Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Joint Meeting with Electric Utility Operations Review and Advisory Board 10/26/2004MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL AND ELECTRIC UTILITY OPERATIONS REVIEW & ADVISORY BOARD AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL AMES, IOWA OCTOBER 26, 2004 The Ames City Council met in joint session with the Electric Utility Operations Review & Advisory Board (EUORAB) at 5:30 p.m. followed by the regular meeting of the City Council on the 26th day of October, 2004, in the City Council Chambers in 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. Ex officio Member Tugan was absent. Members of the EUORAB present for the joint meeting were Jon Diller, Kevin Geis, Al Joensen, William Lee, and Ron Nelson. JOINT MEETING WITH ELECTRIC UTILITY OPERATIONS REVIEW & ADVISORY BOARD (EUORAB) PRESENTATION OF THE INTEGRATED PLANNING RESOURCE STUDY: Merlin Hove, Director of Electric Services, explained that the firm of Sargent and Lundy was retained by the City to perform an Integrated Resource Planning Study. He introduced John Yost of the Sargent & Lundy Consulting Group. Mr. Yost explained that the main objective of the Study was to develop a plan that identified the generation resources required to meet forecast electricity needs of Ames Electric Services’ customers through the year 2025. He gave a summary of findings regarding the City’s need for capacity and recapped the results of the Study. Mr. Yost advised that the Study concluded that coal generation is the best option, but the specific options need to be evaluated in more detail before reaching a final decision. Sargent & Lundy recommended that detailed investigations and feasibility studies be performed on both coal options to determine which option is the best. They also recommended and provided a plan for pursuing both options over the next two years as regulatory and market conditions also move toward resolution. It was further stated by Mr. Yost that the recommended plan was contingent on successfully identifying and executing a purchase agreement that results in fixed and variable costs for the new units consistent with the cost assumptions in the Study. This must also consider the costs for transmission service and potential congestion costs under the MISO Energy Market plans, as well as a detailed evaluation of the decommissioning costs for Unit 7 and 8. Board Member Joensen suggested that the City Council mark Case 1 on Page 20 of the handout distributed by Mr. Yost with an asterisk denoting that the costs listed did not include transmission costs. Council Member Cross pointed out that this Study only dealt with supply. He recommended that the City look at the demand side simultaneously. City Manager Steve Schainker advised that a study had been performed regarding demand approximately five years ago; that demand study could be reviewed with the City Council. Board Member Nelson pointed out that 1 demand-side management could possibly make up the 35% shortfall, which is expected by 2025. Greg Vitale, 2510 Pierce Avenue, Ames, voiced his concern about the title of this Study. He took issue with the word, “Integrated,” being used. Mr. Vitale felt that it was very misleading as this Study is solely a fossil fuel study. He pointed out that when capacity is an issue, the first step is to get control of the demand side; this Study did not address that issue. Mr. Vitale also addressed incentives, such as offering appliance rebates. He did not feel that this Study addressed the problem of the times, i.e., fossil fuels, and it did not adequately address consideration of wind power. Keith Adams, 3423 Woodland Street, Ames, urged the City to consider using tires as an alternative fuel; there is a lot of energy in used tires, they have more energy per pound than coal, and they are in abundance. He hoped that used tires be included as a fuel in planning for new boilers or retaining the present ones. Jerry Husman, representing Mary Greeley Medical Center Facilities Management, asked the City Council, when deciding on the future energy sources, to keep in mind another energy infrastructure existing in the City of Ames, which is steam. Steam is integral to the continued operations of the Medical Center. Council Member Goodman asked why transmission line costs were not included in this Study. Mr. Yost said that transmission service costs vary considerably; it is difficult to put a number on those costs, but a typical cost at this time would be $2 - $3/megawatt hour. Moved by Cross, seconded by Vegge, to receive the report, direct staff to consider the strategies contained in the recommendations, have the Council review the demand study done in 2000, and following that, have the EUORAB set a meeting to inform the public and receive input about this Study and the demand management study. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. The meeting recessed at 7:00 p.m. and reconvened at 7:05 p.m. REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL PRESENTATION OF THE OUTSTANDING CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Public Works Director Paul Wiegand introduced Mark Land, Don Marner, and Adam Bullerman of Snyder & Associates. Mr. Bullerman presented the Outstanding Civil Engineering Project Achievement Award to Mayor Tedesco, on behalf of the City of Ames, for the Ada Hayden Heritage Park project. Mr. Bullerman pointed out that this Award was given to the most outstanding civil engineering project for the entire state of Iowa. RECOGNITION OF HUMANITARIAN AWARD RECIPIENTS: Mayor Tedesco recognized Judi Dolphin and Jan Beran as recipients of the 2004 Humanitarian Awards. He said both women defined the meaning of community service and activism in women’s and human rights in our community. 2 PRESENTATION OF AMES CITIZEN HERO AWARDS: Fire Chief Clint Petersen presented “Citizen Hero Awards” to Chuck Mehle, David Larson, Mel Fisher, and Stacey Weigel. These men, on September 11, 2004, entered a building fully involved in fire and alerted and assisted the occupants in escaping harm. Because of Mr. Mehle’s actions, the injured party was given aid quickly. 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 October 12, 2004 3. Motion approving renewal of the following beer permits and liquor licenses: a. Class C Liquor - Café Beaudelaire, 2504 Lincoln Way b. Class B Liquor B Comfort Suites, 2609 Elwood Drive c. Class C Liquor B The Meeting House, 823 Wheeler Street, Suite 4 d. Class C Beer B Southgate Expresse, 110 Airport Road e. Class C Liquor - Thumbs, 2816 West Street 4. Motion setting Conference Board meeting dates for January 25 and February 22, 2005 5. Motion referring Petition for Voluntary Annexation for property located at 2412 Woodview Drive to the Planning and Zoning Commission 6. RESOLUTION NO. 04-469 approving appointment of Sheilah Schroder to fill vacancy on the Zoning Board of Adjustment 7. RESOLUTION NO. 04-485 approving subordinating the City’s security interest to the security interest of US Bank regarding CombiSep, Inc. 8. RESOLUTION NO. 04-470 approving closure of Ash Avenue (Lincoln Way to Gable Lane) for installation of artwork at St. Thomas Aquinas Church 9. RESOLUTION NO. 04-471approving preliminary plans and specifications for Combustion Turbine— Exhaust System; setting November 10, 2004, as bid due date and November 23, 2004, as date of public hearing 10. RESOLUTION NO. 04-472 approving contracts for Fleet Replacement Acquisition with Karl Chevrolet of Ankeny, Iowa, in the amount of $15,949; to Wright Chevrolet of Carlisle, Iowa, in the amount of $20,186.31; and to Charles Gabus Ford of Des Moines, Iowa, in the amount of $48,015 11. RESOLUTION NO. 04-473 accepting completion of public improvements and releasing financial security for Longview Subdivision, 2nd Addition 12. RESOLUTION NO. 04-474 accepting completion of public improvements and reducing financial security for Longview Subdivision, 3rd Addition 13. RESOLUTION NO. 04-475 accepting completion of public improvements and reducing financial security for Northridge Heights Subdivision, 8th Addition 14. RESOLUTION NO. 04-476 accepting completion of public improvements and reducing financial security for Somerset Subdivision, 16th and 17th Additions 15. RESOLUTION NO. 04-477accepting completion of the 2004/05 Slurry Seal Program 16. Suncrest Subdivision, 3rd Addition: a. RESOLUTION NO. 04-478 approving Developer's Agreement b. RESOLUTION NO. 04-479 approving Final Major Plat 17. RESOLUTION NO. 04-480approving the Final Minor Plat for Somerset Subdivision, 19th 3 Addition Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. PUBLIC FORUM: David Maahs, 1007 Vermont Court, Ames, spoke on behalf of the Ames Economic Development Commission. He distributed a memo regarding the improvements at the Airport for Clarion Technologies. On behalf of Clarion Technologies, Mr. Maahs requested that staff be instructed to prepare the appropriate documents with the building owner and tenant to allow exterior construction and to convene a Special City Council Meeting to approve the tenant improvements at the Airport. CHARACTER COUNTS STEERING COMMITTEE: This item was pulled from the Agenda by staff. HEARING ON CYRIDE GARAGE EXPANSION: Mayor Tedesco opened the public hearing. There being no one wishing to speak, the Mayor closed the hearing. Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Mahayni, to reject all bids and direct staff to develop a strategy for additional funding or construction alternatives. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared adopted unanimously. HEARING ON COMBUSTION TURBINE GENERATOR - CONTRACT NO. 11, MECHANICAL INSTALLATION: The hearing was opened by the Mayor. No one wished to speak, and the hearing was closed. Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Vegge, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 04-481approving final plans and specifications and awarding a contract to Casey Industrial of Alpharetta, Georgia, in the amount of $436,457. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. HEARING ON 2004/05 BICYCLE TRAIL SYSTEM/BLOOMINGTON ROAD TRAIL EXTENSION (EISENHOWER AVENUE TO GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER AVENUE: The Mayor opened the public hearing and closed same after no one wished to speak. Moved by Mahayni, seconded by Cross, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 04-482 approving final plans and specifications and awarding a contract to Manatt’s, Inc., of Ames, Iowa, in the amount of $104,881.05. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. HEARING ON INSTALLATION OF PERIMETER FENCING FOR WATER TREATMENT PLANT: The public hearing was opened by the Mayor. He closed same after no one wished to speak. 4 Moved by Wirth, seconded by Mahayni, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 04-483 approving final plans and specifications and awarding a contract to Midwest Fence and Gate Company of Fort Dodge, Iowa, in the amount of $113,345.75. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Mahayni, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 04-484 approving contract and bond. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. HEARING ON ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT REGARDING REGULATIONS FOR MINI-STORAGE WAREHOUSE FACILITIES IN THE HIGHWAY- ORIENTED COMMERCIAL (HOC) ZONE: The Mayor opened the public hearing. No one wished to speak, and the Mayor closed the hearing. Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Cross, to pass on first reading a Zoning Ordinance text amendment regarding regulations for mini-storage warehouse facilities in the Highway- Oriented Commercial (HOC) zone. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. SUMMARY OF PENDING PROJECTS FROM PLANNING & HOUSING: Planning and Housing Director Matt Flynn reviewed the pending projects in the Department’s existing Work Program. Council Member Cross suggested that the Council prioritize the projects contained in the Work Program at their Special Meeting of November 16. City Manager Schainker advised that staff may need some policy direction from the City Council pertaining to the action steps listed for the East 13th Street Regional Commercial Development. He indicated that staff needed to be responsive to all current planning issues; however, long-range planning projects needed to be prioritized by the City Council. Council Member Wirth asked for more input from the Planning & Housing Department as to the approximate timeline for each project. She said it would be helpful to have this timeline prior to their meeting on November 16. Council Member Goodman would like to establish a system for the City Council to continually prioritize issues as they come before the City Council. Jim Popken, 920 Clark Avenue, Ames, pointed out that on March 23, 2004, he brought the South Dakota Overlay process to the attention of the City Council. He was told that this issue would probably be brought before the City Council in June 2004; however, it is just now being addressed. Mr. Popken cited a list of other projects that had been addressed before the South Dakota Overlay process. He was upset that many business/developer-requested projects have held a higher priority than the South Dakota Overlay process. Mr. Popken would like to have the citizenry interact more with the City Council and try to participate in the process. He is 5 pleased that the City is going to explicitly set priorities. Council Member Cross pointed out that many of the projects cited by Mr. Popken are ongoing business practices and cannot be pushed aside for larger projects. He added that the South Dakota Overlay process was added to the list of projects. PRESENTATION OF CONCEPTUAL PLAN FOR DUFF AVENUE TRANSITIONAL PARK: Assistant City Manager Sheila Lundt described that staff had been meeting with architects, members of the Bandshell Neighborhood, Ames Main Street Cultural District, Public Art Commission, Ames Foundation, and other interested parties on a plan for the Duff Avenue Open Space. She emphasized that there is no intent to create a large public gathering space at the former Munn Lumber property (west of the City’s Power Plant) because of moisture and debris from the Electric Plant cooling towers and stacks. This area is proposed to be developed to provide a direct link between Bandshell Park and the Main Street Cultural District and be an aesthetically pleasing green space as an entryway to the Downtown. Ms. Lundt pointed out that part of this space will be fenced and used by the Power Plant for storage of materials for future and ongoing projects. Ms. Lundt advised that Phase I of this project will include $165,350 for demolition of the hard- surface areas (parking, building footings, etc.) on the north portion of the property. It was noted that over $45,000 of this total would be for contingency and the services of an architectural or other firm to prepare specific project plans and bid documents. Also, due to the cost of demolition, the Main Street extension will be left in place and covered with fill and plant material, as opposed to being removed. An additional $25,000 must first be spent to remove the existing structures, which will be paid for by the Electric Utility. At the inquiry of Mayor Tedesco, Gary Griggs of Rudi Lee Dreyer stated that there are utilities located on E. Fifth Street that cannot be covered with concrete or asphalt; therefore, the parking at that location needed to be parallel. Ms. Lundt pointed out that parking spaces at that location are not included in either Phase I or Phase II. According to Ms. Lundt, Phase II would develop the open space further with features that will integrate the area with both the Main Street Cultural District and Bandshell Park. This Phase would cost $176,956. Ms. Lundt advised that due to the uncertainty surrounding the options for future Electric Utility needs, staff recommended that decisions on Phase II of this project be delayed until more is known about the Utility’s possible need for the site. Council Member Goodman expressed his concern over the amount of funds, i.e., in excess of $190,000, that potentially could be invested in an area that cannot be used by citizens. Due to the uncertainly of the final disposition of this property, he is also concerned that eventually the property may need to be used for Utility expansion and the improvements would be for naught. Council Member Cross stated that the area needs to be cleaned up, and the bulk of the costs is for site demolition, grading, infill, and seeding. Mr. Griggs explained that foundations and footings are four to eight inches deep on this property. It is important to note the scale of this project; this area is comprised of nearly two 6 acres. He pointed out that, due to its location at the east end of Main Street, it is very visible. Moved by Cross, seconded by Mahayni, to direct staff to prepare a Capital Improvements Plan project to include Phase I of the Duff Avenue Open Space project, parking on the south side of Fifth Street, and the demolition of existing structures. Vote on Motion: 5-1. Voting aye: Cross, Goodhue, Mahayni, Vegge, Wirth. Voting nay: Goodman. Motion declared carried. ORDINANCE REPEALING REQUIREMENT FOR HOMEOWNERS TO PROVIDE PROOF OF GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE WHEN ENGAGED IN CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ON THEIR PERSONAL RESIDENCES: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Vegge, to pass on first reading an ordinance repealing the requirement for homeowners to provide proof of general liability insurance when engaged in construction activities on their personal residences. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ORDINANCE REVISING PARKING REGULATIONS ON STANGE ROAD AND NORTHRIDGE PARKWAY: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Wirth, to pass on first reading an ordinance revising parking regulations on Stange Road and Northridge Parkway. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Goodman, to suspend the rules necessary for the adoption of an ordinance. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Mahayni, to pass on second and third readings and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3805 revising parking regulations on Stange Road and Northridge Parkway. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING PARKING PROHIBITIONS IN MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT MM: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Wirth, to pass on first reading an ordinance establishing parking prohibitions in Municipal Parking Lot MM. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ORDINANCE DESIGNATING STANGE ROAD AS A THROUGH STREET: Moved by Wirth, seconded by Goodman, to pass on first reading an ordinance designating Stange Road as a through street. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Cross, seconded by Mahayni, to suspend the rules necessary for the adoption of an ordinance. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Cross, seconded by Mahayni, to pass on second and third readings and adopt 7 ORDINANCE NO. 3806 designating Stange Road as a through street. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. LINCOLN WAY TRUCK LOADING ZONE: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Cross, to pass on second reading an ordinance revising the Lincoln Way truck loading zone. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ORDINANCE REVISING PARKING REGULATIONS ON HOOVER AVENUE: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Mahayni, to pass on second reading an ordinance revising parking regulations on Hoover Avenue. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. COMMENTS: Moved by Vegge, seconded by Wirth, to refer to staff the letter from David Maahs pertaining to Clarion Technologies and direct staff to schedule a special meeting to address this issue. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to refer to staff the letter from Phasient Technologies. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Council Member Wirth stated that she had received a phone call from a citizen expressing concerns about clutter, excess storage, etc., at the appliance store on South Fourth and the welding business on South Duff. She asked that staff investigate this complaint. ADJOURNMENT: 8:32 p.m. _________________________________ _____________________________________ Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor 8