HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 01/15/2002M INUTES OF THE SP ECI AL M EETI NG
O F T H E A M E S C IT Y C O U N C IL
AM ES, I O W A JANU AR Y 15, 20 02
The Ames City Council met in spe c ia l ses sion at 5:22 p.m. on the 15th d ay o f Jan ua ry, 2002, in the
C ity C o u n c il C ham bers in C ity H all, 51 5 C lark A ven ue, pu rsuan t to law w i t h M ayor Ted T edesco
presiding and the follow ing C ou ncil m em bers p resent: C ross, G oo dh ue, H offm an, Q uirm bach , V egge,
a nd W irth.
HE A R I N G ON P R OP OS E D R E L E A S E OF JU D GMEN T L IE N A R IS IN G FR OM C I T Y OF
AM ES V S. REG EN CY BUILDER S, INC ., AND REG EN CY LAN D CO ., L.C ., F O R LO T 4,
N O R T H R I D G E PA R K W A Y SU B D I V IS IO N , 1 8 A D D IT IO N: M ayor Tedesco opened the p u b licTH
he a ring. T he re being no on e wi shing to s pe a k, the hear i ng wa s c l osed.
M oved b y W irth, seconded by Quirmba c h, to approve RESOLUTION N O . 0 2-017 approving
releas e of judgmen t lien for Lot 4, Northridge Parkwa y Su bdivis i on, 18 Addition.th
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Res olution declare d ad opte d una nimously, signe d by the M ayor, and he reby
m ade a po rtion of these m inu tes.
W O R K S H O P O N T H E 2 0 0 2 -20 0 7 C A P IT A L IM P R O V E M E N T S PL A N (C IP ): M ayor Tedesco
a nnou nc e d th at th is m e e tin g w o u ld s e rv e as a w o rk sh o p fo r th e C o u n cil to re v i e w t h e 2 0 02/07
Cap ita l Improvemen ts Pla n. He advised that public input on the Plan will be held on January 22,
2002 .
Th e C ity C ou ncil w as rem ind ed b y C ity M anager Steve Schaink er that this recom m end ed C IP w as
c reated prior to the fina liz a tion of the op e rating budget and prior to the determina tion of the
u ltim ate im p act o f d eclin ing rev en u es; the refo re, m o re cu ts in this C IP m igh t be req u ired prio r to
its final approv al. Su ggestion s w ill be m ade b y staff at this even ing’s m eeting on solution s to d eal
wit h the revenue s ho rtfalls . Ac c ording to M r . S c ha i nk e r, staff wil l b e re c om me nd ing that som e
projects for w hich the C ity w ou ld be bo nd ing b e d elayed; this w ou ld serve to m itigate deb t-service
increases.
M r. Schainker e xpla i ne d tha t a s a re sult o f t he e c onomic do wnturn, the City is bra c i ng it self for
reductions in v arious loc a l, s ta te , and federa l funds that tr a dit i ona l l y had financed many of the
projects in the C IP. M r. Sch aink er adv ised that, du e to an ticipated redu ction s in Local Op tion Sales
T ax receip ts, R o ad U se T ax fu n d s, an d U rba n M ass Tran sit rev en u es, certain p rojec ts o rigin ally
scheduled for 20 02/03 e ithe r hav e been elimina te d, reduced, or delaye d in the Pla n. He cite d the
A sp h alt R esu rfacin g p rojec t as o n e tha t w o u ld see a red u ction o f $1 0 0 ,0 0 0 in the first tw o years
of the Plan and $2 00 ,00 0 in the final three years; the T enn is C ou rt R eno vation at M cC arthy Lee
Park will be delaye d u nti l 20 04/05; the Neighborhoo d Im provement Project wi l l be reduced b y
$25,00 0 in 20 02 /03 ; bo th the D ow ntow n F acade Im prov em ents and Park Acquisition/Development
projects w ill hav e $1 00 ,00 0 elim inated (a total of $2 00 ,00 0); and the T raffic Signalization Program
will see an elimination of $113,000 origina lly pla nned for the firs t ye a r of the Plan.
Finance Dire c tor Duane Pitcher explained the proje c tion of debt capacity. He gave a s ummary of
the Genera l Obligation Bond funding. Ch a nge s are being re c om me nd e d by s ta ff to reduce the G.
O. Iss ue (by delayi ng proje c t s) in 2 002/03 fr om $11 ,015,050 t o $7,615,050, a reduction of
$3,400,000; in 2 004/05 from $6,476,500 to $5,864,000, a reduction of $612,500; and in 2 006/07
from $5 ,70 0,00 0 to $5 ,30 0,00 0, a redu ction o f $40 0,00 0. Th ere is no chan ge being recom m end ed
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fo r 2 0 0 3 /04 (rem ain at $6 ,8 1 5 ,0 0 0 ); an d an increa se is p rojec ted fo r 2 0 0 5 /06 from $5 ,3 9 0 ,0 0 0 to
$6,177,500.
Chief Clint Petersen summarized the Fire Department capital projects. He advised that, instead of
replacing Engine #4 in 2001/02 as originally proposed, it is being recommended that that purchase
be delayed until 2004/05.
Assistant City Manager Bob Kindred explained the Outdoor Storm Warning System project. He
said this new capital program will allow the City to acquire larger, new sirens to augment, and
eventually replace, the smaller older sirens.
Director of Public Works Paul Wiegand explained the capital projects recommended for the
Traffic Division. He reminded the Council that the costs provided for the Duff Avenue Railroad
Crossing Project are very preliminary; updated costs will be determined with the study that will
occur after the finalization of this CIP. Mr. Wiegand advised that this is one of the projects that
could be delayed; however, the purchase of the vacant Munn Lumber land should remain in
2002/03. He explained the new Pedestrian Walkway Program, which will provide a system of
interconnected and safe pedestrian facilities. Mr. Schainker wanted the Council to be aware that
funding for this program will be assessed to property owners of affected locations. Concerning the
Bicycle Trail System, Mr. Wiegand advised that the program for 2004/05 could be delayed. Mr.
Schainker pointed out that he is recommending doubling the amount of Local Option Sales Tax
(based on their availability) in 2003/04. Mr. Wiegand reminded the Council that they had referred
to staff the request for a study of traffic implications on the Allenview Neighborhood Association,
and it was initially thought that monies would need to be allocated in the CIP for such a study.
However, according to Mr. Wiegand, the Traffic Engineer Scott Logan believes that that study will
be able to be accomplished and presented by Spring 2002.
Mr. Wiegand continued with the utility capital projects for the Public Works Department. Mr.
Schainker pointed out that the Storm Sewer Utility fees charged to customers do not recoup all of
the costs of the programs; G. O. Bonds need to supplement the Storm Sewer Fund. Mr. Wiegand
explained that the final portion of the South Duff Area Storm Sewer Reconstruction project is
recommended to be delayed to allow for balancing of G. O. Bond funding for the year 2005/06.
Tom Neumann, Director of Water and Pollution Control, summarized the projects being
recommended pertaining to Water Treatment. He advised that other projects that may substitute
for scheduled projects include Lime Bin Painting, Grit Removal System, and a Dry Sludge
Spreader. Mr. Neumann explained that the scope of the Hallett’s Quarry Water Quality Protection -
Flow Augmentation System has changed considerably. He advised that the flow augmentation
portion remains basically unchanged; however, the water quality protection and recreational
opportunities have become significant aspects of this project. According to Mr. Neumann, the
construction of new wells at the Youth Sports Complex has been delayed one year and may be
delayed longer.
Mr. Neumann explained the planned repairs/replacements/upgrades of Plant Equipment. He said
that the schedule may change in response to impending failure, regulatory agency requirements,
etc. He explained that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) current Water Quality
Standards for the South Skunk River require a more stringent discharge quality than the WPC
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Plant was designed to achieve. At this time, neither the IDNR nor the EPA has informed the City
about permit renewal or treatment requirements; therefore, Mr. Neumann stated that any expansion
to the WPC Plant has been delayed. He advised that the Wet-Weather Flow Treatment project (the
portion pertaining to the pump revisions, VFD update, and screen replacement) is also
recommended to be delayed until 2004/05.
The meeting recessed at 7:00 p.m. and reconvened at 7:07 p.m.
Merlin Hove, Director of Electric Services, explained a new project being proposed, i.e., an
Integrated Resource Planning Study. He said it will assess major issues, many of which are linked
to other CIP projects. Mr. Schainker advised that this is a very important Study; it will be the
Master Plan for the electric utility. Mr. Hove stated that it is recommended that the relocation of
the overhead 13.8 kV distribution line along Grand Avenue (U. S. 69) between 13th and 20th
Streets be delayed three years to coordinate with the Public Work’s schedule for the U. S. 69
Improvements Project. Another project recommended to be delayed until 2003/04 is the
Combustion Turbine Controls project; it will be done in conjunction with the planned new
combustion turbine and is subject to confirmation by the Integrated Resource Planning Study. Mr.
Hove explained that it is planned in 2005/06 to construct a 161 kV line from Ames to Mid-
American Energy’s switching station northwest of Ankeny; this project replaces the planned
Alliant Utilities Interconnection and is also subject to confirmation by the Integrated Resource
Planning Study. The Base Load Generating Capacity project with a cost of $60,000,000 is planned
for 2006/07. Mr. Hove explained that that cost is based on the cost of 40 MW joint ownership of
base load generating plant(s) in Iowa.
Mr. Wiegand summarized Transportation programs. He advised that the East Lincoln Way
Widening (500' east of Skunk River to I-35) is a project that may possibly be delayed for two years
(until 2004/05) to balance G. O. Bond debt. Mr. Wiegand advised that staff is now proposing that
the Collector Street Rehabilitation Program not be increased by $1,000,000 in 05/06, which was
initially recommended; the Program would be kept at $600,000. Another program that is being
proposed to be shifted is the U. S. 69 Extension project (Lincoln Way to South 5th Street); the
revenue was changed to Road Use Tax in 2002/03 to balance the Bond funding. He said that State
Avenue Widening (Lincoln Way to Arbor Street) is being proposed to be delayed one year.
Council Member Wirth stated that she would like to, at the very least, have the street lights
changed out when Sixth Street is reconstructed. Council Member Quirmbach suggested that the
streetscape improvements project could be done in phases encompassing perhaps three years.
Regarding the Street Maintenance Programs, Mr. Wiegand explained that staff is recommending
that $625,000 be eliminated in 2005/06 from the Concrete Pavement Reconstruction Program to
balance the G. O. Bond funding. He advised that an unfunded mandate affected the Seal Coat
Removal/Asphalt Reconstruction Program, requiring that the entire project be bid-out; internal
operations cannot perform any of the work.
Noting that the majority of projects now being recommended to be delayed or have their funding
cut fall under the purview of the Public Works Director, Council Member Quirmbach asked Mr.
Wiegand to provide information as to what the service level decrements might be if those changes
to the CIP were approved.
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Bob Bourne, Director of Transit Operations, summarized the three capital improvements for the
Cy-Ride Department.
Nancy Carroll, Director of Parks & Recreation, described the 13 programs being recommended
to occur over the next five years. Ms. Carroll explained that due to a shortfall in Local Option
Sales Tax funding and to assist in balancing the City’s budget, no funds are being recommended
to be allocated in 2002/03 for the Park Acquisition/Development program and no monies are
budgeted for 2002/03 or 2003/04 for the Tennis Court Construction/Replacement program.
Library Director Gina Millsap reviewed their one capital project: replacement or repair of
equipment, materials, and physical plant components of the Public Library.
Steve Schainker explained that it is now being recommended that the funding for the
Neighborhood Improvement Program be cut in half (to $25,000) for 2002/03.
Mr. Schainker gave credit to City staff for coming up with innovative ways to reduce costs,
referring specifically to a pilot project undertaken last year to operate wireless data network
connections to connect the Water Pollution Control facility to the centralized administrative
computer network. He advised that wireless connections to the Resource Recovery Plant and Fire
Station 3 will be continued in 2002/03 as will connections and infrastructure improvements to
CyRide, Fire Station 2, and Parks & Recreation facilities. Mr. Schainker pointed out that this
project will be coordinated with the planned conversation from a token-ring to Ethernet network
communications.
COMMENTS: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Goodhue, to refer to staff the following: letter from
Teresa Paschke dated January 7, 2002; letter from Special Olympics dated January 14, 2002; and
letter from Campustown business owners and managers dated January 11, 2002, regarding Welch
Avenue parking lot.
ADJOURNMENT: 9:04 p.m.
______________________________________________________________
Diane Vos s, City Clerk Ted Tedes c o, M a yor