HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - October 2022 Monthly Project HighlightsHIGHLIGHTS
OCTOBER 2022
MONTHLY PROJECT
Contact the City Manager's Office at 515-239-5101
515 Clark Avenue, Ames, IA 50010
Report compiled by
Carly Watson, Principal Clerk
City Manager's Office
FIRE
The Ames Fire Department started their search for new firefighters last month. With over 80
applicants, it was time to begin the testing process, which consists of a physical ability test, written
exam, phone interview, oral board interview, with a ride along and Chief’s interview to finish out
the process. This month, the department hosted an open house for all of the applicants and physical
ability testing for 60 firefighter applicants over a three day period. The physical ability test consists
of nine different skills stations that must be completed in succession without stopping, all while
wearing a 40lb weighted vest. Here’s a link to the video to learn more.
After a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Ames Fire Department
once again opened their doors to the public for their Annual Open
House event. This event brought hundreds of children and their
families into Fire Station #1 to learn about fire safety and how the
Ames Fire Department serves the community.
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LIBRARY
Ames Repair Café: The Ames Repair Café on October
8th, 2022 was a great success! Community members
brought in a variety of broken or damaged items, and
volunteers helped repair the items or connect the owner
with local resources. This event was a partnership between
Ames Public Library, local volunteers, and City of Ames
Resource Recovery. The goals were to reduce waste by
extending the life cycle of repairable items, share tools and
resources, and help build self-reliance skills in our
community.
Middle School Career Fair: The October 24th, 2022
Story County Middle School Career Fair was also a
fantastic collaborative event. The event was a partnership between Ames Public Library, Ames
Chamber of Commerce, Burke, Des Moines Area Community College, Iowa State University,
Story County College Access Network, Story County Extension and Outreach, and YSS with
support from Theisen’s. Area middle schoolers made connections with businesses, organizations,
colleges, and other resources to start planning for their postsecondary future.
StoryWalk® Ribbon Cutting: Ames Public Library and Ames Parks & Recreation have teamed
up to created Ames first permanent StoryWalk®! Moore Memorial Park now has pedestals along
the path where pages from a featured picture book are displayed. Visitors can read the entire book
as they walk through the park. The featured book will change periodically.
To celebrate this fun new feature, a ribbon cutting will be held Saturday, November 12th, 2022 at
10:00 a.m. at Moore Memorial Park. There will be guest speakers and light refreshments, and the
Bookmobile will be there with books for all ages to check out.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in
collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned
by Ms. Ferguson.
It’s Book Sale Time!: Ames Public Library Friends Foundation’s Book Sale is coming up
November 17th – 20th, 2022. There will be great deals on thousands of used items, including books,
movies, music, and more.
• Thursday, November 17th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Admission $2; Free admission and early
entry starting at 5 p.m. for donors to the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation at the
$20 level and above
• Friday, November 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Free admission
• Saturday, November 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Free admission
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• Sunday, November 20th from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.; Last day! Admission $1, and everything
is free! (Auditorium only)
During the sale, Literary Grounds Bookstore will be featuring vintage and collectible books and
$1 off everything in the store (except book bundles and items marked $1).
Book Sales at the Library are presented by the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation. Proceeds
from the Book Sale are used to enhance Library programs and services.
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PARKS AND RECREATION
Ames City Auditorium: On November 11th, 2022, the Ames Patriotic Council and the City of
Ames will present its annual
Veterans Day presentation. This
event will take place at 11:00 a.m.
at the Ames City Auditorium. The
presentation will also be streamed
live to the Ames Patriotic Council
Facebook page. The event
features several different speakers
and live musical performances
and is free to attend.
The Ames City Auditorium will kick off its Winter and Spring Concert series on December 10th,
2022, with a performance from Great Caesars Goat. There will also be a special holiday concert
on December 17th. Several dates
are still being negotiated, but the
concert series will conclude on
March 24th, 2023, with a
performance from Genevieve
Salamone. Salamone is a
member of the Huron-Wendat
Nation and will present several
workshops for the community as
part of her performance. All
concerts will be in person at the
Ames City Auditorium and
streaming online.
Aquatics: In October, aquatic programming began at the ISU Forker Pool, which is being rented
through Iowa State Recreation Services. Swim lessons are currently offered on Sunday afternoons,
Tuesday evenings, and Thursday evenings with over 270 participants currently enrolled.
Lap swim was offered on Monday and Wednesday evenings between 6:00-9:00 p.m. and after
swim lessons on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 8:00-9:00 p.m. While there was some
interest, the program ultimately was cancelled due to low enrolment. Feedback indicated a
combination of factors contributing to lack of sign-up: the available times were not of interest to
many and the cost was significantly higher than previously available. Staff continue to explore
alternative options to continue aquatic programming options throughout the school year.
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The ISU Forker pool is not available for use during Iowa State’s winter break, but staff is currently
in conversation to continue programming there during second semester.
Cemetery Project: Staff is currently in the process of completing the Cemetery Pavilion Project
which includes adding sidewalks, space for additional columbariums, and a 20’ x 40’ shelter
pavilion located in the turf area east of the Cemetery Office. Pictures below show the progress of
the project.
Community Center Sound System: Due to its age, the sound system in the Community Center
needed replacement. The two speakers in the gymnasium have been replaced with four new
speakers to provide better coverage without pushing more volume. The sound equipment will be
replaced which includes a new digital mixer, new radio tuners, new amplifiers for the gym and
weight room, and two new wireless microphones. Instructors and Community Center staff will be
able to control the new system remotely with an iPad from the office, gymnasium, or weight
room. The new system will also have Bluetooth capability for streaming music and the new
microphones will allow instructors to be better heard during class times. Progress was delayed by
equipment that has been on backorder, however, the system installation is expected to be complete
by November 10th, 2022.
Dredging Wetland G in Ada Hayden Heritage Park: Nagle Construction, Allerton, Iowa, has
completed the majority of the dredging of Wetland G located on the west side of Ada Hayden
Heritage Park. The project included removing approximately 3,800 cubic yards of sediment from
Wetland G in order to restore it back to the original design. This project was designed by staff
from Water Pollution Control as well as staff in Public Works. The project is expected to be
completed in early November. Pictures below depict Wetland G before the project started and near
the end of the project.
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Fall Tree Planting: In partnership with the Ames Foundation, volunteers planted over 100 trees
in the right of way in early October. The cost of the trees, hole augering, and mulch was split
between each organization, however, the City of Ames received a grant for $9,000 from the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources to cover the City’s expenses.
Also, for the past two years, REG (Renewable Energy Group) has donated funds and provided
volunteers to plant trees within the parks. This year, 16 trees were planted in Tahira and Labh Hira
Park.
Homewood Golf Course: The golf course opens on April 1st, every year, weather permitting, and
November 3rd is the last day Homewood will be open for this year. The following table shows the
number of rounds played April 1st – October 24th for each of the past four years:
2022 2021 2020*2019
Rounds Played
*Not open until May 1st due to the pandemic and reduced number of tee times per hour
REAP Grant: On September 13th, the Ames City Council directed Parks & Recreation staff to
negotiate a purchase agreement for parcels 1 &
2 of the Sands-McDorman property at 5658
Ontario Street for a future community park.
To help lessen the financial cost to the City,
staff applied for a Resource Enhancement and
Protection (REAP) grant from the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources to be used
for this purchase. On October 13th, staff was
notified the Parks and Recreation Department
was awarded a $200,000 grant! The City’s
application also scored the highest of the 30+
applications submitted in all three city
categories: small, medium, and large!
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Tree Removal: Staff received a note from a resident about several large dead ash trees
overhanging a shared use path near South Dakota Avenue. After assessing the site, staff were
deployed to remove nine trees adjacent to Christopher Gartner Park. The project was completed in
one day to minimize the impact on trail users.
Winterizing Parks: Staff started winterizing the parks by shutting off water to the drinking
fountains and closing the restrooms. Staff has also started blowing out irrigation lines on the
athletic fields and Bandshell park.
Wellness: New sessions of wellness classes began in October at various locations and details
for these programs are shown below:
October 3 434
October 17 57
October 18 130
October 23 8
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PLANNING & HOUSING
Ansley Development: The City Council review the Ansley Preliminary Plat for implementation
of its approved Planned Use Development (PUD). The Preliminary Plat will include the first Xenia
Territory property transfer since approval of the Service Agreement with Xenia.
Baker Subdivision: The City received one response to its second Request for Proposals (RFP)
to seek a partner developer to apply for Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) through the
State of Iowa to construct multi-family housing on the south parcel of the Baker Subdivision
Update. Staff will be sharing the information with the Neighborhood Association and bring a
recommendation to the City Council at their November 8th, 2022 meeting.
CBDG: The commitment period for the City’s CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance
Evaluation Report (CAPER) is available for public comment through Thursday, November 3rd,
2022. A Public Hearing to approval the submittal of the Report to HUD will be held at the
November 8th, 2022 City Council meeting.
Dankbar Farms: The Bluffs at Dankbar Farms rezoning with Master Plan Public Hearings are
planned for November and December. Eventual development of this project will be the first to rely
upon Xenia water service within the City based upon the City’s approval of the Rural Water
Service Agreement earlier this year.
Downtown Ames: The Downtown Ames Board and Planning staff plan to visit downtown
Marion in November. This is a chance to review Marion’s recent street improvement projects,
downtown development, and their plans for a future downtown plaza.
Historical Surveys: Chautauqua and Ridgewood Neighborhood Historical Surveys
neighborhood meeting occurred in early October. Preliminary findings were presented to the
neighborhood with approximately 50 attendees. There appears to be some interest to pursue a
national register nomination for the area, pending completion of the survey. This historical
resource survey is funded in part through a state Certified Local Government (CLG) grant. A
national register nomination would require follow up activities beyond the scope of the current
grant.
North Sunset Ridge: West Ames 12-inch sanitary sewer trunk extension with the North Sunset
Ridge Subdivision requires extension approval of a Story County Conditional User Permit (CUP)
for its connection to the existing trunk line to the east of the North Sunset Ridge Subdivision.
Planning, Public Works, and the Developer, Hunziker and Associates, are working to coordinate
the CUP and to bring plans and specifications to the City Council for approval in November.
Prairie View Industrial Area: City staff fielded Industrial Development inquires in the Prairie
View Industrial area over the past few months. As a result, staff believes additional planning for
future infrastructure with site development standards is needed due to the large site sizes that will
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not have subdivisions. Typically, the City relies upon subdivisions to coordinate infrastructure
improvements, which in this area are unlikely to occur. Planning and Public Works staff will
present recommendations on how to address standards for future needs related to water, sewer,
and transportation facilities later this winter.
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RESOURCE RECOVERY PLANT
Outstanding Waste Diversion Program: The City of Ames Resource Recovery System was
awarded with the Outstanding Waste Diversion Program for Rummage Rampage by the Iowa
Society of Solid Waste Operations this month! Way to go on the countless efforts and hours to
divert tons of usable items from the landfill!
From left: ISOSWO President John Foster, Bill Schmitt, Lorrie Hanson, Mark Peebler, John
Joiner, Awards Chairperson Jen Jordan.
Rummage RAMPage History
• 2016 (inaugural year): 44,000 pounds of furniture and housewares diverted from the
landfill; $5,000 raised for local non-profit agencies
• 2017: 77,520 pounds of furniture and housewares diverted from the landfill; $14,000 raised
for local non-profit agencies
• 2018: 102,550 pounds of furniture and housewares diverted from the landfill;
$18,607 raised for local non-profit agencies
• 2019: 116,424 pounds of furniture and housewares diverted from the landfill;
$33,194 raised for local non-profit agencies
• 2020: Rummage RAMPage 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• 2021: 92,126 pounds of furniture and housewares diverted from the landfill; $40,100 raised
for local non-profit agencies
• 2022: 143,830 pounds of furniture and housewares diverted from the landfill;
$48,800 raised for local non-profit agencies
Totals
576,450 pounds (288.23 tons) diverted over 7 years and $159,701 raised for area non-profit
agencies
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Ames Repair Café: The Ames Public Library, in conjunction with the Resource Recovery Plant,
hosted the first Repair Café Saturday, October 8th, 2022. The event was well attended, and another
Café is planned for January of 2023.
Susan Gwiasda with repaired stick mixer Repairing an adding machine
Lamp repair Small electronics repair
Soldering station Fan repair