HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - August 23, 2022, Regular Meeting of the Ames City CouncilMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA AUGUST 23, 2022
The Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila at 6:00 p.m.
on the 23rd day of August 2022, in the City Council Chambers in City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue,
pursuant to law. Present were Council Members Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen, Gloria Betcher, Amber
Corrieri, Tim Gartin, and Anita Rollins. Ex officio Member Bryce Garman was also present.
Council Member Junck entered the meeting at 6:01 p.m.
PROCLAMATION FOR “SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH,”
SEPTEMBER 2022: Mayor Haila proclaimed the month of September 2022, as Suicide
Prevention Awareness Month. Accepting the Proclamation was Julie Saxton, Mental Health
Advocate for the Ames Police Department, and Police Chief Geoff Huff. Ms. Saxton announced
that the Story County Mental Health Expo will be hosted at the Iowa State University Memorial
Union on September 20, 2022, with Lyndsey Fennelly as the keynote speaker. Chief Huff indicated
that August 31, 2022, is National Overdose Awareness Day.
PROCLAMATION FOR “ATTENDANCE AWARENESS MONTH,” SEPTEMBER 2022:
Mayor Haila proclaimed the month of September 2022, as Attendance Awareness Month.
Accepting the Proclamation was Dr. Julious Lawson, Superintendent of the Ames Community
School District, and Mr. Andy Fish, Education Initiative Coordinator with United Way of Story
County.
PROCLAMATION FOR “AMES ART MONTH,” SEPTEMBER 2022: Mayor Haila
proclaimed the month of September 2022, as Ames Art Month. Accepting the Proclamation was
Heather Johnson, Director of the Octagon Center for the Arts, and numerous members from Ames
arts and culture organizations. Ms. Johnson announced that the annual Octagon Arts Festival will
be hosted in Downtown Ames from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on September 25, 2022.
CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Haila indicated that the City Council was working from an
amended agenda. He stated that Item 12 should read “The Bridge Home and YSS” and Item 14
had been pulled from the agenda per staff’s request as the signed contract had not been received
prior to the start of the meeting.
Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Betcher, to approve the following items on the consent agenda, less
Item 14.
4. Motion approving payment of claims
5. Motion approving Minutes of Regular Meeting held August 9, 2022
6. Motion approving Report of Change Orders for period August 1 - 15, 2022
7. Motion approving new Class C Liquor License and Sunday Sales - Margaritas Sport Bar
Seafood, 823 Wheeler Street
8. Motion approving the renewal of the following Beer Permits, Wine Permits and Liquor
Licenses:
a. Class C Liquor License with Sunday Sales and Outdoor Service - Daytime, 127 Dotson Dr
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b. Class E Liquor License with Class B Wine Permit, Class C Beer Permit (carryout beer)
and Sunday Sales - Cyclone Liquors, 626 Lincoln Way
c. Class C Liquor License with Catering Privilege, Outdoor Service and Sunday Sales -
Whiskey River, 132-134 Main Street - Pending Dram Shop Insurance
d. Class B Liquor License with Outdoor Service and Sunday Sales - Hilton Garden Inn Ames,
1325 Dickinson Avenue Pending Dram Shop Insurance
e. Class C Liquor License with Outdoor Service and Sunday Sales - Wallaby’s Grille, 2733
Stange Road
9. Request for 36th Anniversary Run for the Roses on October 23, 2022
a. Motion approving Blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit
b. RESOLUTION NO. 22-463 approving full and partial closure of the following streets from
6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.:
i. Fifth Street from Pearle Avenue to Douglas Avenue
ii. Douglas Avenue from Fifth Street to Sixth Street
iii. Sixth Street from Burnett Avenue to Douglas Avenue
iv. Burnett Avenue from Sixth Street to Main Street
v. Main Street from Burnett Avenue to Allan Drive
vi. Northwestern Avenue from Allan Drive to Sixth Street
vii. Sixth Street from Northwestern Avenue to University Boulevard
viii. University Boulevard from Sixth Street to Haber Road
10. RESOLUTION NO. 22-464 approving the designation of Neil Weiss as the City’s alternate
voting representative to the Headwaters of the South Skunk River Watershed Management
Authority
11. RESOLUTION NO. 22-465 approving City Council DEI Training and Funding from Council
Contingency Account
12. RESOLUTION NO. 22-466 authorizing the Mayor to sign Certificate of Consistency with
City’s 2019-2023 CDBG Consolidated Plan on behalf of The Bridge Home and YSS for
funding under the State of Iowa’s Continuum of Care Grant Funding
13. RESOLUTION NO. 22-467 approving Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement
with Toole Design Group for the Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan to change the end date of
the project
14. Resolution approving the procurement of single-source test drilling services, in accordance
with the adopted Purchasing Policies, and award a contract to Cascade Drilling of Flint,
Michigan, PFAS test drilling in the amount of $85,575
15. RESOLUTION NO. 22-469 approving Professional Services Agreement for 2021/22 Storm
Water Erosion Control (Bloomington Waterway)with Bolton & Menk of Ames, Iowa, in an
amount not to exceed $52,000
16. RESOLUTION NO. 22-470 approving Detour Agreement with Iowa Department of
Transportation (Iowa DOT) for temporary I-35 detour routes during emergency closure
17. RESOLUTION NO. 22-471 approving Sub-recipient Agreements with the Iowa Economic
Development Authority (IEDA) in connection with the CDBG-CV Round 2 CARES Program:
a. Ames Community Preschool Center (ACPC)
b. University Community Childcare (UCC)
c. Mid Iowa Community Action (MICA)
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18. RESOLUTION NO. 22-472 approving deaccession of “Monolith,” by Timothy Jorgensen,
from City’s Public Art Inventory
19. RESOLUTION NO. 22-473 approving Change Order No. 3 with IES Commercial, Holdredge,
Nebraska, for deduction of unperformed construction activities in the amount of ($87,392.26)
20. RESOLUTION NO. 22-474 approving preliminary plans and specifications for 2021/22 Water
System Improvements Program-US Highway 69 (South Duff Avenue, Grand Avenue); setting
September 21, 2022, as bid due date and September 27, 2022, as date of public hearing
21. RESOLUTION NO. 22-475 approving preliminary plans and specifications for 2021/22
Shared Use Path System Expansion (Ioway Creek); setting September 20, 2022, as bid due
date and September 27, 2022, as date of public hearing
22. RESOLUTION NO. 22-476 approving preliminary plans and specifications for 2021/22
Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation (Ames High School and Veenker Golf); setting September 21,
2022, as bid due date and September 27, 2022, as date of public hearing
23. RESOLUTION NO. 22-477 approving preliminary plans and specifications to renovate the
lobby and restrooms at the Power Plant, setting September 28, 2022 as bid due date and
October 11, 2022 as the date of public hearing
24. RESOLUTION NO. 22-478 approving contracts for Fiscal Years 2022-23 and 2023-24 for the
Emerald Ash Borer Response Plan to the following companies:
a. ArborPro Tree Service, Fort Dodge, Iowa for Ash Tree Removal in the amount not to
exceed $70,340
b. Pitts Lawn and Tree Service, Huxley, Iowa for Stump Grinding in the amount not to exceed
$6,270
c. Family Tree Care, LLC., Windsor Heights, Iowa for Treatment in the amount not to exceed
$38,528, and
d. Reject bid from ALPHA Landscapes, LLC., Slater, Iowa for Tree Replacement
25. RESOLUTION NO. 22-479 approving contract and bond for 2020/21 and 2021/22 Intelligent
Transportation System Program (Phases 1 & 2)
26. RESOLUTION NO. 22-480 approving contract and bond for Cooling Tower Blowdown
Sanitary Sewer Modifications
27. RESOLUTION NO. 22-481 approving contract and bond for 2021/22 Shared Use Path System
Expansion
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion/Resolutions declared carried/adopted, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
PUBLIC FORUM: Mayor Haila opened the Public Forum. No one came forward to speak and
Mayor Haila closed the Public Forum.
LOCATION OF THE FITCH FAMILY INDOOR AQUATIC CENTER: City Manager
Steven Schainker stated that presented to the City Council were the major pros and cons for each
of the two potential sites: 122 North Oak Avenue (IDOT site) and 300 South Maple Avenue
(O’Neil Park). He emphasized that it was not an all -inclusive list, nor did he try to prioritize the
pros and cons. City Manager Schainker clarified that any decision to be made by the City Council
was not a final decision on the matter, rather it would direct staff to proceed on a particular path.
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Mayor Haila explained that there would be no Public Input on the Indoor Aquatic Center at the
meeting, though the City Council received many emails and heard from constituents to gather
comments and opinions on the proposed locations.
Council Member Betcher shared her main concerns regarding the proposed locations: 1)
Sustainability and how the project fits with the goal to be a sustainable community; 2) Strong
neighborhoods; 3) Ease of remediation efforts at the IDOT site; 4) Allowing the Reinvestment
District to shape the decision-making process and plans; 5) Unknowns of the O’Neil Park site and
the length of time it would take to complete the project at that site. Ms. Betcher affirmed that she
is more confident now that the Indoor Aquatic Center should be built on the IDOT site rather than
on the O’Neil Park site.
Keith Abraham, Director of Parks and Recreation, was asked by Council Member Gartin to answer
a few questions as he found it important to be on the same page with respect to the level of
contamination on the IDOT site. Director Abraham discussed the contamination, including the
contaminants present, as well as the remediation strategies and the associated costs.
Council Member Gartin thanked Mr. Abraham along with Assistant City Manager Brian Phillips
for the work they have completed for the site analysis. Mr. Gartin emphasized that his biggest
concern was the contamination, citing fear of the unknown risks and long-term effects the
contamination could have on staff and patrons that frequented the facility. He stated his favor for
the O’Neil Park location noting the accessibility to the site by bus and the multi-use trail system
and the likelihood of building the indoor walking track as part of the facility. He urged his fellow
City Council members to consider O’Neil Park as well.
Council Member Rollins stated, after hearing from the experts, it is possible to remediate the
contamination issues and build the Indoor Aquatic Center on the IDOT site. Ms. Rollins expressed
her confidence in the City remediating contamination by citing the Hunziker Youth Sports
Complex. She discussed each site in terms of costs and mentioned that regardless of the location,
there is still a possibility to include an indoor walking track in the facility. Ms. Rollins also
expressed that from the standpoint of equity, she cannot support replacing a neighborhood park in
an area that is one of the few affordable neighborhoods.
Council Member Corrieri thanked Mr. Abraham, Mr. Phillips, and City Manager Schainker for the
work they have put in. She stated that the City Council is at the point of deciding between these
locations not because staff did not do their due diligence, but partially because the IDOT provided
staff with inaccurate information and has been difficult to work with. Ms. Corrieri shared that she
believes that either site would be a great location for the facility, and each would result in a facility
that would be an asset to the entire community. She shared that for her, it really comes down to
timing because for the nine years she has been on the City Council, the replacement to the
Municipal Pool has been in discussion. She stated that because of this her preference was for the
IDOT site, though she will continue to advocate for a top-of-the-line facility.
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Council Member Junck shared her thoughts on the important role the Reinvestment District has
played in the process of planning for an Indoor Aquatic Center to help reduce the burden on the
taxpayer. She stated that out of two bad options, sticking with the IDOT site is the best option. Ms.
Junck noted that she trusts the City can remediate the contamination safely and will have success
in making the site safe for the Indoor Aquatic Center. She further stated that the placement of the
Indoor Aquatic Center on the IDOT site aligns with the Lincoln Way Corridor Plan and will be a
great amenity.
Council Member Beatty-Hansen thanked the community members for providing their input. She
stated that the level of public input shows that the community is passionate about having an Indoor
Aquatic Center and also cares about O’Neil Park. Ms. Beatty-Hansen shared her agreement with
some of Council Member Gartin’s points and believes that the neighborhood would come to love
the facility. She said, however, that she has ultimately come to favor the IDOT site and is sure that
the City is well positioned to successfully mitigate the risks through remediation.
Ex officio Bryce Garman shared it was fascinating to see the number of emails regarding the
decision of where to locate the Indoor Aquatic Center and the level of community involvement to
where residents feel like they can come to the City Council to voice their opinions. He noted that
after reviewing all the materials and listening to the City Council, he does lean more towards the
IDOT site.
Council Member Gartin voiced his concern on how expediency is driving the discussion. As much
as the City Council and the Ames community would like to have an Indoor Aquatic Center right
now, he explained, it must be done right. Mr. Gartin said that as a data-driven city, it is baffling
how the decision comports with that. He stated that time will tell whether or not his fear regarding
the contamination is misplaced, but he channeled the fear of the parents who want a facility that is
safe to take their children to. He worried that the members of the City Council will look back on
this meeting and realize that a hasty decision was made. Mr. Gartin concluded that thankfully there
is a City Council where members can disagree without being disagreeable and he stated his respect
for his fellow members’ decisions.
Council Member Betcher responded to Mr. Gartin noting that she does not fear a reverse
referendum and it is not in her mind that the City Council has to be expedient about the decision.
She said that when looking at the pros and cons of each site, she is not looking at it through a lens
of fear, but rather basing her decision off what the community seems to want. She stated that she
is also trying to trust the experts when it comes to remediation because she knows that brownfield
rehabilitation is one of the best ways to do infill.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Junck, to direct staff to proceed with the IDOT location for
the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center.
Roll Call Vote: 5-1. Voting Aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Junck, Rollins. Voting Nay:
Gartin. Motion declared carried.
City Manager Schainker shared the next steps in moving forward with the project.
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NORTH DAYTON INDUSTRIAL PARK TIF AGREEMENT: Kelly Diekmann, Planning and
Housing Director, stated that at the April 12th City Council meeting, the City Council directed staff
to prepare a Development Agreement with Dayton Avenue Development, LLC. The proposal that
City Council accepted in April consisted of a subdivision of 13 lots with seven lots being one and
three-acres in size and six lots being between three and 10 acres in size. Speculative buildings were
to be constructed on the small lots consistent with the proposed terms of the development
agreement. Since April, the developer moved into the preliminary plat stage to put the design
together for that project. The developer has proposed to change the layout of the subdivision to be
amended to five small lots between one and three acres and five large lots between three acres and
11 acres in size. Since only the City Council is authorized to accept this type of proposal and
approve any subsequent Development Agreement with a TIF incentive, the City Council must
determine whether it is willing to accept an amendment to the April proposal. Director Diekmann
stated that staff believes that with the new proposal having half of the lots as small lots still meets
the original intent of the RFP for qualifying for TIF.
Council Member Betcher asked when the size of small lots versus large lots was determined, what
was the basis for that decision for the RFP. Director Diekmann stated that the original RFP looked
back at how the Ames Community Development Park phases over the last 20 years had been done
through TIF incentives. Staff saw a pattern that the lots less than three acres in size were considered
small lots and some speculative building requirements only apply to the small lots. Mr. Diekmann
noted that overall, 10 acres and under is still relatively small for an industrial lot.
Mayor Haila opened the Public Input and closed it when no one came forward to speak.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to move Option 1: Accept the amended Development
Proposal of five small lots and five large lots with an allowance to enlarge the maximum lot size
to 11 acres.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH SUMMIT AVIATION, LLC FOR A NEW
PRIVATE HANGAR AT THE AMES MUNICIPAL AIRPORT: Mayor Haila invited City
Attorney Mark Lambert to announce a clarification on the development agreement and land lease
as it is recorded on the agenda. City Attorney Lambert stated that the agenda lists the development
agreement and land lease as being with Summit Agricultural Group, LLC. He noted that entity was
being dealt with in the arrangement of the documents; however, at the last minute, it was decided
to list the business’ alternate LLC, Summit Aviation, LLC on both documents.
Mayor Haila asked if City Attorney Lambert was comfortable with the City Council taking action
on the item with Summit Aviation, LLC in lieu of Summit Agricultural Group, LLC. Mr. Lambert
replied in the affirmative.
The City was approached by Summit Agricultural Group, LLC (Summit) with a proposal to
construct a new private hangar at the Airport, explained Traffic Engineer Damion Pregitzer. For
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the project, potential locations on Airport property were evaluated in accordance with the Airport’s
Master Plan. Following this evaluation, Summit proposed a site plan through the City’s
Development Review Committee (DRC) process and received conditional approval for the site
northwest of the old terminal building where the Ramp Service building is located. Mr. Pregitzer
noted that one of the conditional items is that Summit receives a land lease similar to the other
private hangar land leases.
Engineer Pregitzer noted that normally, the City would be responsible for clearing the site for
development. To expedite the project, Summit has agreed to take the lead and contract for the
demolition and asbestos abatement. In return for this work, the Development Agreement calls for
the City to provide an annual rent rebate of $6,000 to reimburse Summit for the actual demolition
costs, not to exceed $90,000 (no more than 15 years).
The lease payment will increase by the percentage called for in the Lease Agreement which is
2.7% annually for the first five years, and Mr. Pregitzer elaborated on the positive financial benefit
for the airport.
Council Member Gartin noted that there is a fuel tank area outlined on the site plan and asked if
the hangar will have its own opportunity for refueling. Engineer Pregitzer replied in the affirmative
and noted that it would be similar to the two other hangars on the east side of the facility that have
private fuel storage. Mr. Gartin asked for a reminder on how the fuel works if a hangar is getting
their fuel through the FBO versus supplying their own fuel. Engineer Pregitzer stated that if a
hangar has an exclusive fuel agreement with the FBO, the City of Ames waives the land area that
the tank is on because the FBO under their contract has rights on the airport to sell fuel. If a hangar
chooses a third-party for fuel, explained Mr. Pregitzer, the land lease rate for the footprint of the
hangar is applied to the fire code buffer area of the fuel tank as an additional monthly fee, which
increases annually at the same rate as the land lease. Engineer Pregitzer clarified that Summit
proposed the use of third-party fuel so the additional monthly fee for the fuel tank area will be
applied to their lease. Mayor Haila asked Engineer Pregitzer whether the FBO agreed with the fuel
operation outlined in the development agreement. Engineer Pregitzer discussed the financial
benefits to the FBO including grant opportunities that are reliant on the number of aircraft
supported by the facility.
Mayor Haila declared the Public Input open. The Public Input was closed when no one came
forward to speak.
Council Member Gartin noted that this was an exciting project and when the airport improvements
project went forward, there was the hope that it would be catalytic for future development.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Rollins, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 22-482 approving
Development Agreement with Summit Aviation, LLC for a new private hangar at the Ames
Municipal Airport.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
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ADDENDUM TO THE FIXED BASE OPERATOR (FBO) AGREEMENT WITH
CHARLES CITY AERONAUTICS, INC., D/B/A CENTRAL IOWA AIR SERVICE TO
REMOVE THE RAMP SERVICE BUILDING: An addendum to the Fixed Base Operator
(FBO) agreement is needed in response to the Summit Aviation, LLC hangar development at the
Airport as the Ramp Service Building will need to be demolished and will no longer be available
to the FBO. Engineer Pregitzer noted that the addendum is reflective of the loss of the building to
make the contract with the FBO whole after the new hangar is built.
The Public Input was declared opened and closed by Mayor Haila when no one came forward to
speak.
Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Betcher, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 22-483 approving
addendum to the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Agreement with Charles City Aeronautics, Inc., d/b/a
Central Iowa Air Service to remove the Ramp Service Building.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
HEARING ON LONG TERM PRIVATE HANGAR LAND LEASE AT AMES
MUNICIPAL AIRPORT: Engineer Pregitzer pointed out that the structure of the lease is
identical to all the other private hangar leases on the Airport except for the Airport’s right to
terminate the lease since Summit will be carrying a mortgage on the project. Mr. Pregitzer clarified
that after the building is paid off and Summit no longer has a mortgage, the language would revert
to the same language that the other leases have.
Council Member Gartin noted that he appreciated the flexibility that staff is allowing for the
financing piece of the project.
Mayor Haila declared the Public Hearing to be open. It was closed when no one came forward to
speak.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Corrieri, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 22-468 approving lease for
10, five-year periods with Summit Aviation Group, LLC.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
HEARING ON REZONING, WITH MASTER PLAN, 3898 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD
FROM “RI” (RESEARCH PARK INNOVATION ZONING DISTRICT) TO “RI”
(RESEARCH PARK INNOVATION ZONING DISTRICT) WITH A REVISED MASTER
PLAN: A Master Plan was adopted along with the initial zoning of the area for the purpose of
distinguishing a commercial core area known as the “Hub,” from traditional industrial uses planned
for Phase III of the Iowa State University Research Park. The requested zoning is specifically to
amend the Master Plan’s internal boundaries of the Hub Activity Area. The proposed changed
maintains the RI zoning overall, but the Master Plan change allows for the Hub Activity Area to
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expand south, which in turn will allow for expansion of commercial activities. Planning and Housing
Director Kelly Diekmann explained that the Ames Fitness Center desires to acquire six acres of
additional land to enlarge its property to construct more tennis courts. This proposed rezoning will
move the whole of the planned Ames Fitness Center site into the Hub Activity Area in anticipation
of future approval of boundary line adjustment. Director Diekmann stated that staff is in support of
the rezoning because it leaves a significant amount of land along University Boulevard that meets the
intent for industrial and employment expansion in that area.
Director Diekmann clarified that the Ames Fitness Center property is within a TIF District that was
created by the City to finance infrastructure construction. He stated that when the property lines are
moved to encompass the new tennis courts on the Ames Fitness Center property, the TIF District
boundaries will also need to be modified to maintain tax district consistency with property lines. This
future TIF District boundary change will require Council approval, explained Mr. Diekmann.
Mayor Haila sought clarification on the graphic where it showed the red area of the Ames Fitness
Center expansion but along South Riverside Drive there is a blue rectangle that says “area of
Master Plan Expansion.” He asked if that is also included on the motion. Director Diekmann
replied in the affirmative and explained that the Iowa State University Research Park did not own
the land outlined in blue when the Master Plan was created but has acquired it since and the land
already is zoned as RI.
The Public Hearing was opened and closed by Mayor Haila after no one came forward to speak.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to pass on first reading an ordinance on rezoning, with
Master Plan, 3898 University Boulevard from “RI” (Research Park Innovation Zoning District) to
“RI” (Research Park Innovation Zoning District) with a Revised Master Plan.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
FIRST PASSAGE OF ORDINANCE PROHIBITING PARKING AT ALL TIMES ON THE
EAST SIDE OF HOOVER AVENUE FROM 24TH STREET TO 30TH STREET AND
FROM BLOOMINGTON ROAD TO ADAMS STREET: Mayor Haila opened the Public
Input.
Grant Olsen, 3812 Ontario Street, stated that staff believes the proposed change will “improve safety
and traffic flow.” Mr. Olsen said that there can be improved safety for all modes or improved car
flow; unfortunately, there cannot be both on Hoover Avenue and other streets. He provided an analogy
to think of a street like a drainpipe. He noted that water slows down in a drainpipe when stuff collects
on the side of the pipe. Mr. Olsen explained that if what is on the interior walls of the pipe is removed,
the water will flow faster. Thus, he stated, that if parking is cleared on the side of the street, the cars
will flow faster. If cars flow faster, the conditions for people outside cars are less safe, he said. The
paradox for street design, explained Mr. Olsen, is that when the street feels dangerous it is usually
safer. The odds of a traffic fatality on narrow Main Street are much less than the odds of a death on a
45-mph speed limit section of Duff Avenue, he noted. Mr. Olsen elaborated that if his fourth grader
were walking in a crosswalk and were hit, it is not the screen that the driver is looking at that would
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kill his son; the cause of death would be listed as blunt force trauma. If the goal is safer streets, said
Mr. Olsen, there needs to be slower streets, and to have slower streets, there needs to be the friction
that current parking rules on Hoover Avenue can create. Mr. Olsen encouraged the City Council to
vote for option two.
Mayor Haila closed the Public Input when no one else came forward to speak.
City Manager Schainker explained that when the project for repaving Hoover Avenue was initiated,
it was a request from a neighborhood resident to not allow parking on both sides of the street and staff
agreed with it as the current parking standards mark the street as being too narrow for parking on both
sides.
Council Member Gartin noted that the City Council has voted to change parking on a number of
streets and questioned the rationale for this project. Council Member Beatty-Hansen stated that it
appeared as though parking was allowed on both sides of this particular section of Hoover Avenue
but on the rest of the street it was only allowed on one side. She continued that this proposal is to take
it away from one side of the street on Hoover Avenue so that it matches the rest of the roadway.
Assistant City Manager Brian Phillips replied in the affirmative and explained that when the Public
Works Department began working on the reconstruction, they realized that the width of the street
does not meet the current standards to have parking on both sides of the street, if staff were to build it
brand new today.
Discussion was had on traffic flow in regard to Mr. Olsen’s comment during the Public Input. Council
Member Beatty-Hansen added that it is her preference to limit the amount of available parking to
encourage multi-modal transportation. Council Member Junck replied that taking away parking on
one side of the street may also help increase visibility when crossing Top-O-Hallow Road.
Council Member Betcher asked if the width of the street with parking on both sides allows emergency
vehicles to get through that area easily and noted that had been one of the City Council’s concerns.
City Manager Schainker reiterated that the street does not meet the standard for width to have parking
on both sides with two considerations that factor in being accessibility for emergency vehicles and
snow removal.
Further discussion was had on traffic flow and taking parking away. Council Member Gartin added
that parking is an important aspect of a person’s home and people in this area of town may be
dependent upon the availability of street parking if they do not have a garage.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Junck, to pass on first reading an ordinance on prohibiting
parking at all times on the east side of Hoover Avenue from 24th Street to 30th Street and from
Bloomington Road to Adams Street.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
SECOND PASSAGE OF REZONING, WITH MASTER PLAN, 798 NORTH 500TH
AVENUE FROM “A” (AGRICULTURAL) TO “FS-RL” (FLOATING SUBURBAN
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RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY): Moved by Betcher, seconded by Junck, to pass on second
reading an ordinance on the Rezoning, with Master Plan, 798 North 500th Avenue from “A”
(Agricultural) to “FS-RL” (Floating Suburban Residential Low Density).
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
THIRD PASSAGE AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 4476 ADOPTING THE
ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT, AS AMENDED, TO REDUCE MEDICAL PARKING
RATES FOR BUILDINGS FEWER THAN 50,000 SQUARE FEET AND UPDATE
MEDICAL OFFICE DEFINITIONS: Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Junck, to pass on
third reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 4476 approving Zoning Text Amendment, as amended,
to Reduce Medical Parking Rates for buildings fewer than 50,000 square feet and update Medical
Office Definitions.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made
a portion of these Minutes.
DISPOSITION OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL: Mayor Haila noted that there were
two items to consider. The first item was a letter from Dylan Kline, Director of Business
Development for the Ames Economic Development Commission, with respect to Façade Grants
being tied to tax abatement.
Moved by Junck, seconded by Corrieri, to ask staff for a memo providing background on the
Downtown Tax Abatement.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Mayor Haila stated that the second item was an email from Roxanne Dass-Strike regarding the
availability of affordable housing in Ames.
Moved by Rollins, seconded by Betcher, to refer this item to staff to provide a response that
includes what staff can say about the current state of affordable housing in Ames and also include
the things that will be coming forward.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: Council Member Rollins stated that she is anxious to hear about
Welcome Weekend and noted that it appeared initially that some strategies were successful.
Council Member Gartin presented a proposal regarding the position of the Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion (DEI) Coordinator. He discussed the success of the position of Anderson Sainci with the
City of Dubuque, Iowa and whether elements of his position as the Director of the Office of Shared
Prosperity and Neighborhood Support would be applicable to the position of DEI Coordinator.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Junck, to reach out to Director Sainci with the City of Dubuque
and schedule a compatible time to learn more about his position, and determine whether there
would be interest from Council to clarify the DEI Coordinator role.
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Discussion was had as to the timing of posting the position and the scope of the role for the DEI
Coordinator. Council Member Gartin clarified that the reason for his motion was to create a
broader mission for the position of DEI Coordinator because there are community members who
are struggling financially.
Council Member Gartin withdrew the motion.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Corrieri, to hold off posting the DEI position and the subject of the
job description for the DEI coordinator placed on a future agenda so that position may be clarified
in light of community outreach efforts.
There was discussion regarding staff duties and the role of the City Council in establishing policy
with Council Member Betcher noting that she believed this topic would be better addressed in the
City Council’s Goal Update with concern that the issue goes beyond having a job description
tweaked.
Council Member Gartin shared his care for all of the Ames Community regardless of their
economic status and withdrew the motion.
Mayor Haila noted that all of the City Council cares about those needs and he thinks that the
members are trying to delve into the policy aspect.
Council Member Betcher shared that herself and Council Member Rollins had the opportunity to
attend the Iowa Arts Summit and gathered ideas for how the arts can be used as part of economic
development. She stated that she looks forward to sharing those ideas more broadly with the City
Council in the future.
Mayor Haila welcomed back all of the students. He announced the start of Ames Community
School District classes and congratulated the District on the impressive new facility they have built
for Ames High School. He stated that a ribbon cutting and tours would be held at Ames High
School on Saturday, August 27th starting at 11:30 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 p.m.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion carried unanimously.
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Carly M. Watson, Principal Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
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Renee Hall, City Clerk