HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated June 24, 2025ITEM #:19
DATE:06-24-25
DEPT:P&H
SUBJECT:REQUEST FOR "AMES: A GLIMPSE INSIDE" EVENT
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
On May 27, 2025, the City Council moved to place on a future agenda a request from a
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) to carryover unspent funding to the next fiscal year.
The letter from Dévon Lewis, Chairperson of the Ames Historic Preservation Commission and
the letter received from the organizers of "Ames: A Glimpse Inside" describing the event and
requesting funding is attached to this report.
"Ames: A Glimpse Inside" is a new event planned for October 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The event will take place in the Main Street and Old Town National Register Historic Districts.
This free self-guided open house is a new community heritage tourism initiative inviting
participants to step inside for a behind-the-scenes look into homes, civic buildings and local
landmarks. The location included will showcase the City's historical, architectural, and cultural
significance through storytelling, exhibits, and interaction with property owners and trained
docents.
The Ames Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) has an annual budget of $2,000,
generally split with 50% for training and 50% for community education. This year, only a
limited amount of the budget has been spent related to training and community awards. HPC
members believe providing support next year for a new community education event, "Ames: A
Glimpse Inside," would be a good use of funding that is otherwise not going to be spent. HPC
requests that the remaining estimated balance of $1,715 be designated to carryover into
the FY 2025/26 budget in order to allow HPC to support the "Ames: A Glimpse Inside"
event.
At the time of the HPC request, the organizers of the Glimpse, represented by Sharon Wirth,
indicated they would need additional funding for the event that exceeds the HPC budget
request. The organizers of the event are also requesting that the City Council allocate
$1,500 of additional funds to support "Ames: A Glimpse Inside." However, Ms. Wirth
informed staff that the Glimpse was awarded a grant from Discover Ames and that both
requests are not needed, but at least one is for the event to move forward. If Council
elects to carry over the HPC funding, then the $1,500 request is not needed. If the HPC
funds are not carried over, then the request for $1,500 still stands.
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ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve designating the carryover of the remaining HPC budget (estimated at an
additional $1,715) to the FY 2025/26 HPC budget.
2. In lieu of designating carryover of HPC funds, approve a request to allocate $1,500 of
City Council contingency funds to support "Ames: A Glimpse Inside."
3. Deny the request for funding at this time and refer the organizers to the annual outside
funding request application process.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
This is an unusual request for funding of an event at this time of year. The HPC would
typically have discretion to use approximately $1,000 for a city event, but this request
exceeds the usual annual budget allocation. With the updated information about the
Glimpse receiving a Discover Ames grant, it is the recommendation of the City Manager
that the City Council approve Alternative #1.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Glimpse Updated Request.pdf
HPC Letter to City Council.pdf
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June 18, 2025
Mayor and City Council,
In a June 10th letter, I wrote to you on behalf of the Ames: A Glimpse Inside event that
will be held on October 18, 2025. In that letter, Glimpse organizers asked two things of
the City Council: approval of rolling over $1700 from the Historic Preservation
Commission FY 24/25 funds (approved by HPC for use with the Ames: A Glimpse Inside
event on October 18) and allocation of $1500 of City funds in support of the same
event.
Very recently we have been selected to receive a special $2500 grant from the
Discover Ames group. Event organizers are very excited about receiving this grant.
Receiving this grant changes the make-up of event funding. If the City Council
approves rolling over the $1700 in funds from the HPC budget, Glimpse organizers
wish to withdraw the request for $1500 in City funds. If, however, the $1700 of HPC
funds is not approved by the City Council for the event, then the $1500 request for City
funds stands as stated in the June 10th letter.
Organizers continue to be excited about bringing this heritage tourism event to the
Ames community and working to raise awareness and appreciation of the rich historic
resources in the Ames community. You may reach me at 515-441-6780 or
sharonwirth888@gmail.com if you have any questions or need additional information
about the event.
Sincerely,
Glimpse organizers:
Sharon Wirth, chairperson Devon Lewis, HPC
Kate Gregory, HPC Shellie Orngard, OTNA
Jason Dietzenbach, Avec Design + Build Alex Fejfar, AHM
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