HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regular Meeting of the Ames Conference Board 02/27/2001MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CONFERENCE BOARD
AND OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA FEBRUARY 27, 2001
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CONFERENCE BOARD
The regular meeting of the Ames Conference Board was called to order by Chairperson Ted Tedesco at 6:30 p.m.
on February 27, 2001. Present from the Ames City Council were Campbell, Cross, Goodhue, Hoffman,
Quirmbach, and Wirth. Present from the Story County Board of Supervisors were Ballantine, Clinton, and
Halliburton. Present from the Ames School Board were Bastiaans and Dilla; absent were Board Members
Hascall, Chrisinger, Guy, Ringlee, and Tyler.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Moved by Bastiaans, seconded by Halliburton, to approve the minutes of the
January 23, 2001, Conference Board meeting.
Vote on Motion: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
HEARING ON FY 2001/02 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 Cross, seconded by Dilla, approve RESOLUTION NO. 01-076 to adopt the Fiscal Year 2001/02
budget for the City Assessor’s Office.
Roll Call Vote: 3-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Chairperson, and hereby made
a portion of these minutes.
City Council Member Campbell reported that the Mini-Board has met with Richard Horn, City Assessor,
over the past year regarding updates to the personnel policies of the Assessor’s Office. Once the updates are
completed, the Conference Board will need to meet again this year to approve the amendments to the policy
manual.
ADJOURNMENT OF CONFERENCE BOARD MEETING: Moved by Halliburton, seconded by Bastiaans,
to adjourn the Conference Board meeting at 6:45 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 6:45 p.m. on the 27th day of February, 2001, 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: Campbell, Cross, Goodhue, Hoffman, Quirmbach, and Wirth.
PROCLAMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF VOLUNTEERS: Mayor Tedesco proclaimed 2001
as International Year of Volunteers. Georgia Grant, Executive Director of the Story County Volunteer
Center, accepted the proclamation.
CONSENT AGENDA: Council Member Cross asked to pull Item No. 10, “Adoption of new and revised fees
for rental housing regulation” for separate discussion.
Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Goodhue, to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
1.Motion approving payment of claims
2.Motion approving minutes of regular meeting of February 13, 2001
3.Motion approving renewal of the following beer permits and liquor licenses:
a.Class C Beer - Gateway Expresse, 2400 Elwood Drive
b.Class C Beer - Kwik Shop #540, 2700 Lincoln Way
c.Class C Beer and Class B Wine - Sam’s Club #6568, 305 Airport Road
d.Class C Liquor - Lucullan’s Restaurant, 400 Main Street
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4.Motion approving certification of civil service applicants
5.Motion directing City Attorney to draft ordinance designating parking prohibitions on Florida Avenue
6.RESOLUTION NO. 01-064 amending Personnel Policies and Procedures to provide for a fifth week of
vacation for non-union employees
7.Sanitary sewer and street paving on SE 16th Street:
a.RESOLUTION NO. 01-065 approving dividing Ames Special Assessment No. 25755
b.RESOLUTION NO. 01-066 approving dividing Ames Special Assessment No. 25760
c.RESOLUTION NO. 01-067 approving dividing Ames Special Assessment No. 25762
8.RESOLUTION NO. 01-068 approving preliminary plans and specifications for the 2001/02 Asphalt
Resurfacing Program; setting March 21, 2001, as bid due date and March 27, 2001, as date of public hearing
9.RESOLUTION NO. 01-069 approving preliminary plans and specifications for the 2001/02 Neighborhood
Curb Replacement Program; setting March 21, 2001, as bid due date and March 27, 2001, as date of public
hearing
10.RESOLUTION NO. 01-070 awarding a contract for a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus to Ed M. Feld
Company of Carroll, Iowa, in the amount of $165,471.15
11.RESOLUTION NO. 01-071 amending contract with Black & Veatch for Unit #7 Precipitator Work for
Electric Services Department
12.RESOLUTION NO. 01-072 approving Radio Telemetry System Change Order for Water and Pollution
Control Department
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a
portion of these minutes.
SEPARATE DISCUSSION: Moved Campbell, seconded by Goodhue, to approve RESOLUTION NO. 01-063
adopting new and revised fees for rental housing regulation.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to request that staff come back to Council on March 27, 2001, with a
report on the basis by which the City’s actual costs are determined and incorporated into the fee structure
for rental housing regulation.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM: Ellie Nelson and Josh Ehlen, co-directors of the ISU Student Spring Blood Drive 2001,
asked for the community’s support for their annual drive. They encouraged those present to spread the word
to citizens about the drive.
REQUEST TO PAVE PORTION OF SOUTHEAST 16TH STREET (Tabled from December 19, 2001,
meeting): Public Works Director Paul Wiegand explained that SE 16th Street area businesses voiced concerns
regarding out-of-way travel their patrons need to make if they don’t use the gravel portion of SE 16th Street.
Their clients also found it difficult to get off/on the U.S. Highway 30 interchange at South Duff Avenue. The
area motel owners have filed petitions from their customers indicating a desire to have Southeast 16th Street
paved. Mr. Wiegand reported that a majority of the street is not in the incorporated jurisdiction of the City.
He reviewed the three options of pavement improvements as well as the financial implications for the City
and the business owners in the area.
Monte Parrish, 1511 Stone Brooke Road, stated that 10 restaurants and seven motels are now located in the
vicinity, and patrons are discouraged by having to merge onto Highway #30 and then find their way back to
the motels. He felt the petitioners’ request to pave the gravel road at its existing elevation is an inexpensive
fix for an immediate need. Mr. Parrish did not know if all area business owners would be willing to be
assessed for the improvement, but he was willing.
Kevin Cook, 1403 Linden Drive, stated that he was in favor of the paving of SE 16th Street at the existing
grade without changing the bridge over the Skunk River. He further stated that no jurisdiction currently
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maintains the graveled portion of the street.
Jim Prudhomme, 1006 South Dayton Avenue, appeared before Council representing 80-85 families of the
Shady Grove Mobile Home Park. He said that all are in favor of paving the graveled portion of the street.
For those who work in Ames, it is difficult to merge off the South Duff ramp—particularly if trying to turn
against traffic. Mr. Prudhomme reported that more traffic in the area lends to more routes needing to be
designated, and SE 16th Street needs improvement.
Rich Johansen, 226 South 3rd Street, said that he uses the road, but will not be any longer because of its poor
condition. He felt the street should be improved and encouraged the Council to delay extension of South 5th
Street and concentrate on SE 16th Street instead.
Chuck Winkleblack, 105 South 16th Street, suggested that a study be done on possible tax base growth
should more property in the area be opened up for commercial development. He stated that if the road was
paved and more needed commercial ground was opened up, it would be a way to boost the tax base.
Discussion ensued regarding the flood way boundaries in the area surrounding Southeast 16th Street and the
feasibility of an assessment project for the public improvement.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Cross, to direct staff to work with the property owners and explore the
following options: 1) pave the existing gravel road at the existing elevation at an estimated cost of
$300,000; 2) pave the road to a higher elevation above the flood elevation at an estimated cost of
$700,000; and, 3) pave the road to a higher elevation above the 100-year flood level, and build a new
two-lane bridge over the Skunk River at an estimated cost of $2.5 million; and, further direct staff to
explore financial participation from Story County and the City of Ames along with implementation of
an area-wide assessment program.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
VEISHEA 2001 REQUESTS: Assistant to the City Manager Sheila Lundt reviewed the VEISHEA Committee’s
requests for the City’s assistance associated with “A Taste of VEISHEA” events. The requests include
closure of certain City parking lots, streets, and parking spaces in the Campustown area as well as assistance
with costs for water and electricity. Ms. Lundt stated that with regard to a letter received from Campustown
area businesses, the VEISHEA Committee has taken into account some of their concerns and are trying to
address some of the issues.
Ryan Millsap and Adam Segale from VEISHEA 2001 stated that this year’s objective is to provide a fun,
family environment with a wide variety of activities. They addressed how they were handling the concerns
raised in the letter from businesses along Welch Avenue, and they reported that four out of the seven
business owners have signed statements agreeing to “A Taste of VEISHEA” street closures and are
supporting this event.
Moved by Wirth, seconded by Goodhue, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-077 approving a request for
waiver of electrical and water charges and the street vendor permit fee for VEISHEA 2001.
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 Goodhue, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-073 approving the closure of
the following for the VEISHEA 2001 celebration and directing the placement of appropriate signs and
devices for traffic and parking control:
a.Welch Avenue from Lincoln Way to Chamberlain Street: The roadway shall be closed at 3:00 a.m.
on Friday, April 20, 2001, until 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, 2001.
b.Welch Avenue from Chamberlain Street to Hunt Street: The roadway shall be closed at 12:00 p.m.
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on Friday, April 20, 2001, until 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, 2001, with the stipulation that if
activities dictate that there is no cause for this section of street to be closed throughout VEISHEA,
then it shall be reopened as is possible.
c.Welch Avenue from Lincoln Way to Hunt Street: The parking spaces shall be closed from 3:00 a.m.
on Friday, April 20, 2001, through 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, 2001.
d.Chamberlain Street from Stanton Avenue to Welch Avenue: The roadway shall be closed at 10:00
a.m. on Friday, April 20, 2001, until 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, 2001.
e.Chamberlain Street from the Welch Avenue to Hayward Avenue: The roadway shall be closed at
12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2001, until 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, 2001.
f.Chamberlain Street from Stanton Avenue to Hayward Avenue: The parking spaces shall be closed
from 3:00 a.m. on Friday, April 20, 2001, through 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, 2001.
g.City Parking Lot Y (next to T-Galaxy) shall be closed from 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 20, 2001,
until 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, 2001.
h.City Parking Lot T on Welch Avenue (between McDonald’s and Pizza Pit) shall be closed from
12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2001, until 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, 2001. Reserved spaces
shall not be closed.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion
of these minutes.
HEARINGS ON URBAN REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR SOMERSET VILLAGE AND AMENDMENT
TO URBAN REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR URA NO. 7 (Continued from January 9, 2001, meeting):
Brian O’Connell, Planning and Housing Director, reviewed the developer’s request to establish an Urban
Revitalization Area, the implemented procedures and past actions by the City up to this point, and the
observations and recommendations provided by Todd Zimmerman, consultant from Zimmerman/Volk.
Mr. O’Connell gave an overview of the six specific suggestions offered by Mr. Zimmerman to overcome
existing flaws in the Somerset Village Project and to increase the pace of sales.
Mayor Tedesco re-opened the hearing.
Chuck Winkleblack, 105 South 16th Street, appeared on behalf of the developers of Somerset Village. He
stated that they were encouraged by Mr. Zimmerman’s visit to Somerset and that the project can still be used
as a model for the future. While they were willing to make changes as pointed out by Mr. Zimmerman, there
still existed risk on the developer’s part. They are willing to go forward with Somerset, but they want some
commitment from the Council that this project will also go forward as a partnership. Mr. Winkleblack said
that to do this as a joint project, the City needs to offer tax abatement incentives.
Merlin Pfannkuch, 1424 Kellogg Avenue, stated his concerns regarding the City entering into an agreement
for a study which it doesn’t know much about. He said he was opposed to offering a tax abatement incentive
in Somerset. Mr. Pfannkuch explained that from the onset of the developer’s request for abatement in this
subdivision, his concern has been one of fairness and equity. He feels the Council should start this entire
procedure over.
David Maahs, 1007 Vermont, spoke on behalf of the Ames Economic Development Commission. At its
recent meeting, this proposal was discussed. The board supports the City Manager’s recommendation to
offer tax abatement for single-family, detached housing units and the structures for retail businesses.
Joe Lynch, 3700 Onion Creek Lane, referred to the Zimmerman/Volk report and saw no mention of tax
abatement. He feels Somerset Village is the best place in Ames to build, but approving a tax abatement for
the area will not make a difference in its success or failure.
Moved by Campbell, seconded by Goodhue, to approve the concept of granting a tax abatement incentive
for a portion of the Somerset Subdivision for only the single-family, detached units and the commercial
structures used for retail businesses with the following stipulations and continue the public hearing to
March 27, 2001, for approval of the Urban Revitalization Plan for Somerset Village and then for
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approval of an amendment to the Plan:
1.No fewer than 10 single-family, detached or attached housing units shall either be under construction
or complete and offered for sale at all times;
2.With respect to the aforesaid housing units, special financing terms shall be offered to persons
purchasing such units for their own occupancy in the form of interest write-downs or cash bonuses
equaling, at a minimum, $3,000 up to $6,500 depending on the mortgage;
3.Purchasers of lots from the developers will be eligible to receive house plans that have been
approved to meet the architectural guidelines in Somerset. These plans will be provided to the lot
purchaser free of charge;
4.Developers shall grant an additional $1,000 bonus per sale to the selling agent who sells any newly-
constructed (and never occupied) home listed for sale in Somerset;
5.Informational meetings for all real estate agents in the City of Ames should be held periodically to
explain the village concept and to showcase the completed inventory available for sale in Somerset;
6.Civic groups shall be allowed to use the Somerset clubhouse free of charge on a one-time basis;
7.The selling of new homes constructed in the Somerset Subdivision is, at all times while this plan is
in effect, open to all real estate agents of the local real estate market, provided the agents follow all
the rules and procedures of Somerset;
8.The developers continue to develop the entire Somerset project as shown by the City-approved
preliminary plat of Somerset as a Village in accordance with the zoning change agreement adopted
or hereinafter amended for the Somerset Village; and,
9.The developers and the City share the cost for Zimmerman/Volk to perform a Market Position
Analysis.
Moved by Quirmbach, to amend the motion by directing the City Assessor to provide information
on the amount of tax abatement for single-family, detached housing units and structures for retail
businesses spread over a three-year abatement and that staff provide an amendment encompassing
the original motion, but addressing single-family, detached housing units only.
Mayor Tedesco ruled the motion out of order.
Moved by Quirmbach, to amend the motion by directing staff to revise the “amendment to the Plan”
by granting a tax abatement incentive for a portion of the Somerset Subdivision for the single-family,
detached units only. The motion died for lack of a second.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Goodhue, to direct the City Assessor to provide information on
the amount of tax abatement for single-family, detached housing units and structures for retail
businesses spread over a three-year abatement.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
HEARING ON PROPOSED RELEASE OF JUDGMENT LIEN: Mayor Tedesco declared the hearing open.
There being no one present wishing to speak, the hearing was closed.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Cross, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-074 approving release of a
judgment lien for Lot 32 in Bloomington Heights Subdivision, Plat 8.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a
portion of these minutes.
ORDINANCE BANNING SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES: Moved by Wirth, seconded by Hoffman, to pass
on second reading an ordinance banning smoking in public places.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
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COMMENTS: Moved by Cross, seconded by Quirmbach, to refer to staff a request for reconsideration of
approval of an Urban Revitalization Area application for 511 South Fourth Street.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Cross, seconded by Campbell, to revisit the public art proposal for the “Ames Circle of Arts”
sculpture and its placement at the March 6, 2001, meeting.
Vote on Motion: 5-1. Voting aye: Campbell, Cross, Goodhue, Hoffman, Quirmbach. Voting nay: Wirth.
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Campbell, to refer to staff for the March 27, 2001, agenda a request from
The Daly Group, LLC, for refund of a $37,143.32 escrow balance filed in accordance with the agreement
for the South Duff Avenue K-Mart Development Project.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Cross, to ask that staff prepare a cost analysis for providing a leaf pick-up
in the spring as well as the fall.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Wirth, to hold a closed session as provided by
Section 20.17(3), Code of Iowa, 1997, to discuss collective bargaining.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Cross, seconded by Goodhue, to reconvene the regular meeting.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING
ENGINEERS, LOCAL 233 (BLUE COLLAR UNIT): Moved by Cross, seconded by Quirmbach, to adopt
RESOLUTION NO. 01-075 approving the Agreement between the City of Ames and the International Union
of Operating Engineers, Local 233 (Blue Collar Unit).
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a
portion of these minutes.
REPORT OF FACT-FINDER IN IMPASSE WITH INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF
ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 55 (ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION UNIT): Moved by Cross, seconded
Goodhue, to reject the fact-finder’s recommendation and direct staff to take the issues at impasse to
arbitration for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 55 (Electric Distribution Unit).
Vote on Motion: 4-2. Voting aye: Campbell, Cross, Goodhue, Wirth. Voting nay: Hoffman, Quirmbach.
Motion declared carried.
ADJOURNMENT: Adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
_________________________________________________________________________
Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor
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Jill Ripperger, Recording Secretary