HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council 12/05/2000MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA DECEMBER 5, 2000
The Ames City Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. on the 5th day of December, 2000, in the
City Council Chambers in City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Pro Tem
Hoffman presiding and the following Council members present: Campbell, Cross, Goodhue,
Quirmbach, and Wirth.
CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m.
RECREATION/AQUATICS CENTER: Nancy Carroll, Director of Parks and Recreation,
introduced consultants Al Oberlander and Paul Klein of RDG Sports. Paul Oberlander presented
an overview of the Executive Summary for the Conceptual Design Plan of the proposed
Recreation Center and Aquatic Complex. Paul Klein explained the major components of the
Plan. Mr. Oberlander explained the site selection criteria used to determine the best location for
the Recreation/Aquatics Center; the Gateway Hills site was chosen. He also gave a Project Cost
Summary and advised that the total project cost is approximately $24 million for building
construction, outdoor aquatic, site development, soft costs and inflation from 2000 to 2003. The
cost of operating the facility on an annual basis is estimated to be approximately $1,480,311.
Mr. Oberlander explained the projected fee schedules for the recreation center and the outdoor
aquatic center. An electronic walk-thru tour of the facility was given.
Council Member Quirmbach asked if this project could be completed in phases. Mr. Oberlander
advised that he believed the facility could be built in phases.
Council Member Campbell clarified that acceptance of the Final Conceptual Plan this evening
did not mean approval of the project to move forward. Mayor Pro Tem Hoffman advised that
there will be an opportunity for public input on the three proposed Capital Improvement Plan
projects on January 9, and the Council will be prioritizing them at their meeting of January 16,
2001.
Moved by Wirth, seconded by Quirmbach, to accept the final conceptual plan for the proposed
recreation/aquatics center.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Cross, seconded by Goodhue, to approve the following items on
the Consent Agenda:
1.Motion approving payment of claims
2.Motion approving minutes of the regular meeting of November 28, 2000
3.Motion approving renewal of the following liquor licenses & beer permits:
a.Class C Beer - Kum & Go #113, 2801 E. 13th Street
b.Class C Beer - Casey’s General Store 2298, 428 Lincoln Way
c.Class C Liquor with Outdoor Service Area - Cazador Mexican Rest., 127 Dotson Drive
4.Motion approving certification of civil service applicants
5.Motion approving appointment of Council Member Campbell to the Ames Convention &
Visitors Bureau Board of Directors
6.Motion appointing Mary Kitchell to fill a vacancy on the Mary Greeley Medical Center Board
of Trustees
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7.Motion accepting Auditor’s Report to Management for the year ended June 30, 2000
8.RESOLUTION NO. 00-523 approving the award from the Bureau of Justice Assistance for Law
Enforcement Block Grant funds in the amount of $11,273
9.RESOLUTION NO. 00-524 supporting the expansion of the Iowa Beverage Container Deposit
Law
10.RESOLUTION NO. 00-525 approving preliminary plans and specifications for the 1999/2000
CyRide Route Reconstruction Program; setting January 17, 2001, as bid due date and January
23, 2001, as date of public hearing
11.RESOLUTION NO. 00-526 awarding a contract for the 2000/01 City Hall Floor Covering
Replacement Project to Ingamells Commercial Flooring of Urbandale, Iowa, in the amount of
$92,455.37
12.RESOLUTION NO. 00-527 approving completion of 1999/2000 Water System Improvements
Project
13.RESOLUTION NO. 00-528 approving completion of 2000/2001 Neighborhood Curb
Replacement Program
14.RESOLUTION NO. 00-529 approving completion of fireline improvements for 56-plex Master
Site Plan at Steinbeck (4625, 4701, and 4709 Steinbeck)
15.RESOLUTION NO. 00-530 approving completion of fireline improvements for Munn Lumber,
901 Airport Road
16.RESOLUTION NO. 00-531 approving completion of fireline improvements for Comfort Inn,
2609 Elwood Drive
17.RESOLUTION NO. 00-532 approving completion of fireline improvements for R. D. Stewart
Building Center, 538 South Duff Avenue
18.RESOLUTION NO. 00-533 approving completion of fireline improvements for Northminster
Presbyterian Church, 1416-20th Street
19.RESOLUTION NO. 00-534 approving Final Minor Plat for Country Estates Subdivision, 6th
Addition
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 that he had made
a few misstatements when he spoke at the Council meeting on November 28, 2000, and he
wished to correct those tonight. He thanked Council Member Cross for calling him and Mayor
Tedesco for his written correspondence in response to his comments of that meeting. Mr.
Pfannkuch emphasized that it is very important to have a government that is open, fair, and
reasonable. He recanted his previous statement that the Somerset Urban Revitalization Area
(URA) proposal is illegal because it didn’t qualify under any of the five criteria; however, he
continues to believe that the proposal is inaccurate. Mr. Pfannkuch asked the Planning Director
to explain the Somerset URA proposal in detail. Mr. Pfannkuch made the following requests:
(1) that City Council try to listen better to the public; (2) that City Council quit using the Citizen
Satisfaction Survey to justify budget expenditures. He prefers that the City reallocate the funds
used to pay for that Survey to fund, instead, a Community Economic Development Coordinator.
It is also the opinion of Mr. Pfannkuch that the format for the Town Budget meeting should be
revamped. He also believes that the City should review how the money allocated to arts agencies
is spent. Mr. Pfannkuch said that he also erred when he asked the Council to ask the Attorney
General directly for an opinion concerning the proposed Somerset URA. He requested that the
City Council ask the legislators who represent Story County to request an opinion from the
Attorney General on the urban revitalization law. Mr. Pfannkuch also stated that the City Council
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should look more closely at the proposals being brought before them, not who is bringing them
forth.
Roland Newton, P. O. Box 2222, Ames, explained that a situation had existed in the City that
demonstrated that skill, ability, and dedication were not desirous traits in their employees. He
said the City employee, who, under the stress of a hostile work environment has now resigned,
was subjected to slanderous remarks and threats following an opening for a promotional position
in December 1999. Mr. Newton gave a chronology of events pertaining to the employee’s service
with the Water and Pollution Control Department. He said at no time did any member of City
management contact any of this employee’s co-workers to verify the accuracy of her hostile work
environment claims. Mr. Newton asked if it were the intent of the City Council that directors and
supervisors of the City be allowed to harass and threaten employees. City Attorney John Klaus
stated that this type of allegation is usually addressed through Civil Service or Union procedures,
and he invited Mr. Newton to meet with him tomorrow in his office to discuss the situation.
HEARING ON REZONING OF 120 WELCH AVENUE FROM “S-GA”
(GOVERNMENT/AIRPORT) TO “DCSC” (DOWNTOWN/CAMPUSTOWN SERVICE
CENTER): Mayor Pro Tem Hoffman opened the public hearing. There being no one wishing to
speak, the hearing was closed.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Cross, to pass on first reading an ordinance rezoning 120
Welch Avenue from “S-GA” (Government/Airport) to “DCSC” (Downtown/Campustown
Service Center).
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Campbell, seconded by Cross, to suspend the rules necessary for the adoption of an
ordinance.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Campbell, seconded by Cross, to pass on second and third readings and adopt
ORDINANCE NO. 3603 rezoning 120 Welch Avenue from “S-GA” (Government/Airport) to
“DCSC” (Downtown/Campustown Service Center).
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
HEARING ON PROPOSED RELEASE OF JUDGMENT LIEN FOR LOT 4 IN PLAT 7 OF
BLOOMINGTON HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION: Mayor Pro Tem Hoffman declared the hearing
open. There being no one wishing to speak, the hearing was closed.
Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 00-535 approving release
of judgment lien for Lot 4 in Plat 7 of Bloomington Heights Subdivision.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0 Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
REVIEW OF DRAFT OF DOWNTOWN DESIGN GUIDELINES: City Manager Steve
Schainker explained that it was one of the City Council’s goals for this year that Downtown
Design criteria and financial incentives be prepared. He advised that the Guidelines are being
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presented to the City Council this evening for their review and comment; meetings with
stakeholders in this process will be scheduled later.
Planner Ray Anderson explained that the City hired Will Page as a consultant to assist with the
creation of Downtown Design Guidelines. He said Mr. Page is working with Tim Reinders, the
staff architect for the Iowa Main Street Program. Mr. Anderson said that the purpose of the
establishment of these Guidelines is to encourage improvements to facades of commercial
buildings in Downtown Ames that benefit its historical character. The goals and objectives of
the Guidelines, the historical overview and period of significance, the current conditions, and
guiding principles were also explained by Mr. Anderson.
Will Page explained the process of the creation of the Design Guidelines. Tim Reinders asked
the Council if they had any questions about the proposed Guidelines, which had been provided
to them for their review prior to the meeting. Mr. Page advised that the preservation of the
historical character of the commercial buildings in Downtown Ames is critical to increase its
economic vitality. The next step will be to present the proposed Guidelines to the Historic
Preservation Commission, the downtown business and property owners, and to the state of Iowa.
Council Member Wirth said that she would like to see more graphic illustrations from Ames,
Iowa, in the Design Guidelines.
Carol Jacobs, owner of Antique Ames at 203/205 Main Street, stated that she was very much in
favor of developing design guidelines; these would be helpful to property owners. She is
concerned over the specificity of the proposed Guidelines; she feels they will inevitably become
very rigid. Mr. Page advised that Ms. Jacobs has volunteered to allow her building to be a case
study.
ORDINANCE CHANGING THE PARKING PROHIBITIONS ON WEST STREET AND
HOWARD AVENUE: Moved by Cross, seconded by Campbell, to pass on second reading an
ordinance changing the parking prohibitions on West Street and Howard Avenue.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE REZONING OF PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE “UTHE
FARM” THAT IS GENERALLY LOCATED NORTH OF BLOOMINGTON ROAD, WEST
OF THE BLOOMINGTON HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION AND EAST OF GEORGE
WASHINGTON CARVER FROM “A” (AGRICULTURAL) TO “SRLD” (SUBURBAN
RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY) AND “SRMD” (SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM
DENSITY): A request from Chuck Winkleblack, representing Hunziker & Associates, that the
Council reconsider its decision to require the developers to eliminate the cul-de-sac known as
Preston Circle had been received. John Klaus reminded the City Council of their previous actions
on this rezoning. He stated that if the matter of the cul-de-sac is not resolved, then the rezoning
is not resolved, and he recommended that this item be tabled.
Moved by Campbell, seconded by Cross, to table the third reading of this ordinance until the
December 19th meeting.
Vote on Motion: 5-1. Voting aye: Campbell, Cross, Goodhue, Hoffman, Quirmbach. Voting
nay: Wirth. Motion declared carried.
COMMENTS: Moved by Goodhue, seconded by Cross, to refer to staff the letter from Hunziker
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& Associates dated December 5, 2000, requesting that the City Council reconsider its decision
to require the developers to eliminate the cul-de-sac known as Preston Circle in the Uthe Farm
Subdivision.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Cross, seconded by Goodhue, to refer to staff the letter from Friedrich Construction
dated November 30, 2000, requesting waiver of the sidewalk requirement for the East Lincoln
Way Development Corp. Subdivision.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Campbell, seconded by Goodhue, to direct staff to look at the alley behind the book
drop at the Ames Public Library; the parking is such that you can’t see traffic.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: 9:45 p.m.
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Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor