HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Provisions for ISU lease for portion of Moore Memorial Park RESOLUTION NO. 12-152
RESOLUTION APPROVING PROVISIONS TO 50-YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT
FOR LAND LEASE IN PORTION OF MOORE MEMORIAL PARK
FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA
WHEREAS, in March 2011, Iowa State University (ISU) officials submitted a request to
locate an approximate 5,000 square-foot golf maintenance facility at the southwest corner of Moore
Memorial Park; and,
WHEREAS,this location is immediately adjacent to a tree planting memorial that serves to
honor victims of 911 and is approximately 50 feet west of a fenced natural gas restricted area; and,
WHEREAS,ISU staff explained that the existing golf maintenance facility is located in the
floodplain and that excessive damage has occurred to their building multiple times over the past
several years; and,
WHEREAS, a lack of available land outside the floodplain would make it difficult to
construct a golf maintenance building on ISU property; and,
WHEREAS,in April 2011,members of the Parks and Recreation Commission met at the site
to assess the impact this building would have upon Moore Memorial Park, and at that time, the
Commission supported ISU's proposal,but directed staff to host a public meeting to gain reaction
to ISU's proposal; and,
WHEREAS,in October 2011,approximately 350 letters were mailed to property owners that
live in the Northridge and The Green Subdivisions, and additionally,a press release was sent to the
media inviting the general public to attend this informational meeting; and,
WHEREAS, in November 2011 staff, in conjunction with ISU Facilities Planning and
Management staff, hosted a public meeting that was attended by approximately 23 residents; and,
WHEREAS, staff also met with members of Trees Forever, and its members acknowledge
that if construction on ISU land is not possible, the 911 Memorial should be relocated to another
location at Moore Memorial or a different City park; and,
WHEREAS,there is support for the City to enter into an agreement with ISU,however,a few
residents are adamantly opposed to park land at Moore Memorial Park being used for this purpose;
and,
WHEREAS, at its February 2012 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission voted
unanimously to: 1)recommend that the City enter into a 50-year, no fee lease agreement with ISU
to locate a building at this City location in Moore Memorial Park; 2) direct City staff to work with
members of Trees Forever to redevelop new 911 Memorial plantings, at ISU's expense, at another
acceptable location within the park system; and, 3) to request that ISU officials appear before the
Parks and Recreation Commission again to afford it the opportunity to "review and react"to the
building contextually and aesthetically; and,
WHEREAS, in order to enhance the City's ability to carry out the purposes expressed in the
Moore bequest, staff has requested that the following conditions be included: 1)that the City may
sell a portion of the land and use the proceeds to develop the remaining land for park purposes; 2)
that the City may exchange a portion of the land for other land for park purposes; 3) that the City
may lease a portion of the land to another party for development and/or operation for park purposes;
and, 4) that the City may develop, use and manage said real estate with the same authority and
discretion it has with regard to the development, use and management of park land, in general.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that the provisions as reflected in the 50-year, no fee lease agreement with Iowa State University
allowing it to construct a golf maintenance facility on the southwest edge of Moore Memorial Park
are hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 27`h day of March, 2012.
C��,'�K Loa& AS-040 x
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor
Introduced by: Szopinski
Seconded by: Orazem
Voting aye: Davis, Goodman, Orazem, Szopinski, Wacha
Voting nay: None Absent: Larson
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 27"" day of March, 2012.