HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Joint Meeting of the Ames City Council and Electric Utility Operations Review and Advisory Board 03/05/20021
MINUTES 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 MARCH 5, 2002
The Ames City Council met in joint session with the Electric Utility Operations Review & Advisory
Board (EUORAB) at 5:15 p.m. followed by the regular meeting of City Council on the 5 day ofth
March, 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: Cross, Goodhue,
Hoffman, Quirmbach, Vegge, and Wirth. Members of the EUORAB present for the joint meeting
were John Lamont, Al Joensen, Kevin Geis, Ron Nelson, and Jon Diller.
JOINT MEETING WITH ELECTRIC UTILITY OPERATIONS
REVIEW & ADVISORY BOARD (EUORAB)
This joint meeting was intended to serve as a workshop to provide an opportunity for both the City
Council and the EUORAB to learn more about the critical issues involved in the City’s upcoming
Integrated Resource Planning Study. Those issues were identified as base load capacity, peak load
capacity, transmission capabilities, and environmental requirements.
Merlin Hove, Director of Electric Services, explained that because of the continual growth in the
City’s customers’ electric usage, the aging of the 35 MW Unit #7, and the more stringent air quality
requirements being contemplated at the federal level, it is imperative that capital improvement
projects be identified that allow future electricity needs to be satisfied. The City anticipates
developing that capital improvement strategy as an outgrowth of the Integrated Resource Planning
Study that is budgeted for in 2002/03. Mr. Hove compared the City’s projected load growth with
the system’s existing capacity.
Representing Mid-American Energy were Steven Imming, Manager of Jointly Owned Units, and
Bill Whitney, Director of Generation Engineering/Project Co-Manager. Mr. Whitney explained Mid-
American Energy’s plan to build a 900 MW power plant near Council Bluffs. He offered insights
into what issues their company had to explore before making a decision to develop the $1.4 billion
plant, which is scheduled to come on-line in Spring 2007. Mr. Whitney said that the coal-fired plant
will be operated by MidAmerican Energy Company, but jointly owned; the generated electricity will
be shared by MidAmerican and other utilities. They are anticipating having a total of 12 to 15
entities share ownership of this new plant.
Mr. Hove provided a status report of the joint base load plant and other related projects that are being
discussed by the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities. He gave an overview of the findings of the
Stanley Study.
Tom Wind, President of Wind Consulting, explained the efforts underway by the major transmission
line owners in the region to establish a large merged transmission company (TRANSLink), which
is intended to serve the needs of the surrounding ten-state area. This is a “for profit” independent
transmission company including utilities in Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. Mr. Wind outlined the
problems getting power to Ames due to “bottlenecks” in the transmission grid. He pointed out that
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any off-site capacity that is ultimately selected will be of no value if a reliable cost-effective
transmission system is not available to bring the electricity to the customers.
Carl Weilert, Manager, Air Pollution Control, with Burns & McDonnell, reviewed proposed federal
clean air legislation that will impact all new and existing power plants. He advised that the standards
that are mandated will determine the type of improvements that will be needed to retrofit the City’s
existing power plant; once the mandated standards are known, the cost implications can then be
considered. Mr. Weilert spoke specifically about four main pollutants (Mercury, Nitrogen Oxides,
Fine Particulate, and Sulfur Dioxide) and their regulatory programs.
The meeting recessed at 7:35 p.m. and reconvened at 7:45 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
PRESENTATION OF GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS DISTINGUISHED BUDGET
PRESENTATION AWARD: Mayor Tedesco presented the Award to Duane Pitcher, Finance
Director, and Carol Collings, Budget Officer.
CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Cross, 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 26, 2002
3.Motion approving renewal of the following beer permits and liquor licenses:
a.Class B Wine & Class C Beer – Sam's Club #6568, 305 Airport Road
b.Class C Liquor – Twentieth Century Bowling, 505 South Duff
c.Class C Beer – Swift Stop #4, 1118 South Duff
d.Class C Beer – Swift Stop #5, 3218 Orion Street
4.Motion approving certification of civil service applicants
5.RESOLUTION NO. 02-139 adopting revised rental housing fees
6.RESOLUTION NO. 02-140 approving Neighborhood Improvement Program grants
7.RESOLUTION NO. 02-141 approving plans and specifications for 2000/01 Arterial Street
Rehabilitation Program (Dayton Avenue Reconstruction Project) from 13 Street to Lincolnth
Way; setting March 26, 2002, as bid due date and April 9, 2002, as date of public hearing
8.RESOLUTION NO. 02-142 approving plans and specifications for 2000/01 Arterial Street
Rehabilitation Program (Dayton Avenue Railroad Overpass across UP RR); setting April 3,
2002, as bid due date and April 9, 2002, as date of public hearing
9.RESOLUTION NO. 02-143 approving contract with Hydronic Energy, Inc., of Des Moines,
Iowa, in the amount of $47,672 for Closed Circuit Cooling Towers for City Hall
10.RESOLUTION NO. 02-144 approving contract with Automatic Systems Company of Ames,
Iowa, in the amount of $111,203 for Allen-Bradley Variable Frequency Drives to replace
existing drives at the Water Pollution Control Plant
11.RESOLUTIONS NO. 02-145 thru 02-147, respectively, approving releases of contracts and
liens in connection with the City’s Phase III Affordable Housing Program in the Bentwood
Subdivision for the following properties:
a.5429 Frost Drive
b.5468 Frost Drive
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c.5421 Frost Drive
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
PUBLIC FORUM: No one spoke during this time.
NEW SPECIAL CLASS C LIQUOR LICENSE FOR THE PIZZA KITCHENS: Moved by
Goodhue, seconded by Hoffman, to approve the Special Class C Liquor License for DePaula
& Fracari, Inc., d/b/a The Pizza Kitchens, 120 Hayward Avenue, subject to receipt of
background checks.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
BANNER REQUESTS FROM UNITED WAY OF STORY COUNTY: Moved by Quirmbach,
seconded by Vegge, to approve the request to suspend a banner over Main Street from
September 30 thru November 15, 2002.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Cross, to refer to staff the request to suspend a banner over
Main Street from August 31 thru November 15, 2003, for establishment of an application
timing policy.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
2002 GREEK WEEK OLYMPICS: Representing the 2002 Greek Week Committee were Andy
Bentley, Special Events Coordinator; Amy Tiesinger, Blood Drive Coordinator; Alisa
Frandsen, Greek Week Advisor; and Nichole Christiansen, General Co-Chair.
Moved by Cross, seconded by Goodhue, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-148 approving street
closures as follows: Greeley Street (Gray Avenue to Pearson Avenue), Pearson Avenue (Ash
Avenue to Greeley Street), Gray Avenue (Greeley Street to Sunset Drive), and Sunset Drive
(Ash Avenue to Gray Avenue) and directing the Police Department to coordinate any towing
following the issuance of the appropriate parking citations, all with the following stipulations:
(1) No alcohol be served or consumed on streets or other public property during the events; (2)
Greek Week organizers inform affected residents about the street closures/parking restrictions;
(3) Greek Week organizers secure any necessary noise permits in advance for these events.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
VEISHEA 2002 REQUESTS: Representing the VEISHEA 2002 Committee were Quinn
Showalter, B. J. Fuhrman, Alan Meyer, and Ross Roti.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Hoffman, to approve the request for waiver of electrical and
water charges and street vendor permit fee.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-149 approving the
closure of the following streets and portions of streets on April 19, 20, and 21, 2002: Welch
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Avenue from Lincoln Way to Chamberlain Street; Welch Avenue from Chamberlain Street to
Hunt Street; Chamberlain Street from Stanton Avenue to Welch Avenue (limited delivery and
business traffic will be allowed until Noon on April 19, 2002); Chamberlain Street from Welch
Avenue to Hayward (limited delivery and business traffic will be allowed until Noon on April
20, 2002); City Parking Lot T, between McDonald’s and Pizza Pit (reserved spaces will not
be closed); and City Parking Lot Y, beside T-Galaxy, just south of Chamberlain.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
HEARING ON ADOPTION OF 2002/03 BUDGET: Mayor Tedesco declared the hearing open.
There being no one wishing to speak, the hearing was closed.
Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-150 approving
the 2002/03 Budget.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
HEARING ON FINAL AMENDMENTS TO FISCAL YEAR 2001/02 BUDGET: The hearing
was opened by Mayor Tedesco. No one wished to speak, and he closed the hearing.
Moved by Wirth, seconded by Cross, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-151 amending the
budget for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2002.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
HEARING ON MAJOR SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR WINDSOR POINTE
APARTMENTS: The Mayor opened the public hearing and closed same after no one wished to
speak.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Vegge, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-152 approving the
Major Site Development Plan for Windsor Pointe Apartments located at 3709, 3725, 3803,
3815, 3905, 3911, and 3917 Tripp Street.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
CONSTRUCTION OF SKATE PARK: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Cross, to adopt
RESOLUTION NO. 02-153 approving plans and specifications for Construction of a Skate
Park; setting April 10, 2002, as bid due date and April 23, 2002, as date of public hearing.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
CHANGE ORDER TO HAULING & RELATED SERVICES CONTRACT: Moved by Wirth,
seconded by Cross, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 02-154 increasing the total estimated cost to
$130,000 for the 2001/02 Hauling and Related Services Contract with Waste Management of
Ames for the Resource Recovery Plant.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor and
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hereby made a portion of these minutes.
ORDINANCE AMENDING ZONING REGULATIONS: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by
Wirth, to pass on second 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: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE DESIGNATING A 40' TRUCK-LOADING ZONE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF
5 STREET: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Wirth, to pass on second 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: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE REZONING PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTHWESTERN
PORTION OF THE BLOOMINGTON HEIGHTS WEST SUBDIVISION: Moved by Hoffman,
seconded by Cross, to pass on third reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3651 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: 6-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
COMMENTS: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Wirth, to refer to staff the letter from the Chamber
of Commerce requesting a community workshop be held to discuss the Commercial Land
Needs Assessment and the letter from the Ames Economic Development Commission
requesting an Industrial Land Needs Assessment.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:04 p.m.
______________________________________________________________________
Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor