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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - April 19, 2022, Special Meeting of the Ames City CouncilMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL AMES, IOWA APRIL 19, 2022 The Special Meeting of the Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila at 6:00 p.m. on the 19th day of April 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, Rachel Junck, and Anita Rollins. Ex officio Member Trevor Poundstone was also present. Mayor Haila welcomed Tracy Peterson, Municipal Engineer; John Dunn, Director of Water and Pollution Control; and all staff who were in attendance. Mayor Haila noted that the Agenda was amended to remove the first passage of an ordinance adjusting sewer rates. He stated the item will be placed on the Agenda for the Regular City Council meeting to be held on April 26, 2022. Council Member Gartin joined the meeting at 6:01 p.m. WATERSHEDS UPDATE: Ms. Peterson introduced the watersheds update and noted that it had been a collaborative effort. She recognized City staff members in the Public Works Department who work with the water programs before turning it over to Director Dunn to recognize the City staff in the Water and Pollution Control Department. Ms. Peterson introduced Dan Haug, Water Quality Specialist with Prairie Rivers of Iowa, who was in attendance. Mr. Haug introduced the Prairie Rivers of Iowa staff noting the collaboration between the organization and the City of Ames. The watershed boundaries, including the creeks and rivers within the City limits, were reviewed by Ms. Peterson. She emphasized that the watershed boundaries extend beyond the City and County limits. Mr. Haug introduced the Water Quality Monitoring Program. He highlighted the available technologies of Prairie Rivers of Iowa and reviewed the Story County Water Monitoring and Interpretation Plan for 2021-2030. The Plan was put together in collaboration with the City, County, and other local partners. Mr. Haug provided an overview of his current work and highlighted the collection and lab testing of ten streams in Story County. He noted that three of the sites were already monitored by the City of Ames Water and Pollution Control (WPC) Department on a weekly basis above and below the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP). Five other sites within the City limits had been tested for E-coli by Prairie Rivers of Iowa, which was recently changed to include other nutrients. Additionally, ten sites in Story County have been undergoing monthly testing, which includes bodies of water with swimming beaches, such as Peterson Park and Hickory Grove Park. The volunteer effort that made the Water Quality Monitoring Program possible was highlighted by Mr. Haug and he noted the great amount of enthusiasm from Ames residents and Story County residents to be involved in these types of programs. He stated that with the help of the volunteers, there are 38 sites in Story County that have been monitored on a semi -regular basis. Mr. Haug presented the “Volunteer Snapshot” for the Ioway Creek watershed, which extends from Ames to 2 Stratford. The snapshot included data collection from streams on the same day to generate a picture of where the hot spots are for pollution. Mr. Haug discussed data interpretation and reviewed the findings of the Water Quality Monitoring Program for 2021. He noted that the findings were broken up into the major issues: gulf hypoxia and nutrient loss, nutrient enrichment and algae blooms in lakes and streams, and fish and the insects they eat. He stated that 2021 was a drought year, so nitrogen was low across all collection sites, which means little difference can be seen when it comes to land use and land management. Mr. Haug emphasized that these findings highlight the effects of weather when it comes to making sense of water. He noted that unusually high phosphorus levels were recorded during the drought year. In the findings, most of the sites that had the highest phosphorus levels were below sewage treatment plants. Mr. Haug reviewed the data collected from the site below the Ames WWTP, which helped make sense of the data. He presented a graph that displayed phosphorus concentration versus streamflow before reviewing the importance for the Gulf of Mexico, where little effect was seen. Mr. Haug noted that one concern is effluent affecting creek critters. He stated that data collection from volunteers showed that some of the streams in Story County fell into the danger zone with low dissolved oxygen levels. The bacteria results were reviewed by Mr. Haug. The findings showed that lakes are generally cleaner than rivers. He stated that Peterson Park Lake, Hickory Grove Lake, South Skunk River at North River Valley Park, and South Skunk River at West Riverside Road all met the standard for E-coli. He noted that the E-coli results were similar to previous years. The resources Prairie Rivers of Iowa used to narrow down the sources of bacteria were noted. Mr. Haug stated that samples of stormwater runoff were collected and tested by a chemistry professor at Iowa State University, who located a tracer that is found in laundry detergent. He shared that other common pollutants in Iowa waters, such as pesticides and chlorophyl, were entangled with the laundry detergent tracer. More work is needed on the project because of this entanglement to be able to interpret the data. The other project Mr. Haug discussed narrowed down the bacteria source by matching the data to locations where sewer lining had been installed. Prairie Rivers of Iowa had seen some signs that foam and high E-coli levels are less common in areas where sewer lining projects were completed. Mr. Haug noted that bacteria sources could also be narrowed down through analysis of available weather data. Under low flow conditions, sections of the Ioway Creek and Skunk River showed E-coli exceeding the standard. Mr. Haug noted that Prairie Rivers of Iowa continues to work on disentangling bacteria sources through weather analysis. Prairie Rivers of Iowa worked to gather data that would reveal the influence of streambank erosion and stabilization. According to Mr. Haug, the drought year provided limited data, however; Prairie Rivers of Iowa was able to collect data on stormwater runoff and see the influence of pollutants that are washing off the pavement. Mr. Haug noted that the storm event data showed sediment, E- coli, and phosphorus, in order of magnitude, higher than the baseflow event. He stated that this clearly shows that there are some pollutants that are carried in rain. 3 Through the data collected, Prairie Rivers of Iowa has seen the benefit of the City of Ames stormwater ordinances. Mr. Haug noted that testing was completed at an outfall of a detention pond in the Northridge neighborhood, which yielded very low sediment, E-coli, and phosphorus levels, however; outflow not treated by a detention pond in the Fellows neighborhood showed extremely high sediment, E-coli, and phosphorus levels. Mr. Haug presented a project Prairie Rivers of Iowa worked on with Ames High School students that showed the connection between storm sewers and creeks. He noted that in the data collection, students were able to identity the impacts of fire hydrant flushing on the Creek. He noted that this example highlights the connection Prairie Rivers of Iowa is trying to make in residents’ minds through engagement and outreach to hopefully help all involved address water quality issues. Council Member Gartin asked for Mr. Haug to provide input on whether the type of data collection and research that Prairie Rivers of Iowa does is being done throughout the state of Iowa. Mr. Haug noted that there are watershed projects going on all over Iowa, with the primary focus of these programs being on nutrient reduction strategies often without including an educational component. He shared that, of the cities working on water quality monitoring, there tends to be inconsistencies. Council Member Gartin asked if there is an effort to try to collect the type of data presented on a statewide level. Mr. Haug responded that unless someone locally is working with the data, it does not necessarily get used. It was noted by Council Member Gartin that the City Council became much more aware of the use of lawn fertilizers as development occurred north of Ada Hayden Heritage Park. He stated that there is a Conservation Easement in place that provides significant limitations on what residents in certain areas are able to put on their lawns. He asked Mr. Haug to speak to the City Council members whether they should be thinking on a broader level about the impact of lawn fertilizers. Mr. Haug responded that there would be a few ways to mitigate the issue Council Member Gartin mentioned. He explained that one method could be to review water paths in neighborhoods to identify which neighborhoods may be in need of a rain garden or detention pond. He also mentioned that another option would be to conduct an educational campaign about fertilizer application. Council Member Gartin noted that the City Council would want to start with education before discussing an alternative option. He asked Mr. Haug if the data warrants looking into that type of program. Mr. Haug noted that he does not have a specific answer to Council Member Gartin’s question because it differs greatly depending on the geographical location. Council Member Gartin asked Mr. Haug to work with Ms. Peterson to see if the data indicates a need for an educational campaign; the City Council could then respond by trying to engage Ames residents. Council Member Gartin expressed concern about Iowa’s wells. He noted that Iowa has a high rate of contamination in wells and he asked if there is any indication in that what Prairie Rivers of Iowa is studying has any impact at all on the quality of wells in Iowa. Ms. Peterson noted that it would depend heavily on if it is a shallow well or a deep well. She stated that rural areas that draw from a shallow well have shown to be impacted by nutrients. Director Dunn noted that in the municipal supply wells in Ames, the aquifer formation is a highly reducing aquifer, which means that the nitrates being pulled in from the River are reduced and converted to ammonia by the time they 4 reach the municipal wells. He noted that is a benefit to the City of Ames because the disinfection method used at the Water Plant is chloramine, so the ammonia that is added is needed to get the disinfectant. Ms. Peterson touched on the pond project at Moore Memorial Park as an example of what Mr. Haug had explained. Director Dunn noted that his presentation to the City Council detailed projects that Neal Weiss, Assistant Director of Water and Pollution Control, and his team had worked on. He stated that Assistant Director Weiss and his team were on their way back from Wisconsin where they had toured wastewater treatment facilities that had already made the move to nutrient removal. It was explained by Director Dunn that the projects worked on by WPC are captured in the Capital Improvements Plan project for watershed-based nutrient reduction projects. He noted that the City Council had allocated $200,000 per year for use in the watershed, specifically targeting nitrogen and phosphorus reduction. The other benefits received from the reduction projects include flood mitigation and drought mitigation. Director Dunn shared that WPC is now able to bank the nutrient credits that are received from doing these projects in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Exchange. A memorandum of understanding was signed with the Department of Natural Resources that allows for the accumulation of credits, so that if at some point in time the nitrogen and phosphorus goals at the WPC facility change, the credits can be used instead of completing an expensive capital improvements project. Director Dunn highlighted the Dotson Wetland project. He noted the project benefits include water quality, erosion control, flood mitigation, habitat restoration, and recreation opportunities. He explained that the watershed-based projects create meaningful partnerships and noted that the design of the Dotson Wetland is being completed by Ducks Unlimited, Story Country Conservation is providing the land, the City of Ames is contributing project administration, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is providing the funding. Director Dunn stated that the wetland will be a 20.4-acre wetland treating drainage tile runoff from 2,200 acres, and the modeling estimate is that it will remove 22,000 pounds per year of nitrogen. He indicated that design plans will be complete in 2022 and construction will take place in the Summer of 2023. Council Member Gartin asked if educational signage will be installed at the wetland to inform users about the project. Director Dunn responded that he is not sure of the specifics of the agreement with IDALS, but believes that signage will be installed. Ms. Peterson noted that the wetland is located near County Line Road off of the blacktop that goes into Gilbert, so it is a very visible location and a lot of people will be seeing it. Council Member Beatty-Hansen asked what the project location was used for prior to the wetland project. Ms. Peterson noted that the land was part of the Dotson Subdivision that Friedrich Properties had been working on. She noted that as part of the approval process of the Subdivision 5 with Story County, negotiations were made for Story County to take ownership of the lower lying land of the Subdivision for the wetland project. The Story County Edge-of-Field Project was presented by Director Dunn. He noted that there are a large number of partners in this project, with the City of Ames serving as the central fiscal agent. Instead of trying to bid project by project for all of the site-specific installations, Director Dunn explained that staff will bundle the projects into one single package when it goes out for bid. He stated that the projects include 25 mostly saturated buffer projects, with a few nitrifying bioreactors going in as well. Director Dunn indicated that construction would begin in the Summer of 2022. IDALS committed to provide 75% of the construction funds, and the other 25% is to be shared between the City of Ames and Story County. Director Dunn discussed the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund. The City of Ames partnered with the Iowa Soybean Association to plant cover crops on 4,000 acres upstream of Ames. Based on the modeling, 120,000 pounds of nitrogen and 7,000 pounds of phosphorus reduction is expected. Director Dunn explained that WPC staff communicated with the Iowa Soybean Association that staff would prefer to put money towards structural practices, so investigation is taking place to move in that direction in the future. The Land Retirement project at Moore Memorial Park was reviewed by Director Dunn. He shared that the ground on the west side of Ioway Creek, that had traditionally been in row crops, will be seeded down into a native prairie mix in the Summer of 2022. The grant received for the project from the Iowa Finance Authority covers the cost to establish the prairie. Director Dunn clarified a question regarding tree removal in the area and noted that very few trees will be removed as a result of this project as the seeding will mostly be done in the old farm fields. He assured that the areas that are timbered will remain in timber. Council Member Betcher commented that she’s heard about reducing nitrates, and to her understanding, as nitrates are reduced and phosphorus remain at a high level, there is a chance to end up with algae blooms. She asked if that was correct and if it was something to be concerned about. Ms. Peterson noted that it depends on the flow of the water; the area of concerns for algae blooms would be detention basins or similar water holdings. Mr. Haug noted that data shows phosphorus only being an issue in lakes and evidence of a relationship with algae blooms has not been seen yet. The Public Works Department updates were covered by Ms. Peterson. The City of Ames was the 15th City to be granted the Iowa River Town of the Year Award in 2021 and Ms. Peterson noted the promotional celebrations and projects that related to the Award. Ms. Peterson reviewed the Low Head Dam Modification Project that was completed in 2017 on Ioway Creek at Lincoln Way. She elaborated on the modifications made to improve recreational safety in the area. Mayor Haila commented that the City Council had received an email from someone who was concerned about signage on the Ioway Creek to inform recreation users of upcoming obstacles, such as dams. He asked if the area Ms. Peterson was discussing would be one 6 of the areas of concern. Ms. Peterson noted that the water does not dive as deep right after the dam due to the ripple pool below it. She stated that staff can work on signage to inform recreational users in the area about that. Director Dunn noted that the email Mayor Haila referred to was about an area farther north up the River and WPC staff has worked with the Public Works Streets Division on installation of signage. The sanitary sewer improvements, which are annual projects that have been worked on since 2015, were presented by Ms. Peterson. She noted the different types of improvements made including spot repair, sewer lining, and manholes. She provided the City Council with a list of the upcoming projects, specifically at Ames High School, Veenker Golf Course, Worle Creek, Dayton Avenue, and Basin 12, which covers the downtown area. Ms. Peterson reviewed the South 5th Street and South Grand Avenue project, which covers a 92- acre watershed. She noted that this wetland project treats the water quality volume and channel protection volume, which leads to reduced erosion. Ms. Peterson discussed the Welch Avenue project, which included the installation of tree trenches and permeable pavers. She stated that the project treats water quality volume for up to 1.25 inches of rain per acre. She shared that City staff is going to continue working to plant and establish the vegetation in the planters. The Homewood Golf Course Slope Stabilization Project, which was an extreme case of erosion, was reviewed by Ms. Peterson. She highlighted the staged approach that was taken to complete the project due to the nature of the slope. Ms. Peterson noted that native vegetation in being established on a durable mat that will aid the slope in remaining stable. Council Member Gartin shared that the recreational trail behind Homewood was frequently flooded after rainfall, but this project had made an enormous difference and provided a tremendous benefit to the uses of the trail. Ms. Peterson agreed with Council Member Gartin’s statement and noted that groundwater seeps were discovered during excavation, which had been the source of the flooding. Council Member Gartin asked to know the cost of the stabilization project. Ms. Peterson replied that the total cost came in just over $600,000. Ms. Peterson presented the Ioway Creek restoration and flood mitigation project, which is currently under construction. She stated that 750 tons of trash was removed from the area, including car parts and tires but not including the buildings that were removed. She noted that the trees that were removed for the project have been used for root wides, furniture, trim, pallets, and homebuilding. Council Member Gartin asked Ms. Peterson what the timeframe would be for the project. Ms. Peterson responded that staff is waiting for the land to dry for final grade and seeding with May being the estimated timeframe. Ioway Creek Brookside Park Project was explained by Ms. Peterson. She discussed the Concept Plan from 2021 and the new Preliminary Plan as of 2022. She noted that after much consultation with river experts the biggest design change included pulling a section of the Creek, where there is a steep slope, into Brookside Park to create an oxbow. The oxbow would take water from the 7 storm sewer that flows through the area and treat the water quality. Ms. Peterson reviewed the project goals and noted that about 75 trees would be removed from private property. She stated that the trees on public property would be analyzed, and any trees removed would be incorporated back into the project for the natural channel design and stabilization. She explained that construction is estimated to begin in the Winter of 2022-23. Council Member Betcher asked for clarification of the location of the oxbow. Ms. Peterson clarified that the oxbow would be just south of Blackwood Circle and Orchard Drive. Council Member Beatty-Hansen asked about the design for potential public access to the Creek. Ms. Peterson noted that the area highlighted on the map for public access would be for recreational opportunities where users could interact with the stream, and it would provide possible water access for kayaking. Ms. Peterson presented the Construction Site Runoff Control Program Tracking data, for both City projects and development. Council Member Gartin asked if there was anything important for the City Council to note from the data presented. Ms. Peterson informed that before an ordinance was put in place, a lot of the sediment issues in city streams were caused by erosion control from construction sites. Council Member Gartin asked if the data listed the number of projects. Ms. Peterson replied in the affirmative. The data for the Post Construction Stormwater Plan Review and Approval was reviewed by Ms. Peterson. She highlighted the planning currently taking place for the Stone Brooke Subdivision. She also noted the Storm Drain Art Project, which will be presented at an upcoming City Council meeting. Ms. Peterson reviewed partnerships and active community programs. She also noted outreach events and upcoming events, including the Ioway Creek Cleanup and Stash the Trash. WATER AND SEWER RATE OVERVIEW: Director Dunn presented the projected balances in the water and sewer fund by highlighting the national and state-wide trends in rates, projected need for revenue increase, revenue needs translated to rates, and an example of projected revenue increases on customers’ utility bills. He noted that, as reported by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies in the 2020 Cost of Clean Water Index, the annual wastewater bill has doubled nationally in the last 16 years. He stated that in the last year of the index, wastewater charges went up by 2.9 percent, and during that same period of time, the inflation rate was at 1.2 percent. He explained that 2020 was the 19th consecutive year that sewer rates nationally have outpaced inflation. Council Member Gartin asked if this increase was caused by deferred maintenance or increased cost of maintenance; or if there was any explanation associated with the increase. Director Dunn noted that the answer is going to be different for every utility; however, the general explanation is that infrastructure assessments come out annually from the Consulting Engineers Council that give infrastructure grades. He noted that he believes the increases are an indication that the industry is reacting to the grades received on those assessments, thus upping the investments made into infrastructure replacements. 8 Director Dunn presented the national average for residential water service before he discussed the Iowa trends. He noted that the data was collected by the City of Ames Water and Pollution Control Department, which is completed annually. Over the past two years, the percent of Iowa utilities serving more than 10,000 customers, 77% saw a rate increase in drinking water and 75% saw a rate increase in wastewater. The pattern of rate increases for the City of Ames over the past five years was reviewed by Director Dunn. Drinking water increased by 3.7% per year and sewer increased by 1.6% per year, on average. He noted that rate increases for drinking water fall in line with the national average and are slightly below the state average, while sewer rate increases fall significantly below the national and state averages. Director Dunn presented another way to look at the rate increase data for drinking water by providing 22 years of data longitudinally graphed in stacked columns. He noted that the City of Ames is at the 30th percentile, based on 2021 rates. Council Member Gartin stated that the data provided was encouraging. He asked if the data were to represent peer communities, how it would come out differently. Director Dunn responded that every utility has a story that can be told by their rates. He presented a graph that showed City of Ames rates as compared to the City of Ankeny and the City of Iowa City. He noted that in the early 1990s, Iowa City had built a new water plant and they had proactively adopted a pattern of rate increases for multiple years. He noted that Iowa City had overshot the mark on rate increases, peaking in 2001, before steadily decreasing its rates. Director Dunn presented the same type of longitudinal graph for sewer rate increases. He explained that the rate increases for each utility depends on what utility has completed a big project recently. The forces driving capital expenses were reviewed by Director Dunn. He noted that on the sewer side, the driving forces are the Nutrient Reduction Modification Project and infrastructure renewal/replacement. He noted that the Nutrient Reduction Modification Project is an intensive capital project. Over the next ten years, the first and second phases of the project will be completed, totaling about half of the total project expense, which is roughly $20 million. The headworks modifications will also be completed in the first phase of the Project, which totals an additional $10 million. Director Dunn noted that if WPC did not complete the Nutrient Reduction Modification Project, there would be other expenses incurred for items such as the trickling filter media (an expense of $8 million), which will be completed as part of the Project. He explained that when the Nutrient Reduction Modification Project is done, the City of Ames will essentially have a brand new Water Pollution Control facility. Director Dunn noted that the Ames Plan 2040 is not driving rates. The City of Ames received approximately $9.4 million from the American Rescue Act fund that are designated to sanitary sewer investments to open new areas for development. Director Dunn presented the Sewer Fund Rate Model with no adjustments to drinking water and sewer rates. He explained that the ending fund balance remains positive until fiscal year 2028-29, however, if the City of Ames waited until then for a rate increase, a back -to-back rate increase of 45% would be necessary. Director Dunn noted that approach does not seem favorable for 9 customers. He stated a pattern of rate increases has been developed to meet debt coverage requirements and meet operating reserve targets, while limiting rate increases to ideally less than 10% at a time. Council Member Betcher asked if there are communities in Iowa that choose to make large rate increases less frequently. Director Dunn explained that approach has become less common, which is in part the reason as to why staff at WPC has decided to complete rate surveys annually. The projected pattern of water and sewer rate increases for the next ten years, based on current data, were presented by Director Dunn. He noted that rate increases alternate for water and sewer each year, so rate increases do not double up the impact on customers. Director Dunn explained that the rate projections are a roadmap, and the City Council will only provide direction on year one, as the City Council typically approves one year at a time so adjustments can be made. Director Dunn reviewed the sewer fund rate model and discussed the Iowa trends for projected rate increases over the next four years. The proposed sewer rate increase for City of Ames customers is five percent, effective July 1, 2022, as shared by Director Dunn. He noted that associated rates and fees would also be adjusted. The high strength surcharge rates; Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) rates; and laboratory analysis fees would increase by five percent, and meter setting fees would be adjusted based on actual cost recover. The fee adjustments are planned as part of the City-wide fee schedule adjustment later in the Spring of 2022. The actual effect on a customer’s bill was reviewed by Director Dunn for median-use and high-use residential customers. The recommended action was discussed by Director Dunn. He stated that staff recommends the preparation of an ordinance that would adjust sewer rates by five percent, effective for bills mailed on or after July 1, 2022. He noted that City staff would be prepared for the first reading of the ordinance on April 26, 2022, and the second reading on May 10, 2022, so that the third reading and adoption could take place on May 24, 2022. Director Dunn noted that the Water Plant would be hosting an open house on April 23, 2022. The public is invited to attend the event, which will offer public tours, community engagement, kids activities, and more. Council Member Betcher asked if the entries for the Water Plant Art competition would be on display at the open house. Director Dunn noted that entries are being accepted through August, so they would not be displayed, however; all art purchased from previous years would be displayed throughout the Plant. Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Betcher, to direct staff to proceed with the proposed five percent sewer rate increase and prepare an ordinance to bring back to the City Council at the April 26, 2022, meeting. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Mayor Haila asked Director Dunn how many years the Waste Water Treatment Plant had received a gold star rating. Director Dunn responded that staff submitted for the 32nd or 33rd year. 10 DISPOSITION OF COMMUNICATION TO COUNCIL: Mayor Haila noted that there were two items to consider. The first item is a request from Ron Mowers and Margaret Epplin for information regarding the price of City of Ames sewer services. City Manager Schainker recommended that the City Council refer the item to staff for staff to respond directly to the individuals who requested the information. Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Gartin, to refer the request regarding the price of City of Ames sewer services to staff. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Mayor Haila stated that the second item was from John Wilson regarding active transportation and transit use in the Stone Brooke Neighborhood. City Manager Schainker noted that no action is required on this item. He stated that it could be as early as the City Council meeting on April 26, 2022, that staff would have a report prepared on the particular location. City Manager Schainker noted that he would acknowledge receipt of the communication. Mayor Haila asked City Manager Schainker if a communication was received from Home Allies and if the City Council would see that on an upcoming agenda. City Manager Schainker responded that he had been in contact with the organizer from Home Allies to inform them of the proper way to place an item on the agenda. Mayor Haila noted that item could be referred during Council Comments. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ex officio Poundstone noted that he will be present briefly at the next meeting to introduce the individual who will be serving as the ex officio to the City Council. Council Member Gartin stated that there are some nights when he is particularly proud of the City of Ames. He noted that in workshops the City Council is able to see the forward-thinking of staff, planning for the future, and depth of analysis. Mr. Gartin said that he thinks the City Council has a lot to be proud of the City staff and noted that Ames residents are well-served by staff. Council Member Betcher thanked ex officio Poundstone for his service and thanked him for helping the City Council connect with the Iowa State University Student Government. Mayor Haila noted that the City Council received an email from a constituent about a bus that has been parked on a residential street, which will be distributed to the City Council in the April 22, 2022, non-agenda packet. Mayor Haila congratulated the Ames Fire Department, for the exciting push-in ceremony on April 18, 2022, for Tower One. He stated that Tower One is an outstanding piece of equipment that has been added to the Fire Department and thanked the City Council for its support of the purchase. ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Junck, to adjourn the meeting at 7:23 p.m. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. 11 __________________________________ ____________________________________ Carly M. Watson, Principal Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor __________________________________ Diane R. Voss, City Clerk