HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - January 31, 2023, Special Meeting of the Ames City CouncilAGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS – CITY HALL
JANUARY 31, 2023
CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 p.m.
HEARINGS:
1.Hearing on Prairie View Industrial Center Water and Sanitary Sewer Connection Fee District
a.First passage of ordinance
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP:
2. Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan
DISPOSITION OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL:
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
ADJOURNMENT:
Please note that this agenda may be changed up to 24 hours before the meeting time as
provided by Section 21.4(2), Code of Iowa.
ITEM#: 1
DATE: 01-31-23
DEPT: PW
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: PRAIRIE VIEW INDUSTRIAL CENTER CONNECTION DISTRICTS
BACKGROUND:
The Prairie View Utility Extension Project consists of the extension of water and sanitary
sewer mains to the recently annexed area east of Interstate 35 (I-35). A water main and
a gravity sewer main have been constructed from 4100 East Lincoln Way (just east of
Country Landscapes) to Teller Ave (580th) and are being further extended to Potter Ave
(590th) this winter. Also, a sanitary sewer force main has been installed from Freel Drive
to Teller Ave and a sanitary sewer lift station has been constructed south of East Lincoln
Way at 207 S Teller Ave.
In order to recover the local costs (portion of project not funded by federal monies) from
this project, sewer and water connection fee districts are being established for new
industrial development area, as directed by City Council in July 2018. City Council
confirmed this on December 13, 2022, when taking action to set a public hearing
date of January 10, 2023, for establishment of water and sanitary sewer connection
districts in the Prairie View Industrial area and directing the City Attorney to
prepare ordinances to establish these districts to recover the City costs to install
utilities as the properties are developed. City Council continued the public hearing
until January 31, 2023, to provide adequate time to meet the notification
requirements set forth in the Code of Iowa.
Attached is the ordinance establishing the Prairie View Industrial Center Water and
Sanitary Sewer Connection Fee District for consideration of adoption. In accordance
with this ordinance when a connection is made to this new infrastructure, the per
acre connection fee charge will be $3,438.87 for Sanitary Sewer and will increase
by $207 each succeeding year. For Water, the per acre connection fee will be
$990.66 and will increase by $60 each year. For existing single family homes, the
connection fees will be at the standard City rates which currently are $30 per lineal
foot of frontage for each Water and Sanitary Sewer connection using a typical lot
frontage of 80 feet.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve first passage of an ordinance to amend Municipal Code of the City of
Ames, Iowa, by enacting a new Chapter 28, Section 28.908 thereof, for the
purpose of creating a water and sanitary sewer connection fee district as the
Prairie View Industrial Center Connection District, and by enacting Appendix X
setting forth the fees and map for said District, and repealing any and all
ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict to the extent of such conflict, and
establishing the effective date.
2. Direct staff to amend the proposed ordinance.
3. Decide not to move ahead with establishing water and sanitary sewer connections
fee districts in the Prairie View Industrial Center.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
This ordinance will allow the City to recover local costs associated with the water main
and trunk sewer extensions through the Prairie View Industrial area when a connection
is made to the City’s water and sewer infrastructure in this area. Therefore, it is the
recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1.
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL
CODE OF THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY
ENACTING A NEW CHAPTER 28, SECTION 28.908
THEREOF, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING A
WATER AND SANITARY SEWER CONNECTION
FEE DISTRICT IN THE PRAIRIE VIEW
INDUSTRIAL CENTER CONNECTION DISTRICT;
AND BY ENACTING APPENDIX X SETTING FORTH
THE FEES AND MAP FOR SAID DISTRICT, AND
REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR
PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO THE
EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT; AND
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED, by the City Council for the City of Ames, Iowa, that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the same
is hereby amended by enacting a new Chapter 28, Section 28.908 as follows:
“Sec. 28.908 PRAIRIE VIEW INDUSTRIAL CENTER WATER AND
SANITARY SEWER CONNECTION FEE DISTRICT
(1)There is hereby established pursuant to Sec. 384.38(3) Code of Iowa, 2021,
a water and sanitary sewer connection fee district shown on the map in Appendix “X” the
legal descriptions for which are as follows:
Parcels 1, 3, 4, 6 and 10:
The Southwest Quarter lying South of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad
Right-of-way, and the West Quarter of the Southeast Quarter lying South of
said railroad right-of-way, all in Section 4, Township 83 North, Range 23 West
of the 5th P.M. in Story County, Iowa, EXCEPT highways, and EXCEPT the
following:
Beginning at a point on the South line of said Section 4 which is 861 feet West
of the South Quarter corner thereof: and run thence West along said South line
179 feet, thence North 197 feet, thence East 179 feet, and thence South 197
feet to the point of beginning; and
ALSO, EXCEPT: Beginning at a point on the South line of the Southwest
Quarter of said Section 4, 609.9 feet East of the Southwest corner of said
Section, thence North 0 ° 57’ East 269 feet, thence South 88°37’ East 264.3
feet to the South line of said Southwest Quarter, thence West 200.4 feet to the
point of beginning; and commencing at the Southwest comer of said Section
4, thence East 609.9 feet, thence North 0°57' East 269 feet to the point of
beginning, thence continuing North 0 ° 57' East 84.3 feet, thence South 88°26'
East 193.2 feet, thence South 0°57' West 83.68 feet, thence North 88°37' West
193.2 feet to the point of beginning;
Item No. 1
and ALSO, EXCEPT: Parcel A of the North Half of the Southwest Quarter
and the Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter, in Section 4, Township
83 North, Range 23 West of the 5th P.M. in Story County, Iowa. (Parcel A is
about 24.86 acres, including 0.34 acres of highway right-of-way).
Parcels 2 and 8:
Parcel “A” located in the North Half of the Southwest Quarter and in the
Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter, all in Section 4, Township 83
North, Range 23 West of the 5th P.M., Story County, Iowa.
More particularly described as follows:
Commencing at the West ¼ Corner of said Section 4-83-23, Story County,
Iowa; Thence S 0°31’37”E 270.81’ along the west line of the Southwest
Quarter of said Section 4 to the Point of Beginning; Thence, S85°53’23”E
3319.23’ along the south right of way line of the Union Pacific Railroad as
presently established, to a point located on the east line of the West Half of the
Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of said Section 4; Thence
S0°46’55”E 327.33’ along said east line; Thence N85°53’23”W 3320.69’ to
the west line of the Southwest Quarter of said Section 4; Thence, N0°31’37”W
327.21’ along said West line to the Point of Beginning, as shown on Plat of
Survey recorded in Book 344 at Page 2. Parcel “A” contains 24.86 acres
including 0.34 acres of presently established road right of way.
Parcel 5: Beginning at a point on the South Line of the Southwest Quarter of Section 4,
Township 83 North, Range 23 West of the 5"' P.M., Story County, Iowa. 609.9
feet east of the Southwest Corner of said Section 4, thence North 0 ° 57' east
353.3 feet, thence South 88 ° 37 east 193.2 feet, thence South 0 ° 57' West
83.68 feet, thence South 0 ° 37' East 264.3 feet, thence West 200.4 feet to the
point of beginning.
Parcel 7: Beginning at a point on the South line of Section 4, Township 83 North, Range
23 West of the 5th PM, Story County, Iowa, a distance of 861 feet West of the
South Quarter Corner of said Section 4, thence continuing West along said
South line 179 feet, thence North 197 feet, thence East 179 feet, thence South
197 feet to the point of beginning.
Parcels 9, 11, 12, and 13:
All that part of the East three-fourths (E3/4) of the Southeast Quarter (SE ¼)
of Section Four (4), Township Eighty-three (83) North, Range Twenty-three
(23) West of the 5th P.M., Iowa, lying South of the right-of-way of the Chicago
and Northwestern Railway, except the following: beginning on the East line
of said Southeast Quarter SE¼) of Section Four (4) at a point in the South
right-of-way line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway, thence South
100.37 feet, thence North 85°03' West, 100 feet distant from and parallel to
the said right-of-way line 1977 .68 feet, thence North 100.3 7 feet to said right-
of-way line, thence South 85°03' East along said South right-of-way line,
1977.68 feet to the point of beginning.
Parcel 14: Parcel "J" a part of the Southwest Quarter (SWI/4) and of the South Half (Sl/2)
of the Northwest Quarter (NW l/4) of Section Five (5), Township Eighty-three
(83) North, Range Twenty-three (23) West of the 5th P.M., Ames, Story
County, Iowa, as shown on the Plat of Survey recorded on Mav 15. 2018. as
Inst No. 18-04082. Slide 604. Page 6.
Parcel 15: Parcel “K” a part of the Southwest Quarter (SW l/4) and of the South Half
(S1/2) of the Northwest Quarter (NWI/4) of Section Five (5), Township
Eighty-three (83) North, Range Twenty-three (23) West of the 5th P.M., Ames,
Story County, Iowa, as shown on the Plat of Survey recorded on May 15, 2018,
as Inst. No. 18-04082, Slide 604, Page 6.
Parcels 16 and 17:
The South Half (Sl/2) of the Southwest Quarter (SWl/4) of Section Five (5),
Township Eighty-three (83) North, Range Twenty-three (23) West of the 5th
P.M., Ames, Story County, Iowa.
Parcels 18, 19, 20, and 22:
The Southeast Quarter (SE¼) of Section Five (S), Township Eighty-three (83)
North, Range Twenty-three (23) West of the 5th P.M., Iowa, lying South of
the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company's right-of-way, subject to
public highways, EXCEPT Commencing at a point on the South line of the
Southeast Quarter of Section S, Township 83 North, Range 23 West of the 5th
P.M., Story County, Iowa, 883 Feet East of the Southwest Corner of said
Southeast Quarter, thence East along said Section line 270 Feet, thence North
484 feet, thence West 270 Feet, thence South 484 feet to the point of beginning,
subject to roads and easements of record AND the Southwest Quarter (SW¼)
of the Northeast Quarter (NE¼) of Section Five (5), Township Eighty-three
(83) North, Range Twenty-three (23) West of the 5th P.M., lying South of the
Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company's Right-of-Way.
Parcel 21: Commencing at a point on the South line of the Southeast Quarter (SE 1/4) of
Section Five (5), Township Eighty-three (83) North, Range Twenty-three (23)
West of the 5th P.M, Ames, Story County. Iowa, 883 feet East of the SW
Comer of said SE 1/4; thence East along said Section line 270 feet; thence
North 484 feet; thence West 270 feet; thence South 484 feet to the point of
beginning.
Parcels 23 and 24:
The East Half (E1/2) of the Northeast Quarter (NE1/4) of Section Seven (7)
Township Eighty-three (83) North, Range Twenty-three (23) West of the 5th
P.M., Ames, Story County, Iowa.
Parcels 25 and 27:
The West One-half (W ½) of the Northwest Quarter (NW ¼) of Section 8,
Township 83 North, Range 23 West of the 5th P.M., Story County, Iowa;
subject to easements of record.
Parcels 26 and 28:
The East Half (El/2) of the Northwest Quarter (NW1/4) of Section Eight (8),
Township Eighty-three (83) North, Range Twenty-three (23) West of the 5th
P.M., Ames, Story County, Iowa.
Parcel 29: Beginning at the Northwest corner of the Northeast Quarter (NE¼) of Section
8, Township 83 North, Range 23 West of the 5th P.M., Iowa, thence East along
the North line of said Section 8, 464 Feet; thence South 470.9 Feet, thence
West 461 Feet to the West line of said Northeast Quarter (NE¼); thence North
along the West line of said Northeast Quarter (NE¼) 470.9 Feet to the point
of beginning.
Parcels 30 and 33:
The West Half of the Northeast Quarter of Section 8, Township 83 North,
Range 23 West of the 5th P.M. in Story County, Iowa, EXCEPT beginning at
the Northwest comer of said Northeast Quarter, run thence East along the
North line thereof 464.0 feet, thence South 470.9 feet, thence West 461.0 feet
to the West line of said Northeast Quarter, thence North along said West line
470.9 feet to the point of beginning.
Parcels 31 and 34:
The East half (E½) of the Northeast quarter (NE¼) of Section Eight, Township
83N, Range 23W of the Fifth (5th) P.M., Story County, Iowa, subject to any
easements of record. EXCEPT Parcel “G” and Parcel “H.”
Parcel 32: Parcels 'G' and 'H' in the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter (NE¼
NE¼) of Section 8, Township 83 North. Range 23 West, of the 5th P.M., Story
County. Iowa, as shown on the "Plat of Survey" filed in the office of the
Recorder of Story County, Iowa, on January 6, 2020, and recorded as
Instrument No. 2020- 00146.
Parcel 35: The West 25 rods of the North 16 rods of the Northwest Quarter of the
Northwest Quarter of Section 9, Township 83 North, Range 23, West of the
5th P.M., except the road area on the North and West sides, containing
approximately 2.5 Acres, more or less. This being Parcel No. 10-09-100-105
in the Story County Treasurer's Office as of February 28, 2002.
Parcel 36: The West 25 rods of the South 16 rods of the North 32 rods of the Northwest
Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 9, Township 83 North, Range 23
West of the 5th P.M.
Parcels 37, 38, 39 and 40:
The Northwest Quarter (NW¼) of Section Nine (9), Township Eighty-three
(83) North, Range Twenty-three (23) West of the 5th P.M., Ames, Story
County, Iowa, EXCEPT commencing at the NW Corner of Sec. 9-T83N-
R23W of the 5th P.M., Ames, Story County, Iowa running thence East 25 rods,
thence South 32 rods, thence West 25 rods, thence North 32 rods to the point
of beginning and also except legally established highways.
Parcel 41: Parcel "C" in the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 9, Township 83 North,
Range 23 West of the 5th PM, Story County, Iowa, as shown in the Plat of
Survey filed in the Office of the Story County Recorder on May 16, 1994, in
Book 12, Page 65.
Parcel 42, 43, and 44:
The West Half (W½) of the Northeast Quarter (NE¼) and the Northwest
quarter (NW¼) of the Southeast Quarter (SE¼) of Section 9, Township 83
North, Range 23 West of the 5th P.M., except Highway, and except
PARCEL "C" in the Northwest Quarter (NW¼) of the Northeast Quarter
{NE¼) of Section 9, Township 83 North, Range 23 West of the 5th P.M., Story
County, Iowa, as shown in the Plat of Survey filed in the office of the Story
County Recorder on the 16th day of May 1994 and recorded in Book 12 at
Page 65.
Parcel 45: The East 119.1 Feet of the South 199 Feet of the recorded Warranty Deed in
Book 279, Page 79, in the Story County Recorder’s Office, Story County,
Iowa.
Parcel 46: The East Twelve (12) rods of the South Forty (40) rods of the Southeast
Quarter (SE¼) of the Southeast Quarter (SE¼) of Section Six (6), Township
83 North, Range 23 West of the 5th P.M.
Parcel 47: The West Two (2) acres of the East Half (E1/2) of the Southeast Quarter
(SE1/4) of the Southeast Quarter (SE1/4) of the Southeast Quarter (SE1/4) of
Section Six (6), Township 83 North, Range 23 West of the 5th P.M., also
described as the West Eight (8) rods of the East Twenty (20) rods of the South
Forty (40) Rods of the Southeast Quarter (SE1/4) of the Southeast Quarter
(SE1/4) of Section Six (6), Township 83 North, Range 23 West of the 5th P.M.
(2)The fee for connection of a property within the aforesaid district to the water
or sanitary sewer utility shall be applied according to the acreage shown in Appendix X,
as follows:
(a)The connection fee for sanitary sewer service for all parcels is
$3,438.87 per acre of property served by this connection including reasonable interest.
(b)The connection fee for water service is $990.66 per acre of property
served by this connection including reasonable interest.
(3)Annual increase in connection fees are as follows:
(a)For the purposes of accounting for the costs incurred by the City of
Ames to finance improvements, the connection district fee shall increase on an annual
basis.
(b)The fees shall increase annually at a rate of approximately six
percent (6%) of the original connection fee for a period of at least ten (10) years.
(c)The annual increase in the connection district fees shall be based on
six percent (6%) of the original connection fee of $3,438.87 per acre for sanitary sewer
connection and $990.66 for water connection and will be rounded to an even dollar
amount per year. Thus, the connection district fee will increase at a rate of $203 per year
for sanitary sewer connections and $60 per year for water connections. Appendix “X”
shows the tabulations of the connection district fees for each of the ten years beginning
on the date of adoption of this ordinance, and increasing on July 1st for each year
following, and ending on July 1, 2033.
(d)After July 1, 2033, the connection district fees will continue to
increase at a rate of $203 per year for sanitary sewer connections and $60 per year for
water connections, unless the connection fee annual increases are modified by the City of
Ames.
(4) Exception for Parcel 32. The City-owned Parcel 32 (207 S Teller Avenue)
is exempted from water and sewer connection fees because it provides the water and sewer
infrastructure to serve the connection district area and no facilities will be constructed
requiring water or sewer service.
(5)Limited exception for existing residential properties.
(a)Parcels 5, 25, 29, 35, 36, and 41, upon which are single- and multi-
family residential uses, shall have a limited exemption from the connection fees of
paragraphs 2 and 3 of this section, and in lieu thereof, each of the said parcels shall be
subject to the standard connection fee to the existing residence as described in Appendix F
of the Ames Municipal Code and regardless of actual frontage shall make a one-time
connection using an 80-foot lineal width for the connection fee calculation.
(b)Unless for good cause shown and approved by the City Council
waiving enforcement of the district connection fees, if a parcel described in subparagraph
(a) is subdivided for other than existing residential uses, the owner shall be liable for and
pay the connection fees of paragraphs 2 and 3 of this section.
(6)Subject only to the limited exception set forth above, for purposes of
determining the amount and timing of fees due under paragraphs 2, 3, and 7 of this section,
a “connection of a property” shall be deemed to include the individual parcel for which a
service connection is requested and all other adjacent or contiguous parcels, or both, within
the district that are under common ownership of one person or two or more related parties.
As used herein, “related parties” has the same meaning as used in 26 U.S. Code section
267.
(7)The fee required by this section shall be paid to the City as required by
section 384.38 of the Code of Iowa, prior to final plat or site plan approval, including all
future phases, whichever event occurs first, which shall be deemed by the City to be a
utility connection application as described in the Code of Iowa.
Section Two. All ordinances, or parts of ordinances, in conflict herewith are
hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict, if any.
Section Three. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its
passage and publication as required by law.
Passed this day of , 2023.
______________________________ _________________________________
Renee Hall, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
Appendix X
July 1, 2033 $1,651.00
WATER CONNECTIONDISTRICT SCHEDULE OF FEES
SANITARY SEWER CONNECTION DISTRICT SCHEDULE OF FEES
SANITARY SEWER CONNECTION DISTRICT MAPS AND SCHEDULE OF FEES AND WATER
CONNECTION DISTRICT MAP AND SCHEDULE OF FEES
July 1, 2030 $1,471.00
July 1, 2031 $1,531.00
July 1, 2032 $1,591.00
July 1, 2027 $1,291.00
July 1, 2028 $1,351.00
July 1, 2029 $1,411.00
July 1, 2024 $1,111.00
July 1, 2025 $1,171.00
July 1, 2026 $1,231.00
Effective Date
Connection Fee ($/acre) Annual
Increase equal to 6% of original
connection fee
Adoption of Ordinance $990.66
July 1, 2023 $1,051.00
$4,267.00
$4,474.00
Prairie View Water Connection District (All parcels)
July 1, 2030
July 1, 2031
July 1, 2032
July 1, 2033
$4,888.00
$5,095.00
$5,302.00
$5,509.00
$5,716.00
July 1, 2029
Adoption of Ordinance $3,438.87
Prairie View Sanitary Sewer Connection District (All parcels)
Effective Date
Connection Fee ($/acre) Annual
Increase equal to 6% of original
connection fee
July 1, 2023
$4,681.00
July 1, 2024
July 1, 2025
July 1, 2026
July 1, 2027
July 1, 2028
$3,646.00
$3,853.00
$4,060.00
Item No. 1
ACREAGE COMPUTATION BY PARCEL
PARCEL
Caring People Quality Programs Exceptional Service
515.239.5160 main
.239.5404 fax
.
In Fall 2022, City Council requested at least three progress meetings with staff
and Toole Design (the consultant team) to stay current on the development of
the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. On January 31, 2023, staff will provide
the second of those meetings in a workshop format. The purpose is to discuss
the following:
1) Review the public input the team has received to date (no input will be
taken at this meeting),
2) Provide a summary of existing network conditions, and
3) Discuss wayfinding concepts.
Toole Design has created a presentation with this information, which is attached
to this memo. The presentation contains significant data, analysis, and other
valuable information collected thus far during the project. During the workshop,
Toole Design will review these data and analytical tools and how they will
benefit the plan.
At the end of the workshop, staff will detail the schedule for the project moving
forward. This will include the information to be released as we move ahead and
how the team plans to further engage the public to develop a comprehensive
plan for the future of walking and biking in Ames.
Bicycle and
Pedestrian Plan
CITY COUNCIL UPDATE
JANUARY 31, 2023
Agenda
Public Input to Date
Existing Conditions
Wayfinding Concepts
draft plan review
sign placement
Public Input –Three Phases
proposed network
and projects
sign concepts
and design
raising awareness
community values
identify needs
visioning
wayfinding
introduction
Bicycle and
Pedestrian
Plan
Wayfinding
Phase 1 Virtual & Online Engagement
Project Website
www.cityofames.org/
walkbikeroll
Included:
Project timeline
Project background
Participation opportunities
(poll and survey)
Communication resources
(project newsletter, social
media)
Kick-off Email
Included information on:
Project timeline
Project survey
Social media
website
Poll & Survey
Poll: Asked respondents to
complete the sentence:
"Walking, biking, and rolling
in Ames should be...
Survey: Asked about
transportation habits,
destinations for walking and
biking, prioritizing walking
and biking infrastructure.
Social Media
Posts included:
Introduction to the project
Link to survey
Online Poll: Walking, biking, and
rolling in Ames should be...
Online survey
summary
•Open from November 1st to December 2nd, 2023
•Received 393 completed responses
•Advertised through the City website, social media, and e-blasts
•Results on following slides
~40 participants
Mostly college students (~90%)
Survey respondent
demographics
Gender
Race & Ethnicity
AgeAbility
Number of Respondents
Survey
respondent’s
relationship
with Ames
How often respondents use each mode
~40 participants
Mostly college students (~90%)
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Walk or Run
Bike (non-electric)
Electric Bike
Skate or Scoot
Electric Skate or Scoot
Mobility Device
Daily 2-3 times/week Weekly Monthly Rarely Never
What survey respondents would like to do more
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Walk more
Bike more
Skate/Scoot more
Use a mobility device more
Yes No
Where survey respondents are going
~40 participants
Mostly college students (~90%)
How survey participants would like to get
to various destinations (if they could)
0
50
100
150
200 Walk
Bike
Skate/Scoot
Mobility Device
What respondents think are
the most important thing to
improve/expand in Ames
1.More places to bike (167 respondents)
2.Safer places to cross the street (155
respondents)
3.More places to walk/use a mobility device
(51 respondents)
4.More places to skate or scoot (4
respondents)
Phase 1 In-Person Engagement
Event Summary
•Staffed a booth at Iowa State’s Sustainability Fair on October
25th, 2023
•~40 people stopped by the table
•~90% of participants were students, remaining were ISU
faculty or community members
•Asked students about the following:
•What walking and biking in Ames should be like
•What they like and don’t like about walking and biking in Ames
ISU Event Feedback
~40 participants
Mostly college students (~90%)
I don’t like walking and biking in
Ames because…
Cold/weather
Uneven paths and sidewalks
Cars (speed, crossings, safety)
No bikeshare/rental
Lack of paths and bike lanes
Theft/bike parking
I like walking and biking in Ames
because…
Exercise
Convenient
Inexpensive
Paths
Scenery, parks and nature
Plenty of sidewalks
Walking and biking in Ames
should be…
Enjoyable
Convenient
Comfortable
Green, beautiful, and scenic
Safe
Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
•December: Vision and Goals Survey
•~February to April: Three virtual meetings over a 6-to 8-week period:
◦Finalize Vision and Goals
◦Existing conditions overview
◦Facility types / toolkit
◦Network recommendations
◦Wayfinding
◦Prioritization
Vision & Goals:
Who Walks in Ames?
•Choice or lack thereof
•Physical ability, vision,
hearing
•Age
•Cultural conventions
•Gender identity
•Solo vs with children
•Need to carry items
•Etc.
Vision & Goals:
Who Bikes in Ames?
•Age
•Gender identity
•Race, ethnicity, skin tone
•Physical ability (disabilities and level
of fitness)
•Biking to work versus a long
recreational ride
•Temporary student versus long-term
resident
•Pulling a trailer or riding a cargo bike
•Biking alone or with kids
•Time of day (lighting, rush hour, etc.)
Vision and Goals Survey Overview –who took the survey?
Male,
58%
Female,
42%
What gender do you
identify with?
3
1
5
4
3 3
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
18-24 25 -34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74
What is your age?
14
14
4
0 5 10 15
I live in Ames
I work in Ames
I go to school in Ames
What is your relation
to Ames?
Community Advisory
Committee Members, 9
Technical Advisory
Committee Members, 7
What committee are you on?
Draft Vision: Walking, biking, and rolling is important to the Ames community, and we envision the day when
every person—regardless of age, ability, or identity—can walk, bike, and roll safely and comfortably to all their
essential destinations in Ames. Streets will be designed, programs will be implemented, and the community will
foster a culture to support walking, biking, and rolling for all.
Draft Vision Statement Reactions
Respondents liked Respondents didn’t like
It describes how the community will be changed if the plan is successful.Can be more inclusive. Economic Status, Race/Color.
It is an inclusive statement both for users and city activities. Don't like the phrase of "we envision a day"
I like the inclusive statement.Including all ages and all ability levels makes this meaningless. Right away we
have to carve out exceptions
I like that it encompasses "every person" and that design and programs will focus
on a culture of supporting this vision for all.
Too wordy -unessential words should be removed. Location and weather should
be added to age, ability, and identity. Why only a street focus? Add trail, park, and
sidewalk design to streets.
The second sentence feels more like an objective.
I don't think it explains why biking is important to Ames.
Needs specificity about Ames that differentiates it from other municipalities.
Housing proximity to desirable locations is important too.
I think the statement is a tad too long.
Not realistic/doable.
Important Parts of Vision
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Every resident, regardless of age, ability, or identity
Walking, biking, and rolling safely to all essential destinations in Ames
Walking, biking, and rolling comfortably to all essential destinations in Ames
Street design
Programs implemented
Community culture
What three parts of the vision statement do you think are the most important?
Draft Vision: Walking, biking, and rolling is important to the Ames community, and we envision the day when
every person—regardless of age, ability, or identity—can walk, bike, and roll safely and comfortably to all their
essential destinations in Ames. Streets will be designed, programs will be implemented, and the community will
foster a culture to support walking, biking, and rolling for all.
Revised Vision Statement
•Draft: Walking, biking, and rolling is important to the Ames
community, and we envision the day when every person—
regardless of age, ability, or identity—can walk, bike, and roll
safely and comfortably to all their essential destinations in Ames.
Streets will be designed, programs will be implemented, and the
community will foster a culture to support walking, biking, and
rolling for all.
•Revised: Ames is a place where walking, biking, and rolling is safe,
comfortable, enjoyable, convenient, and available to everyone—
regardless of age, ability, identity, race, or economic status.
19
18
14
Improve Safety
Increase Mode Share
Lead with Equity
Do you think these categories of
goals should be included in
Walk Bike Roll Ames?
Goal setting
Other goal categories suggested by respondents:
Use accessibility rather than equity
Cleaner environment
Better public health
Improve commuting
Increase connectivity
Reduce available per-capita parking spaces
1)Leading with equity
2)Increasing mode share (e.g., increasing the percentage of trips in Ames completed by walking,
biking, or rolling)
3)Improving safety
7
6
13
6
Increase comfort
Reduce crashes
Eliminate fatalities and serious injuries
Improve quality of life
Which two of the following do you
think are the most important
reasons for improving safety in
Ames?
10
12
10
1
Support climate goals
Increase health
Improve connectivity and access
Decrease maintenance needed on our streets
Which two of the following do you think
are the most important reasons for
wanting to switch vehicles trips to
walking, biking, and rolling trips in
Ames?
Reasons for improving safety and mode shift
Importance of Equity
We asked: In your own words, why do you think it's important to focus on equity for Walk Bike Roll Ames?
We heard:
•We are a diverse community and growing.
•Equity is a large part of broader community-
based conversations and helps bring everyone
along
•A major role of government is social, economic,
and environmental equity, justice, and inclusion
to fill gaps in society and overlap for deeper and
wider impact.
•The City's transportation system should serve all
who contribute to its funding, which is all
residents regardless of their circumstances.
•It strengthens and improves the whole
community.
•Access to a vehicle can be challenging to several
populations.
•It is important because these groups have been
historically underserved.
•By addressing the needs of the underserved first, it
has the joint effect of leveling up those who are
disadvantaged, while in many cases making things
easier and better for other user groups as well.
•Underserved populations are often the most
affected by this issue and have transportation
challenges
Revised Goals
•Safe and Comfortable –Plan, design, and operate streets, sidewalks, bikeways, crossings, and
paths to prioritize safety with the ultimate goal of eliminating fatalities.
•Connected and Easy –Create connections throughout Ames and to surrounding areas that are
easy and intuitive to use, encouraging and enabling more people to walk, bike, and roll.
•Healthy and Sustainable –Get more people walking, biking, rolling, and using future zero-
carbon forms of personal mobility to improve health and to provide easy alternatives to
driving.
•Equitable and Accessible–Invest equitably and design infrastructure that is easy to use
regardless of one’s age or physical ability. Augment infrastructure with programs that
encourage and empower everyone to choose active transportation.
Agenda
Public Input to Date
Existing Conditions
Wayfinding Concepts
Existing Conditions Elements
Plan and Policy
Review
Network
Evaluation
State of Active
Transportation
Report
Plans & Policies
Key Themes
•Multimodal vision
•Safety and comfort of all users
•Expanding transportation choice
•Identifying priorities for investment
•Design with best practices
◦(sidewalk and bikeway design guidance already adopted)
•Crossing/intersection safety
•Connectivity (across community and with ISU)
Code Review –Chapter 4: Bikeways
Current Language Potential Issue or Concern
Sec. 4.8. RIDING ON ROADWAYS, SIDEWALKS, BICYCLE PATHS.
1.Ride as near to the right-hand side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in
the same direction
2.Shall not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Si ngle file when
traffic is heavy.
3.Persons riding bicycles, tricycles or unicycles upon a bicycle path not affixed to a roadway shall yield the right -of-way to all vehicular traffic
traveling on the public roadways which intersect with the bicycle path.
1) “as near to the right as practicable” can be
hazardous
3) yield to all vehicular traffic may be in
conflict with state law
Sec. 4.9. SPEED, OPERATION TO BE REASONABLE AND PRUDENT.
No person shall operate a bicycle, tricycle or unicycle at a speed greater than, or in a manner other than is reasonable and prudent under
the conditions then existing.
Sec. 4.12. CARRYING ARTICLES.
No person operating a bicycle, tricycle or unicycle shall carry any package, bundle, or article which prevents the rider from keeping at least
one hand upon the handlebars.
Sec. 4.13. RIDING ON SIDEWALKS.
It is unlawful for any person to operate a bicycle, tricycle, or unicycle upon any sidewalk on the following streets: Main St reet from Duff
Avenue to Clark Avenue. Lincoln Way on the south side thereof from Stanton Avenue to Hayward Avenue. Hayward Avenue on the ea st side
thereof from Lincoln Way to Hunt Street. Welch Avenue from Lincoln Way to Knapp Street.
May need to be updated e.g., if sidepaths are
provided
Sec. 4.15. BICYCLES PROHIBITED ON GRAND AVENUE.
The riding of bicycles, tricycles or unicycles on the roadway of Grand Avenue in the City of Ames, Iowa, is prohibited.
Needs to be revisited, especially with new
extension of Grand Ave.
Sec. 4.18. PENALTIES FOR OFFENSES PERTAINING TO BICYCLES.
1.A violation of any provision of Chapter 4, Bicycles, shall be a municipal infraction punishable by a penalty of $50.00 for a person’s first
violation thereof, and a penalty of $100.00 for each repeat violation.
2.Alternatively, a violation of Chapter 4 can be charged by a peace officer of the City as a simple misdemeanor.
This carries potential equity concerns,
especially since vulnerable populations may
be more likely to need to carry items and ride
on sidewalks along busy streets.
Demographics
Income in the past 12 months
Less than $10,000 12.6%
$10,000 to $14,999 5.3%
$15,000 to $24,999 8.4%
$25,000 to $34,999 7.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 13.4%
$50,000 to $74,999 21.9%
$75,000 to $99,999 7.2%
$100,000 to $149,999 14.1%
$150,000 to $199,999 4.2%
$200,000 or more 5.2%
Median income (dollars)$ 52,005.00
•2.8% of people bike to work, 8.7% walk, 9.1% use transit
•CyRide served 35,000-40,000 passengers daily pre-pandemic
•ISU enrollment (2022): 29,969 students (>25,000 are undergraduates)
Existing Bikeways
Existing Sidewalks
& Gaps
Activity: StreetLight
BIKING TRIP ORIGINS BIKING TRIP DESTINATIONS
Activity: Strava
Activity: Strava
Trips Taken in Ames (weekday)
Source: Replica (activity-based travel model)
Walking and Biking Trips by Length
WALKING BIKING
Source: StreetLight
Trip Potential (All trips)
•Typical Thursday in Fall 2021: 228,000 total trips by Ames residents (all modes)
•Nearly 21% of those trips were under a mile.
Source: Replica (activity-based travel model)
Trips under 1 mile Trips between 0.25 and 1 mile
Trip Potential
Systemic Safety:
Pedestrian
•Historic (actual crashes):
◦Density of crashes along the
street network
◦Influenced by amount of
walking/biking activity
•Potential Future:
◦Predictive model based on
roadway characteristics
◦NOT influenced by activity
levels
Systemic Safety:
Bicyclist
•Historic (actual crashes):
◦Density of crashes along the
street network
◦Influenced by amount of
walking/biking activity
•Potential Future:
◦Predictive model based on
roadway characteristics
◦NOT influenced by activity
levels
Pedestrian
Crossing
Stress
•PLTS 1/2: lower stress
•PLTS 3/4: higher stress
Pedestrian
Crossing Gaps
Bike Traffic
Stress
•BLTS 1/2: lower stress
•BLTS 3/4: higher stress
Agenda
Public Input to Date
Existing Conditions
Wayfinding Concepts
Wayfinding Usually Involves 5 Steps:
Planning
How do I get
there?
Orientation
This looks like
the way
Decision
Making
Do I turn here?
Confirmation
Am I still on
the right
route?
Destination
Recognition
I'm here!
Focus for This Project
Orientation
This looks like
the way
Decision
Making
Do I turn here?
Confirmation
Am I still on
the right
route?
Wayfinding Best Practices
•Keep it Simple
•Be Consistent
•Design for the
Inexperienced
User
•Be Inclusive
•Make Connections
Discovery: Existing Branding, Signs, & Needs
Leadership Ames 2016 Report
•Merry Rankin, Kelsey Bolte Carper,
David Haila, Brian Schwartze
Recommendations:
•Make it easier to find trail maps
online
•Increase branding and naming of
Ames Trails
•Add trails to Google Maps and
Iowa by Trail Mobile App
•Add wayfinding signs with maps
along trails Sign Example from survey Sign Example from survey
Discovery: Existing Branding, Signs, & Needs
Ames Brand: Smart, Innovative, Colorful Prairie, Limestone, Timeless ISU brand
Initial Sign Concepts
Initial Sign Concepts
Initial Sign Concepts
Next Steps
Winter 2023
Fall 2022
Summer 2022
Summer / Fall 2023
Spring
2023