Cedar Rapids police are investigating their first homicide of 2018. Public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said an autopsy was completed Tuesday on 18-year-old AnnaElise M. Edgeton. The autopsy determined Edgeton, of Cedar Rapids, died as a result of a gunshot wound. Buelow said no one is in custody and police are unable to answer additional questions about the investigation at this time. Violent crime in Cedar Rapids drops over five years Concerns remain after city sees six homicides within six months Cedar Rapids Gazette – Jan. 20, 2018 While instances of gunshots fired remained steady from 2016 to 2017 and Cedar Rapids saw a small increase in the number of homicides, city officials are touting a nearly 11 percent decrease in violent crime in the city over five years. According to data submitted annually to the FBI, Cedar Rapids had 392 instances of violent crime — defined by the FBI as murder and non-negligent manslaughter, sexual assault, robbery and aggravated assault — in 2013. Tentative data for 2017 shows 350 acts of violent crime, a decrease of 10.7 percent. Uptick in Cedar Rapids shots fired, but not in cooperation with police Cedar Rapids Gazette – May 30, 2018 The number of gunshots fired incidents in Cedar Rapids is up so far this year over the same period last year, raising concerns from some as summer approaches and challenges for police as victims and witnesses won’t cooperate. In a nine-day span this month, police responded to seven cases, with incidents in all four quadrants of the city: a man with a gunshot wound to the leg Saturday, multiple homes struck by gunfire May 23 and buildings shot into May 18 and 20. Midday May 18, witnesses described a shootout between two groups in the parking lot of Motel 6 off Southgate Court. The incidents remain under investigation.

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Police investigate each case regardless of cooperation and have made 12 arrests in those investigations so far this year. Police have recorded 12 cases of gunshots fired so far in May, and the 44 recorded so far in 2018 is up 29 percent over the 34 recorded through the end of May 2017.

UPDATE: One dead, one injured in Cedar Falls shooting Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier – Nov. 11, 2017 Alex Michael Bullerman, 18, of Waterloo, died of a single gunshot wound after he was found behind an apartment building at 2303 Olive St., according to Cedar Fall police. A short time later, 18-year-old Dylan James Gehrke, also of Waterloo, arrived at a hospital by private vehicle with a single gunshot wound to his lower right leg.

RESIDENTS REACT TO SHOOTINGS: 'We don't feel safe anymore' Quad City Times – March 19, 2016

2016 Shots fired calls down slightly from 2015 Quad City Times – Dec. 27, 2016 Davenport police have responded to 150 confirmed reports of shots fired since Jan. 1, down from 168 in 2015, according to data obtained by the Quad-City Times.

Davenport police investigate early morning homicide Quad City Times – June 9, 2018 On Saturday, June 9, 2018 at approximately 2:06 a.m. Davenport Police responded to a Disturbance call with reports being fired in the area of 800 W. 4th Street. Officers arriving in the area located a gunshot victim and provide first aid until medical personnel arrived on scene. The victim was transported by MEDIC to Genesis East Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Shortly after arrival the victim was pronounced deceased. The victim was identified as a 46-year-old male from Davenport. Detectives are following up on the incident. No further information is available at this time.

Davenport police investigate shooting incident Quad City Times – Oct. 3, 2018 At 10:02 p.m., Saturday, Davenport Police responded to a shots fired call in the 3500 block of Kimberly Downs Road. Officers canvassed the area and discovered shell casings. At that time no injuries or damage was reported. At 10:40 p.m. dispatch received a call regarding a walk-in patient at Trinity Hospital in Moline who had a possible gunshot injury. The patient was identified as a 31-year-old male from Davenport who was treated and released for a non-life threatening injury. Preliminary information determined that these two incidents are related. Detectives are following up on the incident.

21 Des Moines homicides most since 1990 Des Moines Register – Jan. 5, 2016 If 2015 seemed like a particularly violent and deadly year for Des Moines, it’s because it was.

Des Moines hit by 31 drive-bys in 6 months Des Moines Register – July 27, 2016 Through the end of June, 31 drive-by shootings were reported in the city. That's the most drive-bys through the first six months of any year since 2011. There were 22 reported during the same period last year, 16 in 2014 and 22 in 2013, according to the Des Moines Police Department.

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‘He was full of dreams and potential’: 14-year-old homicide victim laid to rest Des Moines Register – Nov. 6, 2016

11 Des Moines homicides remain unsolved in past 2 years Des Moines Register – May 10, 2017 As Des Moines police deal with an unusually high number of homicides so far this year, 11 homicide cases from the past two years remain unsolved.

Suspects in Des Moines’ 19th homicide this year have criminal gang charges in their history WHOTV.com – July 29, 2017

Des Moines ends 2017 with most homicides since 1978 Des Moines Register – Jan 1, 2018 An intense pace of killings in the city of Des Moines let up late in the year: No homicides were recorded in November and December. But the 25 homicides in 2017, including three on the first three days of the year, were still enough to be the most in the city since 1978, when 27 people were killed, according to police data.

Shots fired at car in Des Moines; man hospitalized, car in ravine Des Moines Register – Jan 15, 2018 Des Moines police are investigating a shooting that resulted in one man going to the hospital and a car stuck in a ravine. Around 10:30 a.m., Des Moines police were called to a shooting in the 5000 block of Southwest 9th Street, said Sgt. Paul Parizek, spokesman for Des Moines police. Witnesses told police there was a dispute between people in two separate cars, Parizek said.

Person injured in Urbandale shooting, police say Des Moines Register – Jan. 26, 2018 A person was shot Friday afternoon in Urbandale, though few other details were immediately available, authorities said. Police responded to the shooting at about 5 p.m. at the 3800 block of 70th Street, where officers found a victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound, Sgt. Chad Underwood said. Detectives planned to talk with the victim at a local hospital.

Shooting victim shows up at hospital after shots fired near Hiatt Middle School Des Moines Register – Jan. 30, 2018 A 21-year-old man showed up at a Des Moines hospital Tuesday afternoon after police responded to reports of shots fired near Hiatt Middle School in the city's Martin Luther King Jr. Park neighborhood, authorities said. The male, who police said appeared to have been shot in the buttocks, showed up at Iowa Lutheran Hospital at about 3:55 p.m. Just prior to that, officers responded to East 15th Street and Garfield Avenue, near the middle school, for reports of shots fired, Sgt. Paul Parizek said.

2 shot in separate incidents Saturday in Des Moines, police say Des Moines Register – March 3, 2018 Two people, including a 17-year-old, were shot Saturday in separate incidents in northeast Des Moines neighborhoods, police said.

Man shot on Des Moines’ east side; police investigating near scene of crash Des Moines Register – April 6, 2018 A man was hospitalized Friday afternoon after he was shot on the east side of Des Moines, police said. Officers responded about 3:30 p.m. to a shooting in the 2600 block of Lyon Street in the city's Fairground neighborhood, about four blocks from the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Sgt. Paul Parizek, a

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police spokesman, said when officers arrived, they found a two-vehicle car crash but no gunshot victim. A truck that had been described as a suspect vehicle in the shooting arrived a short time later at Lutheran Hospital with the man who had been shot, police said.

1 killed, 3 injured in separate Waterloo shootings in 5-hour span, police say Des Moines Register – May 20, 2018 A male was killed, and three people were injured early Saturday morning in a spate of shootings in Waterloo, authorities said. The male died at Allen Hospital after officers found him suffering from a serious gunshot wound about 5:15 a.m. inside a home at 639 Gable St., police said. His name or age has not been released. Five hours earlier, officers responded to the first report of shots fired of the morning, at 12:13 a.m., in the 1300 block of East 4th Street near Sullivan Memorial Park. Police determined the shooting occurred in the area of nearby Linn and Cottage streets, where two people suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, authorities said. Officers then responded to shots fired at about 4:35 a.m. in the 1600 block of Sycamore Street. While there, investigators were notified of a shooting victim at Allen Hospital. That person's injuries, which were sustained in the shooting, were non-life-threatening, Waterloo police said. Officials have not said whether the shootings were related.

Man killed in Des Moines shooting marks 9th homicide of 2018 Des Moines Register – September 30, 2018 A 28-year-old man died Sunday afternoon after he was shot several times on the east side of Des Moines, authorities said. Medics and officers were dispatched about 1:15 p.m. for several calls of gunfire in the 1200 block of East 13th Street in the city's Capitol Park neighborhood. The first officer on the scene was just around the corner at the time of the shooting, locating the injured man in seconds, police spokesman Sgt. Paul Parizek said. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died about 45 minutes later. The killing, the city's ninth of 2018, appeared to be directed. Parizek told reporters the community did not need to be concerned other than "there's a man out there who just murdered someone."

Man arrested after shooting at busy Ankeny intersection Des Moines Register – Nov. 25, 2016

Police: Man in critical condition after Ames shooting Des Moines Register – Dec. 28, 2016

Four people arrested after drive-by shooting in Ames Radio Iowa – Feb. 20, 2017

One dead, two wounded in several shootings in Burlington KWQC – Nov. 23, 2016

Dubuque police investigating reports of gunshots overnight Telegraph Herald – Sept. 13, 2017 It marks the 15th confirmed instance of gunshots fired in Dubuque this year, according to the Police Department. There were 26 shots-fired incidents in 2016 in Dubuque.

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IOWA POLICE CHIEFS AIM FOR SOLUTION TO RISING GUN VIOLENCE Meeting in Cedar Rapids shows that Dubuque's recent rise in gun violence is not unique in the state.

Telegraph Herald – Jan. 16, 2016 The chiefs of eastern Iowa’s biggest police departments met this week to address across-the-board increases in gun violence in recent years. Dubuque, which had 33 confirmed instances of gunshots fired in 2015, is not the only community to see a spike in shootings in recent years, according to Police Chief Mark Dalsing. During a meeting Wednesday in Cedar Rapids, police leaders of the host city, Ames, Davenport, Iowa City and Waterloo also reported increases in recent years. In Waterloo, police confirmed more than 120 shots-fired incidents in 2015, according to Police Chief Daniel Trelka. The year before, officers confirmed fewer than 100. The chiefs will continue to meet to discuss trends and ways to address concerns, Dalsing said. He said he also will look at working with legislators to find ways for additional legal remedies to shootings.

Full Funding for Judicial Branch Services Public safety and basic tenet of judicial process depends upon a robust fully-funded judiciary which provides for its citizen clients: access, timely processing, staffing and services. Critical funding must be provided for all judicial services including juvenile court offices and services, drug court, and judicial access.

Requested Action:

Support legislation which provides full-funding for the requested budget of the State of Iowa’s judicial branch. To do otherwise jeopardizes work being done with youth and is a compromise to public safety.

Hate Crime Statute According to FBI Hate Crime Statistics, hate crimes against people based on gender identity are on the rise. The 2016 data, released in November 2017, indicates that 2% of reported hate crimes were committed against people based on gender identity. This compares to 1.7% of reported hate crimes in 2015, 1.8% in 2014, and .5% in 2013 (the first year that hate crimes based on gender identity were reported). Note that not all jurisdictions report hate crime statistics to the FBI and jurisdictions like Iowa would report zero based on gender identity because state law omits gender identity from the hate crime statute. As of July 2017, 17 states plus the District of Columbia have hate crime laws that include gender identity. Iowa is one of 13 states whose hate crime law includes sexual orientation but does not include gender identity. http://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/hate_crime_laws. A 2016 murder in Burlington garnered national attention when local law enforcement officials could not charge the homicide as a hate crime based on the lack of including of gender identity in the statute. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/26/us/transgender-iowa-murder-trial-kedarie-johnson.html.

The American Psychological Association, which takes a public health approach to violence prevention, notes that dehumanization of unfamiliar groups and targeted aggression that is behind hate violence can result in more dramatic psychological effects on victims as compared to crimes that are not motivated by bias. In addition, hate crimes tend to decrease feelings of safety and security in the community for members

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who share the victim’s group status. http://www.apa.org/advocacy/interpersonal-violence/hate-crimes.aspx

Requested Action:

Amend hate crimes statute to include gender identity.

Economic Development The role of city government in economic development is crucial. Economic activity requires roads, streets, airports, water and sanitation. New jobs necessitate more and better workforce housing. Growing businesses seek quality of life amenities for employees and families, such as parks, recreation, bike trails, art, museums, and libraries. Protection and safety of property and life must be assured. A community must value equity and be welcoming. This can only be accomplished with the strong support of an effective city government in partnership with local private sector and non-profit leaders and state and federal government officials.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) The Iowa Code provides that cities can use TIF for certain public and private economic development purposes once an urban renewal plan is approved and an urban renewal district established. The ability to use TIF to assist private economic development projects in urban renewal districts is an essential ingredient of the City of Dubuque’s nationally recognized success, providing financing and incentive for private investment. The City of Dubuque has prioritized the redevelopment of our urban core; cities need tools like TIF to accomplish this. The Slum and Blight Urban Renewal TIF allows cities across the state to reclaim their urban cores, restore otherwise abandoned historic properties, and create more sustainable communities. TIF is perhaps the most important Smart Growth tool available to cities. Since the City of Dubuque began using TIF in earnest in the 1990’s, there have been a total of 74 corporate projects which have had the benefit of $455,718,152 in direct TIF incentives to date. These projects have leveraged $501,779,204 in additional capital investment. These projects have resulted in the retention of more than 3,120 jobs in Dubuque and the creation of 4,950 jobs. This does not include many of the jobs added to the downtown employment base where there was no direct TIF agreement with the employer but rather the projects were facilitated by loan pools and other methods benefiting from the Downtown TIF district. This has all worked because responsible elected officials, who while acting in an entrepreneurial fashion to encourage community growth, have used TIF, the City’s only meaningful local economic incentive in a strategic fashion. Dubuque has leveraged TIF to achieve consistent, significant job growth and maintain a strong, diversified local economy. The Milken Institute named Dubuque its 10th Best-Performing Small Metro for 2013, the same year that Forbes ranked Dubuque 14th in the nation in its annual “Best Small Places for Business and Careers.” Wages and income for residents have grown, as evidenced by a 14% increase in median household income from 2009 ($48,012) to 2015 ($54,605). In September 2017, Iowa Workforce Development reported Dubuque County’s total non-farm employment to be 60,000, a 60% increase from 37,700 in 1983. Dubuque’ unemployment rate just 2.7% in September 2017, a tremendous rebound from 1983 when it was 12.1%! This type of job growth and low unemployment is only possible through the strategic use of TIF.

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Since TIF is really the only economic development financing tool available to Iowa cities, Dubuque often uses TIF as the local match required when partnering with the Iowa Economic Development Authority. This was certainly the case with the 1,300 jobs created by IBM, the over 200 jobs at Hormel and the 388 jobs retained and created by A.Y. McDonald. Without the flexibility this tool provides, Dubuque would not have this kind of success in job creation and retention. A very important priority of the City of Dubuque, the Historic Millwork District, benefited initially with a $105 million investment of private and public dollars, rebuilding much of the street network, underground utilities, creating parking and renovating the Caradco Building (Schmid Innovation Center) into 72 apartments, and 35,000 square feet of commercial and retail space. Two additional buildings requiring approximately $40 million in investment, with 92 additional apartments and thousands of square feet of commercial industrial space were renovated and came online in 2015. Ultimately, the entire Historic Millwork District will have over $200 million in investment leveraging new business creation and much needed workforce housing for Dubuque. This Historic Millwork District slum and blight subarea TIF was established in 2008. Legislative proposals which place restrictions on Slum and Blight Urban Renewal TIF Districts would rapidly dissolve the City’s financial investment in this priority project for the City of Dubuque which will require many more years, and likely decades, of investment in order to reach its potential. The City’s new 125-acre industrial area would not have been possible if the proposed legislation forcing “sun-setting” of economic development TIFs would be put in place. The City of Dubuque has successfully and responsibly used tax increment financing to create more jobs per capita than any other city in the State of Iowa. Proposed TIF reform that would prohibit the use of TIF revenue on public buildings, which would stop the creation of parking ramps (vital to the economic viability of downtown businesses!) and City efforts to restore the Historic Federal Building, an iconic anchor building in the downtown allowed to go into disrepair by the Federal Government, would be opposed by the City of Dubuque. The City of Dubuque understands the need for increased transparency, fastidious data collection and antipiracy language in TIF reform, but cannot support reform that limits or sunsets the City’s use of slum and blight and economic development TIFs. Even in these areas, the language should be narrowly crafted so as not to stifle economic and community development activities by cities. No language should be included that could limit or destroy job creation and economic development potential that exists in current TIF laws.

Requested Action:

Support efforts to maintain Tax Increment Financing as an economic development financing tool. Oppose restrictions on use of TIF for public infrastructure and oppose the “sunsetting” of TIF districts.

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Eminent Domain During 2006, the Legislature approved changes to the Eminent Domain Law. Included in the changes, and of particular concern, is the requirement that seventy-five percent or more of the area included in the urban renewal plan must consist of property in a slum or blighted condition at the time the plan was established in order for the entire project or acquisition plan area to be subject to condemnation by the municipality. We believe that a 51% threshold is more reasonable. Furthermore, the new language provides that the project or acquisition plan area shall only include the adjacent and contiguous parcels necessary for the completion of planned activities for a specific business or housing project. This language would be limiting for downtown development projects that may be larger in scope than just the parcels that meet the definition of slum and blight. Lastly, the burden for the use of eminent domain for airport project is increased by the requirement that the Board of Supervisors must hold a public hearing and pass a resolution unless the airport improvement is FAA-required. This creates additional layers of burden on a municipality.

Requested Action:

Support efforts to amend sections of the Eminent Domain Law to allow for changes as proposed by the Iowa League of Cities and noted above.

State Historic Tax Credits The Iowa Historic Preservation Tax Credit was passed in May 2000 to promote investment in our historic resources in communities, codified in Section 404A.4. Rehabilitation of these resources contributes to the economic viability as well as the strength of our communities. The secondary impacts of this historic tax credit on our communities are countless. The program provides a tax credit of 25% of the qualified rehabilitation expenses for qualified projects. Thus, each credit represents an investment in our community of at least four times the amount of the credit. Additional revenues are generated through increased property taxes, income taxes, and sales taxes.

The cap for the program is currently set at $45 million per year.

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Between the beginning of the program in 2000 and the year 2013 (the most recent year for which we have total project costs available from the state), Dubuque completed 31 projects using the State Historic Tax Credit program. Just over $42 million in SHTC funding leveraged over $142 million in additional funding sources. And, between 2014 and 2016 an additional 13 projects were awarded funding by the state. These projects have added well over 2,000 permanent jobs to our economy, not including the construction jobs to complete the large projects. These 2,000 people would equate to an $80 million annual payroll. Critical workforce housing needs in the City of Dubuque make state historic tax credits and other financial incentives a top priority as the City works to promote redevelopment and reinvestment in our urban core. Recent concerns raised by the Iowa Department of Revenue have resulted in a slowdown of the State Historic Tax Credit program.

Requested Action:

Join with local governments across the state and private sector partners through membership in Smart Growth Development Coalition, work to preserve and expand the State Historic Tax Credit program.

Quality of Life and Community Enhancements Successful quality of life programs need continued funding, such as Enhance Iowa, REAP, CAT funds, RECAT Iowa Great Places, the Iowa Main Street program funds, and tax credits for historic preservation.

Requested Action:

Protect and enhance economic development tools enabling cities in Iowa to promote economic improvement throughout the state.

Land Bank Policy In order to return blighted and abandoned properties to productive use quickly, states have passed legislation that stream lines the tax foreclosure process by giving ownership of these tax reverted properties to a nonprofit land bank therefore obtaining them earlier in the tax foreclosure auction process. Further legislative reform in these states has redirected money collected from unpaid and delinquent property taxes toward land banks for purposes of funding the land banks and for the purchase of tax reverted properties. The City of Dubuque in collaboration with its regional partners will explore the formation of a land bank that would purchase tax reverted properties through the tax foreclosure process. The land bank would maintain these properties until purchase by a responsibility buyer, ensuring the properties return to productive use.

Requested Action:

Support Land Bank legislation and work with State partners to approve redirection of monies collected from unpaid and delinquent property to a regional landbank for funding and for the purchase of additional tax reverted properties.

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State Tax Policy

Property Tax The current tax structure for state and local governments is a mix of tax laws, rates and policies that do not provide for a fair and consistent tax system. The Iowa League of Cities and the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) have identified key areas needing revision for a comprehensive tax reform in Iowa. They include: 1) changes to assessment and valuation procedure, 2) changes to city and county budgeting processes, 3) developing an alternative to current property tax limitations, and 4) elimination of the rollback formula and homestead exemption.

Requested Action:

Work with the Iowa League of Cities, the Metropolitan Coalition and ISAC to approve legislation to design a tax structure that provides tax equity and policies that are consistent with an overall direction for state and local government taxation.

Commercial Property Tax Reform and Backfill Legislation providing for commercial property tax reform passed in the Iowa Assembly in 2013. This legislation included language providing for cities in order to protect local residential taxpayers would not bear the tax burden of this reform bill. Requested Action:

Continue to hold Iowa cities and residential property tax payers harmless for the backfill created by the commercial property tax reform legislation. Continue backfill payments to local governments.

Local Option Sales Tax The State should give consideration to increasing the allowable local option sales tax from 1% to 1.5%. This would allow local governments more flexibility to deal with any negative impacts property tax reform may cause. In the case of Dubuque, an increase of 0.50% in local option sales tax would generate approximately $4 million dollars, half of which is used for property tax relief.

Requested Action:

Increase the allowable local option sales tax from 1% to 1.5%.

Repeal Amended Administrative Rule ARC2178C Recent actions by the State Administrative Rules committee have preempted the actions of the Legislature in defining Iowa Tax Code. Consequences of this action by the Administrative Rules Committee will have an impact on City of Dubuque revenues and specifically have an adverse impact on the Flood Mitigation Program of harvesting sales tax increment to pay for bonds issued.

Requested Action:

Seek legislation to disapprove of any amended revenue rules adopted by the Iowa Department of Revenue as proposed in ARC 2178C that "expand the number of items that qualify as exempt computers, machinery, or

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equipment" in Iowa Code Chapter 423, which is how the proposed rules described what they are intended to do.

Assessor’s Bill Property tax experts or representatives are now part of the tax appeal process. A tax representative can file an appeal for a large commercial property under a contingency basis, receiving their pay based on a percentage of the property tax savings they can achieve for their client. In many of these cases little or no money is expended by the taxpayer. The representative files a protest with the Board of Review and supplies little or no information to the Board. The Board may deny the protest, but the tax representative will file a protest to either District Court or the Property Assessment Appeal Board. At this point the tax representative may produce more information or they may try to negotiate a settlement. On the assessor’s side it may be very costly to hire appraisals and fight this out in Court. A single appraisal for a large Commercial or Industrial property will easily exceed $5000. Also, many appeals to the Board of Review are filed at the last minute with a statement such as information to be presented at hearing. Many appellants never provide the information or provide it very late in the Board of Review session, so the Board is unable to reach a well-founded conclusion.

Requested Action:

Request the Iowa Legislature to limit appeals to District Court and the Property Assessment Appeal Board to matters and information that were presented before the local Board of Review.

State Mandates Cities are often faced with implementing mandates from the state and federal governments without receiving the necessary funds for implementation.

Requested Action:

Enact legislation that exempts local government from providing any new service or engaging in any new activities mandated by the state if the state does not provide full funding for the mandated additional staff, equipment and infrastructure.

Transportation

Transportation funding Dubuque is the regional economic center for the Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin tri-state area. With local international companies and businesses such as the John Deere Dubuque Works, Nordstrom Distribution Center, Mc Graw Hill Publishing Company, AY McDonald Manufacturing, Flexsteel Industries, Kendall/Hunt Publishing and Hormel Food Corporation, a 21st century

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transportation infrastructure system is essential. In order to continue the consistent and strong economic growth and job creation in the tri state area, critical transportation infrastructure requires increased state and federal funding. Transportation projects and improvements in Dubuque include:

• Completion of the Southwest Arterial bike trail

• Planning, design, ROW acquisition and construction of the East West Corridor

• Improvements and enhancements of the at grade railroad crossings in Downtown

Dubuque

• Intersection enhancements at the Northwest Arterial and Highway 20 intersection

Requested Action:

In order to increase transportation revenue for these and other important transportation projects the City requests support of the Iowa Department of Transportation Commission to maintain its current programmed funding and increased opportunities for funding to ensure implementation of priority transportation projects.

Iowa’s Road Use Tax Fund (RUTF) Local governments recognize that local transportation systems carry great importance not only for public safety and quality of life, but also for mobility, commerce, community vitality and economic development. The transportation system is in demand 24 hours a day, regardless of its road and bridge conditions or other factors. When existing funding sources are inadequate to address failing or deteriorating infrastructure needs, local governments are faced with aging and limited infrastructure as well as safety concerns. While the State of Iowa’s gas tax increase in 2015 increased current and near-future Road Use Tax Fund revenues, consideration needs to be given to future road funding needs and mechanisms as Iowa’s drivers purchase fewer gallons of conventional vehicle fuels.

Requested Action:

Investigate alternative funding mechanisms to increase funding for Iowa’s transportation infrastructure.

Passenger Rail Through the Envision 2010 process, the Citizens of Dubuque have established a Passenger Rail Committee to support and promote the return of passenger rail service from Chicago to Dubuque. There is a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Illinois to implement passenger rail service between Chicago and Dubuque. Currently funding provides for connection from Chicago to Rockford, Illinois.

Requested Action:

Support the return of passenger rail from Chicago to Dubuque.

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Airport Infrastructure Reinvestment for Iowa (AIR-Iowa) According to the State Aviation System Plan (2010-2030) Iowa’s aviation system need is $816M or $43M per year. From Commercial passengers, to commercial freight, and our general aviation usage, our airports need significant upgrades if Iowa is to remain competitive in a global marketplace. The state’s current allocation for airport vertical infrastructure is $2.2M dollars a year leaving an unfunded gap of $40.8M annually.

Requested Action: Support the Iowa Public Airports Association request that the State of Iowa make a commitment to strengthen Iowa’s airport system, investing in infrastructure by making a ten-year commitment of RIIF funds in the amount of $16.5M per year, for a total of $165M over ten years. The total investment would be derived entirely from Iowa’s RIIF program.

Program Highlights

1. IPAA fully supports an aviation system investment approach. 2. All 99 counties in Iowa would experience an infrastructure investment increase in

their airports. 3. As proposed, Iowa’s annual investment in general aviation airport vertical

infrastructure would increase to $3.0M. 4. As proposed, Iowa’s annual investment in commercial service airport vertical

infrastructure would increase to $13.5M. 5. All funds dispersed would require a 5 percent local match by the Airport

Owner. Program Details

1. Commercial Service Airports:

A total of $13.5M allocated to Commercial Service Airports each year or $135M over a ten (10) year period. To be eligible, a facility would have to meet the federal definition of a Commercial Service Airport, and funds would be allocated as follows:

• Each of the eight (8) Commercial Service Airports would receive $300,000; and,

• Remaining funds would be dispersed and/or allocated based upon the percent of passenger enplanements, and similar to the current FAA entitlement funding formula for grants issued under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP)

2. General Aviation Airports:

A total of $3.0M allocated to General Aviation Airports each year or $30M over a ten (10) year period. The funds would be allocated according to the current project priority rating system as administered by Iowa’s Department of Transportation Office of Aviation.

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Air Service Development Funding DBQ participated in meetings with Iowa Legislators and staff along with the seven other commercial airports in developing a series of recommendations to the Iowa Legislature to promote, sustain, and grow commercial airline service in Iowa. This was the result of the 2014 Iowa DOT Omnibus bill, Senate File 2355, forming the Iowa Air Service Retention and Expansion Committee to develop a plan for the retention and expansion of passenger air service in Iowa. Several specific actions were identified below:

Requested Action: Encourage airports to conduct local passenger service strategic/contingency planning and assist airports as appropriate (Airports need state funding assistance in these plans and studies) Strengthen advocacy for federal programs - Arrange meeting with Iowa DOT, air service communities, and federal delegation Airport Improvement Program - Long-term reauthorization with increase in funding levels – Stop diverting trust funds intended for airport projects to FAA operations Essential Air Service Program - Lighten restrictions of eligibility requirements to assist existing commercial service airports in maintaining passenger air service. Airport Improvement Program - Stop diversion of use tax on aircraft sales from the State Aviation Fund to the General Fund

Aviation Tax Policy Iowa airports and aviation industry have requested sales and use tax policy changes to remain competitive with our neighboring states. Our customers are traveling to Minnesota and elsewhere for work on their aircraft which used to be performed in IA. Unless this trend is reversed, this will lead to loss of jobs, closed businesses, and a weaker aviation industry.

Requested Action:

Aviation related taxes and tax policies must be kept competitive and comparable with neighboring states which would require the elimination of sales tax on labor.

Protect Airport Zoning and Airspace Protecting and preserving airport approach and departure paths is one of the main reasons airport protections were placed in the Iowa Code many years ago. The safety and protection of the public, pilots and passengers must not be placed secondary to tower siting considerations.

Requested Action:

DBQ opposes any efforts to eliminate, supersede, or lessen the zoning and airspace protection abilities of local communities for their public airports.

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Technology and Innovation

Broadband Infrastructure Dubuque supports state efforts to expand broadband access and speeds in the state. Like water, sewer, energy and roads, affordable access to globally relevant internet speeds is a minimum infrastructure necessary to the quality of life of our families and the competitiveness of our businesses. State policy should support and incent public/private collaborations to accelerate broadband access and services. State policy should support innovations in new technologies and flexibility in existing systems like the Iowa Communication Network (ICN). State policy should fund innovative approaches by local communities to bring globally relevant broadband speed and services to under-served and hard to serve populations. State policy should not hamper local municipalities from directly addressing the issue and providing service to citizens where appropriate. Also, while we support the concept of improved efficiency and transparency in the regulatory process to encourage private broadband investment, we ask that care be taken with State policy to assure there is sufficient flexibility for local government to be able to respond to local complexities and needs with permitting, licensing and regulatory decisions. Lastly, if the State chooses to "target" its broadband efforts, those targets should not be based on artificial distinctions of "urban versus rural" or "small versus large", but rather on key consideration of whether in a specific location there is access to globally competitive infrastructure in terms of broadband access, choice, speed, redundancy, safety and cost.

Requested Action:

Continue to support policy and funding for expansion and universal access to broadband in the State of Iowa. We continue to support home rule around location and policy regarding broadband resources.

Housing

Smart Growth Workforce Housing Grant Program

Creation of the Smart Growth Workforce Housing grant program under the discretionary policy of the Iowa Finance Authority provides greater opportunity for the City of Dubuque and its partners to stabilize the community and will prioritize environmentally-sustainable development and will promote economic development. This grant program was established in the 2010 legislative session. The program however, lacks funding. Definition

Smart Growth practices are settlement patterns that avert urban sprawl by encouraging more compact development, greater transit use, and enhanced environmental protection. Workforce housing is normally defined as housing affordable to households earning between 80 percent and 120 percent area median income (AMI). Affordable, in the housing industry, means a household pays no more than 30 percent of its annual income on housing. Smart Growth Workforce housing is the combination of these concepts – the development of sustainable, transit-oriented housing that is affordable for our workforce.

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What can our workforce households afford to pay for housing? “The National Housing Act of 1937” created the public housing programT [wherein] a tenant’s income could not exceed five to six times the rent; and by 1940 income limits gave way to the maximum rent standard in which rent could not exceed 20 percent of income – in practice, the same as the predecessor income limit standard. Over the decades, that percentage has risen, so that by 1981 the threshold was set at 30 percent of income. Households that spend over 30 percent of income on housing are considered cost burdened. Why the increase? Was it truly deemed a more appropriate benchmark? Or was it simply in response to an increase in housing costs and the government’s inability to subsidize housing for an ever-growing number of struggling households? Over the past decade, rising housing costs have outpaced the average salary across the United States – in some areas by two- to five-fold. Many workers in urban areas have dealt with this discrepancy by living far from their downtown jobs or by living in housing they can’t afford. Unfortunately, the former solution is offset by an increase in transportation costs. And what is the price we pay for the latter solution? “Families who pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing are considered cost burdened and may have difficulty affording necessities such as food, clothing, transportation and medical care.” In fact, a full 37% of homeowners and 50% of renters today are cost burdened. Fortunately, housing costs in smaller urban and rural areas are often within closer reach for workforce households. However, in areas where vacancy rates are low – calling for the production of new units – development of quality housing is financially impossible, as operational income on the properties is not enough to cover interest payments on the project mortgage. Low local rent levels, although beneficial for tenants, preclude developers from creating new units, despite a community’s housing shortage. For this reason, many developers have turned to the LIHTC program to make their projects financially feasible, whether or not this fulfills the community’s particular housing demand. Meanwhile, the recent economic downturn and housing market woes have combined to create a new class of workers, forced into the rental market because they do not qualify for a mortgage. Displaced workers with homes that won’t sell, families who’ve had their homes foreclosed, young professionals with student loans, and households that might otherwise be able to afford mortgage payments if only they could come up with the higher requisite down payment demanded in a tight lending climate – all of these are moving into the rental market. This creates a rather sudden increase in the demand for rental residential units for households that are neither wealthy, nor are they eligible for low-income housing. The creation of affordable housing options for our workforce allows communities to attract and retain quality employers. If the only housing that developers can afford to produce is intended for low-income or wealthy households, we should not be surprised to see such a disparity in our communities’ income levels. To have a healthy mix of incomes, we must have housing options available for all income levels.

Requested Action:

Fund the Iowa Finance Authority Smart Growth Workforce Housing grant program.

Workforce Housing Tax Credits The "sun-setting" of the Iowa Economic Development Authority's Enterprise Zone program in 2014 resulted in the creation of two new tax credit opportunities under the High Quality Jobs Program; one for economic development and the second for workforce housing. The City of

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Dubuque supported this policy decision in the 2014 legislative session however some refinement of the workforce housing tax credit program will be necessary in the 2018 legislative session in order to meet the demand identified in the State's workforce housing study completed in 2012. The legislative changes in 2014 expand access to the worthwhile housing program, but the cap is unnecessarily limiting.

Requested Action:

The City supports moving the workforce housing tax credits out of the aggregate Iowa Economic Development Authority's Economic Development Tax Credit Cap. The workforce housing program is a housing program and not a direct economic development incentive and should not be restricted as such.

Emergency Management – Homeland Security

Flood Mitigation Program Federal Emergency Management Administration has asserted that for every one dollar expended in disaster mitigation programs/projects, taxpayers save four dollars in recovery costs. The newly established State Flood Mitigation program is designed to leverage local and federal dollars with state financial assistance and is funded up to $600 million over the next twenty years. This amount will most likely be insufficient in addressing the flood mitigation infrastructure demands of Iowa cities.

Requested Action:

We urge legislators to continue to appropriate funds annually to the flood mitigation account in order to support local governments faced with high costs of these public infrastructure flood mitigation programs in order to protect the lives and property of Iowa citizens.

Combined Emergency Communications and Emergency Operations Center Dubuque County has experienced eight presidential disaster declarations since 1999. Increased frequency and impacts of disasters on the City of Dubuque has created the need for expanded facilities. Combining emergency operations and communications will deliver services more effectively and efficiently to citizens of Dubuque and Dubuque County. Emergency Operations Centers have been in place throughout the state of Iowa for decades. The City of Dubuque’s Emergency Operations Center is currently located at the Dubuque Emergency Responder Training Facility. It had been previously located in the Dubuque Fire Headquarters basement since the mid-twentieth century. EOCs were built during the Cold War and with a focus on civil defense. Today, with more frequent and extreme weather events as evidenced by Dubuque’s high number of Presidential Disaster Declarations, demand for a new combined center is evident. The Emergency Communications Center is located in the Dubuque County Law Enforcement Center. It is located in the middle of the building and is restricted for future growth. Currently there are 4 console positions and with the numbers of calls and the severity of some of them, there is a need to have additional capacity for call taking and dispatching. The Center has been remodeled several times and future expansion is limited. Federal Mandates for P25 radio

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systems and the expiring life expectancy of current radio system creates the need to update Dubuque City/County’s radio system within the next two years at a cost of $10.5 million. Updating at current location still creates restrictions on growth and capabilities during high volume times and disasters. In order to respond to the well-being and safety of the citizens of Dubuque, and to the increased demand for services created by more frequent disasters, and in order to replace aging and inefficient facilities, efforts are underway to explore funding opportunities that would enable the creation of a combined Emergency Communications and Emergency Operations Center. The State of Iowa has partnered with many larger city/county governments to assist in funding combined emergency communications centers and emergency operations centers.

Requested Action:

Work with area legislators to explore opportunities for partnership and funding for a combined Emergency Communications and Emergency Operations Center. Support increasing 911 Surcharge funding percentage to get the 911 Funds back into the local’s hands to assist local 911Service Boards with maintaining 911 systems.

Library Services

Fully Funding Enrich Iowa Program Enrich Iowa is a state aid program for Iowa’s libraries. Until recently, Iowa was one of eight states without direct state aid to libraries. Current state funding is at $1 million statewide versus the recommended $3 million for full funding. If Enrich Iowa were fully funded, the Carnegie-Stout Public Library could realize a significant increase annually in state aid.

Requested Action:

Support efforts to increase funding for the Enrich Iowa program.

Human Resources

Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System of Iowa Police and firefighter pensions are funded through the Municipal Fire & Police Retirement System of Iowa (MFPRSI). Employees contribute a fixed 9.4 percent of their salary, while their employers contribute at a variable rate, with a statutory minimum of 17 percent. The city contribution rate is set by the nine-member MFPRSI board to meet actuarial requirements. The board includes four members representing police and firefighters, four members representing cities, and one private citizen – all serving four-year terms. The employer contribution rate was 17 percent from fiscal years 1997 through 2003. As a result of market crashes after the September 11, 2001 attacks, it was gradually raised to 28.21 percent in Fiscal Year 2006 before again dropping to the statutory minimum in Fiscal Year 2010.

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Since then, it increased to 19.90 percent in Fiscal Year 2011, 24.76 in Fiscal Year 2012, 26.12 percent in Fiscal Year 2013, 30.12 percent in Fiscal Year 2014, 30.41 percent in Fiscal Year 2015, 27.77 percent in Fiscal Year 2016, 25.92 percent in Fiscal year 2017, 25.68 percent in Fiscal Year 2018 and 26.02 percent in Fiscal year 2019. The problem with MFPRSI is largely about the variability of the contribution rate. Cities’ IPERS contribution rates since 1994 have never been below 5.75 percent and never been above the current 9.44 percent – a difference of 64 percent. With MFPRSI during the same period, however, the difference between the statutory minimum and the maximum (30.41 percent in Fiscal Year 2015) is almost 79 percent. Another small but contributing factor is the state’s decision to phase out payments to MFPRSI. At one time, the state contributed 3.79 percent of payroll to the system – an amount that would be more than $9 million now. Then the contribution level became a flat $2.7 million – and it’s dwindled since then. The state used to contribute $1.5 million a year and now they contribute zero. In a larger context, the public-safety-pension issues relates to local control. Cities cannot bargain with police and firefighter unions on pensions, yet they have to fund them at state-mandated levels.

Requested Action:

The State of Iowa shall fund their obligated percentage for their share (3.79%). Change legislation to lift the cap for the employee contribution and consider reducing enhanced benefits for new employees coming into the system.

411 Subrogation Currently in Chapter 411, cities are not allowed to seek reimbursement from Third Parties for costs incurred for Police and Fire injury and illness claims. As such, a Police or Fire employee may collect against the City for an injury or illness claim and collect a second time for the same incident against a Third Party. If the employee is successful in getting payment from the Third Party, the City is currently not able to obtain reimbursement (subrogate) from the Third-Party payment.

Requested Action:

Amend Chapter 411 to allow cities to seek reimbursement from third parties for costs incurred for Police and Fire injury and illness claims.

Seasonal Employees Currently, temporary employees that accept a job that starts on a specific date and ends on a specific date are eligible to collect unemployment. For example, temporary employees hired for three or four months to mow lawns during the summer are allowed at the end of the summer to collect unemployment even though they know the job is temporary when hired. This puts a costly burden on the employer. The annual cost to the City of Dubuque to provide unemployment benefits to seasonal employees is approximately $80,000.

Requested Action:

Amend the unemployment law so that temporary employees are not allowed to collect unemployment.

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Continuation of Group Insurance Iowa Code Section 509A.13 states: “If a governing body, a County Board of Supervisors, or a City Council has procured for its employees accident, health, or hospitalization insurance, or a medical service plan, or has contracted with a Health Maintenance Organization authorized to do business in the state, the governing body, County Board of Supervisors or City Council shall allow its employees who retired before obtaining sixty-five years of age to continue participation in the group plan or under the group contract at the employee’s own expense until the employee obtains sixty-five years of age.” The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has issued an Accounting Standard Statement 75, related to other post-employment benefits. This statement requires public employers sponsoring and subsidizing retiree health care benefit plans to recognize the cost of such benefits on an accrual basis. This post employment benefit is provided in the form of an implicit rate subsidy where pre-age 65 retirees receive health insurance coverage by paying a combined retiree/active rate for the self-insured medical and prescription drug plan. This creates a liability that must be reflected on the year-end financial statements. We are not required to fund this obligation; however, the total obligation appears in our Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Requested Action:

Repeal Iowa Code 509A.13, Continuation of Group Insurance.

Iowa Code Changes

Authority to Petition for Title to Abandoned Lots A gap has been identified in Iowa Code, Chapter 657A; while cities can petition for title to abandoned residential, commercial, and industrial properties with buildings, cities have no authority under 657A.10A to petition for title to abandoned lots. Abandoned lots can be time consuming and expensive for cities to maintain.

Requested Action: Include abandoned lots in Iowa Code, Chapter 657A and allow cities to petition for title to abandoned lots as well as abandoned residential, commercial and industrial properties with buildings.

Underage and Binge Drinking Current legislation provides for a penalty to be placed upon the establishment that serves minors. However, only a simple misdemeanor penalty is placed upon the underage person attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages. This does not discourage this problem, which is particularly prevalent in college-age students. In an effort to combat underage consumption and “Binge Drinking” by our college age population, we would ask legislative consideration to increase the simple misdemeanor penalty found in Iowa Code Chapter 321.216 and 123.50 to a higher penalty.

Requested Action: Pass legislation to increase the simple misdemeanor penalty found in Iowa Code Chapter 321.216 and 123.50 to a higher penalty.

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Eliminate “Good Moral Character” language from Iowa Code One of the criteria for the issuance of a State of Iowa liquor license is determined by “Person of Good Moral Character” as defined in State of Iowa Code 123.3 (26)(d). The State takes into consideration the local municipality’s interpretation of “Person of Good Moral Character” prior to issuing a liquor license.

Requested Action:

Urge legislators to eliminate “good moral character” language and replace it with objective standards.

Adult Entertainment The City supports efforts by city attorneys to create legislation that would allow the city to regulate adult entertainment. Draft legislation would provide that cities and counties would regulate establishments that offer, allow or permit nude or semi-nude dancing.

Requested Action:

Support legislation drafted by city attorneys of Iowa giving the City authority to regulate adult entertainment establishments.

Fantasy Gaming Gaming revenues in the state of Iowa continue to experience negative impacts as a result of Fantasy Gaming. Fantasy Gaming could yield increased state and local revenues if licensed through Iowa gaming facilities and authorized in the Iowa Code section 99F.

Requested Action:

Support regulation of Fantasy Gaming which could yield increased state and local revenues if licensed through Iowa gaming facilities and authorized in the Iowa Code section 99F.

Planning & Zoning

Expand Cities’ Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Cities have extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) for up to two miles from their corporate limits for subdivision review and approval only if the County has zoning for the rural areas. Extending the cities’ ETJ to include review and approval of zoning changes would facilitate planned and managed growth. Legislation should provide incentives for governments to voluntarily plan together and identify recommended land use impact to be considered during the planning process. The League supports legislation that expands land management practices such as ETJ of cities to include review and approval of zoning changes.

Requested Action:

Support legislation enabling cooperative planning and effective land management practices.

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New State Law: Payday Lenders Payday loans are defined as small, short-term, unsecured loans, and are sometimes referred to as cash advances. Payday loans generally require that the consumer have a previous payroll and employment record, generally charge a much higher interest rate than a standard bank loan and carry a substantial risk to the lender. Payday loans are packaged as short-term loans due on a borrower’s next payday, but in reality, borrowers are indebted far longer and pay far more than advertised. The average loan requires one-third of a borrower’s biweekly paycheck, exceeding what most can afford without having to borrow again. Opponents of payday lenders recommend that cities and states regulate the industry by capping interest rates, requiring credit checks for patrons and by implementing zoning regulations. Payday lending is legal in the state of Iowa according to Iowa Code Ann. § 533D et seq. Loan terms are as follows: the maximum loan amount is $500 and the maximum term is 31 days. A lender is allowed to charge finance charges and fees up to $15 for a loan of $0-$100 as well as $10 more on every $100 borrowed thereafter. Finance charge equals $16.67 for every $100 borrowed for 14 days. APR equals 433% for every $100 borrowed for 14 days. In Iowa, many cities have adopted separation requirements for the location of payday lenders; however, zoning to separate payday lenders has little effect on existing businesses or on consumers using an existing business or an on-line resource. Iowa communities cannot regulate interest rates or prohibit payday lenders. Since 2011, Pew Charitable Trust has conducted extensive research on payday, auto title, and similar loans, and found that these products suffer from unaffordable payments, deceptive business practices, and excessive prices. The Pew Charitable Trust has these five policy recommendations to minimize harm to consumers and make small-dollar loans more affordable:

1. Limit payments to an affordable percentage of a borrower’s income. Monthly payments above 5% of monthly pretax income are unaffordable for most borrowers. Loans requiring more should be prohibited unless rigorous underwriting shows that the borrower can pay the loan while meeting other financial obligations.

2. Spread costs evenly over the life of the loan. Front-loading of fees and interest

should be prohibited. Any fees should be paid evenly over the life of the loan, and loans should have substantially equal payments that amortize smoothly to a zero balance.

3. Guard against harmful repayment or collections practices. Policymakers should

prevent or limit the use of postdated checks and automatic withdrawals from borrowers’ bank accounts. They should also make it easier to cancel automatic electronic withdrawals and protect against excessively long loan terms.

4. Require concise disclosures of periodic and total costs. Loan offers should clearly

disclose, with equal weighting: the periodic payment schedule, the total repayment amount, the total finance charge, and the effective annual percentage rate (APR) inclusive of all fees.

5. Continue to set maximum allowable charges. Almost every state sets maximum

allowable rates on some small-dollar loans because these markets serving those with poor credit histories are not price competitive. Policymakers may limit rates to 36% or less if they do not want payday lenders to operate, or somewhat higher if they do.

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Requested Action:

Pass legislation to implement the policy recommendations listed above for payday lenders.

Historic Preservation

Restore the Historic Site Preservation Grant Program (HSPG) The State of Iowa needs to restore funding to the Historic Site Preservation Grant Program (HSPG). This program was the only “brick & mortar” fund to encourage cultural growth and development throughout the state of Iowa. The Historic Site Preservation Grant provided funds to acquire, repair, rehabilitate, and develop historic sites that preserve, interpret, or promote Iowa’s cultural heritage. Projects funded by this program had to promote an understanding of the record of human experience within Iowa. All HSPG projects were limited to work on “vertical infrastructure,” which is defined in Iowa Code Chapter 8.57 as “land acquisition for construction, major rehabilitation of buildings, all appurtenant structures, utilities, and site developments.” The maximum allowable grant request was $100,000. The minimum allowable grant request was $40,000. Projects required dollar-for-dollar cash match.

Requested Action:

Restore State funding for the Historic Site Preservation Grant Program (HSPG).

Property Owners on Historic Preservation Commissions Section 303.34 of the Iowa Code requires that “At least one resident of each designated area of historical significance shall be appointed to the commission.” This requirement is problematic for the City of Dubuque’s Old Main Historic District, which is primarily commercial. It would be beneficial for the City in the recruitment and retention of commissioners to be able to appoint property owners to represent historic districts. Furthermore, since historic preservation regulations apply to the rehabilitation, renovation and restoration of property, allowing property owners to serve on the commission would be appropriate. Furthermore, some Iowa cities are experiencing burgeoning commissions as historic districts are designated and representatives of each district are appointed. To avoid “over-populating” a commission, allowing a majority of the districts to be represented on a historic preservation commission would be appropriate.

Requested Action:

Enact legislation allowing property owners to represent a majority of the historic districts on the Historic Preservation Commission.

Appeal of Actions by Historic Preservation Commission Section 303.34 of the Iowa Code states that an aggrieved party may appeal the action of a historic preservation commission to the City Council, and then to district court. The City Council, like the court, has to consider whether the commission exercised its powers and followed the guidelines established by law and ordinance, and whether the commission’s action

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was “patently arbitrary and capricious.” This process places the City Council in the difficult and uncomfortable position of interpreting technical guidelines and determining their appointees “arbitrary and capricious.” The City Council would support an alternative process. Also, there is no procedure specified in Section 303.34 for appeals to district court. The procedure for appeals should be spelled out in that section.

Requested Action:

Consider legislation providing an alternative appeals process regarding an action of the historic preservation commission. Also, clarify the procedure for appeals to the district court.

Park and Recreation

Parks to People Initiative The Iowa Parks Foundation has been working tirelessly to create economic and recreational facilities opportunities to grow all regions across the State of Iowa. The Jones, Jackson and Dubuque county region was selected for the Iowa Parks Foundation's pilot project. The pilot project - Parks to People - aims to better connect state, county and city regional park systems to local communities. The initiative will also beautify and improve state, county and city parks to ensure Iowa will become a premier parks region in the Midwest. Parks to People is also a quality of life program for the citizens of the State of Iowa and an economic development and tourism enhancement initiative with a focus on completion by the one hundredth anniversary of the Iowa parks system in 2020. As a part of the first pilot region (Dubuque, Jones and Jackson counties), parks in the region received $1.9 million in state appropriation and has been assisting in raising an additional 5:1 match which will include financial contributions and volunteer donations of time, talent and resources. Currently the region which is now called Grant Wood Loop has projects totaling over $50 million to build upon the state’s $1.9 million appropriation. Numerous projects across the three counties have been completed and others are near completion to meet the December 2018 deadline.

Requested Action:

The City of Dubuque supports the regional Parks to People efforts and promotes the goals of regional collaboration: economic development, quality of life, wellness, education, arts and culture and outdoor recreation. In addition, the City of Dubuque, as a regional partner, serves on the steering committee and advocates for a dedicated fund of $2 million dollars be established for Parks to People at the State Department of Natural Resources. The matching capability by the Grant Wood Loop shows this to be a strong public-private partnership with state resources being leveraged far beyond the original 5:1 match.

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Increased/Stable Funding and Staffing for Mines of Spain State Recreation Area The ability of 1,400 acre Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near Dubuque to remain a focal point for environmental and cultural educational programs and interpretive activities for the tri-state area of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin is seriously threatened by tenuous State funding. Local Response to State Needs The Mines of Spain is a regional destination where visitors and residents can reconnect with the natural, cultural and ecological aspects of the park through interactive and comprehensive outdoor and indoor learning opportunities. The Mines of Spain and the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center currently serves over 250,000 visitors annually and provides hundreds of programs for school aged children, college students, youth groups and families. When more space was needed at the Interpretive Center, the Friends of the Mines of Spain (FOMOS) planned and coordinated an expansion that updated and more than doubled the original space for educational purposes, raising $1.8 million in private, local, state and federal funds. The award-winning LEED-certified Interpretive Center now welcomes visitors to one of the region’s best-conserved natural and cultural resources, where people can explore the history and natural riches of the park. Working with the IDNR, the City of Dubuque, the FOMOS, private donors and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation have raised over $1.98 million to acquire and develop a 52-acre addition adjacent to the Interpretive Center. A Unique State Park with National Park Credentials The Mines of Spain State Recreation Area includes woodlands, prairie, and bluff lands that overlook the Mississippi River along a 3-mile shoreline. This state park is a National Historic Landmark and a state preserve. Trails connect visitors to a farm site, forests, prairies, archeological sites, and wetlands. It also boasts some of the most diverse ecological habitats ranging from bluff lands that overlook the river to tall grass prairies, forested woodlands and wetland. This National Historic Landmark also contains thousands of years of human history dating from the early Mississippian period through the early 20th century. Mounds, village sites, rock shelters, trading post sites, and campsites dot the landscape. The Mines of Spain Recreation Area was designated in 2005 as a Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area Site. State Support for Investment and Operation The IDNR, the City, and the Friends group have an excellent track record as partners. This partnership success can continue with the increased and stable funding for the operation, maintenance, and staffing of the Mines of Spain. Success, we believe, will be reached with asset management funding from secure State funding sources to enable us to fully use the expanded Interpretive Center and park area. With stable State funding, Park staff can maintain the Mines of Spain as the local, regional, state and national treasure it is and should remain. The outcome is a place for expanded education, increased experiences for the visitor and heritage tourism to attract more visitors to the state. Without this increased/stable funding the ability to use and appreciate these newly built and acquired facilities/land are seriously threatened; past investments are at risk for being wasted.

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Requested Action:

Increased state supported funding for the physical assets in the parks as well as park staffing for the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area especially because there are active local partners in the Friends of Mines of Spain and the City. Ability for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to raise fees as appropriate for recreational pursuits such as licensing.

Increased funding of REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection) REAP stands for Resource Enhancement and Protection. It is a program in the State of Iowa that invests in, as its name implies, the enhancement and protection of the state's natural and cultural resources. REAP is funded from the state's Environment First Fund (Iowa gaming receipts) and from the sale of the natural resource license plate. The state legislature sets the amount of REAP funding every year. Interest from the REAP account and receipts from the sale of natural resource license plates add about $394,000 to this appropriation. Last year REAP received an appropriation of $12 million although the REAP program is authorized to receive $20 million per year.

REAP has been used extensively in Dubuque for land acquisition and trails. Most recently it was used to acquire an adjoining property to the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and extension of the Northwest Arterial Trail which directly connects to the Heritage Trail as well as environmental restoration of Eagle Point Park. Both benefit tourism and connecting people to the outdoors with active recreation. Since 1998 Dubuque County has received over $6.46 million in REAP allocations for 212 projects for city parks and open space grants, conservation education, county conservation grants and allocations, historic resource development grants, land management, roadside vegetation, and soil and water enhancement.

Requested Action:

Request that the Iowa Legislature work to increase REAP to full funding of $20 million.

Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund The Iowa Legislature has a great opportunity to fulfill its promise to Iowans to protect Iowa’s land and water by passing a measure that funds the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, also called Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy. In 2010, over 60% of Iowa voters supported creation of the Fund to provide reliable and dedicated funding for the protection of water quality, conservation of agricultural soils and improvement of natural areas such as fish and wildlife habitat. However, no money will go into it unless the Legislature raises the sales tax. If raised, the first three-eighths of the tax will go

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toward the Trust Fund. It was reported that this would generate about $150 million a year. Once funded, the Trust Fund guarantees that money in the Trust be allocated as shown in the graph.

Our most productive soil is being lost at an alarming rate, threating the economic engine that is Iowa’s family farms. Funding the Trust Fund will provide protection of these resources for future generations by:

• Providing significant funding for investments in voluntary soil conservation practices and technology that can improve yields and profits on Iowa farms.

• Fostering and leveraging partnerships between agriculture, the non-profit and private sectors and government for implementation of water quality and soil conservation practices.

• Allocating 33% of the funding to voluntary soil and water conservation and local conservation partnerships.

The Trust Fund will also allow for investment in natural approaches to flood prevention that can improve water quality while protecting our farms, cities and neighborhoods from future flooding. Outdoor recreation provides real economic benefits to Iowa’s communities, particularly rural ones by contributing millions in local and state tax revenues, providing jobs and generating billions of dollars in Iowa's economy.

• Hunting, fishing and wildlife watching generate $1.54 billion per year in Iowa. This includes $974 million in local retail sales, creating and supporting more than 17,800 jobs.

• Hunters alone support over 7,000 jobs in Iowa and spend over $449 million annually on their sport, which in turn generates over $47.8 million in state tax revenue.

• Visits to state parks, county parks, lakes and trails are estimated at 50 million visits per year, representing $2.63 billion in spending levels.

• River recreation supports more than 6,350 jobs with $824 million in sales and $139 million of personal income.

Recreational amenities and quality of life opportunities are critical to recruiting and retaining a highly educated and motivated workforce.

Requested Action:

Pass legislation to increase the state sales tax from 6 percent to 6 and 3/8 percent with the 3/8 of one percent to be deposited in the Natural Resources

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and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund that the voters of Iowa already supported with a significant majority.

Arts and Culture Great livable communities in Iowa must support culture, arts, history, and focused community development. Investment in cultural programs improves the quality of life in Iowa and helps to attract and retain a vibrant workforce which assists in developing and promoting Iowa’s economic vitality. Nationally, the nonprofit arts and cultural segment alone produces $135 billion dollars in economic impact in the United States. According to the National Assembly of Arts Agencies, Iowa ranks 40th of all states in per capita spending of 43 cents for arts and culture. The National average is 97 cents. Neighboring states are ranked higher than Iowa: Minnesota 1st ($6.36); Missouri 20th (80 cents); Nebraska 2nd (78 cents); Illinois 21st (79 cents). These total FY2014 appropriations include line-item funds designated by the legislature to pass through the state arts agency to other entities. In 2011, Dubuque participated in the most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted in the United States, Arts & Economic Prosperity IV. It was conducted by Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education. The City of Dubuque was one of 182 study regions that participated in the study. In 2012, results showed that the nonprofit arts and culture industry in Dubuque generates $47.2 million in annual economic activity, supporting 1,530 full-time equivalent jobs and generating $5 million in local and state government revenues and $36.7 million in household income to local residents. The arts mean business. Leaders who care about the community and economic development can feel good about investing in the arts. What other industry can boast the quality of life benefits and the economic benefits the way the arts can? The arts have a vital role in stimulating and sustaining economic development. Contrary to popular belief, the arts are a bustling industry that supports a plethora of diverse jobs, generates significant revenues for local businesses, contributes to federal, state and local governments and provides quality of life that positions communities to compete in our 21st century creative economy. The Dubuque City Council has been a strong advocate for a strong advocate for a strong arts presence, making arts and culture a top priority for the last two years in a row. In 2004, the Council approved an Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee, $35,000 in annual project grants and established a Downtown Cultural Corridor. A $200,000 annual operating and special project support funding was established in 2005, and an additional $10,000 was added to that annually beginning in 2011. Another $300,000 in capital funds was allocated for the Art on the River public art program for ten years. Dubuque created a part time staff position of Arts and Cultural Affairs Coordinator in FY2009 with partial funding from Iowa Community Cultural Grants in FY 2009, 2010 and 2011. The position is now fully funded by the City. The coordinator works closely with the Commission to promote and increase awareness

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and market the arts and activities and allocate budgeted funding for the arts and cultural activities. The position has enabled the Commission to develop goals and priorities, to enhance the public art program by creating standards of excellence using regional, state and national models and refining the grant process to ensure the taxpayer's money is used in the best possible manner. The recent designation of the Historic Millwork District plan brings integrated strategies that include design guidelines, historic preservation, community gardens, central gathering spaces, arts venues and artistic streetscapes. The City has recognized the need for master arts planning which would include a public art plan in order to advance its’ reputation as a regional arts hub. The City of Dubuque engaged the consulting firm Lord Cultural Resources to assist in the creation of an Arts and Culture Master Plan. According to the 2012 Arts & Economic Prosperity IV national economic impact study, Dubuque’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $47.2 million in annual economic activity, supporting 1,530 full-time equivalent jobs, and generating $5 million in local and state government revenues and $36.7 million in household income to local residents. This document was developed as a guide for the City organization to strategically direct resources and ensure that arts and culture remain an integral part of our community in the future. The goal of the plan is to reflect the community’s desire to utilize arts and culture to enhance our sense of community; contribute to our economic vitality; create and support an environment where art and culture thrive; and enrich the Dubuque community culturally, aesthetically, educationally and economically. The Plan was adopted in October of 2016 by the Dubuque City Council. The City of Dubuque has provided $3 million dollars in funding for the arts since the establishment of the City’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission in 2004. The Commission has managed the City’s investment, allocated among three programs: $1.6 million has been awarded through the Operating Support Grant Program; $345,000 has been awarded through the Special Projects Grant Program that has leveraged a total of $814,192 in arts projects in our community, and; $205,000 has funded the Art on the River annual temporary public art exhibit at the Port of Dubuque. We are pleased to see that funding programs in the last budgeting year were restored somewhat from previously years. City funding alone is insufficient for the arts to flourish in Dubuque. The support of grant programs through the Department of Cultural Affairs is vital to the organizations and artists in Dubuque. The City currently has no funding programs for individual artists, so the Iowa Arts Council Project Grants help our local artists tremendously. Transforming the former ICCG Grant into the Jobs Creation Grants will assist many small organizations in our City to expand their capacity. On September 23, 2013, Iowa Arts Council staff presented a grant writing workshop in Dubuque which was highly attended, especially by younger art leaders in the community. Interaction with and support of a knowledgeable staff is integral to our state’s arts and cultural initiatives.

Requested Action:

Regard arts as an Iowa industry that is an economically sound investment that attracts audiences, spurs business development, supports jobs, generates state and local government revenue and is the cornerstone of tourism. Support programs in the Department of Cultural Affairs (Iowa Arts Council, State Historical Society of Iowa) to continue to recognize and promote Iowa’s cultural heritage as key in recovery and strengthening of all Iowa communities, and increasing economic development. State funding of these programs leverages local support for arts and cultural organizations, historical organizations, educational programs, rehabilitation of historic buildings, and projects involving a variety of historic resources.

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Provide appropriate staff support within the Department of Cultural Affairs to provide previous levels of services to communities and citizens of Iowa through all programs and departments. Raise the ranking of Iowa from 40th place in per capital spending for the arts and culture as reported by the National Assembly of Arts Agencies, Iowa ranks 40th of all states in per capita spending of $.43 for arts and culture.

Sustainability

Energy Efficiency & Renewable/Alternative Energy Recently, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy ranked Iowa 24th (down from 15th) in the nation for its efforts to promote energy efficiency. Businesses, residents and local governments have taken advantage of existing incentive programs, but still have much work to do in order to make their new and existing buildings more energy efficient. As energy efficiency is achieved, private and public organizations as well as individuals have begun to explore a variety of alternative and renewable energy options to increase their energy independence, reduce dependence on coal and oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve the competitiveness of local business and improve public health. In 2016, the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Department of Transportation initiated a statewide process to develop the Iowa Energy Plan. The plan, which the City of Dubuque has been engaged in developing, focuses on energy as an economic development opportunity, Iowa’s energy resources, energy efficiency and conservation, and transportation and infrastructure. However, in 2018, legislation imposed a spending cap on utility demand-side investment and now allows customers to opt out of paying for programs that fail to pass the Ratepayer Impact Measure test. Early indications from utility filings forecast a drop-in savings of 25-50% for electric programs and 75-80% for gas programs (Source: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy). The impact of these cuts is already being felt in Dubuque, with decreased funding for the Green Iowa AmeriCorps program. We also anticipate that the decreased funding for rebates and other efficiency programs will be felt by our residents and businesses in the coming year.

Requested Action:

The City strongly advocates for implementation of the recommendations of the Iowa Energy Plan, specifically as they relate to energy efficiency and opportunities to support the development of renewable energy resources in the state. The City is represented in the newly-formed Dubuque County Energy District and will work collaboratively with energy districts across the state to provide leadership and technical assistance to advance efficiency and renewables work. Successful energy efficiency incentive programs should be continued, and Iowa should explore opportunities to remain competitive with other states in offering incentives for the installation and utilization of renewable and alternative energy. Specifically, the state should consider a progressive

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energy policy that works with local governments and utilities to 1) provide energy efficiency assistance, especially to low-income families, 2) remove barriers to widespread decentralized renewable energy use, 3) stabilize renewable energy incentives, and 4) support net metering and other opportunities to make renewable energy more cost-effective and accessible. The City supports state legislation to permit Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE, in Iowa. PACE financing offers an innovative way for property owners to pay for energy efficiency upgrades with strong ROIs that create jobs for Iowans. PACE programs can now be used in over 30 states, with over $30 million provided to improve buildings in the last 12 months according to the US Green Building Council. Long-term financing linked to properties incent investment in energy-efficiency and renewable energy projects with long-term ROIs and promote equitable sharing of costs and savings among current and future owners and tenants. Additionally, the City supports the Iowa Clean Cities Coalition and is interested in partnering with the State in any way possible to advance the development of alternative fuel fleets and the infrastructure needed to make those fleets possible in the public and private sector.

Repeal of the Beverage Containers Control Program Recent years have seen the introduction of legislation that would repeal the beverage containers control program and create a recycling enhancement program. While this legislation has been characterized as moving in the direction of a more comprehensive statewide solution making recycling easier and more strategically addressing litter, the real consequences of such legislation would be to shift collection and cost burden from redemption centers to local government. This increased cost of recycling services would fall squarely on the taxpayers of Dubuque and other Iowa cities.

Requested Action:

Oppose bottle bill legislation that would shift the burden of recycling cans and bottles to local taxpayers.

Public Health

Brain Health The 2017 Iowa Acts, Chapter 109, Section 17 directed the Department of Human Services (Department) to convene a stakeholder workgroup to: "Tmake recommendations relating to the delivery of, access to, and coordination and continuity of brain health, disability, and substance abuse disorder needs, particularly for individuals with complex brain health, disability, and substance use disorder needs." The Complex Service Needs Workgroup recommends expanding and improving Iowa's brain health and substance use disorder services array to fill gaps for individuals with the most complex service needs by developing and implementing in strategic locations throughout Iowa.

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City of Dubuque Public Health and Safety officials recognize the positive aspects of the recommendations that align with City Council priorities. The recommendations are very comprehensive and address the continuum of care for behavioral and brain health issues, from mild to serious diagnoses. The recommendations also provide the opportunity for the regions to collaborate certain types of facilities and treatments. The recommendations address law enforcement issues and provides tools for law-enforcement and other entities working in community health.

Requested Action: Support the recommendations from the report of the Complex Service Needs Workgroup to expand and improve Iowa's brain health and substance use disorder services array to fill gaps for individuals with the most complex service needs by developing and implementing the following facilities and services in strategic locations throughout Iowa and supports the following legislative action: • Require brain health and disability services (MHDS) regions to establish,

implement, and maintain services in partnership with managed care organizations (MCOs) in strategic locations throughout Iowa;

• Direct the Department to establish a single set of provider qualifications and access standards that are used for Chapter 24 accreditation, Iowa Medicaid Enterprise for Medicaid enrollment, MHDS Region standards, and MCO utilization review standards

• Direct the Department to establish access standards that allow and encourage multiple MHDS Regions to strategically locate and share intensive, specialized services among and between MHDS Regions to best serve Iowans in the most efficient manner possible

• Eliminate the Iowa code that limits the number of sub-acute care facility beds

The City also supports the Workgroup’s recommendation that the Department of Human Services and Public Health (Departments) review the interim report with the Courts and seek their agreement and support.

Opioid Epidemic Opioid use and overdose deaths represent a public health crisis requiring innovating, evidence-based responses with community involvement. Opioid overdose mortality represents a major and preventable threat to public health. Deaths from unintentional drug poisoning have reached crisis levels in the United States and in Iowa. Last year in Dubuque had eleven opioid-related overdose deaths, and three have occurred already this year. Other communities in Iowa are also experiencing the devastating effects of illicit opioids. A growing body of evidence and experience supports innovating community-level approaches to preventing opioid overdose deaths in the broader context of efforts to reduce the risk of overdose through primary prevention of opioid misuse. Numerous pilot programs and evaluations have demonstrated the feasibility and viability of providing opioid education to the community, to health care providers, including

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Nalaxone administration, use, and education on the opioid prescription monitoring program. The Dubuque community has been monitoring the increasing opioid crisis and we are very concerned about the growing impact on our community. A local, community-based opioid response team has assembled and is meeting regularly. To date, they have educated 217 community and health professionals, along with 90 law enforcement personnel, on Nalaxone administration and promoted community-based organizations to educate the community on the opioid misuse problem. Much of the task force work has become a model for the state.

Requested Action:

• Direct the Board of Medicine and Board of Pharmacy to collaborate in requiring physician, pharmacist, and eligible prescribers’ participation in the state prescription monitoring program; to enable inter-state exchange of prescription information; to assure provider adherence to the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain; and to limit opioid prescriptions to 7-day supplies, enabling closer patient supervision by pharmacist and physicians and reducing opportunities for diversion;

• Maintain coverage for vulnerable populations and ensure immediate

health benefit coverage to Medicaid and insurance-eligible offenders when released from incarceration, including coverage of naltrexone prescriptions for addicted offenders;

Other Requested Action:

• Pass “good Samaritan” legislation protecting individuals from arrest and prosecution for possession or use when they are saved from overdose or for calling 911 to save others who overdose;

• Establish drug specialty courts in statute for each judicial district, ensuring ongoing funding through standing appropriations to the Judicial Branch and Department of Corrections;

• Advance responsible, evidence-based opioid prescribing and

counseling through pain management education, safe prescribing training, and addiction training for all prescribers and dispensers throughout medical schooling and beyond, including physicians, nurses, physician assistants, dentists, veterinarians, and pharmacists;

Create a new public long-term treatment system for dual-diagnosis patients and long-term aftercare for those addicted to opioids.

Community Health Centers Medicaid Reimbursement for Same-Day Medical, Oral Health and Behavioral Health Services Iowa’s Community Health Centers (CHCs) provide care to more than 69,000 Medicaid patients, which is 16% of the state’s total Medicaid population. As unique primary health care providers

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that conveniently offer medical, oral health and behavioral health services under one roof, CHCs frequently see patients who have scheduled appointments for more than one type of visit on the same day (for example, a patient will schedule a yearly medical exam and a dental cleaning on the same day). Unfortunately, current Iowa Medicaid reimbursement policy does not allow CHCs to be reimbursed for more than one visit if they occur on the same day. As Iowa moves toward providing a patient centered medical home (PCMH) for all Medicaid recipients, changing this reimbursement policy is instrumental in achieving the PCMH goal of providing patients the necessary care when and where they need and want it. Allowing patients to schedule same day appointments with more than one provider can alleviate barriers to accessing services, such as transportation to the health center. Reimbursing for each of these visits will ensure CHCs can cover the costs of providing care and help maintain their viability. Allowing reimbursement for same day visits will also facilitate the implementation of an integrated primary and behavioral health model at CHCs. This model, which is clinically effective and cost effective, utilizes close collaboration between a CHC’s medical and behavioral health staff to provide a seamless continuum of care for patients. Visits ideally occur to both on the same day, reducing the high failure rate of referrals to behavioral health and allow for better coordination of medical and behavioral health problems. Although these issues should be resolved under managed care, there remain issues connected to Managed Care Organization (MCO) same-day billing.

Requested Action:

Allow Medicaid reimbursement for same-day medical, oral health and behavioral health services.

Ensure Access to High Quality, Affordable Health Care With continuing issues related to the sustainability of the Health Insurance Marketplace in Iowa and the proposals to replace or improve the Affordable Care Act, any changes need to ensure vulnerable and low-income Iowans can access high quality, affordable health insurance, including Iowa’s Medicaid expansion program and other safeguards to maintain our historically low insurance rates.

Requested Action:

It is imperative that any changes to Medicaid rates and coverage, or increased flexibility at the state or federal level, include adequate services, providers, rates and other safeguards.

Recruit and Retain a Qualified Healthcare Workforce One of the largest factors limiting a community health center’s ability to provide patients quality care is recruiting and retaining quality providers.

Requested Action:

Support and continue investment in the National Health Service Corp, and Teaching Health Centers to assist and promote health and dental providers to serve in rural areas, specialty areas, and community health centers.

Hotel and Food Establishment License Fees & Food Safety The inadequacy of food code licensing fees has resulted in a systematic degradation of Iowa’s food inspection system and jeopardizes the health of Iowans and our economy. Current license fees fail to cover program costs. Since 1979, fees were increased slightly in 1997 and 2008

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while program costs have risen exponentially. Some counties and municipalities subsidize as much as 50% of their food program costs. For more than a decade, Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (IDIA) and some local programs have not had the resources to meet the frequency of restaurant inspections established by the FDA. In recent years, DIA has reduced the minimum food inspection frequencies twice. In 2009, inspections were to occur once or twice a year depending on facility risk. In 2011, inspections shifted to every six to 24 months depending on risk. The erosion of Iowa’s food safety program is a direct result of inadequate food license fees. When the 2014 legislature failed to increase fees, DIA revised its rules extending frequencies to 36 months for some facilities. Dubuque strives to inspect more frequently. The public believes these assessments occur on a much more regular basis and therefore may have a false sense of safety from foodborne disease. Inadequate and irregular license fee increases are starving Iowa’s food safety system and have the potential to put the health and lives of the consuming public at risk.

Requested Action:

Increase food licensing fees to fully fund food safety program activities in compliance with Iowa Code. Authorize DIA to administer the food licensing fees through the Iowa Administrative Code. Establish an automatic fee adjustment mechanism to annually increase fees by the percentage increase in the consumer price index. Create parity between license fees for retail food and food service establishments. And reduce the burden on taxpayers

Notice of Violation Currently, a notice of code violation must be sent via certified mail to a property owner if the City performs the required mitigation of the problem and assesses the cost to the property owner. We suggest that a notice be sent via regular mail to the property owner. Oftentimes, it is difficult for people to collect or pickup certified mail, particularly if they are not home at time of delivery. Certified also adds a significant cost ($2.87) to the mailing of each notice.

Requested Action:

Iowa Code Section 364.12 (h) changed to allow mailing via regular mail.

Childhood Lead Poisoning Childhood lead poisoning is endemic to Iowa. Of Iowa children born in 2004, 97.7% were tested at least once before the age of six years, and 3.7% of these children were lead-poisoned (in eight counties, more than 9% of the children were lead-poisoned). At the national level, the rate of lead poisoning among children under the age of six years is so low that it is no longer reported. Homes built prior to 1978 are likely to contain lead-based paint, and lead-based paint hazards are the leading cause of childhood lead poisoning. In 2009, the Iowa General Assembly passed a law requiring all children to have proof of a blood lead test prior to entering kindergarten. Further complicating Iowan’s ability to help their children, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) eliminated a $594,000.00 grant which the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has

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historically received annually. This resulted in a 25% reduction in funds going to local health departments for lead poisoning surveillance activities, and, more importantly, essentially eliminated the technical capacity of the state level especially for data compilation and analysis. As IDPH keeps less than 5.0% of state funds allocated to the lead poisoning preventing program, staff time will now be used for enforcement activities related to contractors and inspectors, rather than the tracking and treatment of poisoned children and maintaining accurate data.

Requested Action:

Appropriate adequate funds to allow the Iowa Department of Public health to continue its crucial role as a technical advisor and data manager to local childhood lead poisoning prevention programs (CLPPP) and increase funding levels for local CLPPP programs.

Healthy Local Foods During the 2010 Legislative Session, the Legislature charged the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture with preparing a local food and farm plan containing policy and funding recommendations for supporting and expanding local food systems and for assessing and overcoming obstacles necessary to increase locally grown food production. The Healthy Local Foods principle of Dubuque’s sustainability model aims to provide benefits of wholesome food from local producers, distributors, farms, gardens and hunters to all. The City and its partners engaged in the Healthy Local Foods initiative have participated in the forming of the Local Food & Farm Plan. In order for local institutions and consumers to increase their purchase and consumption of local foods, barriers must be overcome that enable more produce and meat to be produced, processed and sold locally. Various studies have shown the value of a strong local food system as an economic development tool.

Requested Action:

Provide policy direction, funding and other resources to implement the recommendations of the Local Food & Farm Plan delivered to the Legislature in January 2011.

Healthcare Coverage for Marshall Island Population In 1986, the United States signed a Compact of Free Association with three Pacific Island nations, including the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The Compact was the result of a history of nuclear weapons testing by the U.S. in the Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1948. The testing consisted of 67 explosive tests which equates in total power to 7,200 Hiroshima sized weapons. This created many serious direct and indirect health outcomes. The Compact permits the Marshallese to migrate to the U.S. for reasons such as health care, economic opportunities, and education. The Marshallese can legally live and work in the U.S. while retaining their citizenship in the Marshall Islands. As non-citizens, many Marshallese are excluded from safety net and federal benefit programs. 300-600 Marshallese reside in Dubuque and over 1,000 in the State of Iowa. There were 155 Marshallese speaking students enrolled in the Dubuque Community School District in the 2015-16 school year. The Marshallese have some of the highest rates of cancer and diabetes. Diabetes prevalence is estimated at 25-50% of Marshallese adults. They lack access to the resources to prevent and treat their conditions. This stems from their ineligibility for federal

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insurance programs due to their non-citizen/immigration status. A local survey of 82 Marshallese adult residents in Dubuque revealed that 61% have diabetes, 28% have heart disease, 5% have cancer, and 5 percent have hypertension. 73% of those interviewed lack health insurance. 58% have not seen a doctor within the last year, 65% of those because they lack health insurance, and 23% because of cost.

Requested Action:

Create an Islander Health Coverage Gap Assessment Office to promote access to health care for island citizens residing in the United States under the Compact of Free Association.

Partnerships

Dubuque Community School District

One Cent Sales Tax The creation and sustenance of a strong workforce and vibrant economy in Dubuque and Iowa, depend upon a well-funded educational program, with state of the art facilities, and essential educational tools. The scheduled sunset of the one cent sales tax for Iowa school districts restricts Iowa school districts' bonding ability. In addition, this sales tax is the sole source of funding for technology in Iowa schools. Sunsetting is scheduled in 2029.

Requested action:

We oppose the scheduled sunset in 2029 of the statewide one cent sales tax for Iowa schools. We support an extension of the one cent sales tax past 2029 in order to provide 21st Century education for all Iowa students. We oppose placing a cap on the amount the districts can receive.

Resolve Formula and Transportation Inequities The City of Dubuque enjoys a strong partnership with the Dubuque Community School District and understand the imperative of supporting financially strong educational institutions and programs. While state funding for education is driven by per-pupil allocations, differences still exist from district to district within the foundational funding formula in the amount of up to $175 per student. And, as a large district serving both urban and rural students, the Dubuque Community School District spends significantly more money to transport students than other districts. These are dollars that, while necessary expenditures, aren’t available to be spent on educational programming.

Requested Action: To ensure equity of funding, the City supports the passage of Senate File 455 during the 2018 legislative session. Once fully phased in, it would mean over $4.4 million in new annual funding for the Dubuque Community School District. This funding would put all Iowa school districts on a level playing field with their ability to provide programming for all students.

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Dubuque Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Dubuque is a top tourism destination in the state of Iowa and the upper Midwest region. Dubuque hosts two million visitors annually, and it is important that the Iowa Economic Development Authority provide tools for additional growth that supports tourism and workforce development. The new Enhance Iowa legislation provides an opportunity for the legislature to appropriate funds that will invest in partnerships with local communities through Community Attractions and Tourism development fund. The Dubuque CVB also encourages an increase in the level of resources for trail development in Northeast Iowa and support funding for improved water quality.

Requested Action:

Fully fund CAT and the new Enhance Iowa program.

Dubuque County

Mental Health Funding Following the major re-design of the Mental Health and Developmental Disability Services delivery system in Iowa in 2012 (SF 2315), it is essential that adequate funding be provided to allow counties to transition to the new funding system to avoid waiting lists for services. There is a belief that regions have unreasonable fund balances, but this does not account for the new requirements for core services and gaps in the current system that regions are expected to fill. While we recognize that increasing budget pressures and increasing Medicaid costs challenge state lawmakers, it would be counter-productive to shift costs with such strategies as freezing waiver programs that force the consumers to seek assistance at the regional level instead of the state.

Requested Action:

Ensure that Developmental Disability services are included in core services Provide sufficient funds to ensure that counties and MH/DS regions have the resources necessary to provide and manage services. Substance Abuse funding needs to be pulled out of the silo.

Additional Law Enforcement Training in the areas of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at the ILEA We understand that expanded mandatory training hours of all law enforcement officers at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in the area of mental health issues has been increased. We have also advocated for additional training for substance abuse issues.

Requested action:

Support additional training which benefit officers and citizens and will assist with jail diversion programs and available services.

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Dubuque/Delaware County Drug Court Dubuque County supports the mission of the Drug Court, which is a collaborative effort between the judiciary, county attorneys, corrections, law enforcement, and Substance Abuse Services Center to more effectively supervise and treat non-violent substance abuse addicted offenders who might be incarcerated. The Drug Court has served residents of Dubuque and Delaware counties. It is estimated the Drug Court saved over $200,000 by providing an alternative to incarceration and reduces drug related crime and positively changes lives of substance abusers, their families and our community.

Requested action:

Continue funding to the Department of Corrections Services for this successful and essential program.

Zoning Violation Cleanup Counties and cities have no authority to collect costs to cleanup zoning violations in a timely and cost-effective manner. The costs are either entered as a personal judgment against the defendant or assessed against the property where the violation occurred or both. Counties and cities need to be able to use the same process as allowed in Iowa Code Chapter 331.384 Abatement of Public Health and Safety Hazards-Special Assessments and 364.12 Responsibility for Public Places. In those code sections, counties and cities are allowed to “perform the required action and assess the costs against the property for collection in the same manner as a property tax.”

Requested Action:

Amend the Iowa Code to allow this remedy for cleanup of zoning violations in both counties and cities.