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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA003 - Minutes from the October 27, 2015 City Council Meeting projects sponsored by municipal u ilities and(2)affirm support for the concept of a community solar project and for a timely initial investigation and recommendation regarding feasibility. Mr. Kom advised that the Electric Utility Operations Review and Advisory Board (EUORAB) is also interested in this and other options for renewable energy. He noted that it is sponsoring a workshop on renewable energy, which will occur on November 16, 2015, at 6 PM. Mr. Schainker advised that staff fully supports the solar initiative. However, if the Council directs staff to move forward with this, staff asks that it wait until the Power Plant Conversion Project is complete before it engages in another initiative. Council Member Nelson noted that the Ames Community Solar Initiative had submitted a second letter to the Council with additional information. Some of the items in that letter appear not to require too much staff time. Moved by Goodman, seconded by Nelson, to support Alternative No. 1,which is to direct the staff to immediately submit an application to the Iowa Utilities Board that will put the City in the queue for possible use of state tax credits that have been set aside for community solar projects and ask staff to initiate conversation with Ames Community Solar as to what they are looking for in an analysis regarding options for accomplishing a community solar project. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. URBAN REVITALIZATION AREA(URA)FOR 3505 AND 3515 LINCOLN WAY:Planning and Housing Director Kelly Diekmann provided the history of the site. It formerly had been a mobile home park, which the property owner removed with the intent of developing a small subdivision to the north and commercial development on the subject area. The property owner had requested determination by the City Council in June 2008 that the site was underutilized, as described in the City's former policy for commercial tax abatement for HOC-zoned property.At that time, the Council adopted a resolution recognizing redevelopment of the subject site with the commercial area as meeting the underutilized threshold of the 2008 Commercial Policy. However, no formal designation of the site as an URA occurred or was directed by the Council, at that time. Director Diekmann explained the changes in policy that had occurred since 2008. He noted that, if Council has an interest in proceeding with the process of establishing the site as an URA to provide tax abatement, it could find the request consistent with its commercial property policy or proceed with establishing the site as a site-specific URA independent of the City's commercial policy. According to Mr. Diekmann, due to the site being vacant for seven years,the site can be found to be consistent with the mandatory criteria of the policy. Chuck Winkleblack, 105 S. 171h Street,Ames,commented that he and City staff members have spent a lot of time reviewing this site. He requested that the Council approve Option 2. Mr. Winkleblack raised an issue about the exterior material on one of the buildings,which he had intended to be brick. Planning staff had recommended a different material,which is approximately two times more costly. He noted that if the building's exterior were to remain brick,the project would meet the criteria for the URA. Mr. Winkleblack added that he certainly welcomes staff s recommendations for enhancements to the project design, but doesn't want to invest a lot of money in the design and materials and then have to change it. 8 Council Member Orazem asked if staff felt that the proposed project would integrate well with the Lincoln Way Corridor. Director Diekmann noted that it was hard to tell at this point because the Lincoln Way Corridor Study has not been completed. Mr. Winkleblack advised that Chief Cychosz had attended the Development Review Committee meeting when this project was discussed. After Council Member Betcher raised the possibility,Mr. Winkleblack said he is willing for this project to participate in the Police Department's Crime-Free Housing Initiative. Director Diekmann was asked what criteria could be required before tax abatement would be issued. He answered that the criteria needed to be measurable. Mr. Diekmann explained four options for qualifying project criteria: (1)that it establish specific eligibility criteria; (2) that it adopt the Major Site Development Plan as the eligibility criteria, (3) that it establish specific eligibility criteria based on use r t it establish the URA with no eligibility criteria. Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to move Option 2: to adopt the Major Site Development Plan as the eligibility criteria, with the addition of the No. 9 criterion: that the project receive and maintain certification for the Iowa Crime Free Multi-Housing Program administered by the Ames Police Department. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. --- The meeting recessed at 8:06 p.m. and reconvened at 8:13 p.m. LINCOLN WAY CORRIDOR PLAN: Director Diekmann noted that the City Council had prioritized, in the Planning Division Work Plan,a study of Lincoln Way to consider its potential for enhancement and reinvestment. The objectives for the Corridor Plan are to create, identify, be supportive of multi-modal transportation, and revitalize properties with land uses that support the Corridor's use and identity.Mr.Diekmann stated that the Study will focus primarily on areas within one block(300 to 400 feet)on both sides of Lincoln Way and on potential opportunities within 1/8th of a mile from the Corridor. The Council will then be asked to give direction regarding which of the consultant's recommended focus areas and proposed options are worthy of further examination by the consultant. According to Mr. Diekmann, it is hoped that, after the consultant is selected, the process will take approximately nine months; so in September/October 2016, final options and recommendations from the consultant could be ready for Council approval. The end result of the Study will be to identify feasible options to reach the objectives of the Corridor Plan and allow the City to adopt a Plan for reinvestment along Lincoln Way. Council Member Betcher commented on the Draft Scope of Services. In particular, she referenced Paragraph 2 where it was stated that it will "look at options for commercial/residential mixed-use options in the HOC zones along the Corridor." Ms. Betcher would like it to expand it beyond just HOC zones. Moved by Betcher, seconded by Goodman,to adopt Alternative No. 1:to direct staff to finalize and issue a Request for Proposals for consulting services for a Lincoln Way Corridor Study with the change to the Scope of Services indicating that it will also look at options for commercial/residential mixed-use uses and live/work options beyond the HOC zones along the Corridor. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING AND HANGAR PROJECT UPDATE: Public Works Director John Joiner indicated that there are three actions being requested of the City Council 9