HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regular Meeting of the Ames Conference Board 02/26/2002MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CONFERENCE BOARD
AND OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA FEBRUARY 26, 2002
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CONFERENCE BOARD
The regular meeting of the Ames Conference Board was called to order by Chairperson Ted Tedesco at
6:34 p.m. on February 26, 2002. Present from the Ames City Council were Goodhue, Hoffman,
Quirmbach, Vegge, and Wirth. Present from the Story County Board of Supervisors were Clinton,
Halliburton, and Toms. Representing the Ames School Board were Bastiaans and Dilla. Gilbert and
United School Districts were not represented.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Bastiaans, to approve the minutes of
the January 22, 2002, Conference Board meeting.
Vote on Motion: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
AMES CITY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE PERSONNEL POLICIES: Moved by Clinton, seconded by
Goodhue, to approve the Personnel Policies for the Ames City Assessor’s Office.
Vote on Motion: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
REAPPOINTMENT OF AMES CITY ASSESSOR: Moved by Clinton, seconded by Hoffman, to
table the reappointment of the Ames City Assessor.
Vote on Motion: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Chairperson Tedesco directed the City Clerk to send notice to members of the Conference Board on
or about September 1, 2002, advising the date and time of the meeting when the reappointment of
the Ames City Assessor will be discussed.
City Council Member Hoffman stated that the action to table the reappointment of the Ames City
Assessor was not based on his performance; it was a matter of bookkeeping and will be better
addressed in September.
HEARING ON FY 2002/03 BUDGET FOR CITY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE: Chairperson Tedesco
declared the hearing open. There being no one present wishing to testify, the hearing was closed.
Moved by Wirth, seconded by Clinton, to approve the Fiscal Year 2002/03 Budget for the Ames City
Assessor’s Office.
Vote on Motion: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT OF CONFERENCE BOARD MEETING: Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by
Dilla, to adjourn the Conference Board meeting at 6:40 p.m.
Vote on Motion: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
The Ames City Council met in regular session at 6:50 p.m. on the 26th day of February, 2002, 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: Goodhue, Hoffman, Quirmbach, Vegge, and Wirth. Council
Member Cross was absent.
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Mayor Tedesco announced that Prairie Logic, Inc., had requested that Item No. 11 on the Consent
Agenda, a Resolution approving the Revolving Loan Fund Contract, be pulled from this agenda.
CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Wirth, to approve the following items on
the Consent Agenda:
1.Motion approving payment of claims
2.Motion approving minutes of the regular meeting of February 12, 2002, and the special meeting of
February 19, 2002
3.Motion approving renewal of the following beer permits and liquor licenses:
a.Class C Beer - Almost Always Open, 419 Lincoln
b.Class C Beer - Gateway Expresse, 2400 Elwood Drive
4.Motion directing City Attorney to draft a change to the Plumbing Code to specify when a permit is
needed
5.Motion directing City Attorney to notify Regency Builders that future requests for releases of
judgment liens must include reimbursement to City for recording and publishing costs
6.Motion approving submission of Police Department’s grant application for the Governor’s Traffic
Safety Bureau STEP Program
7.Motion referring Petition for Annexation for land north of Stone Brooke Subdivision, west of Hwy.
69, east of Grant Avenue, and south of 190 Street (Ames Quarry) to Planning and Zoningth
Commission
8.Cy’s Roost:
a.Motion denying application for new Class C Liquor License and Outdoor Service Area
9.RESOLUTION NO. 02-104 approving Airport hangar lease agreements
10.RESOLUTION NO. 02-105 approving Airport property farm lease for 2002
11.RESOLUTION NO. 02-106 approving Vision Iowa grant agreement for Ames Quarry
12.RESOLUTION NO. 02-108 proposing release of judgment lien arising from City of Ames vs.
Regency Builders, Inc., and Regency Land Co., L.C., for Lot 40, Somerset Subdivision, 2 Additionnd
13.RESOLUTION NO. 02-109 approving preliminary plans and specifications for Renovation of
Heating/Ventilation System at the Ames Municipal Pool; setting March 19, 2002, as bid due date
and March 26, 2002, as date of public hearing
14.RESOLUTION NO. 02-110 approving preliminary plans and specifications for Power Plant Unit #7
Precipitator Replacement Balance-of-Plant General Construction; setting March 29, 2002, as bid due
date and April 9, 2002, as date of public hearing
15.RESOLUTION NO. 02-137 approving preliminary plans and specifications for the 2001/02 Arterial
Street Rehabilitation Program; setting March 20, 2002, as bid due date and March 26, 2002, as date
of public hearing
16.RESOLUTION NO. 02-138 approving preliminary plans and specifications for the 2002/03 Arterial
Street Rehabilitation Program; setting March 20, 2002, as bid due date and March 26, 2002, as date
of public hearing
17.RESOLUTION NO. 02-111 accepting Street Easement Agreement and Electric Transmission and
Distribution Easement with Mary Greeley Medical Center for Dayton Avenue Project
18.RESOLUTION NO. 02-112 approving contract and bond for 13 Street/Northwestern Avenueth
Traffic Signal Project
19.RESOLUTION NO. 02-113 approving contract and bond for South Dakota/Mortensen and
Dakota/Lincoln Way Traffic Signal Project
20.RESOLUTION NO. 02-114 approving contract and bond for Construction of Fire Station No. 3
21.RESOLUTION NO. 02-115 accepting completion of U. S. 30 and South Dakota Avenue Interchange
Grading & Paving Project
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22.South Dakota Avenue Reconstruction Project:
a.RESOLUTION NO. 02-116 approving change orders
b.RESOLUTION NO. 02-117 accepting completion of project
23.13 and Duff Avenue Intersection Improvements - Contract 2:th
a.RESOLUTION NO. 02-118 approving change orders
b.RESOLUTION NO. 02-119 accepting completion of project
24.Lincoln Way and Grand Avenue Intersection Utilities Relocation Project:
a.RESOLUTION NO. 02-120 approving change orders
b.RESOLUTION NO. 02-121 accepting completion of project
25.RESOLUTION NO. 02-122 accepting completion of the construction of Well No. 8A and
abandonment of existing Well No. 8
26.RESOLUTION NO. 02-123 approving Minor Final Plat for Water Tower Place
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.
REQUEST FOR ENCROACHMENT PERMIT FOR 120 WELCH AVENUE: Moved by Goodhue,
seconded by Vegge, to approve the request of Fortune House Chinese Restaurant for an
encroachment permit for a sign at 120 Welch Avenue.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
REQUEST FOR STAFF REVIEW OF THE LAND USE POLICY PLAN (LUPP) AND/OR
ZONING ORDINANCE: Planning and Housing Director Brian O’Connell reminded the Council that
they had directed staff, at the request of the owner of land located on the south side of Billy Sunday
Road, to examine the possibility of amending the LUPP and/or Zoning Ordinance to allow further
development of similar commercial/office/residential buildings on the two remaining lots. He
described the location of the property in question as well as the former and current zoning and uses.
The property owner is seeking a means of changing the written regulations to be allowed to construct
additional mixed-use (commercial/residential) buildings in this area. Mr. O’Connell said that staff
met with the property owner and discussed various options: (1) Change the LUPP designation and
rezoning; (2) Create a text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to allow residential uses above the
first floor in the Highway Oriented Commercial District; and, (3) Leave the LUPP and Zoning
Ordinance unchanged.
The City Council was made aware of the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission
on this issue. Mr. O’Connell stated that it was staff’s belief that the approach to addressing the
property owner’s concern justifies an in-depth analysis of appropriate land uses, the opportunity for
redevelopment of public-owned property, and the limitations that existing street infrastructure
present to further development in this area. He said that what the property owner is desiring is an
isolated solution that would enable further construction of buildings similar to what already has
begun, but to make a quick change to the Zoning Ordinance to fix this property owner’s problem
could conceivably have unintended consequences that would be problematic to the City elsewhere.
Mr. O’Connell advised that the property in question is surrounded by publicly owned land, which
is zoned Government/Airport, and it is possible that those governmental entities may make their land
available for development some time in the future. If the Council chooses to direct staff to perform
an in-depth analysis, Mr. O’Connell wanted them to be aware that it would represent a commitment
of time and staff resources; the analysis would take a number of months.
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Brent Haverkamp, 4915 Timber Creek Lane, Ames, explained that he purchased 16 acres in this area
in 1999, and at that time, the land was zoned General Commercial (G-C), which allowed apartments
as long as 50% of the base floor was commercial or office. Mr. Haverkamp stated that he does not
feel that the property in question is prime Highway-Oriented Commercial (HOC) land. He feels that,
due to the uniqueness of this land, none of the available zoning designations are really appropriate
for this property. Mr. Haverkamp would like to see mixed-use buildings allowed in the HOC zone
with a Special Use Permit; in this way, his property could be turned into productive ground.
Scott Renaud, Fox Engineering, 1601 Golden Aspen Drive, Ames, explained that they tried to be
sensitive to staff’s concerns; however, they feel that whatever happens to the two remaining lots is
not going to affect the area as a whole. Mr. Renaud pointed out that access to this site is extremely
limited, and the site is not visible from Highways 30 or 69. He described the different scenarios that
they looked at in order for the owner to develop the two remaining lots and recommended that
mixed-use buildings be allowed in the HOC zone with a Special Use Permit. They would like any
revisions to the ordinance started soon in order to allow construction to commence in Spring 2002.
Mr. O’Connell told the Council that if a text change is made to allow mixed-use buildings in the
HOC district, it would not only allow that type of development on these two lots, but would impact
all similarly situated properties.
Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Hoffman, to direct staff to research and possibly propose
changes to the LUPP for this area, which may result in a change to the designated land uses for this
area.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
UTILITY RETIREMENT SYSTEM: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Goodhue, to direct the City
Attorney to prepare a change to Section 28.403(2)(j) of the Municipal Code reducing the number of
Council members serving on the Utility Retirement Plan’s Participant Review Board from two to
one; and after the distribution of Principal assets is completed, to prepare a second ordinance change
that entirely eliminates the appointment of City Council members to this Board.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Wirth, seconded by Goodhue, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-124 approving the Plan
document, as amended, to comply with recent law changes to ensure the Plan remains qualified by
the Internal Revenue Service Code.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
Moved by Wirth, seconded by Goodhue, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-125 authorizing the
Director of Finance to contact a pension attorney and actuary to explore the legality of the following
options at a cost not to exceed $10,000:
1.Distribute the funds to the active members at 9/30/97 using the original distribution formula.
2.Distribute the funds to the active members at 9/30/97 using the original distribution formula, but
exclude those who met age 55 and 30 years of service at 9/30/97 and were deemed to have been
made whole at that time.
3.Distribute the funds to members who retired under the defined benefit plan and had annuities
purchased for them.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
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HEARING ON SELLING OF CITY-OWNED LAND AT 24 AND HOOVER FORTH
CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Mayor Tedesco opened the public hearing.
Al Joensen, 1717-24th Street, Ames, said that he owns property at the west end of 24th Street and
has taken part in the previous discussions concerning the proposed development of the land at 24th
and Hoover. He has discovered that just the lots for these three properties have been valued, for
assessment purposes, between $30,000 and $35,000/lot. Mr. Joensen pointed out that there is over
40 tons of concrete buried under the proposed lots as a result of a water tower formerly being located
at that site. He feels that the lots are vastly over-valued, and he is concerned about the future owners
having to pay property taxes on those lots. Mayor Tedesco suggested that Mr. Joensen discuss these
concerns with the City Assessor as that is not within the Council’s purview. Mr. Joensen also stated
his concerns about traffic congestion problems on 24 Street being exacerbated by the locations ofth
the driveways. Public Works Director Paul Wiegand advised that the driveways will be located as
far away from the intersections as possible, but agreed that residents will need to be vigilant when
entering or exiting their properties.
No one else wished to speak, and the hearing was closed.
Moved by Wirth, seconded by Goodhue, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-126 approving the sale
and conveyance to the Story County Community Land Trust, Inc., of City-owned land located at 24th
and Hoover.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
Moved by Wirth, seconded by Goodhue, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-127 waiving the first-time
homebuyer requirement for the Story County Habitat for Humanity to enable one of their proposed
homebuyers, who meets the other eligibility requirements, to purchase a home at 24 and Hoover.th
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
HEARING ON S. 16 STREET WIDENING (AMES CHRISTIAN CHURCH) PROJECT: TheTH
Mayor opened the public hearing. No one wished to speak, and the hearing was closed.
Moved by Wirth, seconded by Goodhue, to adopt the final RESOLUTION OF NECESSITY NO.
02-063.
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: The hearing was opened
by Mayor Tedesco. He closed same after no one wished to speak.
Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Wirth, to pass on first reading an ordinance amending zoning
regulations to clarify the maximum density allowed in residential zoning districts to correct an existing
inconsistency between the Land Use Policy Plan and the Zoning Ordinance
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
HEARING ON TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE: Mayor Tedesco opened the
hearing and closed same after no one wished to speak.
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Discussion ensued concerning the requirement pertaining to the screening of mechanical equipment. After
it was ascertained that this requirement included single-family dwellings in residential zones, Council
Member Goodhue said that he felt perhaps some exceptions should be allowed and would like to have this
item referred back to staff for clarification.
Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Goodhue, to table this item until the City Council’s March 26th meeting.
Vote on Motion: 4-1. Voting aye: Goodhue, Hoffman, Quirmbach, Vegge. Voting nay: Wirth. Motion
declared carried.
LANDMARK CHALLENGE: Assistant City Manager Bob Kindred explained the advertising efforts
that are planned to attract the most innovative proposals to meet the goal of transforming the Power
Plant structure into a symbol of this community. He advised that the funding for the monetary awards
(to be given to a maximum of five finalists and the “winner” or the creator of the concept that is
ultimately selected) will come from the Electric Services budget.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-128 approving the
competition process to select a concept plan to convert the Power Plant into an aesthetic landmark
for our community.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-129 approving an
allocation of $25,000 from the Electric Services Fund for payment of prizes to be awarded for
selected concept plans.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
PROCUREMENT CARD PROGRAM: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Wirth, to adopt
RESOLUTION NO. 02-130 approving the Procurement Card Program Policies.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-131 approving the
Agreement with Bank of America to provide procurement card services.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMIT FEES: Moved by Wirth, seconded by Goodhue, to adopt
RESOLUTION NO. 02-132 authorizing Inspections staff to change the method of calculating
residential building permit fees to more accurately report valuations by: (1) using current valuation
tables and lowering fees to remain revenue neutral, and (2) using the 1997 fee table, but adding a
multiplier of .47 to adjust the fees accordingly, with an effective date of July 1, 2002.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
REPORT ON RENTAL HOUSING ORDINANCE AS IT RELATES TO EXTERNAL
MAINTENANCE: Building Official Jeff Pearson reviewed the sections of the current Rental Housing
Code that deal with exterior property maintenance issues, per the Council’s request of February 1,
2002.
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Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Goodhue, to direct staff to draft a change to the Ordinance so that
upholstered furniture is not allowed on open porches.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
BALL PLASTICS CONTAINER CORPORATION: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Vegge, to
adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-133 approving the declaration of the Ball Plastic Container
Corporation site as an economic development area and submittal of a New Jobs & Income Program
application to the Iowa Department of Economic Development on behalf of Ball Plastic Container
Corporation.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
DOTSON DRIVE PAVING PROJECT: Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Wirth, to adopt
PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION NO. 02-134.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-135 adopting
preliminary plans and schedule of assessment.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-136 adopting the
Proposed Resolution of Necessity and setting March 26, 2002, as date of public hearing.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
FERGUSON SUBDIVISION AREA UTILITIES ASSESSMENT: Moved by Quirmbach, seconded
by Goodhue, to table, to a date uncertain, the adoption of the final assessment schedule and levying
assessments for Ferguson Subdivision Area Utilities to allow staff time to meet with the residents
and discuss issues raised at the February 12, 2002, meeting.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CROSSING STUDY: Scott Logan, Traffic Engineer, explained that the funding
for this project will come from an amendment to the current year’s budget.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Wirth, to direct staff to install flashing school beacons with school
crosswalk signage approximately 150' north and south in advance to the State Avenue crosswalk and
to place a stand, signage, and orange flags on both sides of the State Avenue crosswalk that would
be carried by students as they cross.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE DESIGNATING A 40' TRUCK-LOADING ZONE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF
5 STREET: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Hoffman, to pass on first reading an ordinanceTH
designating a 40' truck-loading zone on the north side of 5 Street adjacent to First National Bank.th
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE REZONING PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTHWESTERN PORTION
OF THE BLOOMINGTON HEIGHTS WEST SUBDIVISION: Moved by Wirth, seconded by
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Goodhue, to pass on second reading an ordinance rezoning property located at the northwestern
portion of the Bloomington Heights West Subdivision from Residential Medium Density (RM) to
Residential Low Density (RL).
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 21.501 OF THE AMES MUNICIPAL CODE: Moved by
Goodhue, seconded by Wirth, to pass on third reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3649 amending
Section 21.501 of the Ames Municipal Code relating to cutting new pavement to replace or remove
water utility service line connections to the main.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
ORDINANCE DESIGNATING “TWO-HOUR PARKING ONLY” ZONE ON FIFTH STREET
ADJACENT TO PYLE OFFICE PARK PROPERTY: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Vegge, to
pass on third reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3650 designating a “two-hour parking only”
zone along the north side of Fifth Street adjacent to the Pyle Office Park property.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
COMMENTS: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Goodhue, to refer to staff the letters from: Jesse Goff
requesting a waiver of subdivision requirements for Stage Coach Summit, 3 Addition; Brad Larson,rd
Stumbo & Associates, requesting a waiver of subdivision requirements for property located east of
520 Avenue in Story County; Ames Economic Development Commission requesting that City staffth
be directed to study the industrial land needs for the community; Story County Planning & Zoning
requesting to present the updates to the County Development Plan at the Council meeting of March
26, 2002; Story County Treasurer regarding several parcels of land that have been split and have
special assessments; and Hunziker & Associates requesting an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance
to allow construction of a convenience store in Somerset Village.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: Adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
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Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor