HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - July 22, 2021, Special Meeting of the Ames City CouncilMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA JULY 22, 2021
The Special Meeting of the Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila at 9:00 a.m.
on the 22nd day of July, 2021. As it was impractical for the Mayor and Council Members to
participate in the meeting in person, Mayor Haila and Council Members Gloria Betcher, Bronwyn
Beatty-Hansen, Amber Corrieri, Tim Gartin, Rachel Junck, and David Martin were brought in via
zoom. Ex officio Member Trevor Poundstone was absent.
SUPPORT OF WORKFORCE HOUSING TAX CREDITS APPLICATION FOR
RENOVATION OF BUILDING AT 330-5TH STREET/412 BURNETT AVENUE: City
Manager Steve Schainker stated that the Ames Economic Development Commission (AEDC) has
been working with the Nelson family regarding the renovation of their building at 330-5th Street/412
Burnett. The Nelson family has been doing a great job at refurbishing the building and plans on
adding 18 apartments to the building. The addition of the apartments could be complex as the
building might not carry the additional weight and more work will need to be done. The first
preliminary estimates were received, and due to the bidding environment, the estimates were very
costly.
Council Member Corrieri joined the meeting at 9:02 a.m.
The AEDC staff encouraged the owner to pursue the Workforce Housing Tax Credit incentive
program administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. If approved, this incentive will
rebate the State portion of the construction material and sales taxes as well as provide income tax
credits to the owners. Mr. Schainker noted that today is the deadline for the application to be
submitted and the Nelson family would need a statement of support from the City. The AEDC staff
hoped that the City would commit to a ten-year sliding scale tax abatement under its Urban
Revitalization program; however, under the City’s current Urban Revitalization Downtown Criteria,
the ten-year abatement schedule is not available for this project. Mr. Schainker explained that with
such short notice, these issues could not be resolved by today’s deadline. To move forward with the
application the AEDC has committed to providing the $18,000 local match required by the State of
Iowa. He mentioned that the City may have to pay the $18,000 upfront and then be reimbursed by
the AEDC. Mr. Schainker stated that the application will not substantially affect the Reinvestment
District Project.
Mayor Haila asked for clarification regarding the reimbursement. It was explained that the local
match had to come from the City of Ames, but the AEDC will reimburse the City for the $18,000.
Mr. Schainker commented that he was not sure if the check had to come directly from the City of
Ames or if the State would accept a check from the AEDC.
Council Member Betcher clarified that with the reimbursement from the AEDC, it will not cost the
City of Ames anything. Mr. Schainker confirmed that was correct and the Tax Credit money comes
from the State.
Moved by Martin, seconded by Corrieri, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 21-404 supporting the
Workforce Housing Tax Credits Application for renovation of the building located at 330-5th
Street/412 Burnett Avenue.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0-1. Voting Aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Junck, Martin. Voting Nay:
None. Abstaining due to Conflict: Gartin. Resolution declared adopted, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
DISPOSITIONS OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL: None.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: None.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Betcher to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 a.m.
______________________________________________________________________
Amy L. Colwell, Deputy City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
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Diane R. Voss, City Clerk
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