HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - March 8, 2022, Regular Meeting of the Ames City CouncilMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA MARCH 8, 2022
The Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila at 6:00 p.m.
on March 8, 2022, in the City Council Chambers in City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law.
Present were Council Members Gloria Betcher, Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen, Amber Corrieri, Tim
Gartin, and Anita Rollins. Ex officio Member Trevor Poundstone was absent. Council Member Junk
arrived at 6:01 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Haila stated that staff had requested to pull Item 5: Motion
approving new 12-Month Class B Native Wine Permit - Oak Lane Candle Co., LLC, 121 Main
Street, from the Agenda.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Betcher, to approve the following items on the Consent
Agenda.
1.Motion approving payment of claims
2.Motion approving Minutes of Special City Council Meetings held February 10, 2022, February
15, 2022, and February 28, 2022, and Regular City Council Meeting held February 22, 2022
3.Motion approving Report of Change Orders for period February 16 - 28, 2022
4.Motion certifying Civil Service candidates
5.Motion approving renewal of the following Beer Permits, Wine Permits and Liquor Licenses:
a.Class E Liquor License with Sunday Sales - Tobacco Outlet Plus #530, 204 S Duff
b.Class E Liquor License with Class B Wine Permit, Class C Beer Permit (carryout beer), and
Sunday Sales - Wal-Mart Store #749, 3105 Grand Avenue
6.RESOLUTION NO. 22-106 approving appointments to various Boards and Commissions
7.RESOLUTION NO. 22-107 setting March 22, 2022, as date of public hearing to vacate public
utility and water main easements at 1915 Philadelphia Street
8.RESOLUTION NO. 22-108 approving Encroachment Permit Agreement with Tonya Rock
Photography for a Sign at 300 Main Street
9.Request for Greek Week:
a.Greek Week Olympics, Saturday, April 2, 2022, with April 3, 2022, as rain date
i.Motion approving blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit for the closed area
ii.RESOLUTION NO. 22-109 approving closure of Ash Avenue, Lynn Avenue, Sunset
Drive, Gray Avenue, Greeley Street, and Pearson Avenue from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
on April 2
10.RESOLUTION NO. 22-110 approving preliminary plans and specifications for 2021/22 Shared
Use Path Maintenance - Little Bluestem; setting April 20, 2022, as bid due date and April 26,
2022, as date of public hearing
11.RESOLUTION NO. 22-111 approving preliminary plans and specifications for 2022/23 Main
Street Paver Replacement Program (Kellogg Avenue - Douglas Avenue and Douglas Avenue -
Duff Avenue); setting April 20, 2022, as bid due date and April 26, 2022, as date of public
hearing
12.Secondary Disc Screen Rollers:
a.RESOLUTION NO. 22-112 waiving Purchasing Policies pertaining to formal bidding
b.RESOLUTION NO. 22-113 approving sole source purchase from Clarke’s Sheet Metal of
Eugene, Oregon, in the amount of $54,542 (including freight charges)
13.RESOLUTION NO. 22-114 approving contract and bond for 2021/22 Concrete Pavement
Improvements (S. Kellogg Avenue and N. 2nd Street)
14.RESOLUTION NO. 22-115 approving contract and bond for 2021/22 Downtown Street
Pavement Restoration - Alley (Duff Avenue to Sherman Avenue)
15.RESOLUTION NO. 22-116 accepting completion of 2020/21 Airport Improvements (Electrical
Vault)
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motions/Resolutions declared carried/adopted unanimously, signed by the
Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
Council Member Junck arrived at 6:01 p.m.
PUBLIC FORUM: Mayor Haila opened Public Forum. No one requested to speak, so he closed
Public Forum.
DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL SATISFACTION
SURVEY: Public Relations Officer Susan Gwiasda advised that it was time for the annual
Residential Satisfaction Survey. She stated that before the entire process starts, she likes to present
the Survey to the Council to see if there are any recommended changes. Typically, the Survey is sent
out in April, and by July, staff has received the responses to the Survey with the final results being
presented in September.
Council Member Beatty-Hansen suggested dropping the “What would make Ames cool” question.
She wanted to add a question about people’s willingness to sort their waste stream. Ms. Beatty-
Hansen would like to see what kind of tolerance citizens would have to sorting their garbage.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Gartin, to add a question about garbage sorting and to
remove the “What Would Make Ames Cool” question from the Survey.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Council Member Junck said that in Section E, No. 8, of the Survey regarding the Ames Police
Department it said, “School Resource Officer Services,” and she suggested removing this line from
the Survey. She also recommended breaking up “Illegal drug use prevention and enforcement” as
she felt it would be valuable to have a separate line about marijuana because that item is policed
differently than other illegal drugs.
Moved by Junck, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to remove the “School Resource Officer Services”
question and add a category for marijuana-related crime enforcement.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Council Member Rollins referred to Page 10 of the Survey under the “Your Health” section and
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recommended combining question E and F, which would combine fruits and vegetables. She also
wanted to add a question that asked citizens about accessing mental health services related to stress
or feeling depressed.
Moved by Rollins, seconded by Betcher, to combine the section under “Your Health” regarding fruits
and vegetables (Page 10, Item E and F) and add a mental health question to the survey.
Ms. Gwiasda wanted to clarify if the mental health question should be about how the citizens felt
or if they accessed care. Council Member Beatty-Hansen mentioned that she preferred to ask how
the citizens felt. Ms. Rollins stated that it would be nice to know how the citizen felt and then have
another question to see if care was accessed.
Council Member Corrieri inquired if the question should be “During the last seven days did you feel
depressed.” She explained that feelings are a very point-in-time question and she was not sure if that
question would be a good gauge of mental health in the community.
Council Member Betcher wondered if the question should be “Have you accessed Mental Health
Resources within the last six months.” Ms. Gwiasda pointed out that a lot of the other questions refer
to the past seven days and that would be a change. She stated that the Council needs to think of what
information they are trying to obtain and how a question can be formulated to get the information
that the Council is seeking. Ms. Rollins explained that the goal is to see if people have suffered from
depression and if they have accessed any resources. Council Member Corrieri stated that it would
be good to know if people have felt they needed to access professional mental health care resources.
She suggested that there be two questions: 1) If you felt you needed professional mental health
resources; and 2) If you accessed professional mental health resources. Ms. Gwiasda mentioned that
she could leave it as an open ended question.
Council Member Gartin said that Ms. Rollins’ question was actually asking “How would you rate
your health.” Within the past few years they have learned that mental health is part of physical
health. If the Council is going to ask a specific mental health question, there should also be a
question asking “How would you rate your physical health.”
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Council Member Betcher said that she would be interested in replacing the Letter E question under
“Sense of Community” stating “What would make you feel welcomed and have a sense of belonging
in Ames?” with “What could the City do to demonstrate its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion.” She stated that she believed there was a difference in whether people felt welcomed or
not and whether the City is doing enough to show that it is committed.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to replace the Letter E question under “Sense of
Community” from “What would make you feel welcomed and have a sense of belonging in Ames?”
to “What could the City do to demonstrate its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.”
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Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Council Member Rollins asked if the Survey came in different languages. Ms. Gwiasda stated it did
not. She said that she had never received any calls regarding offering the Survey in another language.
Ms. Rollins suggested having the Survey available in the three other main languages. It was
discussed to have something in the Mayor’s letter about having the availability to obtain the Survey
in a different language.
CONTRACTS FOR ARTS CAPITAL GRANT PROGRAM: Assistant City Manager Brian
Phillips explained that this was a new Program that was implemented in the past year. A team of
representatives from the Public Art Commission (PAC) and the Commission on the Arts (COTA)
volunteered to evaluate the applications and made recommendations. A total of 11 applications were
received, and after review, the evaluation team recommended awards to seven proposals. Granting
the awards to the seven proposals will exhaust the $200,000 available funding. Staff had prepared
Contracts and held an orientation session for all the proposed awardees. Mr. Phillips said that all the
proposed awardees have returned their Contracts. There are some unique projects that will
potentially be moving forward with the Council’s approval. All projects are to be completed by June
30, 2023.
Council Member Betcher asked if the Council would have any means to find out what the outcomes
were for each project. Mr. Phillips indicated that as part of the Contracts, each of the recipients will
be required to receive the Council’s approval in order to close out their project. Staff will be bringing
information back to the Council with photos and updates on the projects.
Mayor Haila opened public input and closed it when no one came forward to speak.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 22-117 approving the seven
Contracts for the Arts Capital Grant Program, in accordance with the recommendations provided by
the review committee.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0-1. Voting Aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Junck, Rollins. Voting Nay:
None. Abstaining due to a Conflict of Interest: Gartin. Resolution declared adopted, signed by the
Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
REQUEST FROM CAMERON GRAY REGARDING SCULPTURAL FREE LIBRARY TO
BE PLACED ON CITY PROPERTY: Assistant City Manager Brian Phillips noted that the
Council had previously received a memo outlining the basic details of the proposed project that was
brought forth by Cameron Gray. Staff had identified a few questions that had come up if the Council
wanted to proceed with the placement of the sculptural free library on City property. Information was
provided to the Council on how this project may interact with some of the City’s existing Programs.
The proposal from Mr. Gray is unique as it is a combination of art and a free library, and the City
has programs for those two items, but separately.
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Council Member Beatty-Hansen mentioned that she had spoken with Mr. Gray about some of the
issues. One of the questions was regarding ownership of the structure. Ms. Beatty-Hansen indicated
that when she spoke with Mr. Gray, it sounded as if he would be okay with the City eventually
owning the structure. If the structure belonged to the City, it would take away some of the issues
described in the Staff Report. She wanted to confirm with Mr. Gray that he was comfortable with
the City owning the structure. The other topic was who would stock the free library and she was told
that Mr. Gray would initially stock it and then the community would help to make sure that the free
library was continually stocked.
Council Member Gartin stated it would be helpful to partner with organizations who have the
structures that are already in place such as: Parks and Recreation, the Public Art Commission, and
Raising Readers. If the structure was donated to the City, he would be in favor of it.
Council Member Betcher asked about the Raising Readers partnership and if there were rules to
specify what the other free libraries can do. Parks and Recreation Director Keith Abraham
commented that there are no regulations for colors or designs, and generally the free libraries are on
a post, but have not discussed any further details.
Mayor Haila asked if there was a written policy or had it just been verbally communicated. Director
Abraham stated that Raising Readers had worked with United Way to build the free libraries and
give them to Parks and Recreation staff to install. If one of the free libraries gets damaged, staff lets
Raising Readers know and they repair it, but nothing has been done formally.
Mayor Haila opened public input.
Cameron Gray, 505 Northwestern Avenue, Ames, thanked the Council for looking through his
proposal. He noted he is committed to working with the Council to make the proposal happen. Mr.
Gray felt this project could show that the City is acknowledging the presence of the black
community. It was mentioned that Mr. Gray would be open to the City owning the structure;
however, he was worried that over time the structure would be torn down. He didn’t want to have
the obelisk built only for it to be torn down five years later. Mr. Gray said that he would be happy
to do a five-year contract with renewal options.
Mayor Haila asked staff if the sculpture would become an art piece. Mr. Phillips explained staff has
not talked with the Public Art Commission (PAC) regarding this project. PAC has a couple of
Programs that they operate and solicit proposals for. This proposal is unique as it is the artist coming
up with a proposal rather than the other way around. There is a set of policies with PAC regarding
acquisition of donated pieces. Mr. Phillips said there was a possibility of structuring an Agreement
similar to a loan, where the City would take custody of the piece for a period of time and then turn
it back over to Mr. Gray. Director Abraham stated another thing to consider is the parks system. He
indicated that every year the Parks and Recreation Department gets requests from adjacent property
owners to place items in the Parks, and he wanted to make the Council aware that random requests
are made throughout the year. He would like to make sure there is a distinction between artwork and
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“other” items. Council Member Beatty-Hansen commented that defining the structure as a free
library would be helpful.
Council Member Gartin asked what the obelisk would be made from. Mr. Gray stated that he has
hired an architect to help him build the obelisk to make sure it could stand up to all types of weather.
The Mayor inquired about restocking books and what Raising Readers’ policy was for content and
variety of books. Director Abraham said that the City does not dictate what types of books are put
in besides age appropriate books. There is one individual from Raising Readers that does go through
the free libraries and restocks the books and takes out anything inappropriate. Director Abraham
suggested having a conversation between Mr. Gray and Raising Readers to discuss how to get more
diversity in the free libraries throughout the system. Mr. Gray indicated that he has already started
collecting books and felt that Raising Readers would be able to help him find picture books showing
black heritage. He wants to have books available for kids, teens, and adults. Mayor Haila noted that
the Council is supportive of the project, but will refer to staff to obtain the rest of the details.
Mayor Haila closed public input when no one else came forward to speak.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Junck, direct staff to meet further with Mr. Gray, work out
the ownership details as well as any structural requirements, and work on a Memorandum of
Understanding.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
STAFF REPORT ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR OR RELATED TO THE ANNEX
GROUP: Planning and Housing Director Kelly Diekmann noted that this item was in response to
a referral request from the Annex Group requesting the City Council to establish an Urban Renewal
Area (URA) to provide a tax abatement incentive in support of its planned 192-unit affordable
housing project located within Hayden’s Preserve (formerly Rose Prairie) development. The
approved Hayden’s Preserve Master Plan for the site allows for the development of up to 192
apartment units spread across two sites and with limitations on the mix of bedrooms and sizes. The
Annex Group’s desire is to apply for a 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) project with
100% of the units as affordable units to households making 60% or less of the average median
income (AMI) for Ames for a period of 30 years. The City has no current policy pertaining to
providing incentives for affordable housing beyond the use of its CDBG and HOME funds. Director
Diekmann commented that the Annex Group desired direction from the Council on its willingness
to establish an URA for future tax abatement. At this time there is no policy in place to guide the
City Council in determining which affordable housing projects should qualify for a tax abatement
incentive. An affordable housing strategy is planned for later this year, which should identify targets,
project eligibility criteria, and incentives. Staff’s early assessment of the proposed project indicated
that the location’s lack of services, public transportation, and higher tax rates are negatives for the
project. Director Diekmann stated that if the Council wanted to move forward, it would be just to
direct staff to continue conversations with the Annex Group; it would not approve anything. The
question before Council is if they want to look at this project as an opportunity right now or to wait
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and see how the affordable housing strategy will line up with this particular location.
Council Member Beatty-Hansen said that the creation of the Strategy is scheduled for later in 2022.
She and wanted to know what the time estimate would be. Director Diekmann explained the Strategy
was added to the Work Plan about three weeks ago and the hope was to kick-off the Strategy in the
late summer with the first step being to identify the issues. Ms. Beatty-Hansen asked if the Annex
Group would have any issues with a delay. Director Diekmann mentioned that the Annex Group has
the option to purchase the land sometime in the Spring; the Subdivision is not complete yet. If the
Council did decide to work on the Strategy later in the fall, the Annex Group would need to see
about getting an extension to their purchase option.
Council Member Corrieri asked if any conversations had occurred with the Annex Group regarding
its project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She noted that the project was similar in terms of size and what
was being requested. Director Diekmann said he had not, but the Annex Group did indicate that they
are accustomed to having a smaller tax rate or a tax abatement for their projects.
Council Member Gartin asked if staff was confident that all 192 units would be able to be filled.
Director Diekmann was sure that they would be filled. He commented that the apartments would be
built in phases. It was mentioned that there have not been any new apartments in the City for the past
several years. Director Diekmann said that all 192 units would be income-restricted at 60% or less
of the average median income.
Council Member Betcher commented that there were a lot of challenges with this proposal and she
loved the idea of having that many affordable units being brought to Ames, but it is an area that is
not readily served by CyRide. At this point, the Council doesn’t know what the assessment is, there
isn’t a lot of information available, and there is not a City Assessor. Ms. Betcher stated there were
a lot of unknowns and some challenges, which made her lean towards waiting for a Policy to be in
place first.
Council Member Corrieri said that she also believed the Council needed to have a policy in place.
She stated that whatever conversation that staff has with the developer should be to inform them that
the Council is trying to put a policy in place and would be interested in continuing to entertain a
potential project from them if they are able to extend their purchase option. Ms. Corrieri stated that
the Annex Group does have a history of affordable housing developments and this would be exciting
for the City of Ames.
Director Diekmann stated that he looked at the Planning and Housing’s Work Plan and the
Affordable Housing Strategy is slated to begin in September 2022. The Mayor asked, if the Annex
Group was interested in obtaining an extension, would there be any flexibility in moving the
Affordable Housing Strategy up on the list. Director Diekmann commented that the biggest task was
to start the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance in the middle of this summer, and this would be a
project that could be moved back a few months. Council Member Beatty-Hansen asked if the
Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance and the Affordable Housing Strategy could trade priority levels
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in the Work Plan.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Corrieri, to switch the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance
task with the Affordable Housing Strategy in the Work Plan.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Betcher, to direct staff to communicate with the developer
that the City wants to work on its Affordable Housing Policy first, but is interested in their proposal
and the City is working to speed up the process of a new policy.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Council Member Gartin commented that he would like to have a conversation about having mixed
units incorporated into the policy discussion for affordable housing.
UPDATE ON STATUS OF THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT (LIHTC)
APPLICATION FOR MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE BAKER
SUBDIVISION (321 STATE AVENUE): Housing Coordinator Vanessa Baker-Latimer stated that
in December 2020, the City entered into a partnership Agreement with Prairie Fire Corporation and
Builder’s Development Corporation to submit a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
application to the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) for 37 multi-family housing units in the Baker
Subdivision (321 State Avenue). In late September 2021, staff learned that the 9% LIHTC
application was not funded due to the large group of disaster set-aside projects that absorbed most
of the funding allocation. However, staff was still hopeful as the developer was notified that the
governor’s priority was to allocate an additional $100 million dollars to affordable housing that the
State was eligible to receive through the US Treasury. Unfortunately, the final US Treasury
guidelines did not permit for the State to use the funds as they hoped. As a result, the State is only
using the funds for previously awarded LIHTC projects. Therefore, the Agreement with Prairie Fire
and Builder’s Development Corporation is no longer valid, and staff would like to know how to
proceed.
Ms. Baker-Latimer mentioned that the Staff Report listed four options for the Council to choose
from. She reviewed, in detail, what the four options were:
1.Submit an application for the next round of 9% LIHTC funding with the current developer.
2.Partner with the current developer as a 4% LIHTC project and grant local assistance of
approximately $2.9 million.
3.Partner with the current developer as a 4% LIHTC project and local assistance of
approximately $2.0 million.
4.Request new proposals.
City Council Member Gartin asked if the numbers had been run for the amount of subsidy there
would be per unit. The Mayor said the subsidy would come to around $100,000 per unit. Mr. Gartin
noted that the Council needed to think about if this would be a good investment for the City. Director
Diekmann said for the development and the land it was discussed as being around $40,000 per unit.
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This would be a 30-year commitment for affordable housing.
Council Member Rollins inquired about what would happen to the funding that has already been set
aside if the Council wanted to delay the project. Ms. Baker-Latimer stated staff will continue to hold
the funding.
Council Member Betcher wanted to clarify the numbers of units. There are 32 affordable units in the
current version and Option 3 would change the number to 30 affordable units. Ms. Baker-Latimer
confirmed that was correct.
City Manager Steve Schainker stated a good question would be what would happen to the HOME
funds if the City had to wait a year. Ms. Baker-Latimer advised that if the City Council wanted to
use more than $650,000 and go back out for proposals, some construction will need to be started on
at least one house to use the available funding.
Council Member Gartin asked what the original proposals were for the number of units for
affordable housing. Director Diekmann stated there was one proposal for 50 townhome units and
this proposal was for 37 mixed-use units. Mr. Gartin stated that the Council has been talking about
the need for affordable housing and wanted to know why the Council would want to reduce the
number of affordable housing units. He said he would like to go back to the discussion of having 50
units instead of 37.
Council Member Beatty-Hansen inquired if the number of units would help on the LIHTC
application. Director Diekmann explained that it is about maximizing the amount of credits and not
maximizing the number of affordable units. He noted that 50 units was pushing the maximum
amount for the site; 40 units would be a more comfortable number.
Council Member Betcher commented that when she thought about the options available, she was
concerned about the option to start over as construction costs will not be going down and the City’s
subsidies will have to go up, which will make the project cost even more. She would be in favor of
Option 3, which would get the City fewer units, but it would leave the City with some funding to do
other things in the community.
Mayor Haila wanted to know the status of single-family homes and if it would be a slow, methodical
roll-out so some money would be available to help. Ms. Baker explained that the HOME funds have
been a blessing as you can use the HOME funds for construction. As far as finding home buyers, she
has already gone through 50 applications and she is struggling to find people who could potentially
qualify for a mortgage loan. She stated there are restrictions on the HOME funding, and they could
have a house built, but if it sat empty for too long, the house would convert to a rental property,
which staff is trying to avoid. The CDBG funds can’t be used to build, but the money can be used
for down payment and closing cost assistance. Ms. Baker-Latimer pointed out that she had spoken
with several modular home developers to get an idea on pricing, and the current rates were between
$250,000 and $300,000. She said staff would also look at working with non-profit developers to help
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build.
The Mayor asked if the developer would be open to a lower front-end load and doing a partial tax
abatement for a period of time. Director Diekmann commented that they can evaluate that option
with the developer; however, he doesn’t know what the actual project is yet. He pointed out that the
HOME funds need to be spent. Ms. Baker-Latimer said that the City is in need of low-income units
for families, and especially those with Section 8 vouchers.
Council Member Gartin asked if the City Council chose Option 4: to have the City rebid the project
and ask for new Proposals, what would the City’s monetary contribution be. Director Diekmann
stated it would depend on if the City would be going with the 4% or 9% amounts, and it would also
depend on if the project was going to be this year or next year.
Council Member Corrieri said she was not interested in starting over as that had already been done
once. She was not convinced that a proposal would come in that was a lot more cost-effective.
Mayor Haila asked if there was a timeline. Ms. Baker-Latimer indicated that the 4% option had an
open-ended application window while the 9% option would have applications due by May 18, 2022.
Ms. Betcher asked how long it would take to get a decision after the applications were submitted.
Ms. Baker-Latimer noted that it would be around November 2022.
Council Member Rollins wanted to know, if the City decided to move forward when the current
builder would be able to start. Ms. Baker-Latimer indicated that they could be ready in May if the
City went with the 4% option. Director Diekmann stated if it was agreed to do the 4%, the City
would need to enter into a new Agreement with the developer, and concurrently, do a Site Plan
review, and create building plans, while going through the Iowa Finance authority to get the award.
It would be around September before the developer would get any notice from the State that it would
be awarded the 4%, and the earliest any groundbreaking would happen would be October 2022.
Ms. Baker-Latimer reminded the Council that, when using the HOME ARP funds, they still needed
a public input/comment period.
Mayor Haila asked, if the project gets designed and bid and the amount comes in above what is
estimated would the designer have the option to ask for money or not do the project at all. Mr.
Schainker replied hat it would depend on what the current Agreement said.
Mayor Haila recessed the meeting at 7:50 p.m. and reconvened it at 7:55 p.m.
Director Diekmann stated that, under the current Agreement, the developer had complete discretion
to execute the Agreement within nine months of the LIHTC award. If the developer chose not to
execute the Agreement, there would be no penalty. Prairie Fire would have had to show the City
proof of financing before the land could be sold to them.
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Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Betcher, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 22-123 to partner with the
current developer as a 4% LIHTC project and local assistance of approximately $2.0 million.
Council Member Gartin wanted to know at what point the City would consider the legality of going
with a Contract that is significantly different than the first arrangement. He wanted to make sure that
whatever the Council decided to do would be legal to make a change without having to do a new
RFP. Ms. Baker-Latimer said she had a conversation with the Purchasing Agent and the Assistant
City Attorney about that exact question. She was told that since the project has not changed, the City
would be okay to renegotiate the Agreement. Director Diekmann pointed out that the entity needed
to be the same as what the City first dealt with; the name can’t change. Mr. Gartin said he had hoped
that the City could get a better project for the community and was concerned that housing advocates
were not at the initial meetings and were not present now. He felt that the people who were really
losing on this project were not present. He wished the Council would have stayed with the original
proposal of 50 units.
Roll Call Vote: 5-1. Voting Aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Junck, Rollins. Voting Nay:
Gartin. Resolution declared adopted, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these
Minutes.
REQUESTS FOR PROJECTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH CDBG-CV ROUND 2 CARES
FUNDING THROUGH THE STATE OF IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: Housing Coordinator Vanessa Baker-Latimer explained that
the City has received a significant amount of CARES funding. Staff’s priority was to administer the
City’s CDBG-CARES-CV to first ensure that 80% of the direct allocation of funds of $710,970
would be spent addressing one of the City’s most urgent needs. Those needs included providing rent,
mortgage, and utility assistance to low-income households about to face eviction, foreclosure, and/or
utility disconnections. In recent meetings with IDEA staff, they encouraged the City to expend the
funds quickly and to focus on small prevention through service capacity building and/or facility
expansion types of projects. Staff had reviewed services to determine a list of specific groups that
provide services in the areas of food distribution, meal delivery for the elderly, and facility-based
daycare. Staff recommended supporting these types of programs due to the feasibility and the need
in the community. A Workshop would be held for related organizations describing grant-eligible
activities and soliciting grant applications. The process would occur over the next few months with
funds being potentially available later in calendar year 2022.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to direct staff to proceed with hosting a grant application
workshop and requesting funding proposals from area organizations that provide services, such as
a food distribution, meal delivery for the elderly, and facility-based daycare services for potential
funding through the CDBG-CV Round 2 CARES Program administered by the IDEA.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
SETTING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR MARCH 22, 2022, FOR THE SALE OF
AIRPORT PROPERTY AT 1101 AVIATION WAY TO MULMAC, LLC: Moved by Betcher,
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seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 22-118 setting the date of Public Hearing
for the sale of airport property at 1101 Aviation Way to Mulmac LLC, for March 22, 2022.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
HEARING ON PROPOSAL TO ENTER INTO A LOAN AGREEMENT AND TO BORROW
MONEY THEREUNDER IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $11,225,000:
Mayor Haila opened the public hearing. It was closed when no one asked to speak.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Betcher, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 22-119 approving the proposal
to enter into an Essential Purpose Loan Agreement for the purpose of paying the costs of undertaking
essential public improvements and acquiring vehicles and equipment for the Municipal Fire
Department and providing for the levying of taxes to pay the same.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
HEARING ON PROPOSAL TO ENTER INTO A LOAN AGREEMENT AND TO BORROW
MONEY THEREUNDER IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $700,000: The
public hearing was opened and closed by Mayor Haila when no one came forward to speak.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Junck, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 22-119 approving the proposal
to enter into a General Purpose Loan Agreement for the purpose of paying the costs of undertaking
the Downtown Plaza Improvements and providing for the levying of taxes to pay the same.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
HEARING ON PROPOSAL TO ENTER INTO A LOAN AGREEMENT AND TO BORROW
MONEY THEREUNDER IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $350,000: The
Mayor opened the public hearing. There was no one wishing to speak, and the hearing was closed.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Betcher, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 22-119 approving the proposal
to enter into a General Purpose Loan Agreement for the purpose of paying the costs of concrete
surfacing improvements for a municipal fire station and providing for the levying of taxes to pay the
same.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
HEARING ON AMENDMENTS TO FISCAL YEAR 2021/22 BUDGET: Mayor Haila declared
the public hearing to be open.
Lauris Olson, 1705 Buchanan Drive, Ames, thanked the Council for its commitment to affordable
housing. She stated she would like to ask the Council to amend the award to Home Allies. Ms. Olson
commented that they were grateful for the $25,000. She asked if the Council would consider
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awarding the $24,522 or rounding up to $25,000 for construction. They are currently at 30% for
funds raised to match for the bank loan, and they are at 50% for the subsidies. Ms. Olson said she
was waiting on the leases and a Memorandum of Understanding from The Bridge Home.
Council Member Gartin asked for clarification on what Ms. Olson was requesting. Ms. Olson stated
she was previously awarded $25,000 by City Council for rent subsidies and now she is asking for
another $25,000 for construction for a total of $50,000. City Manager Steve Schainker asked Finance
Director Duane Pitcher if the Council was able to add money to the budget at this time. Director
Pitcher explained that the Council could not add money, only reduce the amount; however, the
Council could reallocate funding. Ms. Olson stated it was her understanding that there was money
in “Council Priorities” that could be utilized. The Mayor recommended that Ms. Olson speak to staff
for further information.
The Mayor closed the public hearing when no one else came forward to speak.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Corrieri, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 22-120 approving amending
the budget for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2022.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
HEARING ON ADOPTION OF FY 2022/23 BUDGET: The Mayor opened the public hearing
and closed it after there was no one who wished to speak.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 22-121 approving the FY
2022/23 Budget.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
Council Member Corrieri left the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
HEARING ON MAJOR SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR 913 AND 915 DUFF AVENUE
AND 115-9TH STREET: City Planner Benjamin Campbell explained that Lauris Olson of Home
Allies, Inc., is the developer of the properties. The properties on Duff Avenue are located in the
Residential Medium Density Zoning District (RM) and within the Single-Family Conservation
Overlay Zoning District (O-SFC). Each of the lots on Duff Avenue is proposed to have one, four-unit
one-story apartment building. The O-SFC Zoning District allows for single- and two-family homes
by right and for multi-family buildings with City Council’s approval of a Major Site Development
Plan. The O-SFC requires that all new projects comply with design standards intended to conserve
the existing single-family residential character and to protect single-family neighborhoods while
guiding the transition to higher density and compatibility with the surrounding uses where
intensification is permitted. The standards include requirements for roof slope, facade design, and
height. All other development standards of the Zoning Ordinance, such as parking and landscaping
also apply to development of the site. The proposed project includes two, one-story buildings with
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mirrored floor plans and architectural features. Each building contains four efficiency apartment
dwellings with a shared laundry facility that are accessed via a common corridor. The proposed
project includes a single, shared driveway to Duff Avenue with all parking at the rear of the site. The
Planning and Zoning Commission did recommend approval. Mr. Campbell explained that a neighbor
across the street had mentioned that there is a large evergreen tree near the northeast corner and
asked for it to be taken into consideration when the water line is installed so that the roots are not
damaged. Staff recommended approval of the Major Site Development Plan for 913 and 915 Duff
Avenue and 115 9th Street with the following conditions:
1.Record a shared-access easement for the shared driveway prior to issuance of a building
permit.
2.Include tree protection during project construction for the large evergreen tree to the north
of 915 Duff Avenue and shift the proposed water line south to minimize impact to the tree’s
critical root zone.
Council Member Gartin commented that he didn’t remember making accommodations for a tree
before and wanted to know if it changed the project at all. Mr. Campbell stated he had spoken with
the Public Works Department and it wouldn’t change the size of the water line.
Mayor Haila opened the public hearing.
Lauris Olson, 1705 Buchanan Drive, Ames, stated she has no problems saving the tree and the
architect was fine with it. She said that there were unintended consequences and increased costs
related to the Zoning and Overlay Districts. She was concerned about the shared-access easement
as she was not aware that this would need to be done before the issuance of a building permit. Ms.
Olson stated that Home Allies will not own the property until construction is done and it will be up
to the current owner if the shared-access easement is possible before. She had sent the information
to the current owners who sent the information to their attorney and she is still waiting to hear back
from them. Ms. Olson noted that she is getting American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from Story
County, and unlike the City of Ames HOME funds, the ARPA funds will allow her to host people
with bad credit and prior evictions. In order to meet the federal acquisition requirements, it has to
be a sole-source, which means they can’t own the land in advance. The land and building must be
purchased together as a sole-source. If the current owners want to come up with a Purchase Contract
first, Home Allies would not be able to proceed as they do not have all the money raised yet, and
she can’t in good faith commit to a Contract until all the money and the grants are in. Ms. Olson
asked for staff to consider allowing the shared-access easement to be filed before an Occupancy
Permit is issued.
Mayor Haila closed the public hearing when no one else came forward to provide input.
Director Diekmann stated that staff could change the requirement of the shared-access easement to
be done before the Occupancy Permit is issued.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Junck, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 22-122, to approve Alternative
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1, which is to approve the Major Site Development Plan for 913 and 915 Duff Avenue and 115-9th
Street with the two conditions being recommended by staff and with the exception that the shared-
access easement Agreement be filed prior to issuing the Occupancy Permit.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
ORDINANCE REZONING 525 SE 16TH STREET FROM AGRICULTURAL “A” TO
H I G H W A Y O R I E N T E D C O M M E R C I A L “H O C ” A N D R E T A I N T H E
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA OVERLAY “O-E” FOR THE FLOODWAY:
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Junck, to pass on second reading an ordinance rezoning 525 SE 16th
Street from Agricultural “A” to Highway Oriented Commercial “HOC” and retain the
Environmentally Sensitive Area Overlay “O-E” for the floodway.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE REZONING 2098 W. 190TH STREET FROM FLOATING SUBURBAN
RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY (FS-RM) TO FLOATING SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL
MEDIUM DENSITY PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (FS-RM PUD) OVERLAY: Moved
by Rollins, seconded by Junck, to pass on second reading an ordinance rezoning 2098 W. 190th Street
from Floating Suburban Residential Medium Density (FS-RM) to Floating Suburban Residential
Medium Density Planned Unit Development (FS-RM PUD) Overlay.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE TO ALLOW TEMPORARY YARD WASTE PROCESSING FACILITIES
THROUGH APPROVAL OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT BY THE ZONING BOARD OF
ADJUSTMENT: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Junck, to pass on second reading an ordinance
to allow for temporary yard waste processing facilities through approval of a Special Use Permit by
the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
DISPOSITIONS OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL: Mayor Haila said there were two
items on the list. The first item was a letter from Josh Abate, Director of Facilities for Green Hills
Retirement Community, requesting to wrap the transformer boxes located on the Green Hills
Campus.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Junck, to communicate to Josh Abate, Director of Facilities
for Green Hills Retirement Community that the Council is doing a pilot project and will entertain
his request once the pilot has been completed.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
The second item was a letter from Delaney Good and Elijah Cosby requesting for the placement of
signs and community outreach to educate residents of the dangers of harmful algal bloom (HAB)
Toxins.
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Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Gartin, to thank them for their letter and state that the City
Council will take it under advisement.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: Council Member Betcher mentioned that she had attended the Iowa
State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) and it was a great celebration of diversity on
Campus and in the community.
Council Member Gartin stated his heart has been heavy since the invasion of Ukraine. Cities across
the country are expressing their support for Ukraine, and Des Moines has shown their support with
lighting.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to direct staff to change the color of the lights on
Highway 30 and Bandshell Park to the national colors of Ukraine, and to place this matter on the
City Council Agenda for April 12, 2022, to consider the status.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION: Council Member Junck asked City Attorney Mark Lambert if there was a
legal reason to go into Closed Session. Mr. Lambert replied in the affirmative, citing Section
21.51(1)c, Code of Iowa, to discuss matters presently in or threatened to be in litigation.
Moved by Junck, seconded by Gartin, to go into Closed Session.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
The City Council entered into a Closed Session at 8:43 p.m. and reconvened in Regular Session at
8:55 p.m.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Gartin, to pursue the recommendation of staff.
Vote on Motion. 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Junck, seconded by Betcher, to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 p.m.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
______________________________________________________________________
Amy L. Colwell, Deputy City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
__________________________________
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk
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