HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated February 11, 2025To:Mayor and Ames City Council
From:Steven L. Schainker, City Manager
Date:February 11, 2025
Subject:Updated City Council Values, Goals and Tasks for January 1, 2024 to
December 31, 2025
Item No. 24
MEMO
On January 6, 2024, the Mayor and City Council met in a workshop setting to establish
Values, Goals, and Tasks for January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025. As is typically the
case at this meeting, the Council members offer conceptual thoughts regarding issues,
seek consensus where possible (no formal votes are taken), and request that the staff
follow-up with specific wording. At the March 12, 2024 Council meeting, staff presented
the recommended wording and Council adopted its Values, Goals and Tasks for January
1, 2024 to December 31, 2025.
As a mid-point check in, on January 11, 2025, the Mayor and City Council met in a
workshop setting to review progress on the Council values, goals and tasks adopted in
March 2024. The attached document reflects the additional tasks, updates to status, and
other minor modifications as discussed by Council and finalized by City staff. The goals
and tasks added during the workshop were:
C1.T5. Engage the Ames Regional Economic Alliance to develop a Campustown-
focused effort akin to the Downtown Master Plan process.
D3. Develop additional ways in which funds can be collected for scholarships for
participation in City programs.
D3.T1. Staff will identify a list of opportunities such as rounding up
recreation registration fees, contributing to purchase transit passes, etc.,
which will be used to finance reduced cost programs and services for low-
income residents.
If the Council is in agreement with the attachment, it would be appropriate for the
City Council to adopt a motion approving the updated Values, Goals and Tasks for
2024-2025.
ATTACHMENT(S):
UPDATED Council Values, Goals, & Tasks for Jan. 2024- Dec. 2025
City Clerk's Office 515.239.5105 main
515.239.5142 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
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City Council Values, Goals, and Tasks
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025
VALUES -GOALS -TASKS
A. WE VALUE COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PUBLIC
A1. Increase public feedback on proposed major projects, studies, and policy changes prior
to City Council making final decisions.
A1.T1. Utilize non-traditional, creative, innovative ways to improve community
engagement, particularly underrepresented groups.
Implement at least one new technique for obtaining public feedback with special
emphasis on engaging our under-represented residents.
Status: Complete. Staff has used some new techniques for targeted outreach
including featuring information in the ISU Off-campus Student Support e-
mail and using the minority-owned business directory (see third bullet below)
to disseminate community information to business owners. The City has also
increased its presence on social media as a way to reach a more diverse
audience including more posts to Threads, Nextdoor, and LinkedIn, in
addition to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.
The City website update (expected to launch first quarter of 2025) will be
mobile-friendly, increasing the ease of accessing information. Along with the
update, the City will continue to provide an e-notification system that allows
users to select topics to receive regular updates via email. There is also the
opportunity to receive information via text, which will be piloted in 2025. The
current list for the e-notification system is expandable, and topics can be
added and removed easily. This is one more way to have residents self-select
the information they want to receive, and it gives them the option to change
their preferences or opt out if they don’t want the information any longer.
In 2025, staff will work with ASSET agencies to partner on disseminating
information to underrepresented groups as needed.
In the first quarter of 2025, staff will also present to City Council options on
engaging with underrepresented groups based on best practices. These
engagement opportunities could include groups of up to three council
members holding informal listening sessions at various community gathering
locations around town and inviting residents to attend. Another outreach
option involves working through faith communities as a resource for
disseminating information.
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In the summer 2024, the resident application to rent the neighborhood block
party trailer included a new option for users to express interest in having a
Council member attend the block party.
Staff will report to Council some creative software and services that exist to collect
feedback, and the Council will consider adopting one or more programs (Polco
software for example).
Status: In Progress. Staff have looked at some software options, including
Polco, but at this time isn’t recommending anything until the City has fully
transitioned and explored the available features of the new website that could
be just as effective as any other software. Staff will provide an update to the
City Council when the website transition has been completed and sufficient
time has elapsed to assess its features and effectiveness.
Use targeted emails on specific issues of interest (for example NAACP, Latino,
Asian American communities, etc.).
Status: Complete. In working with Iowa State University’s Parent & Family
Programs and Off-Campus Student Support (part of the Dean of Students
Office), staff has been able to funnel information directly into the Off-Campus
Student Support e-newsletter that is sent out twice monthly. The first week of
the month issue features events, activities, and important dates for students.
The second issue, sent later in the month, focuses on resources, services, and
tips for students living off campus. Using this tool allows the City to send
targeted information about topics of particular interest to students including
recycling, snow ordinance, Ames on the Go app, water quality, and more. This
is an exciting collaboration, and staff hopes to continue pushing out seasonal
messaging that is important to students living in the community.
Additionally, the City has transformed the Alliance’s Minority Owned
Business Directory into an email distribution list that is used when specific
outreach to business owners are needed. This was used when the Mayor held
the Sustainable Business Luncheon event to encourage sustainable practices at
businesses.
The Engagement Coordinator maintains an internal list of contacts for
underrepresented groups and the list is used to disseminate information as
needed.
Ames Public Library also adds relevant programming and resource
information to the Story County Immigrant and Refugee Collaboration
(SCIRC) English and Spanish monthly newsletters and the ISU International
Student Scholars Organization (ISSO) newsletter.
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Post City information flyers in grocery stores and other public spaces (such as:
Food at First, Overflow Thrift Store, churches, other places) where
underrepresented people might eat/shop/worship/frequent.
Status: In Progress. Staff has posted information in local stores, public spaces,
and retail businesses. This effort was expanded in 2024 to develop an
inventory of places throughout the community for traditional poster postings.
The City also participates in providing information through the digital
backpack with Ames Community School District.
In 2025, staff will compile an inventory of known bulletin boards/businesses
willing to post flyers for public outreach.
A1.T2. Highlight outreach efforts in a more standardized format on staff reports, CAFs,
and other reports to Council.
Status: Complete. Staff has begun including a dedicated “Public Notification” section,
when appropriate, on Council Action Forms and staff reports.
A1.T3. Develop performance measures and metrics that staff will report regularly to the
Council/public regarding issues such as permit process timing, etc., including the efficacy
of public outreach efforts.
Status: In Progress. The current software and tools available to staff do not allow for
easily pulling permit metrics such as processing times. Staff has developed a set of
output and efficiency measures (examples include average number of calendar days
from application to issuance; average number of calendar days from issuance to
completion; percent of permits reviewed within seven calendar days) and have
manually calculated identified measures for July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024. Additionally,
staff has adjusted some internal practices that combined with the software data can
reduce the amount of manual work needed to get accurate permit timeline reports.
Staff anticipates making this available on the website in the first quarter of 2025 and
updating it monthly.
A1.T4. Develop an outreach policy setting expectations for the types of outreach that
should be used for various types of activities.
Status: In Progress. City staff met several times in 2024 to discuss current practices
around public outreach and how to continuously improve outreach efforts. Staff
identified areas of strengths and areas for development, and discussed what tools and
resources would be helpful in doing outreach more effectively. City staff is in the
process of finalizing a draft policy around public outreach that will be shared with
City Council in the first quarter of 2025. The policy will contain principles around
conducting public outreach and include a matrix of common public outreach
activities (ex. playground replacement planning, street closures/reconfigurations,
zoning code text amendments) and the minimum outreach activity(ies) expected for
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each. Additionally, an internal resource toolbox is being developed for staff to share
tips and resources on how to more effectively and efficiently conduct public outreach.
Staff will prepare a format for the non-agenda packet communications summary
each Council Friday (Tuesday summaries will no longer be provided) which will
contain brief background information regarding the type of follow-up that might be
appropriate, the timeframe for response, and the notification/outreach efforts that
would be typical as part of that topic, which will give the Council an opportunity to
provide direction if the follow-up approach does not meet the Council’s expectations.
B. WE VALUE DIVERSE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY
B1. Increase quantity and variety of single and multi-family housing units at various price
points or rental rates related to new construction and rehabilitation of existing.
B1.T1. Adopt Council approved items included in AEDC housing document.
Explore how to get the existing land within City to move forward with
development.
Review/consider incentive options and development requirements to spur on more
housing (tax abatement, TIF, sharing in infrastructure costs off site, etc.).
Analyze resident demographics (including income), target housing price points and
possible incentives to “match” income.
Status: Complete. The Council approved city-wide ownership housing tax
abatement for new construction. The zoning ordinance was revised to provide
for 20% flexibility for numerical zoning standards. The Conservation
Subdivision Ordinance was approved by the Council eliminating both the 80%
of lots abutting open space requirement and reducing the open space set aside
to 10% from 25%. The analysis of pioneer infrastructure costs and options is
underway.
B1.T2. Explore opportunities to partner with groups such as the ISU Design College,
College of Engineering, Construction Management, etc. and/or IEDA and enter into, at least,
one partnership involving an innovative research project that focuses on lowering housing
costs and are both sustainable and affordable.
Status: In Progress. An ISU professor contacted staff about a short studio class for
neighborhood urban design opportunities. Staff discussed partnering with the class for
the South Campus Reinvestment District. However, the class ultimately chose a
different project. Staff has reached out to the Dean of the College of Design to see what
else may be possible.
The Ames Home Builders Association hosted an IEDA presentation on the Workforce
Housing Tax Credit program, a competitive program aimed at median income
workforce housing production. For a builder to apply for the program, the City must
endorse the application and provide a minimum of a $1,000 incentive. The City’s
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existing ownership tax abatement program qualifies as fulfilling the local match
requirement. Therefore, staff is hopeful that builders may pursue the program after
awareness of it increases.
Since no proposals were received for developing the Harrison site through a
competitive proposal process, staff will be coming forward at the end of January to
utilize the services of Brenda Dryer to solicit an interested housing developer to
produce affordable houses on the site through the use of Workforce Housing Tax
Credits.
The staff will work with the Ames Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) to outline a
strategy that will be presented to the City Council to solicit commitment from
developers outside of the Ames area to create housing developments in Ames.
B1.T3. Explore, support, and pursue a creative housing development with a public partner
(ISU, ISU Foundation, Ames & Gilbert CSD). Similar to the Purdue University Foundation
housing development project or school district building rental units for school staff.
Status: In Progress. The Mayor and City Manager have been working with the ISU
President to identify University land that can be made available for a creative
housing development.
B1.T4. Engage with United Way of Story County, Story County Housing Trust, other
community partners in the following ways:
Study, review, evaluate existing strategies and programs of the other entities
related to diverse housing needs.
Develop joint (City/other entity) strategies that complements, builds on and/or
leverages these existing initiatives.
Consider/evaluate/study options for the City to financially support affordable
housing rehabilitation, with the understanding that the City shall not become the
sole funder of this initiative.
Continue discussions with Polk County regarding a possible partnership in a
grant application for an owner-occupied, income-based retrofit program.
Note: The above task also would positively impact the Council’s carbon
reduction plan goals.
Status: In Progress. The City of Ames has connected with ISU Extension and Outreach
about the possibility of developing a housing assessment in fall 2025. This partnership,
if pursued, would provide an updated inventory of housing available in Ames.
In spring 2024, the City of Ames partnered with the Des Moines metro areas to apply
for the EPA Carbon Pollution Reduction Grant for up to $20 million. This funding
would assist with retrofitting residential homes to be more energy efficient. The
application was not selected, however, the partnership allowed grant partners to
collaborate in new ways and identified common challenges across the region.
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In Fall 2024, the City of Ames, in partnership with MICA, applied for another federal
EPA grant: the Community Change Grant with a grant request of $10,242,978. The
announcement of selected grantees will not be known until possibly the end of the first
quarter of 2025.
C. WE VALUE A FUN, VIBRANT, AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY THAT ATTRACTS
AND RETAINS PEOPLE
C1. Plan, budget, and initiate construction of multiple new City owned projects.
C1.T1. Complete the planned Splash Pad, Agility Course, Schainker Plaza, and Mini-
Pitch Field.
Status: In Progress.
Splash Pad – Staff is finalizing the plans for the development of the splash pad in
Daley Park. Prior to finalizing the plans, staff is pursuing a waiver request with the
State of Iowa to construct the splash pad without constructing an additional
restroom. Staff anticipates receiving a response regarding this issue, then soliciting
bids and constructing the splash pad in 2025.
Agility Course – On December 10, 2024, City Council awarded contracts to Outdoor
Recreation Products (agility course equipment), Boland Recreation (shelter), and
Caliber Concrete (the remaining portions of the project). Construction is scheduled
to begin in spring 2025.
Schainker Plaza – As of November 26, 2024, punch-list items are being worked on
related to the restroom; the spray pad equipment has been installed (except for a to-
be-replaced chlorine feeder); irrigation equipment installation is complete; landscape
beds have been graded and edged; and concrete and paver work has been completed.
Some landscaping, winterization, and fixtures remain to be completed and installed.
Staff is working with the contractor to complete an elevation survey and a ground
penetrating radar (GPR) survey on the ice-skating ribbon concrete. The elevation
survey results will indicate the high and low spots of the ice-skating ribbon concrete
relative to the surrounding border concrete. The GPR will indicate the depth of the
wire mesh and refrigerant tubing to determine how much concrete can be ground
down without damaging the tubing. Once this information is received, the City’s
concrete expert will review and then determine if any of the four options to remedy
the unacceptable concrete finish presented by Henkel Construction is a feasible
solution. Staff will provide an update to City Council at an upcoming Council
meeting.
Mini-Pitch – On December 10, 2024 City Council awarded contracts to Caliber
Concrete (concrete work and mini-pitch system) and Van Maanen Electric (electric
work). Construction is to begin in spring 2025 and estimated to be complete by May
31, 2025.
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C1.T2. Complete the face lift of City Hall interior with new carpet, base, paint,
signage/wayfinding, and ceiling tiles when needed. Consider installing LED lighting in
public areas to start, and within three years replace all lighting with LED in building.
Status: In Progress. On November 26, 2024, the City Council awarded a contract for
the replacement of carpet, wall base, and painting in City Hall. Carpet replacement
in the office areas may begin as early as the end of January 2025.
As of the end of 2024, staff has already replaced 90% of lighting in City Hall with
LEDs. In 2025, staff will be adding additional wayfinding and signage and working
on a better management of the police parking area on the north side of City Hall.
The Ames Public Library is also undergoing a carpet refresh beginning mid-January
2025. Library staff will be exploring more safety and beautification enhancement
outdoors in the spring/summer 2025.
C1.T3. Prioritize, schedule, conceptually design, and determine funding strategy for:
Replacement of existing Animal Control Shelter
Status: In Progress. The City has entered into an option agreement to
purchase a property on Dayton Avenue which could be renovated into an
animal control facility. Staff has retained a consultant who can identify
the necessary space requirements, provide a cost estimate to renovate the
proposed purchased building, and provide cost estimates to construct a
new facility. Staff will be developing a financing strategy while this work
is underway.
Relocation and construction of a new Fire Station #2 (Campustown)
Status: In Progress. An evaluation of a potential site at the southeast
corner of State Avenue and Arbor Street revealed that the extensive fill
required to make the parcel buildable would be cost-prohibitive. In
response, staff consulted with Iowa State University to explore alternative
sites along State Avenue. With ISU's support, a new location along the
west side of State Avenue south of the Baker Subdivision has been
identified and is currently under review for buildability. Soil samples will
be collected and analyzed, along with a survey to assess potential
concerns. A conceptual design and construction cost estimate will also be
completed in 2025.
New privately or City owned Indoor Recreation Center with walking track,
basketball/pickleball courts, soccer pitch, and multi-purpose space.
(Note: Initially meet with private developers to ascertain viability and
potential for a private indoor complex.)
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Status: Not Yet Started. Staff continue to evaluate what indoor recreation
center spaces are available. No conversations with private developers
have been held yet rather the focus has been on the new indoor Fitch
Family Aquatic Center, the agility course, Schainker Plaza, Daley Park
splash pad, mini-pitch field, and Ontario Park. Funding needs to be
included in the amended FY 2024/25 budget to obtain conceptual cost
estimates for the indoor recreation project.
New Community Park along Ontario Road in west Ames
Status: In Progress. The City Council has completed the purchase and
annexation of the new 50-acre park property to the City. In the first half
of 2025, multiple public input sessions will be conducted, along with a
survey, to gain feedback on what residents would like to see in this new
community park. An RFP will be issued to hire a design consultant to
develop a master plan for the park. It is anticipated that a master plan
and cost estimate will be presented to City Council in early FY 2025/26.
Additionally, staff have begun removing barbed wire fences and
potentially hazardous trees this winter.
New Fire Station #4
Status: In Progress. Earlier this year, staff began exploring a
nontraditional approach to establishing a fourth fire station to better
serve north Ames. Recognizing the community's need for improved
response times, staff considered building a single-family home that could
temporarily house a fire crew and engine until a permanent station is
developed. The home could later be sold, with proceeds funding the
construction of the fourth fire station.
In May, staff consulted with Chuck Winkleblack from Hunziker and
Associates regarding a potential lot in the Scenic Valley subdivision.
However, staff learned that restrictive covenants would prevent
constructing a fire station in that residential area. Staff continues to
explore future land opportunities and alternative solutions for serving
north Ames. However, the need for this fourth station is predicated on
how fast the city grows in accordance with Plan 2040.
C1.T4. Receive the Main Street Improvements Study, adopt the Council-approved
recommendations, and develop a plan for financing the City-supported components in the
CIP.
Status: In Progress. Downtown Ames has hired Bolton & Menk to prepare a
Downtown Plan. A draft plan has been prepared and is being reviewed by City staff.
A final draft will be presented for public feedback, adoption by the Ames Main Street
Board, and reviewed by the City Council by the end of February 2025. At this time,
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the proposed plan does not identify any sources of funding for the recommended
improvements.
C1.T5. Engage the Ames Regional Economic Alliance to develop a Campustown-focused
effort akin to the Downtown Master Plan process.
C2. Support arts and culture in the community, including community celebrations, festivals
and/or events.
C2.T1. Ask Board and Commissions to identify ways in which they can support or
partner with outside community groups (such as Ames Main Street, Campustown Action
Association, cultural and international organizations) to host new or existing events in the
community that celebrate arts and culture, with the goal of holding two new annual events.
Status: In Progress. The AHRC hosted their 50th anniversary celebration on Sunday,
October 20, 2024 at Moore Memorial Park. This event was open to the community
and included a tree planting ceremony and the unveiling of the new AHRC t-shirt
design. Channel 5 news was present, and attendees received a t-shirt, refreshments
and coloring books highlighting significant people in Ames.
Staff and the AHRC have connected with ISU Student Government and are working
together around partnering to bring more culturally-based events to the City,
specifically downtown. The AHRC used to host the annual FACES cultural event,
which ended in 2011; however, the AHRC is exploring bringing this event back in
2025. The AHRC is connecting with the India Cultural Association to learn more
about what opportunities exists, if any, to collaborate on community-wide events.
The Ames Public Library regularly participates in Downtown Ames initiatives, and
partners with various cultural organizations for programming and meeting room
space.
Staff will seek the input from other boards and commissions regarding their interest
in hosting community events.
The Mayor will follow up with the ISU Student Government representatives to
discuss opportunities to engage ISU students in community events, activities, and
commerce.
D. WE VALUE A DIVERSE, EQUITABLE, AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
D1. Further diversify membership on City Boards and Commissions.
D1.T1. Identify the barriers to increased diversity and participation on boards and
commissions (e.g., childcare, transportation, virtual meetings). Include evaluation of best
practices from other communities who are successful in achieving diverse membership.
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Status: Complete. In November 2024, City staff conducted a boards/commission
member survey and received a 44% response rate. Survey results were presented to
Council on December 10, 2025. The survey results show that while there is no obvious
identified barrier to participation, the most prevalent issues are 1) Ames residents not
knowing about City board volunteer opportunities and 2) a need to clarify
expectations around serving on a board/commission and the role each
board/commission has. In response to this issue, staff has begun posting the estimated
time commitment for each board/commission on the City website and will be looking
for new methods to advertise volunteering opportunities.
Survey results also contained suggestions on how to improve the experiences of
volunteers. Staff has already begun implementing ideas suggested, including
highlighting volunteers and board/commissions, clarifying expectations around
serving on boards/commissions, and updating the application process and website for
ease of use. These improvements also align with research findings of best practices for
inclusive participation on boards/commissions.
The majority of respondents to the survey are white, 65+ and homeowners. Staff will
conduct more targeted outreach about these volunteer opportunities to
underrepresented groups.
Staff and the Mayor will reach out to ISU Student Government to inform them about
opportunities to serve on boards and commissions. Staff will develop questions to
incorporate into the annual Resident Satisfaction Survey regarding service on City
boards and commissions.
D1.T2. Adopt solutions that are within the Council’s control to improve diversity and
participation.
Status: Complete. As of July 2024, boards/commissions were required to make virtual
participation available to members. This new state law should address the
impediments to serve on boards/commissions caused by issues such as transportation,
childcare, severe weather, and inconvenience. Staff will incorporate information
regarding the possibility of virtual participation into board and commission
application information. Staff anticipates this will increase the interest of community
members to serve.
D2. Consider pursuing a Community-wide Inclusion plan.
D2.T1. Initially, review research performed by City staff regarding what other cities’ plans
look like and accomplish.
Status: In Progress. Staff has researched community-wide inclusion plans for cities
across the nation to better understand the different approaches taken by cities to be
more inclusive. Staff also regularly engages in conversations with other staff from
Iowa cities and Government Alliance on Race and Equity members, about their
equity work. The research findings will be presented to Council on January 14, 2025,
as well as suggestions on what might work best in Ames at this time.
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D3. Develop additional ways in which funds can be collected for scholarships for participation
in City programs.
D3.T1. Staff will identify a list of opportunities such as rounding up recreation registration
fees, contributing to purchase transit passes, etc., which will be used to finance reduced
cost programs and services for low-income residents.
E. WE VALUE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
E1. Adopt a new plan for collection and disposal of waste and recyclable items.
E1.T1. Decide how to handle the disposal of solid waste. In accordance with Goal A1,
engage the public and solicit feedback as a part of the decision-making process.
Status: In Progress. Staff presented a report to the City Council on June 11, 2024
regarding potential strategies to collect solid waste and expand recycling. Council
directed staff to further pursue discussions with Metro Waste Authority about waste
disposal and recycling. Staff met with Metro Waste Authority and learned the MWA
would like Ames to consider siting a landfill before entertaining allowing Story
County waste to be disposed of in MWA facilities.
Staff has since held discussions with Carroll County Landfill as an alternative, and on
December 10, 2024, City Council authorized staff to enter negotiations with Carroll
County for waste disposal. Staff is identifying potential sites for a transfer station
facility and developing preliminary financial modeling to prove feasibility.
While the terms for disposal are being finalized, staff will retain a consultant to
validate the financial modeling and develop a concept for a transfer station facility.
Staff has requested that Boone County extend the expiring waste disposal agreement
to June 2027 while this transition is being completed.
E1.T2. Make decision on organized collection of residential waste and recyclable items.
Here again, engage the public and solicit feedback as a part of the decision-making process
in accordance with Goal A1.
Status: In Progress. Staff anticipates further Council discussion regarding these
topics in 2025. City staff is recommending resolving the larger issue of how to
ultimately dispose of waste before using staff resources to further investigate
organized collection.
E1.T3. Educate the public on what has changed from past communications over the
decades where “throw everything in your trash” is no longer the case. Cast vision for waste
reduction, recycling, and reuse opportunities for the future.
Status: In Progress. Staff has developed a one-stop-shop outside the Resource
Recovery Plant for free disposal of cardboard, mixed paper, glass, organics, and
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metal. This location has provided insight into the demand for recycling services in the
community.
As staff develops the assumptions for the transfer station facility, some resources are
assumed to be dedicated to the collection, handling, and transferring of commingled
and separated recyclable materials from Ames to a recycler. However, the specifics of
these services are not yet known. Once more details are established regarding the
services to be provided, staff can develop firmer marketing and communication
strategies.
Staff is finding new ways to conduct education and outreach efforts, including
participating in the Ames Elementary School science night events, partnering with
Midland Power to host a utility block party, and being featured in the Iowa State
University – Off Campus newsletter.
E1.T4. Identify a specific schedule and steps required for this new plan and explain how
each step integrates with the Climate Action Plan.
Status: In Progress. In November 2024, staff updated the Council on the progress of
implementing the Climate Action Plan, including Step 2: waste-to-energy
improvements/reducing waste emissions. In January 2025, Council will discuss
transfer station location options. Once a consultant is retained to develop a
conceptual plan and cost estimate for the facility, a more detailed schedule can be
presented.
E2. Pursue initiatives that use new and emerging technologies or processes to assist in meeting
the Climate Action Plan.
E2.T1. Explore with ISU, ISURP, Chevron REG, and others on what opportunities may
exist to serve as a test case (For example the REG/Biodiesel/Optimus test using city heavy
truck fleet or an ISU a researcher studying how to turn plastics into fuel.)
Status: In Progress. The Sustainability Coordinator has reached out to ISU about
partnering to advance sustainability in Ames. Although no opportunity has arisen yet
to collaborate on a new and emerging technology, the Sustainability Coordinator
continues to stay on top of emerging sustainability-related technology trends and has
recently joined the national municipal sustainability director network where
innovative ideas and best practices are shared.
Staff will communicate with Iowa State administration officials to encourage research
principal investigators to consider partnerships with Ames before pursuing research
partnerships in other communities.
E3. Increase use of public transit and active transportation.
E3.T1. Encourage the Transit Board to pursue going “fare free” for the current system.
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Status: Completed. CyRide partnered with Nelson\Nygaard in 2022 to conduct a
Fareless Transit System Study to evaluate the feasibility of adding additional fareless
or zero-fare transit options. While the Transit Board recognizes the importance of
accessible and equitable transportation, supports the City Council’s goals, and
acknowledges the challenges faced by low-income riders, it is not able to move
forward with a fare-free option at this time due to the substantial cost and financial
constraints facing the funding partners. Board members and staff are committed to
looking for opportunities to partner with third-party organizations to reduce or
eliminate the cost of riding transit, particularly for groups or individuals
experiencing transportation barriers.
E3.T2. Engage in a more aggressive marketing plan and strategy promoting public use of
CyRide.
Status: Completed. CyRide currently engages in outreach by distributing service
information to businesses and organizations in the on-demand EASE service area, as
well as publishing route information at bus shelters and providing maps at various
locations throughout the city to serve all riders. In 2025, CyRide will add an intern
position to assist staff with developing promotional materials and deployment
schedules. This new position is expected to bring creativity and fresh ideas to enhance
the CyRide experience in Ames.
E3.T3. Explore options and support initiatives to increase transportation availability for
those unable to get to work, school, or other desired destinations within Ames.
Status: Completed. CyRide remains committed to increasing community access to
transit. Launching in January 2025, the new Token Transit app will allow passengers
to purchase a digital bus pass with greater calendar flexibility than the current fixed-
time periods of the reduced fare passes. The app will ease the burden of passengers
needing to get to a sales destination to purchase bus fare. This convenience empowers
passengers to quickly and securely purchase bus passes using a phone or electronic
device. Additionally, the app features a pass gifting option, which CyRide plans to
utilize with some community groups for those in need. Each year, the Transit Board
evaluates service expansion options based on passenger feedback, and CyRide will
continue to explore innovative solutions and pursue grant opportunities to fund
service expansions while minimizing costs to the funding partners.
The Ames Public Library is currently piloting a program where patrons can check
out monthly bus passes.
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