HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council 11/14/2017MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA NOVEMBER 14, 2017
The Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor Ann Campbell at
6:00 p.m. on November 14, 2017, 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, Chris Nelson, and Peter Orazem. Ex officio Member Rob Bingham was also
present.
PROCLAMATION FOR “NATIONAL HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS
WEEK,” NOVEMBER 11-19, 2017: Mayor Campbell proclaimed the week of November 11-19,
2017, as “National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.” Accepting the Proclamation was
ACCESS representative Virginia Griesheimer, Emergency Residence Project representative Carrie
Moser, Story County Hunger Collaboration representative Shannon Bardole-Foley, Youth and
Shelter Services representative Hope Metheny and Veterans Affairs representative Brett D. McLain.
City Housing Coordinator Vanessa Baker-Latimer commented that this year’s “Scoop of Soup” event
would be held at the Lincoln Center Hy-Vee at 640 Lincoln Way in Ames on Wednesday, November
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PROCLAMATION FOR “SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY,” NOVEMBER 25, 2017: Mayor
Campbell proclaimed November 25, 2017, as “Small Business Saturday.” Accepting the
Proclamation was Eric Abrams, President Elect of Main Street Cultural District.
PRESENTATION OF CITIZEN REPORTING TOOL: Director of Public Works John Joiner
introduced the team that has been working on the new Citizen Reporting Tool. Public Works
Management Analyst McKinlee Ritter presented the background for this reporting tool that provides
citizens the ability to report infrastructure- related issues within the community through a cell phone.
This is a non-emergency reporting tool. Things that can be reported are items that can be resolved
within 48 hours. First phase options are street, sidewalk, snow, and ice. The tool does have a
geomap to pinpoint where you are within the City, and if you are outside the City limits, it will direct
you to whom will take care of that area.
GIS Coordinator Ben McConville informed the Council of the ways people can login to this tool.
Logins are built in for Facebook, Google, and Twitter so a person can track their own request. An
email will be sent to the user letting them know the City has received the information, and there will
be feedback when the issue is resolved. Also, a user can upload photos to give better description and
provide feedback through comments about an existing issue. Ms. Ritter stated the testing phase will
be December to February. Ms. Ritter continued by stating that a video tutorial link will be available
to give instructions on how to make a mobile shortcut and how to use the application.
Mr. McConville stated that a person would access this through the City’s Website. This tool came
as a template through GIS contract with the software company.
Council Member Betcher inquired about any security issues. Mr. McConville responded that no user
information is captured.
Council Member Betcher asked if issues will get addressed during the testing phase. Public Works
Operations Manager Justin Clausen stated that the intent during the testing phase is to take the phone
calls and emails that come in and input them into the system. Those issues will be tracked from start
to finish to find where there might be any hang-ups.
Mayor Campbell announced that the City Council will be working off an amended Agenda. The
Agenda was amended at Item No. 12 to reflect that Contract A is for construction and the additional
item is for Contract B reflecting the restoration of 2016/17 Storm Water Erosion Control Program.
CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to approve the following items
on the Consent Agenda:
1. Motion approving payment of claims
2.Motion approving Minutes of Regular Meeting of October 24, 2017, and Special Meetings of
October 17, 2017; October 27, 2017; November 1, 2017; and November 3, 2017
3.Motion approving certification of civil service applicants
4.Motion approving Report of Contract Change Orders for October 16-31, 2017
5.Motion to set the following City Council meeting dates/times:
a.December 19, 2017, as Regular Meeting Date and canceling December 26, 2017, Regular
Meeting Date
b.January 16, 2018, at 5:15 p.m. for CIP Workshop
c.February 2, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. for Budget Overview
d.February 6, 7, and 8, 2018, at 5:15 p.m. for Budget Hearings
e.February 13, 2018, at 5:15 p.m. for Budget Wrap-Up
f.March 6, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. for Regular Meeting and Final Budget Hearing
6.Motion approving renewal of the following Beer Permits, Wine Permits, and Liquor Licenses:
g.Class B Native Wine – Kitchen, Bath & Home, 201 Main Street
h.Class E Liquor – AJ’s Liquor III, 2401 “A” Chamberlain Street, Liquor Room
7.RESOLUTION NO. 17-652 accepting Abstract of Votes for November 7, 2017, Regular City
Election
8.RESOLUTION NO. 17-653 approving Encroachment Permit for sign at 301 Main Street
9.RESOLUTION NO. 17-654 approving preliminary plans and specifications for 2016/17 Storm
Water Erosion Control Program (S. Skunk River, Carr Park to Homewood Golf Course); ** -
Contract A (Construction); setting December 6, 2017, as bid due date and December 12, 2017,
as date of public hearing
10.RESOLUTION NO. 17-667 approving preliminary plans and specifications for 2016/17 Storm
Water Erosion control Program (S. Skunk River, Carr Park to Homewood Golf Course) -
Contract B (Restoration); setting December 6, 2017, as bid due date and December 12, 2017,
as date of public hearing.
11.RESOLUTION NO. 17-655 setting date of public hearing for November 28, 2017, vacating
and sale of property adjacent to 1101 Blackwood Circle
12.RESOLUTION NO. 17-656 approving Task Order #2 with HDR, Inc., to an existing Master
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Agreement for Professional Services for design services related to WPC Structural
Rehabilitation Project for Phase 2
13.RESOLUTION NO. 17-657 approving Major Final Plat for Bricktowne Ames Subdivision
14.RESOLUTION NO. 17-658 approving partial completion of public improvements and
reducing security for The Irons Subdivision
15.RESOLUTION NO. 17-659 approving partial completion of public improvements and
reducing security for South Fork Subdivision, 9th Addition
16.RESOLUTION NO. 17-660 accepting completion of 2015/16 Right-of-Way Restoration
17.RESOLUTION NO. 17-661 accepting completion of 2014/15 Low-Point Drainage
Improvements
18.RESOLUTION NO. 17-662 accepting completion of 2015/16 Arterial Street Pavement
Improvements (13th Street)
19.RESOLUTION NO. 17-663 accepting completion of WPC Structural Rehabilitation Project -
Phase 1
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolutions/Motions declared adopted/approved unanimously, signed by the
Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
PUBLIC FORUM: Mayor Campbell opened Public Forum.
Merlin Pfannkuch, 1424 Kellogg Avenue, Ames, requested a public review of the East Industrial
Area before bids are let for installing sanitary sewer and water lines almost as far as the failed
DowDuPont cellulosic ethanol plant.
Jerry Cable, 623 South Dayton Avenue, Ames, stated that he has been a plumber and a part of
affordable housing in Ames for years. Mr. Cable is concerned about the new codes costing more
while old practices are still working, which makes it difficult to keep houses at an affordable cost.
He believes there should be a task force set up with people who are in the business to see if the codes
can be tweaked to have affordable housing. Mr. Cable wants to promote real affordable housing and
not subsidized housing, when money is taken from someone to be given to someone else.
There being no one else wishing to speak, the Mayor closed Public Forum.
CLARIFICATION ON CITY COUNCIL’S DIRECTION TO LIMITING OCCUPANCY IN
RENTAL UNITS: City Manager Steve Schainker stated that he wanted to confirm that the motions
that were recorded were the same motions that the Council felt were voted on. Council Member
Betcher asked for some clarification on the difference of definition of bedroom between the assessor
count and the inspection count. Sara VanMeeteren, Building Official, stated that the Assessor
definition of a bedroom is a room with a closet, but the housing inspectors take any room that a
person would sleep. Council Member Betcher is asked if there is a possibility of getting definitions
to match. Council Member Gartin stated that the Assessor is looking at the structure of the house
while Inspections is looking at the use of the house. Director of Planning and Housing Kelly
Diekmann reminded Council that a few years ago, the City defined a bedroom in the Zoning
Ordinance and worked closely with The Building Code to come up with the definition. The purpose
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was to capture more rooms as bedrooms to get the right parking count for apartments. The bedroom
definition was added to get as many rooms to qualify as a bedroom to ensure parking was on-site for
apartment purposes. If the City goes the other way to say a room is only a bedroom if it has certain
things, that might not be the same as what the City is currently capturing for bedrooms with the
current zoning definition. Ms. VanMeetren added that Inspections knows that many students will
use other rooms for sleeping, so Inspections wants it to be as safe as possible for them. The possible
difference between Inspection count and Assessor count would be that the Assessor may be under
what Inspections has for a bedroom count.
Ms. Leslie Kawaler, 2121 Hughes Street, Ames, representing the SCAN, shared its new proposal to
regulate occupancy: to be the number of legal bedrooms or three adults, whichever is greater, and
eliminate the “plus one”. SCAN also requested that each adult tenant have an appropriate off-street
parking space, and to use the Assessor’s records to determine the number of bedrooms and freeze
that number as of January 1, 2018. The Assessor’s number of bedrooms is the only reliable source,
because the rental inspection forms don’t have the bedroom information completed. The effects of
the SCAN proposal is an increase of 6% possible tenants. The SCAN proposal minimizes the
increase in number of renters, while landlords will still keep the number of three renters. It preserves
affordable housing stock and degradation of housing stock by freezing the number of bedrooms helps
maintain a reasonable balance between short and long-term renting to foster a sense of community.
Barbara Pleasants, 516 Lynn, Ames, added that SCAN used the Assessor’s definition of bedroom
to complete the figures. Basement bedrooms are counted as long as the Assessor counted it as a
bedroom, meaning there is a closet either in the room or adjacent to the room.
Jacob Schrader, 131 Bayer Court Room 2353, a student at Iowa State University and representative
of the Inter Residence Hall Association (IRHA) stated that information was provided about the past
proposal from the last Council meeting to the 8,000 students that are a part of the IRHA. He stated
that the consensus from the students is that it is an attempt to restrict student access to affordable
housing. The result came from an informal survey that was summarized by the leadership of the
IRHA.
Jay Avellino, 1403 Clark Street, Ames, stated that the number of bedrooms and parking are the main
concerns to the landlords. Mr. Avellino feels that one parking space per bedroom is reasonable, but
wondered why one car couldn’t be parked on the street. He is concerned that restriction will lead
to gravel pads being made in backyards as a parking place. Mr. Avellino added that landlords should
be able to make other rooms into bedrooms. This will help tenants split the cost of living and cause
less financial burden. There are larger homes in these areas that are now rentals that are never going
to be single-family dwellings again because no one wants to live in those neighborhoods; they are
buying everywhere else in town. Mr. Avellino believes that the City needs to take a rational position
of one person per bedroom plus one. He is also against RL rentals to be inspected yearly and feels
that does nothing, but cause more expense for the City and landlords. Many items that are being
tossed around are causing a lot of frustration to many people.
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Ian Steenhoek, 2122 Greeley Street, Ames, said he was speaking as a Campustown Senator and
President of the United Residents of Off-Campus. He stated that the Resolution from the United
Residents of Off-Campus was to show support in limiting occupancy by other means other than
availability of parking. That restriction could eliminate a person from living in a house and making
that house affordable to other students (meaning that there would be fewer students to split the rent
with, so the cost would be higher to each individual). Mr. Steenhoek added that it will affect
students academically to push them farther away from Campus. There is the possibility of missing
a bus to get to class, where attendance affects the grade. Difficulty to afford to live in Ames will
drive students away from attending Iowa State University. Students need and want to feel welcome
and valued in the community. There are steps that can make students feel more a part of the
community while they are here, so the only fair way to limit occupancy for students is by the number
of bedrooms plus one.
Dexter Hooyer, 104 Colorado Avenue, Ames, stated his concern was the limitation of occupancy by
parking spaces. The transit system in Ames helps students to get to class or many will walk. He
added that it doesn’t make sense to him to have empty bedrooms because of wanting to keep cars
off the street for parking. There are many other places for students to park their cars.
Cody Smith, 3732 Tripp Steet, Ames, Vice-President of Student Body, spoke on behalf of the Iowa
State students. Mr. Smith stated how students make up about 55% of the population in Ames and
how people come from all over the world to go to school here Students have a vast amount of
influence in Ames. He encouraged the Council to reconsider the parking as a way of limiting
occupancy. Rates will go up because fewer people will be able to live in a unit if there are not
enough parking spaces. The students that do live there will have to make up for the person that can
not live there because of inadequate parking spaces.
Council Member Beatty-Hansen pointed out that a three-bedroom house that has three parking
spaces would still allow four adults. Council Member Corrieri added that the plus one does not
affect the parking spaces. Mr. Smith encouraged the Council to stick with that, because so many
people walk, bike, or ride the bus. According to Mr. Smith, these houses are the most affordable
houses to the students, far less expensive than on-campus housing.
Joshua Kettlekamp, 3812 Tripp Street, Ames, voiced his concern with limiting occupancy by the
number of off-street parking spaces. He feels this is unfair to those who ride their bike, walk, or use
the bus. This restriction may force students to make changes on who they live with or they may need
to look at another place. Mr. Kettlekamp added that the plus one for occupancy is not going to
change a house into becoming a party house. Plus one does not make a house detrimental to the
neighborhood.
Lad Grove, 30196 Highway 69, Huxley, stated that the City is going to be developing a reputation
among the students and the people of Iowa on the friendliness and value of students. He added that
it is necessary to treat them fairly and to realize that they are not all financially blessed. Many
students need to live close to Campus. Council Member Gartin stated that he appreciates the
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students, but does not mean that the City can ignore the other residents; there must be a balance.
Kody Olson, 2132 Sunset Drive, Ames, stated that he wanted to discuss balance. The students want
to be a part of the community, but don’t feel like part of the community because students are not
brought into these conversations. Mr. Olson asked the Council to consider the student impact of this
decision. It will make housing more inaccessible and more expensive. He added that he also is
against limiting occupancy by off-street parking.
Lauren Jones, 2125 Greeley Street, Ames, stated that if the bedrooms are decreased in a house that,
would put less financially stable students at risk. Students would have to live farther away from
campus; which would cause students to be less involved and more difficult for academic success.
The occupancy issue is a big piece when it comes to affordability for college.
Zoey Shipley, 3732 Tripp Street, Ames, stated that parents are having concerns already about the
affordability of attending Iowa State. This occupancy situation will add stress to the possibility of
off-campus housing being affordable. The decision that is made will affect students for years to
come.
Jon Wolseth, 241 Village Drive, Ames, spoke on behalf of the College Creek Old Ames Middle
School Neighborhood Association. He stated the Neighborhood Association is in full support of
SCAN’s proposal. Mr. Wolseth stated that it understood the need for balance for affordable housing
for students, but that also can’t be at the expense of affordable housing for people who find it hard
to purchase homes in Ames. Many of the neighborhoods surrounding campus represent the best
possible option for home ownership. Every house that is converted to a rental unit is removed from
being purchased by a person or family who needs affordable housing. but should not be at the
expense of families making less money.
Barbara Pleasants, 516 Lynn, Ames, reminded everyone that the SCAN proposal allows for three
adults or more if there are more bedrooms. This is more generous than the current occupancy
regulation. Ms. Pleasants noted that there are very few places in the SCAN neighborhood that don’t
have enough parking for four vehicles. The reason for the off-street parking regulations is so it does
not become a student parking lot. She added that the neighborhood has many young families that
have moved in and it is a stable and good place to live.
Meghana Akella, 119 North Hyland Avenue, Ames, stated that most international students don’t
have cars. Limiting occupancy by parking spaces would limit many international students because
most of them live close to Campus and use CyRide.
Al Warren, 3121 Maplewood Road, Ames, stated that by restricting occupancy, it increases the
encroachment of rentals to more neighborhoods. Mr. Warren thought an easy solution would be to
have the landlord fill out a form stating the number of bedrooms and parking spaces. It would then
be inspected by the City with the parameters set for what makes up a bedroom. He also stated that
there are food inspections only once a year so he did not understand the necessity of having such a
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strict inspection guideline for rental houses.
Julian Birch, 2925 Arbor Street, Ames, stated that his residence is adjacent to many rental properties
and affected by the activities at those rentals. Mr. Birch strongly support the SCAN proposal.
Joanne Pfeiffer, 3318 Morningside Street, Ames, reminded the Council that an intensive survey was
done in her neighborhood that resulted with a majority wanting to limit rentals and limit occupancy.
Ms. Pfeiffer stated that the City must decide if families will be a part of the mix in these
neighborhoods or if the neighborhoods will be student-dominated. She added that she also endorced
the SCAN proposal.
Katie Neilson, 2227 Knapp Street, Ames, pointed out that there are houses where the number of
bedrooms is more than what is accommodated for parking spaces. That means that there would
have to be an empty bedroom without a renter, which would make the house more expensive for the
others living there. Ms. Neilson added that the number of people who live in a house is not what
determines how students congregate or whether it will be loud or not. Parking is not a reasonable
way to limit occupancy because that doesn’t directly impact how residents live like bedrooms do.
Council Member Orazem reminded the attendees that it is not just about the tenant, but how it affects
the neighbors. This is about the neighborhood, not just an individual property.
Council Member Betcher voiced her concern about the enforcement with two different definitions
of bedrooms. Different information is being used if one time the Assessor count is used and then
another time the City Inspection’s count is used. The Council needs to clarify the data set. Council
Member Orazem stated he liked to start with the Assessor count because it deals with structure and
will allow for an appeal process to the Inspection’s office. Council Member Beatty-Hansen stated
that going with the Assessor’s count first would mean no change in definition of a bedroom. Using
the Assessor’s count gives the City a baseline starting point. Fire Chief Shawn Bayouth stated that
inspections was planning to start with the Assessor’s site. Building Official Sara VanMeeteren
stated that tenants would be able to finish out their lease, after that they would need to make an
appeal about the difference in the number of bedrooms.
Council Member Corrieri stated that the Council must be aware of the possible workload and time
that could be put on staff when giving the possibility of an appeal. City Manager Steve Schainker
stated that there could be inspections done so there would not be a flood of appeals, but the starting
number will have to come from the Assessor because Inspections does not have all the data about
bedrooms for every property. Going forward, that will be information that Inspections can keep and
record that information in a data base. Ms. VanMeeteren stated that if bedroom information is
needed by January 1, 2018, the Assessor site needs to be used; otherwise, the bedroom count issue
could come up at the inspection time for each unit.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Orazem, to direct staff to use the Assessor’s bedroom count
as the baseline number as of January 1, 2018.
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Council Member Corrieri said she was concerned about flooding Inspections with appeals by using
the Assessor count. She feels it will create confusion and chaos for landlords, tenants, and staff.
Council Member Corrieri reminded the Council that Ms. VanMeeteren suggested starting with the
current data that Inspection has and adjust as the units come up for lease renewal to help maintain
certainty for people. Ms. VanMeeteren added that Inspections does not have specific numbers in
software format, but has found some numbers from previous inspections, but not all, and some may
have changed. Council Member Betcher stated that not having the whole set of numbers is a concern
that there may not be the same consistency and timing. She believes the Assessor site is the only
place the City has a complete data set that can provide a baseline to work from. City Manager
Schainker clarified that Council understood that the Assessor’s count would determine occupancy
even if City Inspections had stated there were more bedrooms than the Assessor’s count.
Ms. VanMeeteren added that most properties have been inspected more recent than they have been
assessed, but there is no searchable way to get the information on bedrooms. Council Member
Gartin reminded the Council of the suggestion of a bedroom freeze from SCAN; however if that is
done it shuts out the possibility of having a mechanism for making adjustments. The idea of a freeze
may not be viable when there is no certainty with the numbers.
Barbara Pleasants stated that SCAN thought about the possible remodels since being assessed. The
owner would need to provide a Building Permit for the added bedroom before January 1, 2018. This
would prevent anyone from turning more things into bedrooms. The landlords would be given a
chance to state what they have now, before January. She suggested instead of having the plus one,
give the smaller units three people.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Orazem, to amend the original motion to use the Assessor’s
bedroom count as the baseline number as of January 1, 2018, or the number of bedrooms established
through an official rental inspection, whichever is higher.
Vote on Amendment: 5-1. Voting Aye: Betcher, Beatty-Hansen, Gartin, Orazem, Nelson. Voting
Nay: Corrieri. Motion carried.
City Manager Schainker stated that the City will need to send out a notice to its customers before
they enter into the new agreements. The notice needs to let the landlords know what the Assessor
has for a bedroom count for their rental. Council Member Gartin expressed his hesitation about the
possible impact this could have on current leases that are in place now. Mayor Campbell confirmed
that any leases that are currently in place should be legal for three unrelated people through the
inspection process. Director Diekmann reminded the Council that it is not just RL neighborhoods,
this includes all one-two single-family homes that have not been previously known as dwelling
houses under the moratorium.
Vote on Motion as Amended: 5-1. Voting Aye: Betcher, Beatty-Hansen, Gartin, Orazem, Nelson.
Voting Nay: Corrieri. Motion carried.
Council Member Gartin inquired about the proposal to freeze the number of bedrooms. Council
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Member Betcher agreed with this and stated there is a potential if there isn’t a freeze to add a
bedroom without changing the structure of a house (den) because of the definition of a bedroom.
Council Member Gartin added that he wanted to create certainty in the neighborhoods and limit the
density.
Moved by Gartin to freeze the number of bedrooms based upon the definition of bedroom Council
just passed.
Ms. VanMeetern stated that rentals are already frozen through the moratorium.
Council Member Gartin withdrew his motion.
Director Diekmann stated there is a difference between the neighborhoods within the moratorium
versus the whole City.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Orazem, to freeze the number of bedrooms for the whole City at
what is determined to be the official number of bedrooms either by Assessor’s website or Inspections
as per last motion for rental properties until April 30, 2018.
Ms. VanMeeteren stated that this would be something that the City would only see if there was a
complaint or during a regular inspection. If the unit would be over-occupied it would be noted and
the landlord would have to have a person removed.
Vote on Motion: 2-4. Voting Aye: Betcher, Orazem. Voting Nay: Beatty-Hansen, Gartin, Nelson,
Corrieri. Motion failed.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, adopt a limit of three people for one-two bedroom
homes; three-, four-, five-, and six-bedroom houses would have the number of adults equal to the
number of bedrooms.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Mr. Diekmann reminded Council of the regulations for parking. Single-family dwellings are
required to have two parking spaces, dwelling houses and apartments are to have one space per
bedroom, and there is a 25% increase of the parking standard for impact areas. Council Member
Betcher stated that would mean four bedroom rentals fall into a gap where they could get caught
short with only two parking spaces. Director Diekmann added that if the Council would like to
mimic current Code, Council would not kick in the extra parking space per bedroom requirement
until the number of bedrooms exceeds three. Presumably now it would have more unrelated people
than the current Code would allow.
Mr. Diekmann asked to clarify that one-, two-, and three-bedroom houses are still being tied to a
parking space to each bedroom. Council Member Orazem confirmed that the number of parking
spaces is tied to the number of bedrooms. Ms. VanMeetern added that means that all properties that
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are allowed three unrelated people will need to reduce to two. Director Diekmann noted that in that
scenario, the one-car garage and one space in front of the garage is consistent for a number of rentals
in several neighborhoods. Currently those spaces are adequate to have three people renting.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, that one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes require
two parking spaces, and homes above three bedrooms are required one space per bedroom.
Council Member Corrieri expressed concern of affecting affordability when there is change to the
landscape of what is currently allowed as it relates to families. Director Diekmann explained that
this would be taking the status quo of one-, two-, three-bedroom homes. Only larger homes would
have to provide parking. The smaller homes would follow the same expectations as today.
Vote on Motion: 5-1. Voting Aye: Betcher, Beatty-Hansen, Gartin, Orazem, Corrieri. Voting Nay:
Nelson.
Mayor Campbell recessed at 9:00 p.m. and reconvened at 9:14 p.m.
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ISSUES: Planning and Housing Director Kelly Diekmann
provided background on some issues that are related to the Downtown Development such as
parking, storm water regulations, and community space.
Director Diekmann stated that Downtown parking standards are a balance of moderate parking
requirements for new development within an urban environment. Staff believes that the current one
space per unit requirement is reasonable and most market-rate, non-student developments are likely
to provide at least a ratio of .5 to one parking space per unit. If any modifications were to be
proposed it would be for a ratio for the Lincoln Corridor area based upon a one-space-per-two-
bedroom unit standard and a lower requirement for one bedroom units. The City does have buildings
that can’t add additional apartments upstairs because there is not on-site parking. The City does
allow for remote parking, but the space needs to be within 300 feet (or one block) and permanently
available for that apartment. The Rental Code states to register a unit as a rental there must be
permanent parking. In the past the City has not provided the flexibility with having a monthly
permit, because that can be taken away at anytime. Staff would advocate reducing the requirement
only for smaller projects and apartment sizes to ensure student housing is not over-incentivized for
the area with relaxed development regulations. Larger projects should still require putting in
parking.
Council Member Betcher inquired about the possibility of increasing the distance from an apartment
for remote parking. Mr. Diekmann stated the distance could be increased, but anything more than
500 feet would not serve a purpose; it would be as if there were not a parking requirement.
Director Diekmann stated that a decision needs to be made concerning a community space in the
Downtown area. City Council direction will be needed to finalize a concept for a plaza, regarding
the size, location of space, purpose and features of space, and budget for improvements. Mr.
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Diekmann added that he likes to use kinetic or moving sculptures; something to get visitors attention.
The use of water can be attractive and engaging, but also more costly. Destination for street activity
could be the use of public art or a labyrinth idea that would get people to interact. Director
Diekmann feels it should be family-oriented and at street level. Staff would recommend a smaller
daily activity-based plaza since there is already the Bandshell Park. Further evaluation will be
needed to describe specifics for the features, size, costs, and public input.
Public Works Engineer Tracy Warner stated that the current post-construction storm water
management treatment standard is to treat the first inch and a quarter rain, the treatment of water
from parked cars, oil drippings, and hydrocarbons to get out of the streams. Water quality is flood
control and reducing flows. The following are options for dealing with the handling of storm water
for redevelopment projects in the Downtown:
1.Meet the current standards. If this option is selected, no further action is needed by City
Council and the current Ordinance requirements would be applied. It is possible to provide
water quality and quantity through underground or upstream storage.
2.Exempt redevelopment projects in Downtown from meeting current standards. If this
option were to be selected the Post Construction Stormwater Management Ordinance
should be amended to exempt the Downtown area from the requirements of the Ordinance.
This is hard to support because of the significant community flooding and the negative
capacity impact there would be on storm sewer infrastructure downstream of the
development.
3. Develop specific criteria for Downtown District and/or re-development projects. Staff
would need to collaborate with the development community to come up with specific
design criteria for the Downtown District that would both provide public health, safety and
welfare, and establish an agreeable arrangement with the developers. If this option were
to be selected, staff would come back to City Council with recommendations for Ordinance
amendments based on the collaboration of staff with the development community.
4. Offer the developer an option to provide a fee in-lieu of meeting the stormwater
requirements on site. This approach would require the construction of a regional
stormwater management area with the developers contributing a fee towards the facility
when a Downtown redevelopment project is undertaken. This option would most likely
result in a City-owned stormwater management facility requiring ongoing maintenance,
rather than typical privately owned facilities.
a. Require that water quality controls be on-site and allow for off-site water quantity/flood
control. This option would allow for the larger water storage areas to be off-site and
would encourage some reduction of on-site volume.
b. Allow for both water quantity and quality controls to be off-site. This option would
remove all stormwater management from the development site and not encourage the use
low impact development practices and runoff minimization.
STORY COUNTY’S REQUEST FOR JOINT HOUSING STUDY: Housing Coordinator
Vanessa Baker-Latimer stated that the Story County Board of Supervisors had requested the City to
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consider partnering in a new housing study for Ames/Story utilizing the same approach followed in
a joint study in the 1990s. This study was done to identify housing needs throughout the County that
enabled Ames/Story jurisdictions to apply and receive grant funds from the Iowa Department of
Economic Development based upon the needs identified. At that time, a 25- member task force was
created to complete the study. The study included a survey of housing preferences, a visual
assessment of housing conditions, and demographic data. The cost of the study was shared between
the City and County.
Ms. Baker-Latimer added that the City has two housing and demographic informational reports
planned for 2018. Those reports will include a demographic assessment and growth projections for
the upcoming new Comprehensive Plan and a federally mandated Affirmatively Furthering Fair
Housing Study for the fall of 2018. The Study that is required by HUD for continuation of the City’s
CDBG funds will include the County. The City does not feel there are enough resources to do this,
but would be able to share its findings with the County.
Lauris Olson, Story County Supervisor, provided some background on the request for the
participation of the City in this study. Some surrounding areas within the County are experiencing
housing challenges. Ms. Olson stated the County is very determined to have the assessment done.
She is comfortable talking with others within the County and asking them to take the lead on the
RFP and getting a smaller task force. Story County would like the City to take part, but willing to
take the lead. The City could appoint a person to the task force and a citizen, the County would
select the other eight. The County staff would be doing the work. A designated liaison from the
Planning department would communicate with the County staff. The County will need the City of
Ames data and would ask for a small amount of help with the cost.
Council Member Gartin asked the purpose of the study. Ms. Olson stated that the purpose is to
identify the housing stock that is available now. This will help the smaller communities plan.
Additional finances will be utilized in the smaller towns. This document will be a back-up or part
of an application for some of the programs.
Mayor Campbell stated that Ms. Baker-Latimer would be able to share any and all data that is useful
to the County.
Council Member Orazem inquired if the study includes transit. Ms. Olson stated that the task force
would be able to determine the types of data that would be researched. Mayor Campbell did not feel
that it was possible to appoint a liaison at this time. Council Member Gartin suggested Ms. Olson
talk with the other Supervisors to see if there was a smaller amount the City could assist with since
the City will share the data collected in the City studies.
DEPOT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT: City Attorney Mark Lambert stated the difference in
packet is a minor wording change, the words “or exit” were taken out.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Betcher, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 17-664 approving the Depot
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Development Agreement with Merry Bee Properties, LLC.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
INITIATE AN AMES URBAN FRINGE PLAN MAP AMENDMENT FOR TIMBER CREEK
ACRES: Planning Director Kelly Diekmann clarified the recommendation of staff was to authorize
Dickson Jensen, rather than staff, to initiate an Ames Urban Fringe Plan Map Amendment for
Timber Creek Acres.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Gartin, to authorize Dickson Jensen to initiate an Ames
Urban Fringe Plan Map Amendment for Timber Creek Acres.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion carried unanimously.
AGREEMENT WITH UNITED WAY OF STORY COUNTY, INC., TO MANAGE HUMAN
SERVICES CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM: Assistant City Manager Brian Phillips
reminded the City Council of the previous meeting when Council had directed staff to prepare an
agreement that outlines terms of the Program for an initial $250,000.
The key points in the Agreement as follows:
1.United Way of Story County (UWSC) will receive $250,000 from the City of Ames to be used
for the program.
2.Funds may only be used for new construction or renovation work on primary or secondary
buildings.
3.Fund recipients must provide matching funds of at least 50% of the total project cost.
Matching funds must be in cash; in-kind contributions will not be acceptable as a match.
4.Grant awards will be a minimum of $7,500 and a maximum of $100,000for each individual
project.
5.Only agencies that have been accepted into the ASSET process as of the time of the award will
be eligible to receive funding.
6.Requests will be prioritized on the basis of the current City of Ames ASSET priorities.
7.UWSC may determine the application process, required submittals, and grant agreements, and
will make awards to agencies it determines best meet the requirements of the program.
8.UWSC will incorporate a paragraph into the grant agreement with recipients requiring
repayment of grant funds if, within five years of the completion of the improvements, the
recipient sells, transfers, leases, or sub-leases the improved property, or ceases occupancy of
the property for reason other than the property becoming uninhabitable due to disaster, or if the
recipient defaults on any of the grant terms or conditions. The repaymet will be based on a
graduated scale, with 100% of the grant being repaid if in the first year, 80% being repaid if
in the second year, and so forth until 20% is required to be repaid in the fifth year. The grantee
is not obligated to repay any funds after the fifth year. Any repaid funds will be returned to the
City, not to UWSC.
9.UWSC agrees to disburse the funds received no later than June 30, 2018. Funds not disbursed
by this date are to be returned to the City.
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10.The Agreement requires UWSC to document to whom the funds were disbursed. UWSC must
keep any documents related to the grant program for a period of fine years, which are to be
made available for review at the City’s request.
Council Member Gartin commented that he was concerned about the recapture period and making
it consistent. Assistant City Manager Brian Phillips responded that the challenge is that the
Agreement is with United Way; if the City has a recapture period of 20 years, that would create a
partnership for 20 years. The agencies have an obligation to repay the funds based on a schedule to
United Way, which in turn repays the City. The City also has an ongoing operational agreement with
most ASSET agencies. If they fail to satisfy how the City would like this to go, the City could curtail
how much funding would be available to them. Council Member Corrieri stated 20 years is a long
time for the amount to be allocated. She also noted that for CDBG funds under $100,000, the
recapture would be five to ten years.
Moved by Gartin to amend the contract to provide a 10 year recapture period with scheduled
percentages to be based on and spread out over 10 years. Motion failed for lack of a second.
Moved by Orazem, seconded by Betcher, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 17-665 approving the
Agreement with United Way of Story County, Inc., to manage the Human Services Capital
Improvements Program.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
#ALWAYS AMES CAMPAIGN: Mayor Campbell announced that this item would be moved to
the November 28, 2017, City Council meeting.
MUNICIPAL POOL AIR QUALITY: Mayor Campbell stated that Parks and Recreation Director
Keith Abraham did an excellent job in the staff report concerning the Municipal Pool. She also
clarified that the school and leadership at the Ames Community School District are in charge of
making the maintenance decisions on the Municipal Pool. Parks and Recreation Director Keith
Abraham reiterated that, according to the Agreement with the School District they are, in charge of
maintenance.
SOUTH GRAND AVENUE EXTENSION ICAAP GRANT APPLICATION: Municipal
Engineer Tracy Warner provided background on the grants through the Iowa Clean Air Attainment
Program (ICAAP). This grant is to help fund transportation projects and programs that result in
attaining or maintaining the national ambient air quality standards. The Ames Area Metropolitan
Planning Organization (AAMPO) Transportation Policy Committee voted to certify that this project
conforms to the ICAAP programs. Iowa Department of Transportation requested a resolution from
the City Council to commit to provide local funds and maintain it.
Moved by Nelson, seconded by Gartin, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 17-660 approving the City
commitments for South Grand Avenue Extension ICAAP Grant Application.
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Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
HEARING ON ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT TO ALLOW DOG GROOMING AS
PERMITTED USE IN VILLAGE ZONING DISTRICT: Mayor Campbell opened the public
hearing.
Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Nelson, to continue the hearing to November 28, 2017.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion carried unanimously.
HEARING ON ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT TO REVISE SITE LANDSCAPE
STANDARDS RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE STANDARDS AND OTHER GENERAL
LANDSCAPE STANDARDS: Mayor Campbell opened the public hearing.
Director Diekmann clarified that Council would like it captured with a site that already exists, doing
incremental changes, and have mandatory obligations to come into compliance. If a person adds
something to a site that is the scope of the area, they don’t have to re-landscape other parts of the site
that are not affected by the project.
Council Member Gartin stated that the Council had received an email from a developer concerning
the timeliness on getting this material. Mr. Gartin asked if there had been feedback from the
development community. Director Diekmann stated there had been many workshops in the spring
when staff had declared the intent on where this topic was going, but tabled the topic when the whole
ordinance was adopted with the new regulations. In September, when the staff report was ready, the
same email was sent out to the work group stating staff was moving ahead with the administration
regulations on the Council agenda for September. This action was done again this past Thursday for
this meeting. No input was given from either one of these notices.
Josh Shields, 4112 Toronto Street, Ames, stated that once he was able to read through the material
it was in line with what had been discussed earlier.
Mayor Campbell closed the hearing due to no one else wishing to speak on the matter.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to pass on first reading of ordinance on the Zoning
Text Amendment to revise site landscape standards relating to administrative standards and other
general landscape standards.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion carried unanimously.
HEARING ON 2017/18 CDBG PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS
PROGRAM (321 STATE AVENUE): Mayor Campbell opened the public hearing.
Housing Coordinator Vanessa Baker-Latimer reminded the Council that in the RFP the max budget
was to be $550,000. November 2, 2017, the project went out for bids. All bids came back at over
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$1,000,000. Staff has to evaluate the bids to try to find out where the gap in cost might come from.
Director Diekmann added that the project is a basic layout, expanding Tripp Street all the way
through, adding houses on State, Tripp, and Wilmoth and a few homes off a new cul-de-sac. Design
savings are unlikely to be found. A decrease in cost may come from finding a way to build less
infrastructure. Staff is asking for two to four weeks to come back with options on where to find
more funds.
Council Member Corrieri asked if there would come a point when this affordable housing project
is not affordable. Director Diekmann responded that is a question the Council would have to decide
the amount of subsidy that is to be given. There is not a set amount of subsidy that is put out as a
standard. This is a community based decision on what the value is to the City. Council Member
Gartin does not believe this is good stewardship of tax payers money.
Council Member Betcher inquired about possible compliance issues. Ms. Baker-Latimer responded
that a certain amount has to be spent by April of 2018, to not jeopardize future money.
Mayor Campbell closed the hearing due to no one else wishing to speak on the matter.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Gartin, to accept the report of Bids on the 2017/18 CDBG Public
Infrastructure Improvements Program (321 State Avenue).
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE REVISION TO CHAPTER 28, UTILITIES, DIVISIONS I AND II: Moved by
Orazem, seconded by Betcher, to amend Section 28.307 of Ordinance to reference version of the
Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1, Park 403, dated October 22, 2015.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE REVISING PORTIONS OF CHAPTER 28 RELATED TO DIVISION II
WATER SERVICE AND DIVISION III SEWERS, AS AMENDED: Moved by Betcher,
seconded by Nelson, to pass on second reading of Ordinance revising portions of Chapter 28 related
to Division II Water Service and Division III Sewers, as amended.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE APPROVING CHANGES TO APPENDIX N RELATING TO UTILITY
RATES: Moved by Orazem, seconded by Correiri, to pass on second reading of ordinance approving
changes to Appendix N relating to utility rates.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Corrieri, to refer to staff a letter from Hunziker Youth Complex.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
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Moved by Orazem, seconded by Corrieri, to authorize Hunziker to start the process to pursue a rural
subdivision.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Orazem, seconded by Nelson, to put on agenda to approve the annexation of the Auburn
Trail.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to direct staff to come back to Council to supply
the number of bedrooms by unit based on assessor’s data for all rentals.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Corrieri to adjourn the meeting at 10:53 p.m.
______________________________________________________________________
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor
___________________________________
Stacy Craven, Recording Secretary
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