HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 10/31/2000MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA OCTOBER 31, 2000
The Ames City Council met in special session at 7:00 p.m. on the 31st day of October, 2000, 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.
RECREATION/AQUATICS CENTER: City Manager Steve Schainker stated that at the
October 18, 2000, meeting with the consulting firm of RDG Bussard Dikis, Inc., the Council had
been presented with recommendations for a new recreation/aquatics facility. The Parks and
Recreation Commission had been asked to come back to Council with a formal recommendation
for approval of the preferred facility option and site. Staff was also asked to provide operational
costs and revenue projections for a $17.6 million and a $24.1 million center as well as additional
cost estimates for a facility that would include increased spectator seating, meeting room size,
and a gymnastics room.
Mr. Schainker said it was his hope the Council would select the concept for a facility with which
it to proceed. He reminded Council members that this was only one of four major capital projects
that will soon need prioritization. The other projects include Hallett’s Quarry, a new fire station,
and the Master Transportation Plan.
Nancy Carroll, Director of Parks and Recreation, reported that at its October 24 meeting the
Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously agreed to recommend that the City proceed with
Option No. 2, a 109,000 square-foot facility with a $24.1 million cost estimate. It further
recommended that this facility be located at the Gateway Park site.
Ms. Carroll reviewed a hand-out regarding changes between the $17.6 M and $24.1 M project
costs. Discussion was held regarding bather load estimates, present usage at current City pools,
prospective usage for the new facility, and public meeting room space in the new center.
Parks and Recreation Director Carroll explained RDG’s first-year operating expenses predictions
as well as projected fee schedules and revenues for both Options 1 and 2.
City Manager Steve Schainker outlined each option’s potential first-year costs to the citizens
assuming a 12-year and 20-year debt schedule. He further reviewed the General Fund subsidies
for Options 1 and 2. Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of applying for a VisionIowa
grant that could potentially limit the financial burden borne by the taxpayers.
Mr. Schainker explained that once the Council adopted the preferred concept for the new
recreation/aquatics facility, it would not tied to a certain project cost if it was determined the
financial impact would be too much. The Council may deem it necessary to adjust costs once the
project was prioritized with the other large capital improvement projects.
Moved by Cross, seconded by Goodhue, to approve Option 2 as the preferred concept for
the new Recreation/Aquatic Center to be located at the Gateway Park site (109,000 square-
foot facility at an estimated cost of $24.1 million).
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Beth Cross, Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, stated it had been working towards
a new recreation facility and aquatics center for over two years, and its recommendation to
pursue the $24.1 million option is a fair proposal that meets the needs of the community.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
COMMENTS: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Hoffman, to refer to staff a letter written by Roy
Young on behalf of the Zoning Board of Adjustment requesting certain Zoning Ordinance
amendments.
Council Member Hoffman requested an update regarding the railroad bridge that was being torn
down adjacent to Brookside Park. Parks and Recreation Director Nancy Carroll informed the
Council that originally the Union Pacific (UP) Railroad was going to remove the abandoned
railroad trestle. To this point, only the rails have been removed, and the UP was considering a
bill of sale to the City for its use as a pedestrian walkway.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
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Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor
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Jill Ripperger, Recording Secretary