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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council 06/28/2005 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL AMES, IOWA JUNE 28, 2005 The Ames City Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. on the 28th day of June, 2005, in the City Council Chambers in City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Tedesco presiding and the following Council members present: Cross, Goodman, Mahayni, Vegge, and Wirth. Council Member Goodhue was absent. Tony Borich, ex officio member, was also present. PRESENTATION OF GRAND AWARD FOR “EXCELLENCE IN MASONRY” FROM THE MASONRY INSTITUTE OF IOWA FOR AMES FIRE STATION #3: Mark Allen, Project Architect with Shive-Hattery Architects & Engineers, presented the Grand Award for “Excellence in Masonry” from the Masonry Institute of Iowa to the City of Ames. This Award was given for excellence in masonry design for Fire Station #3. Mr. Allen further dedicated the Award to the Ames Fire Fighters. Accepting the Award on behalf of the City were Deputy Chief Russ Scott and Fire Fighter Karen Tapper. PRESENTATION OF AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CLEAN WATER AGENCIES: Tom Neumann, representing the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, presented the City with the Platinum Award in recognition of five consecutive years of continuous compliance with state and federal standards relating to the operation of and discharge from the WPC Plant. John Ringelestein, past WPC Plant Superintendent; Jim McElvogue, current WPC Plant Superintendent; John Dunn, Assistant Director of Water & Pollution Control, and Lyle Hammes, Environmental Engineer, accepted the Award on behalf of the City. These four employees held Gold Awards for 2000 through 2003, which represented the prior consecutive years of Plant operations without any permit violations. CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Cross, seconded by Mahayni, to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda: 1. Motion approving payment of claims 2. Motion approving minutes of the regular meeting of June 14, 2005 3. Motion approving certification of civil service applicants 4. Motion approving renewal of the following beer permits and liquor licenses: a. Class C Beer - Fuel Right #2, 2108 Isaac Newton Drive 5. Motion approving request from Iowa Sports Foundation to shoot fireworks from the SE corner of Elwood Drive and South 16th at approximately 9:15 p.m. on July 15, 2005, for the Iowa Games 6. Motion directing City Attorney to draft an ordinance revising parking regulations on Wilder Street, Durant Street, and Hartford Drive 7. Motion directing City Attorney to draft an ordinance revising parking regulations on Prairie View West and Prairie View East 8. Motion directing City Attorney to draft an ordinance revising parking regulations on Northridge Parkway west of Stange Road 9. RESOLUTION NO. 05-264 adopting new and revised fees to be effective July 1, 2005 10. RESOLUTION NO. 05-265 approving reallocation of FY 2004/05 funding for ACCESS 11. RESOLUTION NO. 05-266 approving worker’s compensation settlement 12. Requests related to Midnight Madness activities taking place on July 9, 2005: a. Motion approving/denying five-day Class B Beer Permit and Outdoor Service Area in East City Hall Parking Lot N, Fifth Street and Clark Avenue b. Motion approving/denying tapping of up to seven kegs at once during the post-race party with a maximum of 30 kegs total during the evening c. RESOLUTION NO. 05-267 approving closure of certain streets and parking lots and changes in parking regulations on July 9 and 10, 2005 d. RESOLUTION NO. 05-268 approving waiver of the fee for use of electricity in City Hall Parking Lot N 13. Requests related to the Fourth of July Community Breakfast: a. RESOLUTION NO. 05-269 approving closure of Clark Avenue between 5th Street and 6th Street from 5 p.m. on July 3 to noon on July 4 b. RESOLUTION NO. 05-270 approving waiver of fee for electricity in and near City Hall c. RESOLUTION NO. 05-271 approving closure of six parking spaces in City Hall Parking Lot N from approximately Noon on July 1 to Noon on July 5 14. RESOLUTION NO. 05-272 approving wastewater treatment contract with the City of Kelley 15. RESOLUTION NO. 05-273 approving revisions to Official Parking Meter Map 16. RESOLUTION NO. 05-274 approving preliminary plans and specifications for Diesel Fire Suppression Pump Installation and Water Service Upgrade at the Power Plant; setting July 19, 2005, as bid due date and July 26, 2005, as the date of public hearing 17. RESOLUTION NO. 05-275 approving renewal of contract with Hydro Supply Company for purchase of Water Meters and Related Parts and Services and approving Change Order No. 1 adding Exhibits D and E to the contract 18. RESOLUTION NO. 05-276 approving Change Order for CyRide Bus Storage Addition 19. RESOLUTION NO. 05-277 accepting completion of the State Avenue Widening Project 20. RESOLUTION NO. 05-278 accepting completion of the 2004/05 Storm Sewer Intake Rehabilitation Program Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. PUBLIC FORUM: Jim Murdoch, 1510 Roosevelt, Ames, spoke on behalf of Ames Smart Growth. He felt that the City does have underutilized space and space that could be developed a better way. Mr. Murdoch showed pictures of Oakland, California, showing underutilized commercial spaces being redeveloped according to “Smart Growth principles.” Mr. Murdoch emphasized that Thousand Friends of Iowa and Ames Smart Growth are not anti-business or anti-growth, but support a kind of growth that revitalizes the city and doesn’t attract attention to areas on the fringe. Sue Ravenscroft, 455 Westwood, Ames, advised that she had concerns about the Zoning Agreement currently being negotiated by the City with Wolford Development. She pointed out that Mr. Wolford had been very slow in responding to the City, so she could only discuss the version distributed to the public last February. Ms. Ravenscroft advised that she had three main concerns pertaining to the pending Agreement: (1) Size. Ms. Ravenscroft said that Mr. Wolford originally stated that he was going to build an enclosed regional mall with four larger anchor 2 stores, but now he is only willing to commit to one or two anchors, and the lifestyle center could easily end up being smaller than North Grand Mall. She also referenced a portion of the Agreement which stated that building permits could be approved after 329,000 square feet (sf) of retail space had been committed. Ms. Ravenscroft was concerned that once that amount of space was committed and building permits obtained, there would be no way to force Mr. Wolford to complete the development. (2) Transportation. Ms. Ravenscroft pointed out that, according to the CyRide website, the additional cost of providing service to the lifestyle center ranges from $400,000 to $900,000/year, with initial investments of $90,000 to $115,000, yet the current document requires only $100,000 for operations and $50,000 for a bus from the developer. Since the Government of the Student Body (GSB) pays over 60% of the operating costs for CyRide, Ms. Ravenscroft asked if GSB were willing to take on the extra expense. She urged the City to amend the Agreement to increase the share and number of years that the developer pays for public transit costs. (3) Timing of the votes. Many ISU students are residents and voters in Ames, and Ms. Ravenscroft would like the students to have an opportunity to speak on the Zoning Agreement when it comes to a vote of the City Council. She felt that if Ames really wanted to include students in this “One Community,” that vote should be scheduled when the students are back in town. INSURANCE COVERAGES: Risk Manager Jon-Scott Johnson explained the renewal terms of the casualty and liability insurance coverages. He also explained the proposals received for providing property and boiler and machinery coverages and the criteria that were critical to the relationship with a carrier, i.e., loss control and internal engineering. Moved by Cross, seconded by Mahayni, to approve RESOLUTION NO. 05-279 approving renewal of casualty and liability coverages with Iowa Communities Assurance Pool in the amount of $346,740. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. Moved by Cross, seconded by Mahayni, to approve RESOLUTION NO. 05-280 approving property and boiler and machinery coverages with FM Global for property and boiler and machinery coverage in the amount of $426,000. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. SYNGENTA: David Maahs, Director of the Ames Economic Development Commission (AEDC), explained that the City and the AEDC had been working with the Syngenta Seeds Supply Chain to locate an office in Ames. The operation would create a minimum of 45 jobs with an average salary of $55,000 to $60,000. Syngenta Seeds is considering leasing, for ten years, approximately 12,000 square feet in a new 18,000-square-foot building constructed for them on South Bell Avenue. Mr. Maahs advised that, in order to be successful in attracting Syngenta to Ames, a $70,000 forgivable loan will be needed. This loan would be provided by the City ($35,000) and the Ames Economic Development Commission ($35,000). 3 City Manager Steve Schainker told the Council that approving this request would be in keeping with one of their goals, i.e., advancing the bio-economy. He said that, historically, incentive monies for this type of an established company have come from the Community Investment Account and have been financed equally between the City of Ames and the Economic Development Commission. Mr. Schainker also advised the City Council that an analysis of the criteria matrix reflected a point total of 40, and previous totals of that magnitude have resulted in Community Investment Account monies being granted to other companies expanding employment in Ames. Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 05-281 authorizing staff to prepare a contract, and the Mayor to sign same on behalf of the City, pertaining to a Syngenta Forgivable Loan in the amount of $35,000 from the Community Investment Fund, to be matched by the Ames Economic Development Commission, in return for the company creating a minimum of 45 jobs in the City within two years of the date of the agreement. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. ISU TOWERS IMPLOSION: Public Works Director John Joiner introduced Dean McCormick and Kerry Vixon-Fox, representing Iowa State University Facilities Planning and Management. Mr. McCormick gave a briefing on the scheduled implosion of the two northern-most Towers buildings, which is currently scheduled to occur at 10 AM between July 19 and 21, 2005 (the exact date is yet to be determined). He advised that this method of destruction was chosen because it will have the least impact on surrounding neighborhoods. Mr. McCormick gave specifics on the types of explosives to be used, the contractors hired, what to expect before and after the implosion, and the communication efforts taken to inform the public. SAFE SCHOOL ROUTE COORDINATION: John Joiner explained the efforts taken to date by City staff members to revise the safe walking routes to Ames schools to match the new attendance area boundaries. Draft copies of maps showing the revised routes were distributed to the City Council. Mr. Joiner advised that a public meeting will be held in the City Hall Auditorium on July 14 at 6:30 p.m. Assistant City Manager Bob Kindred pointed out that the Council had received, around the dais, a copy of the Ames Police School Crossing Guard Policy and their Criteria for Locations. Mr. Schainker explained that the City will be working with concerned parents on the proposed routes. Discussion on the costs of providing the routes will occur at a later Council meeting. PUBLIC ART COMMISSION: Bill Kannel, Chairperson of the Public Arts Commission, was present to answer questions. Council Member Goodman asked if it were necessary to carry-over the funds; could the project costs for the Ada Hayden ($11,000) and Neighborhood Sculpture ($300) projects be absorbed in the next fiscal year’s allocation. Mr. Kannel explained that progress had been made on these projects; however, had not progressed at a rate that would allow the funds to be expended in this fiscal year. The carry-over of funding for the project at Ada Hayden Heritage Park would allow a project of the caliber and environmental realm that 4 best fits with the Park. Assistant City Manager Bob Kindred further explained that the funds were not spent during this fiscal year because the Park opened later than anticipated and the Parks & Recreation Commission wanted to have a master plan in place before moving forward with the project. The Public Art Commission had also worked with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Friends of Hallett’s Quarry, and interested citizens on this project, which had taken some time. Pertaining to the Neighborhood Sculpture project, a plaque being created for the artwork just installed at the Oakland entrance to Emma McCarthy Lee Park will take six to eight weeks to be made; thus requiring payment in the next fiscal year. Moved by Cross, seconded by Vegge, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 05-282 approving the carry- over of Public Art Commission funds for the Ada Hayden art project and Neighborhood Sculpture project. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. HEARING ON 2005/06 SHARED USE PATH SYSTEM ON MORTENSEN ROAD (SOUTH DAKOTA AVENUE TO DOTSON DRIVE): Mayor Tedesco opened the public hearing. There being no one wishing to speak, he closed the public hearing. Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 05-283 approving final plans and specifications and awarding a contract to Manatt’s, Inc., of Ames, Iowa, in the amount of $64,189.54. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. HEARING ON TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE REDUCING THE MINIMUM LOT SIZE REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN LOTS LOCATED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL NODE ZONING DISTRICT: The hearing was opened by the Mayor and closed after no one requested to speak. Moved by Mahayni, seconded by Cross, to pass on first reading an ordinance making a text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance that reduces the minimum lot size requirement for certain lots located within the Community Commercial Node Zoning District. Roll Call Vote: 4-1. Voting aye: Cross, Mahayni, Vegge, Wirth. Voting nay: Goodman. Motion declared carried. ORDINANCE SETTING THE SPEED LIMIT ON OAKWOOD ROAD FROM STATE AVENUE TO A POINT 151 FEET WEST OF WHITE OAK DRIVE: Moved by Wirth, s e c o n d 5 e d b y M a h a y n i , t o p a s s o n f i r s t r e a d i n g a n o r d i n a n c e s 6 e t t i n g t h e s p e e d l i m i t o n O a k w o o d Road from State Avenue to a point 151 feet west of White Oak Drive. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP TO REMOVE THE SOUTHEAST GATEWAY OVERLAY DISTRICT (O-GSE) DESIGNATION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE VICINITY OF SOUTHEAST 16TH STREET AND DAYTON AVENUE: Moved by Wirth, seconded by Goodman, to pass on first reading an o r d i n a n 7 c e a m e n d i n g t h e O f f i c i a l Z o n i n g M a p t o r e m o v e t h e S o u 8 t h e a s t G a t e w a y O v e r l a y D i s t r i c t ( O - G S E ) d e s i g n a t i 9 o n f o r p r o p e r t y l o c a t e d i n t h e v i c i n i t y o f S o u t h e a s t 10 1 6t h S t r e e t a n d D a y t o n A v e n u e . Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. REZONING PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED IN THE VICINITY OF DAYTON AVENUE AND SOUTHEAST 16TH STREET FROM “A” (AGRICULTURAL) TO “HOC” (HIGHWAY-ORIENTED COMMERCIAL): Moved by Wirth, seconded by Vegge, to pass on second reading an ordinance rezoning property generally located in the vicinity of Dayton Avenue and Southeast 16th Street from “A” (Agricultural) to “HOC” (Highway-Oriented Commercial). Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. COMMENTS: Moved by Wirth, seconded by Cross, to refer to staff letters from Stumbo & Associates dated June 16, 2005, and the University Lutheran Center pertaining to a parking area along 2126 Gable Lane. Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Goodman, seconded by Vegge, to refer to staff the memo from the Ames Board of Review dated June 15, 2005. Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. 11 ADJOURNMENT: 8:27 p.m. ___________________________________ ____________________________________ Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor 12