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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council 10/12/1999MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL AMES, IOWA OCTOBER 12, 1999 The Ames City Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. on the 12th day of October, 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, Hoffman, Parks, Quirmbach, and Wirth. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m. PRESENTATIONS: Lynette Windsor, City Project Coordinator for the Neighborhood Improvement Program, introduced Jim Iversen, 4105 Stone Brooke Road, and Kay North, 4108 Stone Brooke Road. Mr. Iversen and Ms. North explained the Stone Brooke Prairie project which allowed for the development and/or redesigning of three areas: Hillside Prairie, Oak Savannah, and Prairie Gardens. It also included establishing plantings devoted to native prairie habitat in these three common areas. Ms. Windsor introduced John Mathias, 1335 Barkley Court. Mr. Mathias explained their project that allowed for planting trees, adding and improving playground equipment, and improving the entrance to the Briardale Square Neighborhood, which is located at 30th and Hoover. CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Parks, seconded by Cross, to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda: 1.Motion approving payment of claims 2.Motion approving minutes of the regular meeting of September 28, 1999 3.Motion approving certification of civil service applicants 4.Motion approving the following beer permits/liquor licenses: a.Class B Beer - HyVee Food & Drugstore #1, 3800 W. Lincoln Way b.Class C Beer - Doc's Stop #5, 2902 E. 13th Street 5.Report on condition of Wilson Avenue 6.RESOLUTION NO. 99-365 approving and adopting Supplement No.17 to the Ames Municipal Code 7.RESOLUTION NO. 99-366 approving appointment of Roy Young to fill vacancy on the Zoning Board of Adjustment 8.Advanced Analytical Technology, Inc.: a.RESOLUTION NO. 99-367 approving a Community Economic Betterment Account (CEBA) Venture Product Component Royalty Agreement among the City, Iowa Department of Economic Development, and Advanced Analytical Technologies, Inc. b.RESOLUTION NO. 99-368 approving the City of Ames Revolving Loan Fund Contract with Advanced Analytical Technologies, Inc. c.RESOLUTION NO. 99-369 approving the CEBA forgivable loan contract with Advanced Analytical Technologies, Inc., and the Iowa Department of Economic Development 9.RESOLUTION NO. 99-370 approving preliminary plans and specifications for River Valley Park Low Head Dam Slope Protection; setting November 3, 1999, as bid due date; and November 9, 1999, as date of public hearing and award of contract 10.RESOLUTION NO. 99-371 approving $8,256 from the Contingency Fund for operating costs of information kiosk in FY 1999/2000 11 RESOLUTION NO. 99-372 approving award of contract for purchase of utility body and derrick unit to DUECO, Inc., of Watertown, SD, in the amount of $67,609 12.RESOLUTION NO. 99-373 approving award of contract for Pipe Cleaning for the Public Works Department Operations Division to Ace Pipe Cleaning, Inc., of Kansas City, MO, in the amount of $27,654.15 13 RESOLUTION NO. 99-374 approving completion of 1998/1999 Annual Low-Point Drainage Improvements Program 14 RESOLUTION NO. 99-375 accepting completion of utilities and modifying amount of financial security for Dauntless, 3rd Addition 15.RESOLUTION NO. 99-376 approving final plat for Meca Subdivision 16.Motion authorizing Mayor to request an extension to 6/30/2000 of the Floodwall Grant Agreement with the State of Iowa Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. PUBLIC FORUM: Darren Milliken, 3028 Bayberry Road, Ames, voiced his concerns about the lack of available land for development. He explained that he is a home builder and has lost business due to the lack of land. As a representative of the Home Builders' Association, Mr. Milliken pointed out that the shortage of land not only has affected the builders; plumbers, electricians, and others dependent upon the construction business have also been adversely affected. He urged the City to make the decision as to where the City will be allowed to grow as soon as possible. Mark Hanson, 3212 Sumac Circle, Ames, stated that he, too, is a home builder and is very concerned about the lack of available land to develop. He believes the City should be allowed to grow to the north. Mr. Hanson explained that people want to live in that part of Ames; that is where the demand is for residential construction. Eric Munn, 2928 Ross Road, Ames, spoke as an owner of Munn Lumber and as a representative of the home-building industry. Mr. Munn said problems have been encountered due to the lack of available land to develop. He also expressed his desire for the City to grow to the north instead of the southwest. Jim Popken, 920 Clark Avenue, Ames, said that he felt costs should be a factor in determining where the City should grow. He pointed out that consultants have indicated that it would be more expensive to build to the north rather than to the west or southwest. As a taxpayer, Mr. Popken finds it difficult to justify the added costs of growing to the north. TEMPORARY OBSTRUCTION PERMIT AND "BLANKET" VENDING PERMIT FOR THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT AREA IN CONNECTION WITH THE DOWNTOWN FALL FESTIVAL: Moved by Wirth, seconded by Cross, to approve the 2 request of the Main Street District for a Temporary Obstruction Permit and “Blanket” Vending Permit for the Central Business District area in connection with the Downtown Fall Festival to be held on October 16, 1999, from 11 AM to 3 PM. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ENCROACHMENT PERMIT FOR AN AWNING/SIGN AT JIMMY JOHN'S, INC., 300 MAIN STREET: Moved by Campbell, seconded by Hoffman, to approve the request for an encroachment permit for an awning/sign at Jimmy John's, Inc., 300 Main Street. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. REMOVAL OF TREES AT TOM EVANS PLAZA: Council Member Quirmbach said that he felt the removal of the trees may cause long-term damage to resolve a short-term problem. He reminded Council that the rest of the trees have been removed from the downtown area and birds have no place to roost except in the trees in Tom Evans Plaza. .Mr. Quirmbach thinks that when the landscaping is finished on Main Street, the birds will have other places to roost and won't be concentrated in one area. He really doesn't want to see the mature oak tree removed. Council Member Parks feels that the City has an obligation to make the area usable to the public. Council Member Wirth explained that this has been a problem for a long time and is a very bad situation at present. Council Member Hoffman added that she had walked through the area today and the stench was very bad. Council Member Quirmbach suggested that the Plaza be closed until the landscaping has been completed. Moved by Parks, seconded by Wirth, to approve removal of the ash, apple, and oak trees at Tom Evans Plaza during the month of October 1999. Vote on Motion: 5-1. Voting aye: Campbell, Cross, Hoffman, Parks, Wirth. Voting nay: Quirmbach. Motion declared carried. CONTRACT WITH INNOVA GROUP, INC., OF RALEIGH , NC, TO PROVIDE PROCESS IMPROVEMENT SERVICES: Moved by Wirth, seconded by Cross, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 99-377 approving the contract with the INNOVA Group, Inc., of Raleigh, NC, to provide process improvement services at a cost of $128,700 plus travel expenses for the consultants at a cost-not-to-exceed $30,350. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. STUDY OF RESOURCE RECOVERY REJECT STREAM: Moved by Cross, seconded by Quirmbach, to accept the study of the Resource Recovery reject stream and authorize staff to proceed with an engineering services contract with Stone & Webster for design and contract administration in an amount not to exceed $75,000. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. 3 PARKING REGULATIONS FOR EMERALD DRIVE - JEWEL DRIVE TO GARDEN ROAD: Moved by Cross, seconded by Campbell, to direct the City Attorney to prepare parking regulations for Emerald Drive from Jewel Drive to Garden Road. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. AIRPORT MINIMUM FUELING STANDARDS: Paul Wiegand explained the request of Hap's Air Service to change the airport fueling standards to allow above-ground fuel tanks to be placed on leased property. He reminded Council that they had approved the standards on November 13, 1997. During the process of developing those Standards, an Airport Advisory Board, the Ames Fire Department, Midwest Flying Service, and Hap's Air Service agreed on an acceptable minimum standard that would ensure the safety of the airport and to allow self-fueling to airport users. He explained that staff is very concerned about the hazards associated with fueling at the airport, and any above-ground fuel tank increases the risk of safety problems. Jeff Smalley, representing Hap's Air Service, explained their request to be allowed to install one above-ground tank. Mr. Smalley said that they have been driving a truck to Boone once a week to purchase fuel, and it would be much more affordable for them to have an above-ground tank. He told Council that Hap's Air Service did not have any input on the standards that were approved in 1997. Referencing staff's determination that the taxiways and apron areas are not designed to carry heavy truck traffic, Mr. Smalley said that he did not feel that would be an issue since the aircraft using those areas are many times heavier than any fuel truck. Mr. Smalley had previously provided information as to the safety aspect of above-ground tanks to the Council, and he explained these safety benefits in more detail. Council Member Cross asked if the Airport Advisory Board had reviewed this request. Mr. Wiegand stated that they had not. Council Member Wirth asked if the City had held any discussions as to the safety issue of underground versus above-ground tanks. Paul Wiegand said that staff had not studied that in great detail. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Cross, to refer this request back to staff for discussion concerning the safety aspects of underground versus above-ground tanks. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. STANGE ROAD BICYCLE PATH EXTENSION: Fritz Keinert, 5830 Hyde Avenue, Ames, expressed his opinion on the need for a bike path through Somerset Village on Stange Road. He pointed out the dangers to bicyclists who ride on the northern portion of Stange Road. Mr. Kinert voiced his dismay that the bike path in that area is not planned to be constructed in the next five years. Council Member Cross asked about the timing of the construction of bike paths on Bloomington Road or Stange Road. Mr. Wiegand explained the process of prioritizing areas for construction of bike paths. He said bike paths along Bloomington Road are not included in the Capital Improvements Plan for the next five years. He pointed out that developers are responsible for 4 the costs of constructing bike paths as they develop the area; however, that area will continue to be developed for the next several years. It was also pointed out that if a bicycle path were constructed in the northern part of Stange Road, it would probably need to be removed as part of the future Stange Road widening plans that will accompany the subdivision development. Mr. Wiegand said that staff believed the preferred option would be to temporarily designate Eisenhower as a "bicycle friendly" street until the Stange Road extension is constructed in the next four to six years. Council Member Hoffman felt that Council should look at creating a temporary bike path along Bloomington Road at budget time. Council Member Quirmbach recommended that the Council review the amount of funding annually allocated for bike path construction. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Quirmbach, to adopt RESOLUTION NO.99-378 designating Eisenhower Avenue as a temporary "Bicycle Friendly" street. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. DISCUSSION OF METHODOLOGY TO BE USED IN COMPILING THE INVENTORY OF AVAILABLE LAND IN THE SOUTHWEST AND NORTHERN GROWTH AREA: Steve Schainker stated that staff had attempted to ascertain what an appropriate question would be to ask the affected property owners, and staff was prepared to conduct the survey as directed by Council. He advised that staff did have concerns about the reliability of the responses which would be obtained. Council Member Wirth said that she is very opposed to using staff time on this particular assignment due to their already heavy workload. Council Member Cross indicated that he initially had felt the inventory of available land should be taken; however, he now realized that the information gleaned would not be totally reliable. Council Member Parks said he felt that the issue needs to be addressed to determine if the goal -- to provide available suitable land for development -- as stated in the Land Use Policy Plan is attainable. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Quirmbach, that an inventory of available land in the Southwest and Northern growth areas not be performed. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. COMMENTS: Council Member Campbell stated that she had received a request from a citizen for stop signs at Stone Brooke and Eisenhower. Moved by Campbell, seconded by Wirth, to refer to staff the request for stop signs at Stone Brooke and Eisenhower. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. In light of the series of articles published in the Tribune pertaining to the future development of Ames, Council Member Campbell said that it is important for the public to keep in mind that City staff is attempting to follow the objectives stated in the Land Use Policy Plan, which was adopted by the Council. 5 Council Member Hoffman referred to material that had been received from the YWCA of Ames- ISU and stated that they were asking for the City to co-sponsor scheduling speaker Brent Scarpo to present his film, "Journey to a Hate Free Millennium" and facilitate a discussion about hate crimes and creating a society free of hate. She clarified that they were not asking for monetary support, but simply an endorsement of the event to be held on October 27. Council Member Wirth said that this was very much in line with the policies of the City's Human Relations Commission. Council Member Cross asked that the Commission be made aware of this and a request made to them to promote it as well. Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Quirmbach, to request the Mayor to send a letter to the YWCA expressing the City's endorsement of the presentation by Brent Scarpo regarding creating a hate- free society to be held on October 27,1999. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Concerning annexing land, Council Member Parks said that he felt there is a severe shortage of land for development, and the longer Council delays in making a decision concerning which direction the City should grow, the greater the problems will be. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Hoffman, to refer to staff the letter from Clare Hinrichs dated October 7, 1999, pertaining to traffic concerns around the Roosevelt neighborhood. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Wirth, seconded by Hoffman, to direct staff to investigate the cost of hiring a consultant to update the inventory of structures in the Old Town District and prepare a cost estimate to be used to budget funds for FY 2000-2001. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Cross, seconded by Wirth, to refer to staff the request of the ISU Alumni Association concerning closing streets for the ISU Homecoming Parade and direct that it be placed on the agenda for the special City Council meeting of October 19,1999. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. CLOSED SESSION: Moved by Wirth, seconded by Cross, to hold a closed session as provided by Section 20.17(3), Code of Iowa, 1997, to discuss collective bargaining strategy. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT:The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. ________________________________ _______________________________ Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor