Wernimont Named Dubuque Planning Services Manager

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Dubuque City Manager Mike Van Milligen has appointed Wally Wernimont to become the City of Dubuque’s next planning services manager. 
Wernimont’s appointment follows a national search to replace Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens who is retiring in late April after serving in the position since 1989.
  
Wernimont has been a member of the City’s planning services department since 2001, serving as assistant planner from January 2001 to December 2019 and associate planner since January 2020. Wernimont also temporarily served as assistant director of housing and community development for the City from June-September of 2019.  He holds a bachelor of science degree in community and regional planning from Iowa State University.

“Wally has proven himself to be a person who cares about improving the customer experience as a highly talented innovator in the field of city planning,” said Van Milligen.

Wernimont’s responsibilities as a member of the planning services department have included reviewing plans and preparing reports on development requests as part of the City’s development review process and presenting findings to commissions and boards for variances, exceptions, conditional use permits, and certificates of appropriateness. He has also assisted developers and residents with development approval requirements and planning and zoning issues. Wernimont also conducted field inspections, surveys, and special studies pertaining to land use, environment, economic development, growth projections, and annexations. He also maintained the City’s zoning and land use maps.

As planning services manager, he will lead the planning services department and programs, including long-range planning, special project planning, preparation and administration of land-use regulations, data base maintenance, and historic preservation activities. Wernimont will direct the provision of staff services in the development services, city planning, and historic preservation activities of the department, including zoning enforcement and floodplain management.  The planning services manager also provides and directs the provision of staff services to Dubuque’s Long-Range Planning Advisory Commission, Zoning Advisory Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Historic Preservation Commission.  The department also provides and directs the provision of staff services to the internal Development Review Team, the Port of Dubuque Design Review Committee, and the Chaplain Schmitt Island Design Review Committee.

Wernimont’s appointment effective date is upon the retirement of current Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens on April 30, 2020.

# # #