HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 01/19/1999MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA JANUARY 19, 1999
The Ames City Council met in special session at 5:15 p.m. on the 19th day of January, 1999, 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, Parks, and Wirth. Council
Member Quirmbach arrived at 5:20 p.m. Council Member Hoffman arrived at 7:35 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 5:15 p.m.
WORKSHOP ON THE 1999-2004 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN (CIP): Mayor Tedesco
stated that tonight’s meeting would serve as a workshop for the Council members to hear staff
presentations on the recommended five-year CIP. Public input is scheduled to be received at the
Council’s regular meeting of January 26.
City Manager Steve Schainker said that a review of all areas of the CIP would be given to Council
tonight; however, approval of same is scheduled to occur at the budget wrap-up session scheduled
for February 23. Mr. Schainker wanted the Council to be aware that in order to accomplish projects
associated with the growth of Ames and the need to refurbish much of the existing public
infrastructure, a magnitude of financial commitment is required. He stated that this CIP substantially
increases the commitment to General Obligation Bond debt financing to approximately $7,000,000
per year.
Bob Bourne, Director of Transportation, explained the following projects slated to be accomplished
from 1999 - 2004: Vehicle Replacement, Vehicle Rehabilitation, Cy-Ride Driveway, Shop Equipment
Replacement, Ontario Bus Turnaround, Section 15 Software, Global Positioning/Smart Cards,
Building Expansion and Modernization.
Gina Millsap, Library Director, summarized two projects to be completed between 1999 - 2002:
Building Maintenance and Automation Upgrade. A corrected Page 127 was distributed to the
Council.
Parks & Recreation Director Nancy Carroll detailed projects to be completed, as follows: New Indoor
Ice Arena Construction, Municipal Pool Maintenance, Parks and Rec Facility Maintenance,
Homewood Golf Course Improvement, Munn Woods Access Improvements, Handicapped
Accessibility Improvements, Park Acquisition/Development, Playground/Park Equipment
Replacement, Tennis Court Construction/Replacement, Park System Bridges - Review and Repair,
Park Road/Parking Lot Improvements, Skate Park Construction, Bandshell Building Renovation,
Moore Memorial Park Improvements, Park System Shelter/Restroom Construction, Community
Center Improvements, and the Squaw Creek Greenbelt System.
Pertaining to the Tennis Court Construction, Steve Schainker clarified that no funds are being
recommended in this CIP for reconstruction of the courts at Brookside Park; maintenance will be
performed, but they will not be reconstructed.
Nancy Carroll advised that the $50,000 being requested for Construction of a Skate Park is the
minimum amount which will be needed based on new information received since the printing of the
CIP.
Concerning the Bandshell Building Renovation, Council Member Wirth recommended that the
Council allocate $100,000 for basic maintenance and upkeep as those are responsibilities of the City
as owners of the building.
Council Member Cross proposed that the City participate in a challenge grant with private
contributors. Council Member Parks said that Council could allocate funding in the year 2000-01 in
the amount of $60,000 to install drainage tile around the entire perimeter of the building contingent
upon a certain level of fund-raising being accomplished. Council Member Wirth suggested that this
be discussed during the “public input” section of the Council’s meeting on 1/26.
Paul Wiegand, Public Works Director, explained the City Hall Improvements being recommended
for the next five years.
The Neighborhood Improvement Program was explained by Steve Schainker. He asked Council if
they would like to hear from each neighborhood group who received funds for a project. Council
members indicated they would like to hear from each group.
Paul Wiegand summarized the Arterial Street Rehabilitation, Cy-Ride Route Reconstruction, South
Dakota Avenue Reconstruction, Neighborhood Curb Replacement, Asphalt Resurfacing, Elwood
Drive Widening, the Collector Street Rehabilitation, State Avenue Widening, Sixth Street
Reconstruction, E. Lincoln Way Widening, W. Lincoln Way Widening, and the S. Duff
Beautification projects.
The standard street maintenance programs were explained by Paul Wiegand as was a new project, the
Campustown Islands Improvements project. Iowa State University will share in the Campustown
Islands Improvements project; however, they have not committed to any set dollar figure.
Mr. Wiegand summarized the Public Parking Lot Rehabilitation Program.
Mayor Tedesco said that he would like the City to look at purchasing the Munn property for
prospective development since that building is now available. He believes that acquisition of this
building could allow for long-term parking in the interim. Council Member Campbell believes that
would be a very costly acquisition if there is no current plan for the property. Council Member Parks
would like to know how much property the City owns in the eastern end of town versus the
downtown area and the value of the properties. He asked if it would be possible to consolidate uses
for City services in the area around the Electric or Water Plant. Council Member Campbell stated
that she would like to wait until the results of the Transportation Plan are received before making a
decision on the purchase of the Munn building. Mayor Tedesco feels that monies should be allocated
in this CIP for purchase of the Munn building so that negotiations could be initiated with the owner.
Paul Wiegand explained the Airport Improvements slated to be made from 1999-2004.
Council recessed at 7:05 p.m.
Council reconvened at 7:10 p.m.
Mr. Wiegand summarized the proposed Resource Recovery System Improvements.
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John Dunn, Engineer with the Water Department, reviewed the following projects: Water Plant
Equipment Replacement, Water Plant SCADA System, Wastewater/Water Laboratory Expansion,
Southwest Pressure Zone, Water Supply Expansion, Well Replacement, and Hallett’s Quarry Pump
Station. He also detailed the Water Plant Expansion, High-Service Pump Station, Wet-Weather Flow
Treatment, the WPC Plant Equipment, the WPC Alternative Power Sources, and the WPC Plant
Expansion.
After explaining Water System Improvements, Mr, Wiegand pointed out to the Council that funding
normally allotted annually to this program ($175,000) will be diverted, in 1999/00 only, to the
Downtown Redevelopment Project. He went on to summarize the following projects: Low-head Dam
Repairs, Clear Water Diversion, and the Annual Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation projects. Concerning
the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation, funding from this project will be diverted to the Main Street
Redevelopment Project for 1999/00 only.
Steve Schainker stated it was important to note that the majority of the storm sewer projects are paid
for out of General Obligation Bond debt financing. Paul Wiegand explained two new projects: the
Southdale Area Storm Sewer and the SE 5th Street Storm Sewer.
Mr. Wiegand summarized the Annual Residential Street Low-Point Drainage Improvements, the
Storm Sewer Intake Rehabilitation program, the S. Duff Area Storm Sewer Reconstruction, and the
Dotson Drive/Aplin Road Area Storm Sewer programs. He also talked about the Stange Road Storm
Sewer project.
Director Merlin Hove explained the following projects for the Electric Department: Unit 7
Precipitator Retrofit, # 7 and #8 Burner Mgmt./Combustion Control, Unit #8 Turbine-Generator
Overhaul, Unit #8 Cooling Tower Rebuild, Grand Avenue 13.8 kV Line Relocation, Wide-Area
Network, RDF Storage Bin Dust Control, Combustion Turbine Inlet Cooling, Reverse Osmosis
System, 20 MW Combustion Turbine, Combustion Turbine Controls, Electric Administration
Building, Alliant Utilities Interconnection, the 69 kV Breaker Addition/Top-O-Hollow, 69 kV
Breaker Addition/Ontario Substation, Coal Yard Track Extension, and Coal Car Thawing Equipment.
Pertaining to the Grand Avenue 13.8 kV Line Relocation, Mr. Hove informed Council that there may
be an error in the amount listed for the project. He will check on the costs and follow up with
Council.
Council Member Quirmbach urged the City Council to look at contractual possibilities before adding
generating capacity. Discussion ensued on the demands of the City’s largest customers.
Pertaining to the Alliant Utilities Interconnection, Steve Schainker advised that this project depends
on Alliant Utilities upgrading the current 115 kV line to 161 kV from Marshalltown west to the
Alliant Ames substation.
Steve Schainker explained the City Maintenance Facility Improvements proposed by the Equipment
Services Department.
Mr. Schainker stated that he is still gathering information on the costs of the Mobile Data Terminals
for Fire and Police Vehicles to make sure that the benefits outweigh the costs. That project, therefore,
has been delayed until 2001/02.
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A revised Page 12 was distributed to the Council. Steve Schainker pointed out that the cost figure
for the Electric Utility Fund changed to $140,000 pertaining to the Downtown Redevelopment
Program.
Paul Wiegand explained the South Dakota Avenue/U.S. 30 Interchange, Railroad Crossing
Improvements, Bicycle Path Construction, Traffic Signal Interconnect Improvements, U. S. 69
Improvements, Annual Traffic Signalization, Traffic Signal Replacement, Duff Avenue Widening
and Signalization projects.
Steve Schainker reiterated the amount of General Obligation Bond financing. He stated that there is
a direct relationship between property taxes and G. O. Bond debt. Mr. Schainker wanted the Council
to be aware that the higher level of investment will have an effect on property taxes. He also advised
that copies of the CIP are available in the City Manager’s Office, the City Clerk’s Office, and the
Ames Public Library. Final decisions will be made at the Council Budget Wrap-Up Session to be
held on February 23, 1999.
COMMENTS: Mayor Tedesco reminded the Council members of the goal-setting retreat scheduled
for January 23.
Mayor Tedesco stated that there had been concerns expressed over the length of the Council meeting
agenda for January 26. Council Member Parks stated his concerns and asked staff to look at shifting
items to another meeting, holding a special meeting, or beginning the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Council
Member Wirth suggested delaying the Lighting Code item.
ADJOURNMENT. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor
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