I see how it might seem that way to people who aren’t paying attention.  The part that is newsworthy is always the result of the final act that formally creates a new ordinance, investment, or policy on a formal City Council Agenda and is nearly always recommended by the City Manager. So the question really is this: Where did the recommendation come from?  In our chosen form of government, The Mayor and City Council are the elected officials that operate as a board of direc...

Sometimes we have to say no. Development is happening at a faster pace than ever in recent history in and around Dubuque. The challenge we elected officials and our professional staff deal with in every single development agreement is balancing the public good with the private needs of the developer to build out a successful project. Contrary to the beliefs of some, each and every development agreement that involves the potential sale or acquisition of city property is presented to the Ci...