HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - CCC Minutes 12/06/21MINUTES
CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY COMMISSION
Ames City Hall Conference Room 235, 515 Clark Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
Monday, December 6, 2021
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p .m. by Assistant City Manager Deb
Schildroth. Members Present were Abigail Miller, Bryce Garman, Debra Lee, Peter Englin, and
Warren Madden. Members absent were Emily Rizvic and Tom Lindsley.
Introductions were made prior to attending to the following agenda items.
Selection of Chair and Vice Chair: Moved by Madden, seconded by Englin to nominate Bryce
Garman as the Chair of the Campus and Community Commission. Motion carried unanimously.
Chair Garman called for nominations of Vice Chair. Madden suggested the nomination of Tom
Lindsley. As Lindsley was not present at the meeting to accept the nomination, Chair Garman
tabled the selection for the next meeting.
Approval of Minutes: Moved by Madden, seconded by Lee to approve the minutes of the April
26, 2021 meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Forum: Chair Garman opened public forum. No one was present to speak, and Chair
Garman closed Public Forum.
Rent Smart Ames Website Revamp: Assistant City Manager Schildroth gave an overview of the
project to the new Commission members before reviewing the goals for the revamp and
acknowledging the revisions that have been made.
Madden inquired about the mediation services that the Commission was monitoring in
conjunction with the project. Assistant City Manager Schildroth noted that the previously
discussed mediation services are no longer available. She stated that an alternative service may
be investigated by the Commission if desired.
Principal Clerk Carly Watson presented the revamped site in a side-by-side comparison with the
original site. She talked through the changes in content, formatting, and navigation that would
enhance user experience and answered questions from Commission members.
Miller noted that she was pleased with the revisions and inquired about creating a QR Code for
the site for marketability purposes. She also stated that one of the biggest components of the
project is education.
Chair Garman supported Miller’s comment on education by noting that for international
students, out of state students, and in state students alike, coming to Ames is the first time they
will be living on their own. It is integral for them to have information about living in Ames
including what it means to sign a lease and be responsible for paying utilities.
The Commission members discussed the housing options and individualized lease agreements
that are available in the Ames community, noting how important it is to read the lease closely
before signing. The members also touched on the lease gap with Englin noting that Iowa State
University offers lease gap housing but not storage for furniture and personal items.
Discussion shifted to marketing the revamped site with Chair Garman noting that the Iowa State
University Student Government Off-Campus Senators have recently formed United Residents
Off-Campus (UROC). He suggested the group as a potential resource to help promote the site.
Moved by Englin, seconded by Miller to roll out the revamped Rent Smart Ames Website. Motion
carried unanimously.
Assistant City Manager Schildroth noted that City staff will maintain the website.
Commissioner Comments: Madden inquired about what’s next for the Commission as Rent
Smart Ames Website Revamp project nears completion.
Assistant City Manager Schildroth noted that the Commission has not received further direction
from Council. She noted some of the topics that were covered during the Joint City Council/Iowa
State University Student Government meeting in October and encouraged the Commission
members to bring forward any potential ideas they may have or hear about from their sector to
facilitate a new directive.
Next Meeting: No scheduled meeting. Meetings will be called on an as needed basis until the
Commission receives further direction from the City Council.
Adjournment: Moved by Madden, seconded by Lee to adjourn the meeting at 6:49pm