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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council 08/28/2001 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL AMES, IOWA AUGUST 28, 2001 The Ames City Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. on the 28th day of August, 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: Cross, Hoffman, Quirmbach, and Wirth. Council Members Campbell and Goodhue were absent. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m. Mayor Tedesco announced that Item #32 on the Agenda and the Council Action Form referring to the Preliminary Plat for Brookview Place West Subdivision should state that the property is south of the Union Pacific railroad tracks, not the Chicago & Northwestern. PROCLAMATION: Mayor Tedesco read a proclamation recognizing the Story County Master Gardeners and the Noon’s Lion’s Club for their work at Cynthia Duff Plaza. Kate Mason, Barbara Leeds, and Betty McKern were individually thanked for the leadership roles they assumed with this project. PRESENTATION BY BILL CULBERTSON AND PUBLIC ART COMMISSION ON DESIGN FOR “AMES CIRCLE OF ARTS” SCULPTURE IN BANDSHELL PARK: Nancy Polster, Chairperson of the Public Art Commission, introduced Patti Kimle, Circle of the Arts Committee Chair. Ms. Polster advised the City Council that the Public Art Commission had met today and unanimously voted to recommend that the City Council accept the proposal and authorize a contract with Bill Culbertson for creation of the artwork, “Ames Circle of Arts” to be placed in Bandshell Park. Mr. Culbertson presented his design proposal for the sculpture, describing the medallions, center figure, arches, benches, and lighting. He advised that the Commission would like him to do a little more work on the Theatrical Arts medallion. Mr. Culbertson requested to have a year to finish the artwork. Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to accept the design by Bill Culbertson for the “Ames Circle of Arts” sculpture to be placed in Bandshell Park (in the northwest corner) and refer to staff to work out the details of an agreement with Mr. Culbertson in the amount of $67,500. Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. The meeting recessed at 7:35 p.m. and reconvened at 7:40 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Quirmbach, to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda: 2 1.Motion approving payment of claims 2.Motion approving Minutes of regular m eeting of August 14 and special m eeting of August 21, 2001 3.Motion ap pro ving rene wal of the follow ing beer perm its and liquo r lice nse s: a.Class C Liquor – Deano’s 119 Main, 119 Main Street b.Class B Beer – Flam e-N-Skewer, 2801 Grand Avenue c.Class C Liquor & O utdoor Service Area – Iowa State C enter/Aramark Entertainm ent (Hilton Coliseum) d.Class C Liquor – Iowa State Center/Aramark Entertainm ent (Schem an) e.Class C Liquor – Iowa State Cente r/A ram ark E nte rtainm ent (C .Y. Step hens) f.Spec ial Class C Liquor – Iowa State Center/Aram ark Entertainm ent (Fisher Theater) g.Class C Liquor – Okoboji Grill of Ames, 2719 Grand Avenue 4.Motion approving certification of civil service applicants 5.RE S O LU T IO N N O . 01-380 approving A nnual Street Finance Report 6.RESOLUT ION NO. 01-381 approving cooperative agreem ent with Iowa Civil Rights Com m ission 7.RESOLUT ION NO. 01-382 approving the Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Renewal Contract and the Annual Contributions Contract (AC C) Renewal in connection with the Section 8 Substantial Rehabilitation Rental Subsidy Program 8.RESOLUT ION N O. 01-383 approving request to subordinate the City’s second m ortgage lien for the property located at 5468 Frost Drive in connection with the City’s Ph a se III Affordable Housing Program in the Bentwood Subdivision 9.RE SO LUT ION NO. 01-384 approving the addition of Exchange State Bank to the approved depository resolution and the deletion of Brenton Bank from the approved list of depositories 10.RESOLUT ION NO. 01-385 approving additional hum an services contract for FY 2001/02 11.RESOLUT ION NO. 01-386 approving Iowa Arts Council Service Contract for F.A.C.E.S. grant 12.RESOLUT ION NO . 01-387 approving N ew J obs a nd Inco m e Program (NJIP) am end m ent on behalf of 3-M 13.RESOLUT ION NO. 01-388 approving expenditures for N e ighborhood Improvem ent Projects for 2001/02 14.RESOLUT ION NO. 01-389 approving preliminary plans and specifications for construction of Hard- Surfaced Trail System in Elwood Pasture; setting September 19, 2001, as bid due date and Septem ber 25, 2001, as date of public hearing 15.RESOLUTION NO. 01-390 waiving formal bidding procedures and approving a contract with JACO for Transform er Oil Sampling and PCB Testing in the am ount of $55,250 16.RE SOLUTION NO. 01-391 approving change order for Unit 7 Precipitator Retrofit to H am on Research-Cottrell, Inc., in the am ount of $67,000 17.RESOLUT ION NO. 01-392 acc epting com pletion of Hom ewood G olf Course Irrigation Well 18.RESOLUT ION NO. 01-393 accepting completion of 2000/01 Storm Sewer Intake Rehabilitation 19.RESOLUT ION NO. 01-394 accepting com pletion of E lwood Drive/U. S. Hwy. 30 Traffic Signal and Grand Avenue Interconnect Project Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. PUBLIC FORUM: No one spoke during this time. 3 REQUEST FROM PRISM FIREWORKS TO SHOOT FIREWORKS FOLLOWING THE ISU/UNI FOOTBALL GAME ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2001: Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to approve the request from Prism Fireworks to shoot fireworks from the area south of Jack Trice Stadium following the ISU/UNI football game on September 8, 2001. Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. REQUEST FOR OUTDOOR SERVICE PRIVILEGE AT PADDY’S IRISH PUB & SIPS, 124 WELCH AVENUE FOR SEPTEMBER 14 - 16, 2001 (tabled from 8/14/01): This request was withdrawn by Andrew White, owner of Paddy’s Irish Pub & Sips at 124 Welch Avenue, via a letter received by the City Clerk’s Office and placed around the dais. REQUEST FROM STORY COUNTY TO INTERIM FINANCE A PORTION OF THE EAST 13TH STREET BICYCLE PATH: Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Cross, to table and refer back to staff to work with the Story County Board of Supervisors. Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. REQUEST FROM HEARTLAND SENIOR SERVICES TO PLACE SIGNS PROMOTING THEIR VARIETY SHOW ALONG THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY ALONG SIXTH STREET FROM SEPTEMBER 1 THRU 9, 2001: Paul Wiegand, Director of Public Works, stated that Traffic Engineer Scott Logan had spoken with Marilyn Johnson of Heartland Senior Services. Ms. Johnson had asked Mr. Logan to allow the signs to be placed on Duff, between Sixth and Thirteenth, instead of on Sixth Street. She indicated that the signs would be 2' wide x 3' high. Council Member Quirmbach pointed out that there are alternatives available for Heartland Senior Services; in particular, possibly placing the signs in the front yards of residents. He feels that the Duff Avenue right-of-way would not be a good location for the signs due to the traffic volumes; the street is extremely busy and motorists should not be distracted. Moved by Cross, seconded by Quirmbach, to approve the request of the Heartland Senior Services to place signs promoting their Variety Show along the public right-of-way along Duff Avenue, between Sixth and Thirteenth, from September 1 thru 9, 2001. Vote on Motion: 1-3. Voting aye: Cross. Voting nay: Hoffman, Quirmbach, Wirth. Motion failed. HEARING ON PROPOSED RELEASE OF JUDGMENT LIEN ARISING FROM CITY OF AMES VS. REGENCY BUILDERS, INC., AND REGENCY LAND CO., L.C., FOR LOT 22, BLOOMINGTON HEIGHTS PLAT 9: Mayor Tedesco opened the public hearing. There being no one wishing to speak, he closed the hearing. Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Cross, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-395 approving release of judgment lien for Lot 22, Bloomington Heights Plat 9. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby 4 made a portion of these minutes. HEARING ON REZONING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1208 DAYTON AVENUE FROM GENERAL INDUSTRIAL (GI) TO HIGHWAY-ORIENTED COMMERCIAL (HOC): The public hearing was opened by Mayor Tedesco. Troy Johnston, 13719 Sunset Drive, Spirit Lake, Iowa, explained that the cranes are no longer located on this property. No one else wished to speak, and the hearing was closed. Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to pass on first reading an ordinance rezoning property located at 1208 Dayton Avenue from General Industrial (GI) to Highway-Oriented Commercial (HOC). Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. HEARING ON REZONING PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF SOUTH 16TH STREET ADJACENT TO THE EAST SIDE OF THE ABANDONED RAILROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY FROM GOVERNMENT/AIRPORT (S-GA) TO AGRICULTURAL (A): Planning and Housing Director Brian O’Connell explained that the property in question is still under the ownership of the City. He said that it was contemplated that this property would be needed by developers to construct a golf course, and the City was proposing to exchange the land with developers Scott Randall and Janice Walter for adjacent land to obtain sufficient right-of- way for the future extension of Grand Avenue. This property exchange has not come to fruition, and City staff is now requesting to keep the zoning as it currently exists. Mayor Tedesco opened the public hearing. The hearing was closed as no one wished to speak. Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Hoffman, to continue the hearing and refer back to staff pending the land exchange. Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. HEARING ON REZONING PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED NORTH OF 208 STANTON AVENUE FROM “S-GA” (GOVERNMENT/AIRPORT) TO “DCSC” (DOWNTOWN/CAMPUSTOWN SERVICE CENTER): The public hearing was opened by Mayor Tedesco. No one wished to speak, and the hearing was closed. Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to pass on first reading an ordinance rezoning property located north of 208 Stanton Avenue from “S-GA” (Government/Airport) to “DCSC” (Downtown/Campustown Service Center). Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously HEARING ON DOVER DRIVE PAVING ASSESSMENT: A letter in opposition to the proposed assessment from Ronald and Irene Wesley, 4719 Dover Drive, Ames, had been received and distributed to the Mayor and Council. A petition affirming support for the project signed by John and Donna Cleasby, 4805 Dover Drive; Dennis and Ronell Lindeman, 4804 Dover Drive; George 5 and Agatha Burnett, 4813 Burnett; and Bernice Donovan, 4810 Dover Drive; had been received and distributed to the Mayor and City Council. Mayor Tedesco opened the public hearing. Ronell and Dennis Lindeman, 4804 Dover Drive, Ames, explained that they are in favor of the paving project. Ms. Lindeman advised that the gravel surface has proven to be detrimental. It is an inconvenience to their guests during inclement weather, it is dusty and is unsafe when it is icy. They are also concerned about the water runoff, and they believe that the paving and curb and gutter will alleviate a lot of the problems caused by the runoff. Ronald Wesley, 4719 Dover Drive, Ames, stated that he opposes the paving project. He does not believe that there is a need for it. Mr. Wesley pointed out that this project is not being driven by the City; it is not being done for the public welfare, health, or safety. He feels that there has not been any discussion on the reasons for this project, other than one meeting in 1997. Mr. Wesley believes that the fundamental reason behind this project is that the Lindemans like to have guests and don’t want to have their guests walking into their home with muddy shoes. He pointed out that the Cleasbys are now in favor of the project for the same reason as the Lindemans. Mr. Wesley explained that he is most opposed to the cost; his property will be bearing 23% of the total cost based on its square-foot frontage. Bernice Donovan, 4810 Dover Drive, Ames, advised that she had been a Dover Drive property owner for 50 years and gave the history of the area in question. She explained where the paving ends and gravel begins and said that it is difficult to drive on the different types of surfaces. Ms. Donovan expressed her desire to have the area paved. John Cleasby, 4805 Dover, Ames, pointed out that four out of the six property owners are now in favor of paving Dover Drive. Mr. Cleasby stated that all the property owners are concerned about the impact this improvement would have on their property assessments. He addressed certain statements made by John and Irene Wesley in their letter of opposition. In particular, he said that he had visited with the City Assessor, who estimated that the property tax impact would be about half of what is alleged in the Wesley’s letter. Also he pointed out that the Wesley’s property has 156' of frontage. Mr. Cleasby stated that he considers this project to be a property improvement, not just a property tax. Mayor Tedesco informed the Council that assessments require five votes. Since there are only four members present tonight, he recommended continuing the hearing until their next regularly scheduled meeting. Moved by Cross, seconded by Hoffman, to continue the hearing until September 11, 2001. Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. HEARING ON PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENTS: The public hearing was opened by Mayor Tedesco. He closed the hearing after no one wished to speak. 6 Moved by Cross, seconded by Hoffman, to pass on first reading an ordinance amending regulations regarding fencing height and setback requirements. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR BROOKVIEW PLACE WEST SUBDIVISION: Moved by Cross, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-396 approving the Preliminary Plat for Brookview Place West Subdivision (generally located north of Ontario Street, south of the Union Pacific railroad tracks, and west of the existing Brookview Place Subdivision) with the following stipulation: 1.That a street tree planting plan shall be submitted with the Final Plat for each phase of this Subdivision. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. CAMPUSTOWN URBAN REVITALIZATION AREA: David Maahs, 1007 Vermont Court, Ames, spoke on behalf of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. He stated that tax abatement plays a key role in providing incentive for developers to intensify property and believes that this is a “win” situation for the City since some of the property in Campustown currently provides very little tax revenue. Dean Jensen, 5818 Alta Vista Road, Ames, stated that several developers are asking Council to give some interpretation to one of the requirements of the Criteria Matrix: i.e., requiring brick or similar masonry material. In his opinion, the historical quality of Campustown would allow many other types of materials that could be used in conjunction with brick and asks that those alternatives be allowed. Mark Reinig, City Economic Development Coordinator, advised that stone, pre-cast concrete, or concrete blocks with relief would be similar types of material; EIFS or stucco would not be similar. Tod Boucher, Boucher Masonry, Boone, advised that the cost for brick or similar masonry material for buildings up to four stories would be approximately $13-$15/square foot. He said that between four and seven stories, the cost would increase to approximately $20-$21/square foot based mainly on the increasing handling costs. Mr. Boucher said that additional equipment, e.g., cranes, heavy-duty scaffolding, is necessary for transporting the product for buildings higher than four stories and drives the cost up. He gave a comparison of durability between masonry and other alternatives. Mike Sloter, 3312 Cedar Lane, Ames, voiced his concern about requiring brick on the Criteria Matrix. Mr. Sloter explained that, as a design professional, when recommending exterior surface, the criteria he uses is that it has to work for its intended use, it must be economical for the client, and it has to be aesthetically pleasing. Mr. Sloter showed the City Council some examples of current architecture in Campustown, pointing out the varied exterior surfaces. He asked that the 7 City not limit the design standard to brick. Russ McCullough, 2054 Cessna, Ames, representing Ev Cochrane & Associates, spoke in favor of creating an Urban Revitalization Area in Campustown. He stated that they cannot afford to build a seven-story structure without tax abatement: It requires a parking structure, and parking in a structure is seven to ten times more expensive than grade-level parking. He stated that the per-square-foot cost is estimated to be 40% more with a high-rise. He gave an analysis of costs and tax revenue comparing a three-story structure to a seven-story structure. Mr. McCullough also compared the costs to the developer of using different combinations of exterior surfaces. Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Cross, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-397 approving the Criteria Matrix with the following changes: (1) Concerning the design standard pertaining to brick or similar masonry material: that the 100% requirement for the front and 80% of the three remaining sides of the structure be limited to the first four stories; and (2) That brick, stone, precast concrete, and concrete block with relief be specifically listed as being acceptable similar masonry material. Moved by Cross, seconded by Hoffman, to amend the motion to state that above four stories, any other building material except vinyl will be allowed. Vote on Amendment: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Roll Call Vote on Amended Motion: 4-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Cross, to direct staff to prepare an Urban Revitalization Plan for the Campustown Area. Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Quirmbach, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-398 setting the date of public hearing for October 9, 2001, for the first reading of the ordinance establishing the Campustown URA and approving the Revitalization Plan for that new Area. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. SE 2ND STREET (SUMNER AVENUE TO HIGH AVENUE AND HIGH AVENUE TO KINGSBURY AVENUE) AND KINGSBURY AVENUE (SE 2ND STREET TO E. LINCOLN WAY) PAVING PROGRAM ASSESSMENT: Moved by Cross, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION NO. 01-399. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. Moved by Cross, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-400 adopting preliminary plans and schedule of assessment. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby 8 made a portion of these minutes. Moved by Cross, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt PROPOSED RESOLUTION OF NECESSITY NO. 01-401 setting September 25, 2001, as date of public hearing. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. ROOSEVELT AVENUE (16TH STREET TO NARLAND DRIVE) SIDEWALK PROGRAM ASSESSMENT: Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to adopt PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION NO. 01-402. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 01-403 adopting preliminary plans and schedule of assessment. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to adopt PROPOSED RESOLUTION OF NECESSITY NO. 01-404 setting September 25, 2001, as date of public hearing. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. ORDINANCE SETTING SPEED LIMIT ON OAKWOOD ROAD FROM ELWOOD DRIVE TO THE SUNCREST SUBDIVISION: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Wirth, to pass on first reading an ordinance setting the speed limit on Oakwood Road from Elwood Drive to the Suncrest Subdivision. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ORDINANCE REZONING PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED NORTH OF COLLEGE CREEK, SOUTH OF THE WEST-SIDE HYVEE, EAST OF JEFFERY LANE, AND WEST OF VILLAGE DRIVE (“DOTSON PROPERTY”): Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Wirth, to pass on second reading an ordinance rezoning property generally located north of College Creek, south of the west-side HyVee, east of Jeffery lane, and west of Village Drive from “A” (Agricultural) to “RL” (Residential Low Density) -- including approximately 0.13 acres from “A” (Agricultural), “RL” (Residential Low Density), and “RM” (Residential Medium Density) to “F-S RL” (Suburban Residential Low Density); approximately 37.41 acres from “A” (Agricultural), “RL” (Residential Low Density), and “RM” (Residential Medium Density) to “F-S RM” (Suburban Residential Medium Density) including approximately 18.51 acres. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. It was noted that a letter had been received from Larry Curtis, attorney for the developer, 9 requesting a suspension of the rules necessary for the adoption of an ordinance to allow the adoption of this ordinance at tonight’s meeting. Mayor Tedesco pointed out that a suspension of rules requires five votes; since there are only four Council members present, Mr. Curtis’s request could not be honored. ORDINANCE REZONING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3504 GRAND AVENUE: Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3624 rezoning property located at 3504 Grand Avenue from Residential Low Density (RL) to Residential High Density (RH). Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes. ORDINANCE RELATING TO PRECINCT AND WARD BOUNDARIES: Moved by Wirth, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3625 relating to precinct and ward boundaries as a result of the 2000 Census. Roll Call Vote: 4-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes. COMMENTS: Mayor Tedesco directed that a special meeting be scheduled for September 4, 2001, at 8 AM to hear the third reading and adopt the ordinance rezoning the “Dotson Property.” Mayor Tedesco asked the City Council to also mark their calendars for September 18, 2001, at 7:00 p.m. for a special meeting to discuss the Hallett’s Quarry bond issue. Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to refer to staff the following: a letter from Consumers Energy of Marshalltown for a gas franchise in Ames; a letter from Allyson Walter on behalf of the Ames Main Street District to use Tom Evans Park and close a portion of the CBD lot directly south of the Park on September 14, 2001; and to place on the Council’s agenda for September 11 an amendment to the ordinance pertaining to paintball activities in the City of Ames. Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: 9:20 p.m. _________________________________________________________________________ Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor