HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) Transportation Policy Committee Meeting 10/14/2003MINUTES OF THE AMES AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
TRANSPORTATION POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING AND REGULAR MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA OCTOBER 14, 2003
AMES AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION TRANSPORTATION
POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING
The Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Committee met at 7:00
p.m. on the 14th day of October, 2003, in the City Council Chambers in City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue,
with Mayor Ted Tedesco presiding. Present from the Ames City Council were Goodhue, Hoffman,
Mahayni, Vegge, and Wirth. Council Member Cross was absent. Don Toms, representing the Story
County Board of Supervisors; Dave Reed, representing the Boone County Board of Supervisors;
Dennis Kroeger, representing the Ames Transit Agency; Mike Clayton, representing the Iowa
Department of Transportation; and Bob Bourne, Director of Transit, were present.
LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN: Paul Wiegand, City of Ames Public Works
Director, explained that regulations governing the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
require that any activity be accomplished in accordance with an approved long-range transportation
plan in order to receive funds for projects. He said that the MPO was just formed in July 2003, and
a long-range transportation plan has not yet been created. Mr. Wiegand advised that since the City
of Ames represents the vast majority of the MPO area and the City of Ames adopted a long-range
transportation plan in December 2000, the requirement can be met if the City’s Transportation Plan
is accepted by the MPO. If the City Plan is accepted by the MPO, the MPO will still be required to
complete an update to the Plan by October 2005.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Toms, to approve the City of Ames’ Transportation Plan as
the AAMPO Long-Range Transportation Plan.
Vote on Motion: 9-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN: Mr. Wiegand explained that the Public Participation Plan
involves the mechanism by which the MPO will disseminate information and solicit input from
interested parties as the MPO business is conducted. At their July 8, 2003, meeting, the members
approved a draft of this Plan. Notice was published in the Ames Tribune that individuals had 45
days in which to comment. The 45-day comment period has passed. Mr. Wiegand advised that
the Transportation Technical Committee had recommended one change, i.e., that the members
listed in the Plan be changed from “an Ames Municipal Airport representative” to “an Ames
Municipal Airport representative (City of Ames Operations Administrator)”.
Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Mahayni, to approve the Public Participation Plan.
Vote on Motion: 9-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA MATRIX: According
to Mr. Wiegand, the MPO is required to submit an annual three-year plan for Surface
Transportation Plan (STP) projects. The Transportation Technical Committee (TTC) developed
the criteria as tools to evaluate projects and assist in ranking them. Mr. Wiegand advised that the
criteria matrix is not expected to be the only project-rating element.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Wirth, to approve the Project Criteria Matrix, as recommended
by the Transportation Technical Committee.
Vote on Motion: 9-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
IOWA STATE CENTER INTERMODAL FACILITY REPAIRS: Mr. Wiegand stated that the
Iowa State Center parking lot serves as a weekday intermodal facility allowing students, faculty,
staff, and visitors to park in the parking lot and ride the shuttle bus to campus. Approximately
2,800 people/weekday use the parking lot and shuttle buses. The pavement was originally
constructed in the late 1960's and is at the end of its useful life. In order to pursue federal
funding through the TIP process, it is necessary to have an estimate prepared for the cost of
repair. The property is owned by Iowa State University, and they would be responsible for
securing professional engineering services to estimate the extent of commuter parking and the
cost to repair these areas. When the engineering is complete, the project can be programmed for
FTA assistance in proportion to transit-related usage. Mr. Wiegand advised that the engineering
study will cost $5,000, and 80% of the cost has been allocated as an element of the
Transportation Planning Work Program that was approved by the Policy Committee on July 8,
2003. If the cost exceeds $5,000, Iowa State University will be responsible for the additional
costs. Bob Bourne explained that the FTA will fund 80% of the usage; the consultant will
determine what percentage of the usage of the parking stalls is by commuters and what is by
other event activities. Iowa State University will fund the remainder.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Toms, to award Iowa State University funding in the amount
of $4,000 (80% of $5,000) for engineering services to estimate commuter parking repairs.
Vote on Motion: 9-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:10 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
The Ames City Council met in regular session at 7:15 p.m. on the 14th day of October, 2003, in the
City Council Chambers in City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Tedesco
presiding and the following Council members present: Goodhue, Hoffman, Mahayni, Vegge, and
Wirth. Council Member Cross was absent. Nate Johnston, ex officio member, was also present.
Mayor Tedesco acknowledged the gift of an oil painting to the City of Ames from the Delegation
from Enzan City, Japan, who recently visited our city. The painting will be added to the City’s art
collection and appropriately displayed.
The Mayor advised that he had recently been presented with a United States flag from Major Ricky
Ely, an Ames resident serving in Afghanistan. That flag was flown on September 11, 2003, for nine
(9) minutes and 11 seconds over the Eagle Task Force Air Base in Afghanistan. Major Ely sent the
flag to the City to remind the citizens of Ames that there are troops protecting us from foreign
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powers. He also remembers that Ames was directly affected by the attacks of September 11, 2001,
when the Haviland Family lost a son in the World Trade Center.
Mayor Tedesco also announced that the Free Leaf Days will be held on October 25, November 1,
November 8, and November 15, 2003. Residents may take their leaves to All Seasons Contracting
Services at 407 Freel Drive. On October 25, leaves and brush may be taken; the following dates,
only leaves will be accepted.
PROCLAMATION FOR ERADICATE POLIO DAY: Mayor Tedesco proclaimed October 22,
2003, as Eradicate Polio Day. Accepting the Proclamation were Don and Doris Goering,
Chairpersons for “Eradicate Polio Day;” Committee Member Jim Mason; and Andrew Kang and
Jenny Shen, representing the Mayor’s Youth Committee.
PROCLAMATION FOR CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK: The week of October 19 - 25, 2003,
was proclaimed as Character Counts Week. Accepting the Proclamation was Ray Richardson,
Superintendent of the Ames Community School District.
CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Tedesco advised that staff had requested Item No. 22, which
pertained to completion of the Resource Recovery System Improvements/Reject Truck Bay, be
pulled from this agenda.
Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Vegge, to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
1. Motion approving payment of claims
2. Motion approving minutes of regular meeting of September 23, 2003
3. Motion approving renewal of the following beer permits and liquor licenses:
a. Special Class C Liquor - Hunan Palace, 823 Wheeler Street
b. Class C Liquor – The Meeting House, 823 Wheeler Street, Ste. 4
4. Motion approving certification of civil service applicants
5. Motion directing City Attorney to prepare ordinance revising parking regulations on Dickinson
Avenue
6. Motion directing City Attorney to prepare ordinance revising parking regulations on Hunt Street
7. RESOLUTION NO. 03-390 approving and adopting Supplement No. 2003-04 to the Ames
Municipal Code
8. RESOLUTION NO. 03-391 approving appointment of David Cornell to fill vacancy on Human
Relations Commission
9. RESOLUTION NO. 03-392 approving an Alternate Energy Purchase Program allowing
customers to voluntarily contribute via their monthly bill
10. RESOLUTION NO. 03-393 approving 28E Agreement with the Iowa Alcoholics Beverages
Division for Tobacco Enforcement
11. RESOLUTION NO. 03-394 approving the Under-Age Enforcement Contract between the Ames
Police Department and the Department of Human Services
12. RESOLUTION NO. 03-395 approving Engineering Services Agreement with Sega, Inc., for
Combustion Turbine Generator Project in the amount of $1,275,000
13. RESOLUTION NO. 03-396 approving Engineering Services Agreement with DGR for the
Dayton Avenue Substation Transformer project in the amount of $160,500
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14. RESOLUTION NO. 03-397 approving Consultant Services Agreement for State Avenue
Widening
15. RESOLUTION NO. 03-398 requiring advance payment of recording fees for documents
pertaining to approval of plats of subdivisions
16. RESOLUTION NO. 03-399 approving contract and bond for Ada Hayden Heritage Park Site
Seeding
17. RESOLUTION NO. 03-400 approving contract and bond for Ada Hayden Heritage Park
Restroom Building
18. RESOLUTION NO. 03-401 approving change orders for Ada Hayden Park Construction Project
19. RESOLUTION NO. 03-402 accepting completion of 2001/02 Water System Improvements
Program – Elevated Water Storage Tank
20. Brookview Place West Subdivision, 2nd Addition:
a. RESOLUTION NO. 03-404A approving partial completion of public improvements
b. RESOLUTION NO. 03-404B approving Major Final Plat
21. RESOLUTION NO.03-405 approving Major Final Plat for Bloomington Heights West, Plat 2
22. Somerset Subdivision, 16th Addition:
a. RESOLUTION NO. 03-406 approving partial completion of public improvements
b. RESOLUTION NO. 03-407 approving Major Final Plat
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
PUBLIC FORUM: No one spoke during this time.
CYNTHIA DUFF PLAZA: Moved by Wirth, seconded by Goodhue, to approve the
commemorative wording, as approved by the Public Art Commission, to be cast onto a single
bronze plaque in Cynthia Duff Plaza.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ADDITIONAL PARKLAND LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF DAWES DRIVE: Moved
by Goodhue, seconded by Mahayni, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 03-408 accepting the donation
of 3.87 acres for parkland along Dawes Drive adjacent to Ada Hayden Heritage Park with the
following stipulations, as requested by the Family of Charles Calhoun:
1. That the site be named “Charles Calhoun Memorial Park” and that permanent signage be
located at the site; and,
2. That the parcel remain more natural than developed; specifically, that man-made recreational
apparatus not be installed, such as playground equipment, swings, basketball pad, etc.; and,
3. That site amenities can include, as deemed appropriate by the City and as future funding
allows, a parking lot, shelter house, grills, drinking fountain, crushed rock trail system, and
interpretive signage; and authorizing expending an amount, to be paid from the Parkland
Acquisition and Development account, not to exceed $15,000 to accomplish the land
transfer.
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Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
PROPOSED RECREATION/AQUATICS COMPLEX: Mayor Tedesco pointed out that a letter
had been placed around the dais from Dennis Pyle, 2215 Timberland Road, Ames,
recommending that the City Council approve an outdoor aquatics complex at a cost of $5.9
million.
Nancy Carroll, Parks and Recreation Director, advised that the Parks and Recreation
Commission had unanimously recommended that the rate for a family pass at the proposed
Recreation/Aquatics Center be set at $385; the room rental rates as suggested by the consultants
be approved; and the gym and cardio/weight rooms at the Community Center, Municipal Pool,
and Carr Pool be kept open.
Council Member Goodhue asked if a portion of the projections of users will pull from existing
facilities, e.g., Carr Pool, Municipal Pool. Nancy Carroll, Director of Parks and Recreation,
advised that it is anticipated that there will be a significant drop in attendance at Carr Pool. It is
believed that many users will transition over to the new facility; however, the School District
will continue to use the Municipal Pool just as it is being used now. He also asked if the
consultants, in preparing the projections, got any sense from the local community as to whether
people would support the two fee options. Ms. Carroll said the consultants came up with the
$550 fee based on national trends and data and locally within Central Iowa, figuring in the
amenities that will be available. The consultants reduced the fee by 30% ($385) to make it
comparable to the City’s current fee structure for passes at the pools and cardio/weight rooms.
Mr. Goodhue pointed out that the proposed rates of $550 or $385 are in today’s dollars. He
wanted to know what that will mean in terms of the fees by the time the facility is built. Ms.
Carroll clarified that the construction costs and operational expenses are what are anticipated for
2005, but the revenue estimates are based on the annual fee of $385 for 2003. The Parks and
Recreation Commission is responsible to establish fees and charges for the upcoming year based
on inflation. On average, fees increase 5% annually. If the Commission does not raise rates, the
consultants’ report reflects the most conservative revenue projections. If the Commission
chooses to increase fees by 5% annually, the annual family pass would be approximately $440,
versus $385, in 2005/06.
Mayor Tedesco pointed out that the proposed $385 fee would be for Ames residents; non-
residents would pay a higher fee because they would not be paying property taxes. Nancy
Carroll advised that non-residents would pay approximately 25% more. The Mayor also said
that people do not have to purchase annual passes; there are several options depending on what
you want to use and how often. Nancy Carroll elaborated that the fee structure includes options
for daily fees and punch passes.
Council Member Mahayni asked if there were programs available for those who are not able to
pay the annual fee. Ms. Carroll advised that the City has always had a policy that if a family or
individual qualifies through Mid-Iowa Community Action as being at or below the Story County
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median income level, they pay reduced rates, e.g., for swimming passes, those people would pay
one-half the regular price and the other half would be paid by the Friends of Ames Swimming
(Friends). The City does not subsidize the pass; the Friends group pays the other half. She said
that they will need to discuss the proposed fee structure with the Friends group. Concerning
recreational programs, Ms. Carroll said the qualifying family/individual pays one-half of the fee
and the rest is absorbed within the City’s programming structure.
Trip Hedrick, 2502 Athlone Court, Ames, stated that the Friends group continues to grow, both
in numbers as well as in interest and enthusiasm for the proposed recreation/aquatics center. He
said the Friends group urges the City Council to adopt the lesser user fees. This group believes
that the fees proposed are the most user-friendly fees in the area, both in terms of admission
price and the many options available. Examples given were: (1) The single admission fee
proposed for the Ames aquatics center is $2.50 for youth and seniors and $3 for adults compared
to Nevada’s $3 flat fee for all users; (2) The individual 3-month summer pool pass (good for
both the indoor and outdoor aquatics centers) is proposed at $39/youth and senior and $60/adult
compared to a $65 flat fee for the Nevada facility; (3) The family three-month pass is $125
compared to Nevada’s fee of $130. The Friends group feels that it is imperative that the Parks
and Recreation Commission and the City Council impress upon the Ames citizens that the $385
fee is the price for a family, all-facility, 12-month, multi-user pass. He said the group looks
forward to returning to the Council soon to bring forth a recommended date for the special
election on this issue.
Council Member Goodhue stated that he is highly supportive of this project; however, tonight
is the first time that the Council really had a good sense of how it would impact property taxes.
Before the City moves forward with putting this on the ballot, he encouraged the Council to wait
and see what the budget is going to look like for the coming year. Mr. Goodhue pointed out that
this week, more budget cuts have been announced by the state, and he thinks the City will be
very challenged this year. He believes this is a great project and something that needs to be done
for the citizens; however, he feels that the Council needs to know where the potential tax
increase from the aquatics/recreation center fits into the City’s overall budget picture.
Mayor Tedesco advised that he had learned via a telephone conference with Governor Vilsack
yesterday that cities will get cut again by approximately $9 - $10 million across the state. That
comes directly from the fact that the state is not going to reimburse the property tax credits,
which are basically the Homestead Credit, the Military Credit, and the Elderly/Disabled Credits.
Moved by Vegge, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 03-409 approving the
fee structure as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made
a portion of these minutes.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Vegge, to keep the gym and cardio/weight rooms at the
Community Center, the Municipal Pool, and Carr Pool open with the prerogative to evaluate
these facilities annually to determine the wisdom of keeping the facilities open based on the
amount of usage, level of tax support required to operate, and the overall condition of the
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structures.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3535 S. 530TH AVENUE:
Mayor Tedesco advised that the application for annexation submitted by Daphne and Jaime
Reyes was accompanied by a statement that their application was conditioned upon seven
stipulations being met. He pointed out that the stipulations involve governmental functions of
the City Council and cannot be guaranteed as a condition of annexation. These stipulations have
not been withdrawn by the applicants; therefore, the City has no recourse other than to deny the
application for annexation at this time.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Hoffman, to reject the Petition for Voluntary Annexation of
property located at 3535 S. 530th Avenue.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
EAST LINCOLN WAY WIDENING CONCEPT: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Hoffman,
to approve the East Lincoln Way Widening project that will provide five lanes between the
Skunk River Bridge and Dayton Avenue and three lanes from Dayton Avenue to Interstate 35
and include pedestrian/bicycle facilities.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
REHABILITATION OF RUNWAY 1/19: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Mahayni, to adopt
RESOLUTION NO. 03-410 directing that the project proceed and authorizing matching funds
in the amount of $130,000 to be paid from the Airport Construction Fund for the rehabilitation
of Runway 1/19.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes
HEARING ON VACATING LOTS B AND E, SOMERSET SUBDIVISION, 3RD ADDITION:
Mayor Tedesco opened the public hearing.
Moved by Mahayni, seconded by Wirth, to continue this hearing until the October 28, 2003, City
Council meeting due to the need for additional easements.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
HEARING ON ORDINANCE REVISING WARD AND PRECINCT BOUNDARIES: The
hearing was opened by Mayor Tedesco. No one wished to speak, and the Mayor closed the
hearing.
Moved by Wirth, seconded by Goodhue, to pass on first reading an ordinance revising
boundaries for Ward 1, Precinct 2, and Ward 3, Precinct 5, to include annexed land.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
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Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Vegge, to suspend the rules necessary for the adoption of an
ordinance.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Wirth, to pass on second and third readings and adopt
ORDINANCE NO. 3741 revising boundaries for Ward 1, Precinct 2, and Ward 3, Precinct 5,
to include annexed land.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
ORDINANCE REVISING LIABILITY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR VARIOUS
CITY PERMITS: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Vegge, to pass on first reading an ordinance
revising the liability insurance requirements for various City permits.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE REVISING MECHANICAL CODE AS TO THE CLE REQUIREMENT:
Moved by Mahayni, seconded by Goodhue, to pass on first reading an ordinance revising the
Mechanical Code as to the CLE requirement.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE MAKING A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT TO ALLOW MODEL
HOMES/SALES OFFICES AS A PERMITTED USE WITHIN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS:
Moved by Vegge, seconded by Goodhue, to pass on second reading an ordinance making a text
amendment to allow model homes/sales offices as a permitted use within residential districts.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE MAKING A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT REGARDING SETBACKS FOR
CORNER LOTS IN THE RL, RM, AND UCRM ZONING DISTRICTS: Moved by Goodhue,
seconded by Hoffman, to pass on third reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3738 making a
zoning text amendment regarding setbacks for corner lots in the RL, RM, and UCRM Zoning
Districts.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
ORDINANCE MAKING A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT TO ESTABLISH A NEW
PERMITTED USE (DWELLING HOUSE) IN THE RM, RH, AND S-SMD ZONING
DISTRICTS: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Mahayni, to pass on third reading and adopt
ORDINANCE NO. 3739 making a zoning text amendment to establish a new permitted use
(dwelling house) in the RM (Residential Medium Density), RH (Residential High Density), and
S-SMD (South Lincoln Sub-Area Mixed-Use District) Zoning Districts.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
ORDINANCE AMENDING CODE PERTAINING TO MUTCD: Moved by Vegge, seconded
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by Hoffman, to pass on third reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3740 amending the
Municipal Code to change certain wording in Section 26.3 from “1978” to “latest,” pertaining
to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:00 p.m.
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor
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