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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - April 2023 Monthly Project HighlightsHIGHLIGHTS APRIL 2023 MONTHLY PROJECT Contact the City Manager's Office at 515-239-5101 515 Clark Avenue, Ames, IA 50010 Report compiled by Jeramy Neefus, Principal Clerk City Manager's Office ANIMAL SHELTER Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week: In April, staff celebrated Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week, which took place April 9-15. The Animal Control Officer team consists of Kathy Pike, Lisa Brix, and Phil Blanchard. These officers were recognized for their dedication to the citizens and animals of Ames, and the compassion they serve with every day. Animal Control can be an emotional field to work in, and they perform their duties every day with grace and kindness for both people and animals. Staff also recognized Kathy and Lisa for completing their certification through the National Animal Care and Control Association for both ACO levels one and two, making them Nationally Certified Animal Control Officers. National Volunteer Appreciation Week: April also provided an opportunity to thank Ames Animal Shelter volunteers during National Volunteer Appreciation Week, which took place April 16-22. Volunteers do more for staff and the animals than could ever be adequately listed. They show a true compassion and love for the animals, and don't hesitate to get in the thick of things with helping clean dog kennels, scrub litter boxes, mop floors, or any other “dirty” task many would shy away from. The joy they each bring to the shelter every day helps remind everyone of the good in the world, which is needed on the hard days working in animal welfare. It is so special to watch the animals recognize volunteers they love who they know will treat them with kindness and love as they wait for their forever homes. 2 3 ELECTRIC Electric Staff Visits Omaha Public Power District: On March 31, Electric staff traveled to Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) in Omaha, Nebraska, to meet with its staff and tour a facility it is constructing. OPPD recently launched a program called “Power with Purpose.” The program includes an extensive study and construction of new generation to accomplish overall decarbonization and achieve net zero carbon by 2050. The study includes load growth projections, reviewing 150+ technology options, modeling, and the development of an Integrated Resource Plan. OPPD is constructing two fast-start natural gas generation stations and building a large amount of utility-scale wind and solar generation. Ames Electric staff was able to learn details of their program and take back information that will help Ames towards accomplishing the Climate Action Plan goals. The above picture shows Electric staff standing in front of one of the nine fast-start natural gas Wartsila engines OPPD is installing at one of the new power generation stations being built. 4 LIBRARY Ames Repair Café: Earth Day Special: The latest Ames Repair Café at Ames Public Library on April 22 was another hit! Over 100 people came to have volunteers repair their broken items and keep them out of the waste stream. Free flower and veggie seeds and native tree saplings were a welcome addition for the spring. Watch for the next Ames Repair Café to coincide with the City of Ames EcoFair. Summer is Coming: For public libraries, summer is a time of bustling activity. Families flock to the library for entertainment, summer learning, free lunches, and of course the Summer Reading Challenge! Ames Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge will begin June 1, and gives all ages (including adults!) the chance to earn prizes for logging their reading. Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens will be served in the Library’s Auditorium weekdays starting June 5. Special summer events will also begin the week of June 5 with special performances, outdoor storytimes, and fun activities galore. Watch for more details at www.AmesPL.org/events. Supporting Students of All Ages: Ames Public Library provides a variety of resources for students and lifelong learners. As the school year wraps up, Library staff dedicate extra time and space to helping students who are studying for exams, finishing final projects, or getting ready for their next life chapter. From May 1 through 11, the Library has a meeting room set aside for quiet study space, in addition to the regular study rooms and seating areas. The Library also offers cardholders free access to premium online resources that can be invaluable to students. Brainfuse HelpNow offers virtual live tutoring, a 24-hour writing assignment review, test prep, and more. Britannica Library provides a reputable research source with sections for children, young adults, and adults. Find these and many more online at www.AmesPL.org/databases. 5 PARKS AND RECREATION Ada Hayden Heritage Park Trout Stocking: On April 1, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stocked the north lake at Ada Hayden Heritage Park with approximately 2,000 rainbow trout. The Iowa DNR has been stocking the north lake with trout for over 10 years. Below are pictures from the event. Ames City Auditorium: On March 23 and 24, the Ames City Auditorium worked with professional violinist Geneviéve Salamone from Des Moines, Iowa, to present a concert event titled “The Healing Power of Music.” The event focused around using musical and artistic gifts as a way to heal from trauma and improve mental health. Salamone is a member of the Huron-Wendat nation and a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Salamone and Native artist Stephanie Big Eagle also presented two workshops to school age children and the general public about how they use art and music to heal and to bring awareness to several critical issues facing Indigenous communities. This event was funded by the Arts Midwest GIG fund grant program, the Ames Branch of the NAACP, and Western Arts Alliance. 6 Ames/ISU Ice Arena: The Ames/ISU Ice Arena hosted its first ever Spring Egg Hunt on Ice. A total of 32 kids registered and collected 600 eggs, colored pages of eggs, and met the spring bunny. The first curling league began in April with four teams registered. This five-week league will allow the teams to hone their skills and see who comes out “stone” worthy. On April 10, a no school day, a Youth Learn to Curl Clinic was held with four youth attending. The participants had a great time and are looking forward to more opportunities in the future. The Ames/ISU Ice Arena is hosting the Ames Figure Skating Club Ice Show at the end of April. This year’s theme is Road Trip 2023. In this show, skaters “travel” to major cities across the United Sates jamming out to the best road trip songs there are. Two shows are scheduled with 22 routines being performed for each show. Carroll Marty Disc Golf Course Renovation Project: This project includes relocating several disc golf holes, installing new disc golf baskets and tee pads, and creating unique basket locations (e.g., a hanging basket). Staff started removing dead and downed tree debris at the course earlier this spring in preparation for relocating multiple disc golf holes. Several standing dead trees were removed by a contractor due to the complexity of the tree location. This picture shows the tree removal contractor climbing trees and felling them while suspended in the air. The project is expected to be completed this summer. 7 Homewood Clubhouse Rentals: The Homewood Clubhouse is available year-round for private rentals. Those looking for a place to host a birthday party, baby shower, bridal shower, wedding rehearsal, business meeting, holiday party, or graduation party should contact Nate Pietz at nate.pietz@cityofames.org or 515.239.5363. Rentals continue to increase as more people become aware of the Homewood Clubhouse. Unpaid rentals include City of Ames meetings and trainings. 20-21 Fiscal Year (May-June) 21-22 Fiscal Year 22-23 Fiscal Year* Paid Rental Hours Unpaid Rental Hours Total Hours *Includes actual rentals as well as reservations through June 30, 2023. Homewood Golf Course: The course opened April 1 and business has been good so far. As of April 24, there have been 1,923 rounds played, which is almost double the 944 total rounds played during the same time frame in 2022. Prairie Burning: Staff conducted two prairie burns at Moore Memorial Park. Prescribed burning is a necessary part of prairie ecosystems and helps to remove invasive vegetation and invigorates native prairie plants. Staff also burned prairie sections at Ada Hayden Heritage Park the last week in April. The burning taking place at Moore Memorial Park is pictured here. Tree City USA: The City of Ames was recently honored with the 2022 Tree City USA Award at the 32nd annual Community Forestry Awards Luncheon in Ankeny. The award, presented by the Arbor Day Foundation and Iowa DNR, was accepted by Gabbi Edwards, City of Ames Forester, and Matt Rochford, Maintenance Worker. To receive the award, a city must, at a minimum, have 8 either a city forester or an active city tree board; have a tree ordinance; spend at least $2 per capita annually for its community forestry program; and have a tree planting and maintenance plan. The City of Ames has had Tree City USA status since 1983. Pictured from left to right are Kayla Lyon, Director of the Department of Natural Resources, Matt Rochford, City of Ames Maintenance Worker, Gabbi Edwards, City of Ames Forester, and Jeff Goerndt, State Forester. Wellness: A new fitness session began Monday, April 3, with 417 in-person registrations and 46 virtual registrations for a total of 463 registrations. A new session of Yoga Basics began Sunday, April 16, with nine registrations. Staff presented to the Ames Master Gardeners on Monday, April 17, regarding stretches and strength exercises they can do to help their bodies while gardening. Staff also reviewed and promoted upcoming fitness classes. A new staff member was hired to teach Tai Chi for Beginners and a new class, Seated Qigong, this summer. 9 PLANNING AND HOUSING 2023-24 CDBG/HOME Annual Action Plan: Public forums are planned to receive input for the upcoming 2023-24 CDBG/HOME Annual Action Plan projects on Wednesday, April 26, and Thursday, April 27. Ames Plan 2040: Ames Plan 2040 edits and updates will be part of the May 9 City Council meeting. When Ames Plan 2040 was approved, the City established an 18-month period to make edits to the Plan without considering it as a formal amendment. Edits are anticipated to include: • Land Use Map revisions • Clarifications of zoning district references • Text corrections • Clean up of tables • Fringe Area Map and text references Ames Urban Fringe Plan references, and its relationship to Ames Plan 2040, will be reviewed with the edits and corrections at the May 9 City Council meeting. At the time Ames Plan 2040 was approved, it referenced the existing Fringe Plan being carried forward with its associated 28E agreement while it was in effect. The current Fringe Plan and 28E will no longer be in effect on May 1, and as a result, staff will address clean-up language and map edits to the Fringe Area and Urban Reserve Areas. Baker Subdivision: In partnership with HATCH Development Group, an application for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funding was submitted to the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) to construct 38 multi-family units on Lot 27 in the Baker Subdivision. IFA received 26 applications for funding. Awards are expected to be announced in July. Landscape Accents Zoning Text Amendment: A landscape accents Zoning Text Amendment will be 10 reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission on May 3. Staff anticipates the City Council reviewing an ordinance to finalize allowances for landscape accents, garden, and other incidental features at its May 23 meeting. These changes are based upon the direction provided by the City Council in February 2023 to clarify the setback encroachment allowances and fence standards. Rezoning Application for East 13th Street: East of I-35 in the area of the former “regional mall” site, there is approximately 80 acres of land zoned Planned Industrial with the Northeast Gateway Overlay. A developer seeks to rezone the site to General Industrial without the Gateway Overlay for the purpose of dividing the site into two parcels, with the goal of developing a large warehouse and distribution center. The use is permitted within the Planned Industrial zone, but the Gateway Overlay, with its design requirements geared towards retail and office facilities, does not match the developer’s interests for a distribution facility. The rezoning application with a Master Plan will be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council in May. 11 PUBLIC WORKS ITS Phases 1 & 2 Construction: The contractor is expected to be on-site beginning May 1 to begin construction on Phases 1 & 2 of the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) program. Routes for each phase are shown on the map. Progress will be weather dependent and involve significant utility locates that makes the installation process difficult. Work will happen primarily outside of the roadway, between the curb and sidewalks. Metro Waste Authority Materials Recovery Facility Tour: On April 17, staff from Electric Services, Public Works/Resource Recovery, and the City Manager’s Office toured the Metro Waste Authority’s (MWA) Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Grimes (picture below). The facility was opened in 2021 and provides separation of commingled recyclable materials collected in the Des Moines Metro area through curbside collection and drop- offs. Staff had excellent discussions with the MWA staff regarding the technologies used in the facility, the challenges faced by both MWA and Ames in waste diversion programs, and potential partner opportunities in the future. Resource Recovery Hosts Story County and Boone County Representatives: On April 12, Resource Recovery staff hosted a visit from the Story County Board of Supervisors, the Boone County Board of Supervisors, and the Boone County Landfill. The visit included an overview of the Resource Recovery System operation, a discussion of alternative waste disposal initiatives (including the Food Waste Diversion program, Rummage Rampage, glass recycling, and others), and a conversation about challenges in waste disposal.