HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 01/22/2010 (2) MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF TH E A M ES C ITY CO UN CIL
AMES, IOWA JANUA RY 22, 2010
The Ames City Council met in special session at 7:00 p.m. on the 22nd day of January, 2010, in the
City Co unc il Cha mb ers in C ity Ha ll, 515 C lark A ven ue, pu rsuan t to law w ith Mayor Ann Cam pbe ll
presiding and the following Council members present: Davis, Goodman, Larson, Mahayni, Orazem,
and W acha . Ex o fficio M em ber K epp y w as also p resent.
CONTINUATION OF GOAL-SETTING SESSION: City Manager Steve Schainker reminded the
Mayor and City Council that they had requested further discussion concerning the last objective
under their goal of “Rejuvenate Camp ustown.” He also recalled that they needed to identify the
tasks for “Strengthe n and P rotect Our N eighbo rhood s for a United Am es.” Mr. Schainker noted
that the document will be reformatted after they com plete this S ession and p rovid ed to th e Co unc il
for their fin al app rova l.
Discussion ensued o n refining the do cum ent, with the follow ing results:
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 Sustainabili ty 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
(promotion/education) 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 transportat ion
1.No later than October 1, 2010: Hold workshop with staff on existing trail system and
priorities, including identifying needed easements, estimated constructi on 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.Steve talk to Mr. Wolford to find out what specific steps will it takes to go forward with
this project.
2.Convention exhibit flat space - presentation on need for it by Convention and Visitors
Bureau
3.Contact South Ames Business Organization on how collectively we can work together 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 them 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
1.Work with ISU, ACVB, Chamber, and IDOT to develop signage plans that can be
implemented by early 2011 (entryway and directional)
CREATE AND PROMOTE A COMMUNITY VISION
OBJECTIVES
A.Lead major entities in Ames to create a common community vi sion
1.Invite Dubuque Foundation to give presentation on process without RFP
2.Steve presents to Council a possible RFP for visioning/branding
B.Once established, promote the community vision
1.Determine action steps after vision established
REJUVENATE CAMPUSTOWN
OBJECTIVES
A. Partner with ISU, GS B, and priv ate sector to rede velop and r evitali ze Campusto wn
1.Bring forth a developer and plan for City and ISU contribution
2.Mayor, Manager, and GSB designee meet with ISU administration about interest in
cooperating about services provided
3.Serve as an informational resource for ISU and GSB to explore the idea of a community
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theater
B.Increase safety, s ecurity, and cleanl iness of C ampustown
1.Meet with rental property owners to educate and encourage participation 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.Seek commitment from Chamber as to what they would do to support Campustown
Action Association
STRENGTHEN AND PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
FOR A UNITED AMES
OBJECTIVES
A.Work with ISU and GSB to enhance interactions between students and other residents.
1.City Council members to receive copy of GSB study on establishing a landlord-tenant
service and host round-table discussion with landlords, GSB, and ISU Administration
2.Request the Student Affairs Commission to figure out additional resources for students for
the City web site (not just what you can’t do, but also what you can do), how the City can
plug into the orientation sessions, and partnering with ISU to disseminate information via
an email list
B. Find creative and bold ideas to address crime.
1.Evaluate the implementation of the Poli ce Depart ment’s “Sa fe Neighbo rhoods Te am”
concept
2.Request report from Chief of Police on Crime-Free Housing Program (is it working?) and
recommendation on how to increase participation and improve Program
C.Continue working toward a more welcoming community.
1.Instruct staff to come back with ways that the City Council can continue to promote
United Ames
2.Request staff to develop a strategy to coordinate social services for new families involved
in public-assisted housing from get-go that coordinates day-care, schooling, skill
development, housing, and other acclimation efforts to Ames
3.Each City Council member will commit to at least one of the following one time per
month:
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a.Knock on doors for one hour
b.Meet with neighborhood associations
c.Organize and attend a “coffee”
d.Upon request, attend a "Street ‘n Greet” event
e.Develop the use of technology, e.g., list serves for City Council group
FURTHER STREAMLINE AND IMPROVE GOVERNMENT PROCESSES
OBJECTIVES
A.Work to make City Council meetings and City processes more efficient and effective.
1.Staff to 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 is sue
7.Council look closely at what is being referred – be discerning in ac cepting
8.Ensue staff doesn’t need more clarification
9.Ask staff questions ahead of time rather than doing publicly at Council meetings
B. Revisit City Code, policies, and procedures to streamline processes
1.Staff to give overview on current Land Use Policy Plan – to understand what’s in it and
then establish a time table for regular review – 1 st quarter
2.1st quarter 2010: Hold a fact-finding workshop inviting members of the business
community - companies that left Ames, companies that entered Ames, business groups,
architects, landlords, citizens - that ident ifies 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.Steve to sit down with Dan Culhane and Ron Hallenbeck to develop additional questions
for business survey
ADJOURNMEN T: Moved by Goodman, seconded by Mahayni, to adjourn the meeting at 9:07
p.m.
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______________________________________________________________________
Diane R . Voss, City C lerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor