HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 08/31/2004MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA AUGUST 31, 2004
The Ames City Council met in special session at 7:00 p.m. on the 31st day of August, 2004, in the
Council Chambers of City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Ted Tedesco
presiding and the following Council members present: Cross, Goodhue, Goodman, Mahayni, Vegge,
and Wirth. Andrew Tugan, ex officio member, was absent.
Also in attendance were Jim Bloedel, Ames Economic Development Commission President; Steve
Carter, Research Park; Gregory Geoffroy, Iowa State University (ISU) President; Jeff Johnson,
Chamber of Commerce President; David Maahs, Ames Economic Development Commission
(AEDC) Executive Director; and Don Toms, Chair of Story County Board of Directors.
VISION AMES PRESENTATION: Mayor Tedesco explained that this meeting was scheduled
as a result of the City Council’s goal-setting session held in March 2004. One of their goals was
to meet with representatives from ISU, the Chamber of Commerce, Vision Steering Committee,
and the Research Park to determine what other groups were doing to promote the advancement
of Ames’ bio-economy.
The Mayor introduced Jeff Johnson, who began the presentation by naming the individuals who
were initially involved in the Vision Ames Citizens Committee. He explained descriptions,
opportunities, and key opinions/judgments derived by this Committee prior to creating the
Vision Statement for Ames.
Dr. Gregory Geoffroy explained that one of the greatest strengths of Iowa State University has
been in the bio-sciences. He described many of the high-technology buildings on and off ISU
Campus that support the biological sciences.
Dr. Jim Bloedel highlighted the Committee’s marketing and strategic partnering activities. He
talked about their tagline and new web site: biotechames.com. Mr. Bloedel explained that it was
very important for them to form collaborations with IDED, GDMP, and ISU, as well as with
Korea and New Zealand.
Executive Director of the AEDC David Maahs reminded those present that they had been
successful in securing federal funding for NADC/NVSL/CVB in the amount of $281 million.
Mr. Maahs gave an update on the Animal Health Facilities construction and the Seed and
Venture Capital Funds.
Don Toms, Chair of the Story County Board of Supervisors, described the Lincoln Way Energy
Project. This project will use 18.5 million bushels of corn annually and cost approximately $83
million.
Dr. Bloedel talked about the Iowa Values Fund. He listed five Ames companies that have a
stake in that Fund. He said the construction of the biologics building was very dependent on the
Iowa Values Fund. An overview of project goals was given by Dr. Bloedel. He also explained
the methodology used for developing Iowa’s Bioscience Alliance. Dr. Bloedel described each
of the four strategies. The next steps are to restore the Iowa Values Fund, implement the Battelle
Report recommendations, and to formulate a coordinated Ames Plan.
Mayor Tedesco asked if there were any short-range items that the Ames City Council should
work to put in place. Dr. Bloedel felt that the Research Park needs to devise a plan to work with
the University and then communicate that plan to the City. Jeff Johnson stated that they first
have to determine how spin-off companies fit in with the City’s Land Use Policy Plan. He felt
that the Committee needed to do more to attract entrepreneurs and spin-off companies for areas
other than in the Research Park. In terms of preparing for the opportunities to welcome new
businesses to Ames and keep existing businesses, Dr. Geoffroy said Ames should look very
carefully at the user-friendly aspects of this community. David Maahs advised that mentors
from the business community would be sought to work with young entrepreneurs.
Council Member Mahayni stated that he felt the City should ask what it can do to make itself
much more attractive to new entrepreneurs. David Maahs said that in the near future, focus
groups will be meeting with technology companies to ask what is needed and what can be done
to make Ames more attractive for new businesses. Dr. Geoffroy felt that the City should assess
its regulatory permit processes; a check should be made to see if they are quick and
uncomplicated. If not, new entrepreneurs will look elsewhere.
COMMENTS: Council Member Goodman said he would like to know how Ames is differentiating
itself from other communities. He felt that Ames needs to be marketed as a whole; the
community needs to unify. Mr. Goodman said he would like to see Ames become a cultural
mecca for bright, energetic students.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Mahayni, to refer to staff the letter from the Story County
Community Coalition.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
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Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor
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