HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 01/16/2010MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA JANUARY 16, 2010
The Ames City Council met in special session at 8:00 a.m. on the 16th day of January, 2010, in the
Parks and Recre ation Act ivity Room, 1500 Gateway Hills Park Drive, pursuant to law with Mayor
Ann Campbell presiding and the following Council members present: Davis, Goodman, Larson,
Mahayni, Orazem, and Wacha. Ex officio Member Keppy was also present.
Donna Gilligan facilitated the continuation of the goal-setting session. The City Council agreed on
the following goals:
1.GO GREEN TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
2.PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
3.CREATE A COMMUNITY VISION
4.REJUVENATE CA MPUSTOWN
5.STRENGTHEN AND PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS FOR A UNITED AMES
6.FURTHER STREAMLINE AND IMPROVE GOVERNMENT PROCESSES
The Mayor and City Council concurred on the following objectives and tasks to be undertaken in
order to achieve the goals.
GO GREEN TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
OBJECTIVES:
A.Promote and educate the residents of Ames, in collaboration with other groups, about
community-wide sustainability
1.During the 1st Quarter 2010: Explore the possibility of sharing Sustainability Coordinator
position with Iowa State University
2.In coordination with Iowa State University and other interested entities, start developing
a community-wide sustainability plan by January 1, 2011
3.Report from City staff on what the City is currently doing and what other groups are doing
to educate community on sustainability efforts
4.Explore with interested groups what they are willing to do to partner in extension outreach
related to community-wide sustainability
5.Continue governmental efforts with staff reporting quarterly to Council (focusing on one
topic each quarter)
B.Increase availability of alternative forms of transportation
1.No later than October 1, 2010: Hold workshop with staff on existing trail system and
priorities, including identifying needed easements, estimated construction costs, and
connected links outside the City
2.Representatives of City, CyRide Board, and Ames Community School District to hold a
discussion regarding Future Mass Transit Needs
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PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
OBJECTIVES:
A.Promote Ames as a regional center
1.Take steps to make Ames the high-tech center of the region
2.City Manager: Talk to Mr. Wolford to find out what specific steps it will take to go
forward with his project
3.Convention exhibit flat space - presentation on need for it by Convention and Visitors
Bureau
4.Contact South Ames Business Organization on how we can work together cooperatively
to get investment in that area
B.Support private sector growth to improve quality of life, increase number of jobs, and develop
a stronger tax base
1.Contact director at AEDC and encourage it to attend ISU career fairs to promote all Ames
community jobs
2.In order to accomplish the industrial park, City Council and AEDC will formally approach
Story County and make request for federal funding
C.Beautify entrances to Ames
D.Work with ISU, ACVB, Chamber, IDOT to develop signage plans that can be implemented by
early 2011 (entry way and directional)
CREATE AND PROMOTE A COMMUNITY VISION
OBJECTIVES:
A. Lead major entities in Ames to create a common community vision
1.Invite Dubuque Foundation to give presentation on process without RFP
2.City Manager: Present to Council a possible RFP for visioning/branding
B.Once established, promote the community vision
1.Determine action steps after vision established
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REJUVENATE CAMPUSTOWN
OBJECTIVES:
A.Partner with ISU, GSB, and private sector to redevelop and revitaliz e Campustown
1.Bring forth a developer and plan for City and ISU contribution
2.Mayor, City Manager, and GSB designee: Meet with ISU Administration about interest
in cooperating regarding services provided
3.Serve as an informational resource for ISU and GSB to explore the idea of a community
theater
B.Increase safety, security, and cleanliness of Campustown
1.Meet with rental property owners to education and encourage to participate in crime-free
housing program
2.Designate Student Affairs Commission to work with Campustown Action Association and
Campustown Student Association to determine what issues there are with safety, security,
and cleanliness
C.Work to support an enduring Campustown Action Association
1. Invite Campustown Action Association to educate Council about what its mission is
2.Get commitment from Chamber of what they would do to support Campustown Action
Association
Note for future consideration: Defer action on steps included in scope of RFQ (such as increasing
parking spaces, façade program).
STRENGTHEN AND PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
FOR A UNITED AMES
OBJECTIVES:
A.Work with ISU and GSB to enhance interactions between tenants and landlords
1.Explore a landlord-tenant office
2.Student Affairs Commission: Figure out additional resources for students for the City web
site
B. Find creative and bold ideas to address crime, i.e.,
1.Funding of Police De partment p roactiv e programs
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2.Background checks for all applicants for ‘last’ state of residence
3.Develop policies with neighborhood representatives that cr eate a safer environment
C.Continue working toward a more welcoming community
1.Work to employ a City ambassador program
2.Coordinated social service for new public assisted housing from get-go that coordinates
day care, schooling, skill development, housing, and other acclimation efforts to Ames
3.Analyze assisted housing success to improve targeting build in private managed assisted
housing
4.Work with the ACSD to provide education to parents new to the community – ‘Baby
College’
5.Increase contact with citizens
a.Increase the use of technology
b.Knock on doors one hour per month
FURTHER STREAMLINE AND IMPROVE GOVERNMENT PROCESSES
OBJECTIVES:
A.Work to make City Council meetings and city processes more efficient and effective
1.Staff give more succinct presentations, where appropriate
2.Council agree to use previously submitted reports/limit number of requests for more
information
3.Empower Mayor to move meetings along – citizens and Council
4.Commitment to compromise whenever possible
5.Council to clarify position on issue before complete referral is made in some cases
6.If Council action is needed: Get up-front info – generic discussion on general i ssue
7.Council: Look closely at what is being referred – be discerning in acc epting
8.Ensure that staff doesn’t need more clarification
9.Ask staff questions ahead of time rather than doing publicly at Council meetings
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B. Revisit City Code, policies and procedures to streamline processes
1.1st Quarter 2010: Staff give overview on current Land Use Policy Plan to understand
what’s in it and then establish a time table for regular review
2.1st Quarter 2010: Fact-Finding Workshop: Hold a workshop inviting members of the
business community, companies that left Ames, companies that entered Ames, business
groups, architects, landlords, and citizens that i dentifies points of friction with the City
C. Promoting Ames as a welcoming place to do business by embracing a “can do” attitude
1.Come up with an improved way of getting feedback on City processes
2.City Manager: Sit down with Dan Culhane and Ron Hallenbeck to develop additional
questions for business survey
The City Council concurred that the City Manager should grammatically edit the tasks and bring
back the document for final approval. It was also agreed that certain tasks should be refined;
therefore, necessitating another special meeting. The date and time of that meeting was not set.
ADJOURNMENT: The meetin g adjourn ed at 5:30 p.m.
______________________________________________________________________
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor
__________________________________
Donna Scherr, Recording Secretary