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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA020 - Email from Bob Josten dated August 24, 2011 ( /3 <Josten.Robert@dorsey.com To <DPitcher@city.ames.ia.us> cc <poolert@pfm.com>, <SSchainker@city.ames.ia.us>, �1 08/24/2011 01:35 PM <SLundt@city.ames.ia.us>, <DVoss@city.ames.ia.us>, <dmarek@city.ames.ia.us> bcc Subject RE: Ballot Referendum for the Expansion of the Ames Public Library Yes, I will provide a resolution for action at the Council meeting on September 13, to approve a ballot proposition for the municipal election to be held on November 8. The resolution will include the language of the ballot proposition, essentially as you have stated it in your email. And, Yes, you are correct in your understanding of Iowa law. Passage of this type of referendum is not a mandate to the Council, but is merely an authorization to the Council to take whatever action it may determine to be necessary, either issuing up to $18 million in bonds, or not. (In case someone out there is doing research, Iowa law is different with respect to school district bond elections, and school boards have no discretion, but must issue any bonds that are approved at a referendum. ) Robert E. Josten Partner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP 801 Grand Suite 3900 Des Moines, IA 50309-2790 P: 515.283.1000 F: 515.283.1060 C: 515.556.8186 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION E-mails from this firm normally contain confidential and privileged material, and are for the sole use of the intended recipient. Use or distribution by an unintended recipient is prohibited, and may be a violation of law. If you believe that you received this e-mail in error, please do not read this e-mail or any attached items. Please delete the e-mail and all attachments, including any copies thereof, and inform the sender that you have deleted the e-mail, all attachments and any copies thereof. Thank you. -----Original Message----- From: Duane R Pitcher [mailto:DPitcher@city.ames.ia.usj Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 1:21 PM To: Josten, Robert Cc: poolert@pfm.com; Steve Schainker; Sheila K Lundt; Diane R Voss; Doug Marek Subject: Ballot Referendum for the Expansion of the Ames Public Library Bob, At a council meeting on Tuesday, the council voted to place on the agenda of the September 13, 2011 council meeting, action to include on the November 8, 2011 general election, a ballot question to issue bonds in amount not to exceed $18, 000, 000 for the purpose of expanding, renovating, and equipping the Ames Public Library. Please provide wording for the ballot question and council actions needed to place the bond referendum question on the November ballot. Also the total cost of the project is $20, 000, 000, the library expects to raise $2, 000, 000 but has not yet. There was a question as to whether we could include a contingency on the ballot question related to the raising of the $2, 000, 000. My understanding is that the council controls the issuance of the $18, 000, 000 if the referendum passes and can choose not to issue bonds of the additional funding is not raised. Please let me know if you need any additional information to proceed. Thanks, Duane Duane Pitcher, CPA, CPFO Director of Finance City of Ames 515 Clark Avenue P.O. BOX 811 Ames, Iowa 50010 Phone (515) 239-5114 Duane R Pitcher/COA To josten.robert@dorsey.com 08/24/2011 01:20 PM cc poolert@pfm.com, Steve Schainker/COA@COA, Sheila K Lundt/COA@COA, Diane R Voss/COA@COA, Doug �`1' Marek/COA@COA bcc Subject Ballot Referendum for the Expansion of the Ames Public Library Bob, At a council meeting on Tuesday, the council voted to place on the agenda of the September 13, 2011 council meeting, action to include on the November 8, 2011 general election, a ballot question to issue bonds in amount not to exceed $18,000,000 for the purpose of expanding, renovating, and equipping the Ames Public Library. Please provide wording for the ballot question and council actions needed to place the bond referendum question on the November ballot. Also the total cost of the project is $20,000,000, the library expects to raise $2,000,000 but has not yet. There was a question as to whether we could include a contingency on the ballot question related to the raising of the $2,000,000. My understanding is that the council controls the issuance of the $18,000,000 if the referendum passes and can choose not to issue bonds of the additional funding is not raised. Please let me know if you need any additional information to proceed. Thanks, Duane Duane Pitcher, CPA, CPFO Director of Finance City of Ames 515 Clark Avenue P.O. Box 811 Ames, Iowa 50010 Phone (515) 239-5114