The Building Services Department has a limited number of 2009 International Energy Conservation Codes available for purchase. The 2009 IECCs are $30 each and availble for pick up at the Building Services Department, City Hall, 50 W 13th St.

The anticipated date of adoption of this edition is July 1, 2010.

Dubuque Mayor Roy D. Buol will present the fourth annual State of the City Address at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 22, in the City Council Chambers of the Historic Federal Building at 350 West 6th Street in Dubuque. The public is invited to attend. This event is being sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Dubuque and the Telegraph Herald. The public is invited to attend the event, which will also be aired live on CityChannel 8 on the Mediacom cable television system, on KDTH AM 1370 radio, and on the City of Dubuque website at www.cityofdubuque.org/media.

A reception will follow the address and give citizens an opportunity to visit with the Mayor and City Council.

On February 15th, 2010, the Dubuque City Council voted unanimously to pass a new city ordinance banning the use of electronic communications devices while driving a motor vehicle in the City of Dubuque. An enforcement grace period of 30 days will start on Friday, February 19th, 2010, during which officers will issue written warnings for violations of the ordinance detailed below:

9-10-400: USE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES PROHIBITED

A. Except as provided by subsection C, no person shall drive a motor vehicle on the public streets within the City of Dubuque while using an electronic communications device for the ordinary purposes for which such devices are used.

B. "Electronic communication device" means an electronic device, including but not limited to a wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, or a portable or mobile computer, which requires the operator to manually insert letters or figures, but does not include a global positioning system, a navigation system or emergency notification system that is physically integrated into the motor vehicle, and citizens band radios, citizens band radio hybrids, or other electronic communication devices with a push-to-talk function.

C. "Hands-free” means an electronic communications device that has an internal feature or function, or that is equipped with an attachment or addition, whether or not permanently part of such mobile telephone, by which a user engages in a conversation without the use of either hand, provided, however, this definition shall not preclude the use of either hand to activate, deactivate, or initiate a function of the device.

D. Using an electronic communications device includes but is not limited to the following:

1. Composing, sending, or reading an electronic message;

2. Talking into, dialing or listening on an electronic communications device;

3. Holding an electronic communications device to, or in the immediate proximity of, the person’s ear; or

4. Manipulating an electronic communications device to command or request access to an Internet site

E. Subsection A shall not apply to:

1. Public safety personnel, law enforcement officers, and operators of emergency vehicles when on duty and acting in their official capacities.

2. Persons using a hands-free or voice-activated electronic communications device allowing the driver to talk into and listen to the other party without the use of the driver’s hands.

3. Persons using an electronic communications device for the sole purpose of calling 911 or other emergency telephone numbers to contact public safety forces.

4. Persons using an electronic communications device while maintaining a motor vehicle in a stationary parked position while parked off the traveled portion of the road, and not in gear.

F. Any person who violates subsection A of this section shall be subject to a scheduled fine as follows:

1. Fifty Dollars ($50) if no traffic accident is involved;

2. Two hundred fifty dollars ($250), if the violation resulted in a traffic accident.

The funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation will be used for a "complete streets" project, part of Dubuque’s Historic Millwork District Revitalization. The grant was awarded through the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grants Program, a lead program of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

The grant application was submitted by the City of Dubuque with support from partners including: Dubuque County, Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (DMATS), the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), Region 8 Regional Transit Authority (RTA), East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA), Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, Dubuque Main Street (DMS), the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, the Historic Millwork District property owners, and IBM.

“This is a tremendous boost for our community and we are extremely grateful to the USDOT and Secretary LaHood. We also recognize Senator Harkin for his advocacy with Secretary LaHood and the White House on behalf of the Dubuque proposal. We are also very grateful to Senator Grassley and Congressman Braley for their support,” said Dubuque Mayor Roy D. Buol. “This grant is an endorsement of our efforts in the Historic Millwork District and it will enable us to move forward with this project that is critical to the continued revitalization of our downtown. This project is a great example of the interconnectedness of transportation, housing, and jobs, a priority of the USDOT and the Obama administration.”

The Historic Millwork District was the focus of a “Livable Communities Tour” visit to Dubuque by LaHood, US EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, and US HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan in September 2009.

The funds will be used for the implementation of the Historic Millwork District Multimodal Improvements, part of a comprehensive, integrated regional sustainable transportation strategy, which will serve as a model for U.S. communities with populations under 200,000. This funding will allow for the redesign of streets in the district to support convenient and safe transportation for all roadway users -- car, transit, pedestrian and bicyclists.

Dubuque’s Historic Millwork District Master Plan is a critical component of the region’s sustainable economic development strategy, which encourages more people to live and work in or near the center city. The plan calls for the redevelopment of 1 million square feet of historic millwork/warehouse space into a mixed-use development of more than 700 housing units and 300,000 square feet of retail/commercial space. An estimated 1,000 residents will live in the Historic Millwork District at full build-out and the district’srevitalization plan will create 900 new jobs and enhance the local tax base by $77 million dollars. The TIGER grant will help leverage $145 million in private investment in the Historic Millwork District. For additional information on plans for the Historic Millwork District, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/millworkdistrict.

The City of Dubuque and its partners plan to conduct a “Complete Streets” pilot project in the Historic Millwork District in downtown Dubuque. The Complete Streets concept involves the design of streets in a fashion that facilitates use by a broad range of users, including drivers, public transportation vehicles and riders, pedestrians, bicyclists, older people, children, and people with disabilities. The project includes the reconstruction the street network in the Millwork District and the street connections to the central business district, Port of Dubuque, and the Washington Neighborhood. More specifically, funds will be used to reconstruct the following streets within the district: Washington Street, Jackson Street, Elm Street, 8th Street, 9th Street, and 10th Street. Design and environmental approvals are currently being finalized for the streetscape, and street and utility improvement aspects of the project. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring on the utility reconstruction portion of the project and be completed by the end of the year. The overall project will be completed in 2011.

It is estimated that 60 percent of the new residents within the Historic Millwork District will work downtown. Redesigning streets for alternative modes of transportation will allow residents to take advantage of their proximity to work and choose walking, biking or mass transit as options. Reducing automobile dependence in the area will decrease vehicle miles traveled and the associated energy use and air emissions. The Complete Streets design will also create a more vibrant area encouraging more businesses to locate in the downtown area.

The USDOT’s TIGER Discretionary Grants Program is a $1.5 billion appropriation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The grants were awarded on a competitive basis for capital investments in surface transportation projects that will have a significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area, or a region. Dubuque’s grant application was one of 1,380 submitted and one of just 50 (3 percent) to receive funding.
[Additional info...]

The grant was awarded through the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grants Program, a lead program of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

The grant application was submitted by the City of Dubuque with support from partners including: Dubuque County, Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (DMATS), the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), Region 8 Regional Transit Authority (RTA), East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA), Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, Dubuque Main Street (DMS), the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, the Historic Millwork District property owners, and IBM.

“This is a tremendous boost for our community and we are extremely grateful to the USDOT and Secretary LaHood. We also recognize Senator Harkin for his advocacy with Secretary LaHood and the White House on behalf of the Dubuque proposal. We are also very grateful to Senator Grassley and Congressman Braley for their support,” said Dubuque Mayor Roy D. Buol. “This grant is an endorsement of our efforts in the Historic Millwork District and it will enable us to move forward with this project that is critical to the continued revitalization of our downtown. This project is a great example of the interconnectedness of transportation, housing, and jobs, a priority of the USDOT and the Obama administration.”

The Historic Millwork District was the focus of a “Livable Communities Tour” visit to Dubuque by LaHood, US EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, and US HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan in September 2009.

The funds will be used for the implementation of the Historic Millwork District Multimodal Improvements, part of a comprehensive, integrated regional sustainable transportation strategy, which will serve as a model for U.S. communities with populations under 200,000. This funding will allow for the redesign of streets in the district to support convenient and safe transportation for all roadway users -- car, transit, pedestrian and bicyclists.

Dubuque’s Historic Millwork District Master Plan is a critical component of the region’s sustainable economic development strategy, which encourages more people to live and work in or near the center city. The plan calls for the redevelopment of 1 million square feet of historic millwork/warehouse space into a mixed-use development of more than 700 housing units and 300,000 square feet of retail/commercial space. An estimated 1,000 residents will live in the Historic Millwork District at full build-out and the district’srevitalization plan will create 900 new jobs and enhance the local tax base by $77 million dollars. The TIGER grant will help leverage $145 million in private investment in the Historic Millwork District. For additional information on plans for the Historic Millwork District, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/millworkdistrict.

The City of Dubuque and its partners plan to conduct a “Complete Streets” pilot project in the Historic Millwork District in downtown Dubuque. The Complete Streets concept involves the design of streets in a fashion that facilitates use by a broad range of users, including drivers, public transportation vehicles and riders, pedestrians, bicyclists, older people, children, and people with disabilities. The project includes the reconstruction the street network in the Millwork District and the street connections to the central business district, Port of Dubuque, and the Washington Neighborhood. More specifically, funds will be used to reconstruct the following streets within the district: Washington Street, Jackson Street, Elm Street, 8th Street, 9th Street, and 10th Street. Design and environmental approvals are currently being finalized for the streetscape, and street and utility improvement aspects of the project. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring on the utility reconstruction portion of the project and be completed by the end of the year. The overall project will be completed in 2011.

It is estimated that 60 percent of the new residents within the Historic Millwork District will work downtown. Redesigning streets for alternative modes of transportation will allow residents to take advantage of their proximity to work and choose walking, biking or mass transit as options. Reducing automobile dependence in the area will decrease vehicle miles traveled and the associated energy use and air emissions. The Complete Streets design will also create a more vibrant area encouraging more businesses to locate in the downtown area.

The USDOT’s TIGER Discretionary Grants Program is a $1.5 billion appropriation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The grants were awarded on a competitive basis for capital investments in surface transportation projects that will have a significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area, or a region. Dubuque’s grant application was one of 1,380 submitted and one of just 50 (3 percent) to receive funding.
[Additional info...]

All Leisure Services Department softball umpires are reminded to participate in the field clinic at the McAleece Recreation Complex on Tuesday, April 27th at 6:30 p.m.

Umpires are asked to be dressed in umpire apparel to work “mock games”. Our first officials’ schedule for the dates of May 2nd through May 30th will be distributed.

If you are interested in becoming an umpire, please contact our office immediately at 589-4263.

Softball umpires and prospective new umpires are reminded to attend the first umpires' meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 1st, at the Bunker Hill Golf Course Clubhouse, 2200 Bunker Hill Road.

Rulebooks for 2010 may be purchased in the Park and Recreation office for $4.00, and a Leisure Services Department test may be picked up at the same time. Complete the test at home and bring it for discussion to the April 1st meeting.

Umpires are also asked to bring along their availability sheets for game coverage for the period of Sunday, May 2nd through Sunday, May 30th.

For further information, please call Steve Kiebel, 589-4263.

Persons (age 15 and older) interested in scorekeeping the Leisure Services Department adult softball leagues are encouraged to attend the 6:00 p.m. meeting on Wednesday, March 17th at the Leisure Services Department, 2200 Bunker Hill Road.

Please bring along two forms of identification (driver’s license and social security card) with you to the meeting.

Season begins play on Sunday, May 2nd.

If you are interested in scorekeeping, please contact Steve Kiebel at 589-4263.

The Leisure Services Department softball umpire’s test is now available at the Park and Recreation Office, 2200 Bunker Hill Road.

This take home open book test should be completed and brought to the first scheduled umpire’s meeting on Thursday, April 1st at 6:30 p.m. at the Bunker Hill Golf Course Clubhouse, 2200 Bunker Hill Road.

For further information, please call the Leisure Services Department at 589-4263.

The Leisure Services Department is offering an American Red Cross Lifeguarding class for persons fifteen years of age and older. Class includes certifications for Lifeguarding, First-Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer.

The class will be held on Thursday, March 11th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the American Red Cross and 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Hempstead High School swimming pool, Friday, March 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Hempstead High School swimming pool and Saturday, March 13th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Hempstead High School swimming pool. MUST ATTEND ALL CLASSES!

Registration fee is $90.00. Class size is limited.

For further information, please contact the Leisure Services Department at 563-589-4263.

The Leisure Services Department announces that openings remain in the 2010 Twenty-fifth Annual Preseason Softball Tournament that will be held on Saturday, May 1st and Sunday, May 2nd. (RAIN DATES are Saturday, May 8th and Sunday, May 9th.)

Entry fee is $54.00. Deadline is Wednesday, March 10th.

All openings are on a first-come, first-serve basis. For further information, please contact the Leisure Services Department at 589-4263, immediately.

Are you interested in getting a team to play on a Tuesday evening fast pitch league? If so, the Leisure Services Department is looking for YOU!

A completed team roster and total entry fee are required. Teams with completed rosters and the correct amount to enter the league will receive a discount! Team entry fee for fast pitch is $335 ($435 less $100 from The Dubuque Fast Pitch Hall of Fame).

The 2010 softball leagues will begin play on Sunday, May 2nd. To obtain registration materials, please contact our office per email at parkrec@cityofdubuque.org and request forms to be mailed to you; call our office at 563-589-4263 and request a set of registration materials be faxed and/or mailed to you; stop by our office to pick up a set of registration materials or go online at www.cityofdubuque.org – select City Services, select Recreation, select Adult Athletics and select Registration Materials.

Registration deadline is Wednesday, March 10th.

The Leisure Services Department is conducting team registration for the summer 2010 adult softball and volleyball leagues. Softball registration deadline is Wednesday, March 10th; Volleyball registration deadline is Monday, April 12th.

Entry fee for softball is $435.00 (slow pitch) and $335.00 (fast pitch); entry fee for volleyball is $180.00. Please note that after the March 10th deadline, softball fee will raise an additional $40.00; after the April 12th deadline, volleyball fee will raise an additional $30.00.

For further information, please contact the Leisure Services Department at 589-4263.

Camping reservations for the 2010 season will be accepted at the Miller Riverview Park on THURSDAY, APRIL 1ST for HOLIDAY WEEKENDS ONLY, beginning at 7:00 a.m. for in person reservations, and 8:00 a.m. for telephone reservations by calling 563-589-4238, with a maximum of three (3) campsites per person. (Campers are asked not to leave any camping reservations on the answering machine. Thank you for your help.)

Reservations for all other dates for the 2010 camping season will be accepted beginning on FRIDAY, APRIL 2ND.

Registration for the Bunker Hill Golf Course 2010 permanent tee times will take place at the Bunker Hill Golf Course Clubhouse, 2200 Bunker Hill Road, on Saturday, March 20th at 12:00 noon, for both Saturday and Sunday tee times.

This registration is done on a lottery basis with an individual representing each foursome required to be present, and pay the $60.00 permanent tee time registration fee.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Leisure Services Department at 563-589-4263.

The Leisure Services Department is sponsoring a Family Basketball Open Gym Program on Friday evenings from 7:15 to 9:30 p.m. at Roosevelt Middle School, 2001 Radford Road, through March 26th.

Please see below for the March schedule:

March 19th and 26th

Cost is $1.00 per person. Please bring your own basketball.

For further information, please contact the Leisure Services Department at 563-589-4263.

The Leisure Services Department is sponsoring a “Baby Boomer” Basketball and Adult Women’s Basketball Open Gym Program on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Washington Middle School, 51 North Grandview Avenue, through March 17th.

Please see below for the March schedule. PLEASE NOTE: “Baby Boomer” Basketball will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., and Adult Women’s Basketball will be held from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m.:

March 17th

FREE admission! Please bring your own basketball.

For further information, please contact the Leisure Services Department at 563-589-4263.

The Leisure Services Department is sponsoring a Youth Basketball Open Gym Program (grades 6-10) on Monday evenings from 7:00 to 9:15 p.m. at Washington Middle School, 51 North Grandview Avenue, through March 22nd.

Please see below for the March schedule:

March 15th and 22nd

Cost is $1.00 per person. Please bring your own basketball.

For further information, please contact the Leisure Services Department at 563-589-4263.

The Leisure Services Department is sponsoring an Adult Volleyball Open Gym Program on Monday evenings from 7:00 to 9:15 p.m. at Roosevelt Middle School (center court), 2001 Radford Road, through March 15th.

Please see below for the March schedule:

March 15th

Cost is $1.00 per person. Please bring your own volleyball.

For further information, please contact the Leisure Services Department at 563-589-4263.

The pdf file of the employment application pages requires it to be printed, completed and forwarded to the Park & Recreation Office, 2200 Bunker Hill Road, Dubuque IA 52001 or emailed as an attachment to parkrec@cityofdubuque.org. Please indicate the position for which you are applying Flier and application

The Leisure Services Department is sponsoring a Wu Style Tai Chi class for ages 18 and older. The Wu Style of Tai Chi is considered superior for promoting health and will be our class focus. This course is designed for any age or fitness level. Participants are asked to wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes.

Classes will also be offered on Monday evenings from 5:30-6:30 p.m. from March 1st through April 19th and Wednesday mornings from 9:30-10:30 a.m. from March 3rd through April 21st.

All classes will be held at the Allison-Henderson Center, upper level.

Fee is $40 per session. For further information, please call the Leisure Services Department at 589-4263.

The Leisure Services Department reminds citizens that pavilion reservations for picnics, reunions, graduations, et cetera may be made twenty-three months in advance.

Payment is required at time reservation is made. If reservation is made by phone, payment will be required with MasterCard or Visa. If reservation is made in person at the office, payment may be made with cash, check or credit card.

For further information, please call the Leisure Services Department at 563-589-4263.

The 2010 season pass stickers for Eagle Point Park may be purchased at the Leisure Services Department, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (When the park season opens, season pass stickers may also be purchased at the tollbooth.)

Fees are as follows:

City resident, $10.00
Non-resident, $15.00
Senior Citizen resident, age 62 and retired, $5.00
Low income resident, $5.00

In order to purchase your 2010 Eagle Point Park Season Pass, YOU MUST SHOW YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE AND VEHICLE REGISTRATION AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE.

City parks will officially open on Saturday, May 1st, 2010 and officially close on Sunday, October 24th, 2010.

Registration information is available for the Winter/Spring 2010 Playtime for Tots program held at the Comiskey Center OR St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. This special Uptown Recreation Program is a 5-day program for preschool aged children, ages 3-5 (not enrolled in kindergarten).

Session II is now in session through April 9th.
Session III begins on April 12th - May 28th.

Morning session is held at the Comiskey Center from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; afternoon session is held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

This program is FREE if you are a city resident within income guidelines or $30 per session if above the moderate income range or if a nonresident.

Registrations are being accepted at the Leisure Services Department, 2200 Bunker Hill Road, or dropped off at the City Clerk's Office, City Hall, 50 West 13th Street.

Children ages 3 through 5 will experience the fun of learning using music, art, language, movement and much more. We will enhance your child's other preschool (if attending one), expand their knowledge, and of course have fun!! Children must be 3 years of age on the first day of class. All children must be toilet trained and able to take care of themselves to attend. Just For Kids teachers are Ms. Susan Stoppelmoor and Ms. Annette Lucy. Classes are held in the upper level of the Allison-Henderson Center, 1500 Loras Boulevard.

All sessions will work with a particular weekly theme. Class will also work on the alphabet, numbers and colors. Parents will get a monthly calendar informing them of the upcoming activities. See below for dates; all classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Fee is $50 per session.

March 2nd - March 25th
March 30th - April 22nd
April 27th - May 20th

You may register for our Just For Kids classes now! Feel free to view our Winter/Spring 2010 Leisure Programs brochure and register online at http://dbqparkrec.recware.com.

The Hempstead High School swimming pool will be available for open swimming on Sunday afternoons from 1-4 p.m. through April 25th (excluding April 4th). Adult lap swim/water walking will be from 4-5 p.m.

Your 2009 season passes are effective through May 1st, 2010.

Admission rates are $3.00 for adults, age 18 and older; $1.25 for ages 4 through 17; and 50 cents for ages 3 and younger.

The multipurpose recreation building located in Comiskey Park is available for rent on Friday evenings, Saturday afternoons/evenings and Sunday afternoons/evenings. The facility at Comiskey Park is smoke-free and alcoholic beverages are not allowed.

For further information, please contact the Leisure Services Department, 563-589-4263.

The Dubuque Police Department recently learned of new scam attempts happening locally. The first involved a fraudulent e-mail message appearing to be from the FBI. If you receive or have received an e-mail from Robert Mueller, the FBI Director or any another FBI official, it is a scam and you should report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov). This scam is similar to those that tell you that you’ve won the lottery or an inheritance. The scammer hopes the recipient will think it is legitimate, and subsequently provide personal information or money for “fees” necessary to process the non-existent lottery prize or inheritance. Be advised that the FBI does not send e-mails to people; they always talk to people on the phone or in-person. They will not ask personal information type questions (if they are the FBI, they will already know the information). These scam e-mails have an official looking appearance due to scammers utilizing pictures of the FBI Director, seal, letterhead and banners. These e-mails also appear to come from domestic and overseas FBI offices. To get more information on this or future cyber scams go to the official FBI website (www.fbi.gov) and visit the page “New E-scams & Warnings”.

The other scam involves a phone call claiming the recipient is the winner of a shopping spree at a major retailer. The amount is usually around the $200-$500 range, but the recipient has to pay a “handling fee” or similar fee – usually a very small amount (often less than $5). The “catch” is that the recipient must provide a credit card number or account number so the fee can be withdrawn. The scammer gets the card or account number and then withdrawals much more than the $5 fee.

Scams like these have been around for years and citizens are reminded to thoroughly research and verify the validity of any such activity and never provide information and/or money unless they are 100% sure it’s safe and legitimate. A little research can save you a lot of money and almost always prevent you from being scammed.

* * *

An enforcement grace period of 30 days will start on Friday, February 19th, 2010, during which officers will issue written warnings for violations of the ordinance detailed below:

9-10-400: USE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES PROHIBITED

A. Except as provided by subsection C, no person shall drive a motor vehicle on the public streets within the City of Dubuque while using an electronic communications device for the ordinary purposes for which such devices are used.

B. "Electronic communication device" means an electronic device, including but not limited to a wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, or a portable or mobile computer, which requires the operator to manually insert letters or figures, but does not include a global positioning system, a navigation system or emergency notification system that is physically integrated into the motor vehicle, and citizens band radios, citizens band radio hybrids, or other electronic communication devices with a push-to-talk function.

C. "Hands-free” means an electronic communications device that has an internal feature or function, or that is equipped with an attachment or addition, whether or not permanently part of such mobile telephone, by which a user engages in a conversation without the use of either hand, provided, however, this definition shall not preclude the use of either hand to activate, deactivate, or initiate a function of the device.

D. Using an electronic communications device includes but is not limited to the following:

1. Composing, sending, or reading an electronic message;

2. Talking into, dialing or listening on an electronic communications device;

3. Holding an electronic communications device to, or in the immediate proximity of, the person’s ear; or

4. Manipulating an electronic communications device to command or request access to an Internet site

E. Subsection A shall not apply to:

1. Public safety personnel, law enforcement officers, and operators of emergency vehicles when on duty and acting in their official capacities.

2. Persons using a hands-free or voice-activated electronic communications device allowing the driver to talk into and listen to the other party without the use of the driver’s hands.

3. Persons using an electronic communications device for the sole purpose of calling 911 or other emergency telephone numbers to contact public safety forces.

4. Persons using an electronic communications device while maintaining a motor vehicle in a stationary parked position while parked off the traveled portion of the road, and not in gear.

F. Any person who violates subsection A of this section shall be subject to a scheduled fine as follows:

1. Fifty Dollars ($50) if no traffic accident is involved;

2. Two hundred fifty dollars ($250), if the violation resulted in a traffic accident.

The City of Dubuque will be collecting Yard Waste and Food Scraps on Thursdays throughout the winter months, by appointment only. To make an appointment, call 589-4250. [Additional info...]

Beginning 7 AM on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 10th Street will be closed between Central Avenue and Iowa Street for utility construction. At the same time, Central Avenue will be down to one lane from 9th to 11th Street.

Anticipated opening: May 7, 2010

Effective 8 AM on Thursday, February 4, 2010, Key Way, from Keystone Drive to Keymeer Drive, will be closed to all traffic due to box culvert and sanitary/storm sewer reconstruction. Detours will be in place to direct traffic. Anticipated opening: 5 PM, April 15.