HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council 03/06/2001MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA MARCH 6, 2001
The Ames City Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. on the 6th day of March, 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.
CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m.
PRESENTATION OF GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD: Mayor Tedesco presented Duane
Pitcher and Carol Collings the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government
Finance Officers Association which was awarded to the City of Ames for the fiscal year
2000/2001. Mayor Tedesco noted that this is the fifteenth consecutive year the City of Ames
has received this Award.
CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Campbell, seconded by Cross, to approve the items on the
Consent Agenda minus the item regarding Access/Construction Easements for Well No. 8.
1.Motion approving payment of claims
2.Motion approving renewal of the following beer permits/liquor licenses:
a.Class C Liquor - Twentieth Century Bowling, 505 South Duff Avenue
3.Motion to receive and file request from AT&T Broadband to transfer cable franchise and to
place request on March 27, 2001, agenda
4.Demonstratives, Inc.:
a.RESOLUTION NO. 01-078 approving CEBA contract among City of Ames;
Demonstratives, Inc.; and the State of Iowa
b.RESOLUTION NO. 01-079 approving a City of Ames Revolving Loan Fund contract
with Demonstratives, Inc.
5.RESOLUTION NO. 01-080 proposing release of judgment lien arising from City of Ames vs.
Regency Builders, Inc, and Regency Land Co., LC, pertaining to Lot 31 in Bloomington
Heights, Plat 7 and setting date of public hearing for March 27, 2001
6.RESOLUTION NO. 01-083 approving plans and specifications for South Dakota Avenue/U.S.
30 Interchange Grading and Paving Project; setting April 3, 2001, as bid due date and April
10, 2001, as date of public hearing
7.RESOLUTION NO. 01-084 approving amendment to agreement with IDOT for
Reconstruction of Lincoln Way and Grand Avenue Intersection
8.RESOLUTION NO. 01-085 accepting completion of Water/Wastewater Laboratory
Modifications Project
9.RESOLUTION NO. 01-086 accepting completion of Mortensen Road Extension Project.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
ACCESS/CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS FOR WELL NO. 8: Blake Delaney, 1100 Sixth
Street, Ames, spoke regarding the ice problem occurring at his home. He stated that he is not
opposed to the easement; however, is concerned with a safety issue. He requested that the
water run-off be diverted so it does not run directly onto his driveway.
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Paul Wiegand noted that the bike path (sidewalk) will be repaired to angle toward the street.
He reported that the remaining portions of the easement were negotiated by Water and
Pollution Control Department staff who have asked that the slope of the bike path be repaired.
Mr. Wiegand added that he believes this will take care of the run-off problem on the right-of-
way.
John Dunn, Water and Pollution Control, reported that part of the construction project will
include a new gravel drive to get to the well. At that time, they could possibly regrade or
reshape the driveway. He added that Staff is requesting a decision so they can be sure all City
wells are reachable by the summer months.
Mayor Tedesco confirmed with Mr. Wiegand and Mr. Dunn that they are willing to work with
Mr. Delaney and do what can be done to remedy the problem.
Moved by Campbell, seconded by Goodhue, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-081 approving
the easement agreement with the Ames Community School District for property on Sixth Street
south of Ridgewood Avenue and authorizing payment in the amount of $800.
Moved by Campbell, seconded by Goodhue, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-082 authorizing
Staff to proceed with condemnation of the access easement at 1100 Sixth Street for access to
the proposed well location.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
PUBLIC FORUM: Merlin Pfannkuch, 1424 Kellogg Avenue, Ames, explained his concern
regarding the Somerset proceedings. He stated that he believes they were illegal and requested
that the City Council ask the Story County Legislators to obtain an Attorney General’s legal
opinion on whether this procedure was legal. Mr. Pfannkuch added that if the City does not
want to enforce Developers’ Agreements, they should not bother entering into the Agreements.
He suggested that a representative of the City and the Developers do a joint inspection and
record the status of work completed.
REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURES FOR THE GREEK WEEK
OLYMPICS: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Cross, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-087
approving the request of Greek Week 2001 Central Committee to close streets for the Greek
Week Olympics on March 31, 2001, including Greeley Street (Gray to Pearson), Pearson
Avenue (Ash to Greeley), Gray Avenue (Greeley to Sunset), and Sunset Drive (Ash to Gray)
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; and
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.
BANNER PERMIT FOR UNITED WAY OF STORY COUNTY: Moved by Wirth, seconded
by Hoffman, to approve the request by United Way of Story County to suspend a banner over
Main Street from August 31 through November 15, 2001.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
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2001/02 ART AROUND THE CORNER PROGRAM: Letitia Hansen, representing the Ames
Public Art Commission, presented the proposed sculptures for the program. Assistant City
Manager Bob Kindred added that the exact location for each sculpture has not yet been
determined.
Moved by Wirth, seconded by Cross, to approve the 2001/02 Art Around the Corner Program.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ACQUISITION OF ARTWORK FOR CITY HALL: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Goodhue,
to approve the proposed acquisition of artwork for City Hall. Nancy Polster, representing "Art
in City Hall," presented the proposed artwork and background on the artist (Garth Garstein).
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
AMES CIRCLE OF ARTS SCULPTURE: Council Member Cross explained that he had
previously voted against this issue and has since reconsidered. He commended citizen groups
on their hard work and valued input. Mr. Cross summarized the project by noting that a
recommendation was first brought to Council from the Public Art Commission following
months of effort to study and come forward with a recommendation; the Parks and Recreation
Commission endorsed the project unanimously; and, further, the landscape architect who had
created the plan for the park had accepted the recommended location for the sculpture.
Ms. Polster reported that the height of the sculpture is 13' rather than 18' as was earlier noted.
Mr. Kindred noted that if the resolution were approved, the City will enter into an agreement
with Bill Culbertson to finalize plans; upon completion of the plans, Council will have the
opportunity to approve or deny the sculpture.
Moved by Cross, seconded by Goodhue, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-088 authorizing an
agreement with Bill Culbertson for final design of the Ames Circle of Arts sculpture.
Roll Call Vote: 4-2. Voting aye: Quirmbach, Goodhue, Campbell, Cross. Voting nay: Wirth,
Hoffman. Resolution declared adopted, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of
these minutes.
Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Campbell, to approve the location for the "Ames Circle
of Arts" sculpture in Bandshell Park.
Vote on Motion: 4-2. Voting aye: Quirmbach, Goodhue, Campbell, Cross. Voting nay:
Wirth, Hoffman. Motion declared carried.
HEARING ON ADOPTION OF 2001/02 BUDGET: Mayor Tedesco declared the hearing open.
Geri Derner, 2701 Ferndale Avenue, Ames, representing the Ames Jaycees, addressed the
Council regarding the Jaycees’ request for fireworks funding. Ms. Derner asked that the
Council increase the amount of funding from the City to $7,500.
There being no one else wishing to speak, the hearing was closed.
Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Cross, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-089 approving the
2001/02 budget.
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Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a
portion of these minutes.
HEARING ON REZONING OF 208 STANTON AVENUE FROM "RH" (RESIDENTIAL
HIGH DENSITY) TO "DCSC" (DOWNTOWN/CAMPUSTOWN SERVICE CENTER):
Brian O’Connell, Director of Planning and Housing, answered Council questions regarding
potential plans for the site. He explained that while there is nothing specific at this time, it
would likely be a structure involving a combination of commercial and residential uses.
Mayor Tedesco declared the hearing open. There being no one wishing to speak, the hearing
was closed.
Moved by Cross, seconded by Goodhue, to pass on first reading an ordinance rezoning the
property at 208 Stanton Avenue from "RH" (Residential High Density) to "DCSC"
(Downtown/Campustown Service Center).
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
REQUEST FROM ARBOR HILLS RESIDENT FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO
OCCUPY CURRENT RESIDENCE UNTIL MAY 31, 2001: Moved by Quirmbach, seconded
by Cross, to grant an exception to the restrictive covenant and allow the resident to continue
to reside at Arbor Hills until May 31, 2001.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT: City Planner Ray Anderson summarized the process
followed in creating the design guidelines and receiving input. He added that Staff had
previously suggested that a subcommittee of the Historic Preservation Commission be formed,
but has reconsidered and believes a less formal process may be more effective.
City Manager Steve Schainker reiterated that there are two steps in the program. The revolving
loan fund is one step, and the partial tax abatement is a second step. This allows for any
improvement being made to be seen as a significant improvement to downtown. This also
allows for a property owner to choose any of the elements listed rather than all of the elements.
Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-090 adopting
the Downtown Design Guidelines with a modification deleting reference to an advisory
committee of the Historic Preservation Commission with the understanding that there will be
informal consultation as needed.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a
portion of these minutes.
Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-091 adopting
the Downtown Revolving Loan Fund with a modification deleting reference to an advisory
committee of the Historic Preservation Commission with the understanding that there will be
informal consultation as needed.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a
portion of these minutes.
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DOWNTOWN URBAN REVITALIZATION AREA: In answer to Council questions, Economic
Development Coordinator Mark Reinig reported that strict requirements for the revolving loan fund
had been added to ensure that design guidelines would be followed. He further explained that rear
facades are not under the same guidelines as front facades, and that the requirement for the use of
the front half of first floors as retail would likely be for the life of the tax abatement.
Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Wirth, to direct Staff to prepare an Urban Revitalization Plan
for Downtown.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Cross, seconded by Campbell, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-092 setting date of
public hearing for April 24, 2001, for the first reading of an ordinance establishing the
Downtown Urban Revitalization Area.
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 Quirmbach, seconded
by Wirth, to pass on third reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3608 banning smoking in
public places.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
COMMENTS: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Cross, to refer to staff the Randall Corporation
letter requesting parking meters in front of 303 Welch Avenue.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:43 p.m.
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Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor
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Susan DeMoss, Recording Secretary