HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - January 21, 2025, Special Meeting of the Ames City Council Minutes1
SUMMARY OF MINUTES OF THE
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA JANUARY 21, 2025
The Special Meeting of the Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila at 5:14
p.m. on the 21st day of January, 2025, 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, and Tim Gartin. Council Members Rachel Junck and Anita Rollins
were absent. Ex officio Emily Boland was also absent.
WORKSHOP ON 2025/2030 CAPITAL IMPROVEMNTS PLAN (CIP): City Manager
Steve Schainker began the staff presentation of the recommended five-year CIP. The
presentation was divided into five categories: 1) Public Safety, 2) Utilities Program, 3)
Transportation Program, 4) Culture and Recreation Programs, and 5) Other.
Fire Chief Rich Higgins discussed the Public Safety component of the CIP, highlighting four
projects for the Fire Department. Assistant City Manager Brian Phillips also provided insight on
the Public Safety portion of the CIP. He detailed plans for a new animal sheltering facility, which
had been noted as a priority project by the City Council.
The Utilities Program followed with Electic Services Director Donald Kom and Assistant
Director Curtis Spence reviewing the Electric Services projects. These projects were divided into
the major groups of administration, transmission, distribution, and Power Plant activities. Water
and Pollution Control Director John Dunn and Assistant Director Parul Baranwal continued the
Utilities Program with discussion of projects related to water production/treatment and water
pollution control. The Utilities Program was completed by Public Works Operations Manager
Justin Clausen, who provided an overview of projects in the areas of water distribution, sanitary
sewer system, stormwater management, and resource recovery.
Operations Manager Clausen continued, transitioning to the Transportation Program with input
from Traffic Engineer Damion Pregitzer. Jointly, they discussed street improvements, shared use
paths, traffic improvements, street rehabilitation, and airport activities. Transit Director Barbara
Neal concluded the Transportation Program with discussion of the Transit System projects,
highlighting key projects designed to improve rider experience. Director of Parks and Recreation
Keith Abraham then reviewed Culture and Recreation Programs. He shared noteworthy park and
facility improvements as well as work at the municipal cemeteries.
Program funding for the Downtown and Campustown Façade programs and Neighborhood
Improvement Program was presented by City Manager Schainker. He emphasized that it was the
recommendation of staff to maintain funding levels for each activity. Assistant City Manager Pa
Vang Goldbeck then provided a summary of funding for City Hall Improvements. Finance
Director Corey Goodenow concluded with a review of the City’s debt limit, projection of debt
capacity, and debt capacity comparison. He highlighted that Tax Increment Financing (TIF) debt
was not a factor for the debt capacity.
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The members of the City Council engaged with City staff during each section of the presentation
to gather clarifications on project specifics and inquire about status updates for current projects.
Mayor Haila closed the workshop portion of the agenda by thanking City staff for their time and
efforts.
DISPOSITION OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL: Mayor Haila noted that there
were no items for consideration.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: The Mayor and Council Members reported on various meetings
attended, upcoming meetings, community events, and items of interest.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Gartin, to adjourn the meeting at 8:59 p.m.
Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
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Carly M. Watson, Deputy City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
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Renee Hall, City Clerk