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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regular Meeting of the Ames Conference Board and of the Ames City Council 01/28/1997OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CONFERENCE BOARD AND OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AMES, IOWA JANUARY 28, 1997 The Ames City Council met with the Ames School Board and the Story County Board of Supervisors as the Ames Conference Board at 6:30 p.m., followed by a regular City Council meeting, on January 28, 1997, in the City Council Chambers in City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Larry R. Curtis presiding and the following members present: City Council: Campbell, Hoffman, Quirmbach, Tedesco, and Wirth. Ames School Board: Bastiaans, Shapiro. Story County Board of Supervisors: Halliburton, Mathison, Whitmer. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Campbell, Second by Mathison, to approve minutes of March 5 and September 24, 1996 Conference Board Meetings. Vote on Motion: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. CITY ASSESSOR'S FY 1997-98 BUDGET PROPOSALS: City Assessor Richard Horn reviewed the document entitled “Ames City Assessor's Annual Report & Budget Proposal for the 97-98 Fiscal Year.” Motion by Wirth, Second by Shapiro, to approve recommendations of Assessor’s report. Vote on Motion: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Motion by Wirth, Second by Shapiro, to receive proposed budget. Vote on Motion: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Motion by Wirth, Second by Shapiro, to set 6:30 p.m. on February 25, 1997 as date of public hearing on proposed FY 97-98 City Assessor’s budget. Vote on Motion: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. APPOINTMENT TO BOARD OF REVIEW: Motion by Quirmbach, Second by Halliburton, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. CB97-1 approving appointment of Bonnie Pepper to the Board of Review. Vote on Motion: 3-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Chair, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Shapiro, Second by Campbell, to adjourn. Vote on Motion: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. The Conference Board meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Curtis called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:50 p.m. Present were Coun. Members Campbell, Hoffman, Quirmbach, Tedesco, and Wirth. Coun. Parks was absent. 1995-96 ANNUAL REPORT FROM AMES HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to receive and file 1995-96 Annual Report from the Ames Human Relations Commission. Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Curtis noted the agenda item concerning the award of contract for the 1997 Street Painting Program, had been removed from tonight's agenda by City Staff. Motion by Campbell, Second by Quirmbach, to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda: 1.Motion to approve payment of claims 2 2.Motion to approve Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 7 and the Special Meeting of January 10, 1997 3.Motion to approve renewal of the following beer permits and liquor licenses: a. Class A Liquor - American Legion Post #37, 225 Main Street b.Special Class C Liquor - The Pizza Kitchens, 120 Hayward c.Special Class C Liquor and Outdoor Service Area - Cafe Lovish, 2512 Lincoln Way 4.Motion to approve certification of Civil Service applicants 5.RESOLUTION NO. 97-28 approving and adopting Supplement No. 6 to the Ames Municipal Code, 1995 6.RESOLUTION NO. 97-29 approving carryover of $400 unspent FY 96-97 COTA funds to FY 97-98 7.RESOLUTION NO. 97-30 accepting bids and awarding contract for Pipe Cleaning for Public Works Department 8.RESOLUTION NO. 97-31 waiving formal bidding requirements and awarding contract for purchase of electrical distribution cable 9.RESOLUTION NO. 97-32 approving addition of three 100 watt high pressure sodium lights to IES account for Teagarden Subdivision 10.RESOLUTION NO. 97-33 approving Final Plat for Adkins, Plat 1 11.RESOLUTION NO. 97-34 approving contract for repairs to Unit #8 Boiler 12.RESOLUTION NO. 97-35 waiving 60-day comment period and supporting nomination of 1915 Municipal Building (Public Safety Building) to National Register of Historic Places 13.RESOLUTION NO. 97-36 accepting completion of certain improvements in the following subdivisions and locations: Hillside, 2nd Addition; 1307 Buckeye, Aldi Foods; 539/637 Lincoln Way, Hollywood Video and Bruegger's Bagels; 2322 E. 13th Street, Mary Greeley Medical Center; Creekside II; Bloomington Court; Country Gables, 9th Addition; Bentwood, 2nd Addition; 2801 East 13th Street, Kum & Go/Burger King; Stone Brooke, 5th Addition; and Bloomington Heights, 5th Addition 14.RESOLUTION NO. 97-37 approving change orders for Lincoln Way/Clark/Walnut intersection reconstruction project 15.RESOLUTION NO. 97-38 approving change order for Lincoln Way Sanitary Sewer Relief Line 16.RESOLUTION NO. 97-39 approving contract and bond for 1996/97 Water Service Transfer Project - Division I - West Street, Hyland Avenue to Campus Avenue 17.RESOLUTION NO. 97-40 approving contract and bond for Youth Sports Complex Water Main Project 18.RESOLUTION NO. 97-41 approving contract and bond for 1996-97 Storm Sewer Intake Reconstruction Project Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. PUBLIC FORUM: No one came forward to speak at this time. REQUEST FROM PUBLIC ART POLICY AND ACQUISITION COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL OF CONCEPT FOR AIRPORT ARTWORK: Motion by Campbell, Second by Wirth, to approve request from Public Art Policy and Acquisition Commission for approval of concept for Airport Artwork. Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ENCROACHMENT PERMIT FOR 406 MAIN STREET: Motion by Hoffman, Second by Tedesco, to approve request for encroachment permit to allow an awning at 406 Main Street (Sail Aweigh Travel). Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. 1997-2002 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN: Mayor Curtis announced the Council would receive public input on the proposed 1997-2002 Capital Improvements Plan at this time. 3 Dave Carter, 709 Douglas, said an ad hoc committee of Chamber members and Main Street District members had been meeting during the past few months to give the City some direction regarding the Downtown Development Plan. He said they have been in contact with the City Staff, and have developed a proposal they wished the Council to consider. He said their proposal was endorsed by the Downtown Advisory Committee. Mayor Curtis said since tonight’s issue was the proposed CIP, which included funding for a yet- to-be determined top priority project for redeveloping the “Downtown,” he felt a discussion of the dollar amount to be included in the Program would be a germane issue for discussion this evening, whereas discussion of a specific proposal would not be. Kevin Geis, 3111 Maplewood Road, reviewed an overhead display of the proposed funding for the committee’s proposal for replacement light fixtures and design work for portions of the Downtown area. He said they were proposing a $910,000 project, with $497,000 to be funded from G.O. bonds and $413,000 from Electric Utility funds. He said the numbers would differ depending on the source funding. There was discussion regarding how the proposed CIP document stated that the final summary for the Downtown Redevelopment project reflected totals contained in the previous CIP, with the intent that expenditure estimates should be revised once a top priority project was identified. Mayor Curtis noted $850,000 had been earmarked to be from G.O. bonds, and said the group’s estimate for their proposal would be well within that range of property tax askings. When asked how soon an agenda item could be scheduled to deal with the group’s proposal, City Manager Schainker said it would be best to consider their proposal before the budget hearings were finalized and the budget certified. Mr. Geis distributed a copy of the document entitled “Downtown Task Force Proposal, 26-Jan- 97.” Motion by Hoffman, Second by Wirth, to approve the proposed 1997-2002 Capital Improvements Plan. Motion by Tedesco, Second by Campbell, to Table approval of the 1997-2002 Capital Improvements Plan to the February 18, 1997 meeting, the “budget wrap-up” session. Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING ON SOMERSET SUBDIVISION REZONING: Mayor Curtis declared the public hearing open. Planning & Housing Director Brian O’Connell said the City Staff was requesting that the Council delay action on the five agenda items dealing with the Somerset Subdivision, and continue the public hearing on the rezoning. He said the rezoning would involve a Zoning Change agreement, which must be signed prior to the hearing’s closure. He said that agreement was not yet finalized. He said Staff has also just recently become aware of a new financing strategy being brought forward by the developers. He said although they have worked through a number of design issues, the financial issue has not yet been resolved. Reiny Friedrich, 2513 Pierce Avenue, said the developers agree the Zoning Change agreement was not in its final form and needed to be completed before bringing it to the Council. He said they would be willing to forego a presentation on design of the Somerset Subdivision plan until that agreement was completed. He said however, they felt it might be a good idea to have their financing plan, a plan for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for infrastructure improvements, presented this evening. Deb Krauth, Newbrough, Johnston, Brewer, Maddux, & Krauth, 612 Kellogg, said she represented the developers, who agreed the financing plan should be presented this evening, as the Council will ultimately be the ones to make the decision regarding the proposed TIF district. She said it was her understanding the City had created just one TIF district in the past, and that was in an industrial area. She reviewed State statutory changes that have occurred since the previous TIF district was created, and said the new legislation made Tax Increment Financing available for a project like the Somerset proposal. She displayed an overhead of benefits of this 4 financing strategy, saying it reallocates tax dollars, rather than being a tax abatement. She said State law requires 42.36% of the TIF dollars be set aside for the City to use for low and moderate-income housing, although the City could appeal to the State to lower that percentage to 10%. She said however, the proposal was a good way for the City to earmark tax dollars to be used in that way. She said the TIF district would make the proposed subdivision more marketable, allowing the City to have more property on its tax rolls more quickly. She said it would also provide a more concentrated tax base, meeting the City’s density goals and reducing the cost of providing government services to a number of citizens. She said the proposed development would provide many community amenities, including parks and bikepaths, which would be maintained by the homeowners. She said it would allow the revised Land Use Policy Plan to become a reality. She said the developers were looking for a way to increase the marketability of the project, as the proposed development was an untried and not “market driven” development. She said the TIF would give the developers some assurance that there's going to be an incentive to draw people to the development. Ms. Krauth said the developers intend to continue to negotiate with the City on the Zoning Change agreement, but the financing plan was a key issue. She said they would ask that the Council appoint two of its own members to sit in on the final negotiations, and reiterated that the final decision on this issue would ultimately be the Council’s. Dean Hunziker, 105 S. 16th Street, said the developers were making the request for this financing plan at this stage, as this is the time they are putting the pro forma designs together and can see what the actual costs are going to be. He said they have come up with a “community laboratory,” and putting the infrastructure into this area involved risk for the developers. He said there was a risk of new products in an unfinished setting. He said the law allows for TIF districts in residential developments. He said the City could anticipate a 5-6 year payoff. He said the developers and Council and City Staff all have a huge investment in this development. He asked for the Council’s direction on this issue. Mayor Curtis noted the public hearing was still open, and asked if anyone else wished to speak at this time. No one came forward to speak further on this issue. Motion by Hoffman, Second by Tedesco, to continue the public hearing to a later date, subject to Staff's recommendation. City Attorney John Klaus advised it would be best to set a date of when the public hearing would be reconvened, so the public would be aware of when they could attend. Motion by Tedesco, Second by Quirmbach, to amend the Motion to specify that the public hearing be continued to February 25, 1997. There was discussion regarding whether Staff could provide information regarding the proposed financing strategy to the Council in that short a time frame, given the demands of the upcoming budget process on Staff time. Coun. Tedesco withdrew his motion. Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to continue the public hearing to March 4, 1997. When questioned by Council, Planning & Housing Director Brian O’Connell said Staff was comfortable with that motion as long as the public hearing could again be continued on that date if the Zoning Change Agreement had not been solidified. Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Mayor Curtis noted the public hearing on the Somerset Subdivision Rezoning would be continued to the March 4, 1997 City Council meeting. PUBLIC HEARING ON SUBMITTAL OF GRANT APPLICATIONS TO IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND IOWA FINANCE 5 AUTHORITY FOR CITY'S PHASE IV MORTGAGE BUY-DOWN PROGRAM: Mayor Curtis declared the public hearing open Housing Coordinator Vanessa Baker-Latimer reviewed the proposed Phase IV Mortgage Buy- Down Program, including the document entitled "City of Ames Community Development and Housing Needs Assessment." She discussed proposed Program guidelines and reviewed several recapture options as previously discussed with the Council, and as contained in Attachment A of the Staff Report. She reviewed the proposed agreement with Norwest Bank in connection with the proposed Mortgage Buy-Down Program, and distributed a revised page to the agreement. She noted the final item was consideration of the submittal of the grant application, and commitment of local match of $50,000. She said the application is anticipated to be reviewed in a short time frame, and she expected the City would have an answer on this issue within 30 days. There being no one present wishing to testify further, the public hearing was declared closed. Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-42 approving City's 97-98 Community Development and Housing Needs Assessment for City's Phase IV Mortgage Buy-Down Program. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously. Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-43 approving program guidelines for City's Phase IV Mortgage Buy-Down Program. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-44 approving financial agreement with Norwest Bank in connection with City's Phase IV Mortgage Buy-Down Program. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-45 approving submittal of grant applications and City's commitment of $50,000 matching fund for Phase IV Mortgage Buy-Down Program. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. HEARING ON DAYTON AVENUE SUBSTATION ADDITION: Mayor Curtis declared the public hearing open. There being no one present wishing to testify, the public hearing was declared closed. When Coun. Hoffman questioned why the City was paying sales taxes on this project, City Attorney John Klaus noted the City pays sales tax on items relating to the Electric Utility and also on certain Parks and Recreation related items Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-46 approving final plans and specifications, awarding contract to PAR Electrical Contractors, Inc. of North Kansas City, Missouri, in the amount of $197,505.00, with the City to pay $3,415 in taxes associated with this construction directly to the State, and approving contract and bond of same. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. HEARING ON AIRPORT ROAD BOX CULVERT: Mayor Curtis declared the public hearing open. There being no one present wishing to testify, the public hearing was declared closed. Motion by Tedesco, Second by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-47 approving final plans and specifications and awarding contract to Jenco Construction, Inc. of Des Moines in the amount of $121,111.41. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, 6 and hereby made a portion of these minutes. HEARING ON 10TH STREET (ROOSEVELT TO HARDING) SANITARY SEWER PROJECT: Mayor Curtis declared the public hearing open. There being no one present wishing to testify, the public hearing was declared closed. Motion by Wirth, Second by Tedesco, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-48 approving final plans and specifications and awarding contract to Con-Struct, Inc. of Ames in the amount of $37,164.10. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. ESTABLISHMENT OF NEEDS ASSESSMENT TASK FORCE IN CONNECTION WITH DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTY-WIDE HOUSING PROGRAM: Motion by Wirth, Second by Campbell, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-49 approving establishment of a needs assessment task force in connection with the joint efforts between City of Ames and County Board of Supervisors on development of a County-wide housing program. Motion by Quirmbach, Second by Hoffman, to amend the Motion to direct that the Committee develop a list of options for action items in response to various needs identified. Vote on Motion to Amend: 2-0. Voting Aye: Quirmbach, Tedesco. Voting Nay: 0. Not Voting: Campbell, Hoffman, Wirth. Mayor Curtis declared the Motion carried 2:0. Roll Call Vote on Motion as Amended: 5-0. Resolution declared carried unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS CONTRACT RENEWAL FOR SECTION 8 MODERATE REHABILITATION PROGRAM: Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-50 approving the Housing Assistance Payments Contract Renewal (HAPCR) between City of Ames and William F. Clark (Sheldon Munn Apartments) in connection with the City's Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Program. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. AMENDMENT TO PLANNED-COMMERCIAL (P-C) PLAN FOR 2435 GRAND AVENUE: Motion by Hoffman, Second by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-51 approving amended P-C Plan to allow construction of a restaurant with drive-through and signage at 2435 Grand Avenue (Fazoli's), with stipulation as contained in the Staff Report. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. NOON CROSSING GUARDS AT UNDER-USED LOCATIONS: Assistant City Manager Bob Kindred summarized the Staff Report, noting that it has continued to be difficult for the City to recruit and retain qualified crossing guards, and that six of nine crossings had an average of under 1.1 students using them. Sherri Paul, 118 South Russell Avenue, said she was President of the Meeker School PTA. She said although her family would not be directly affected by any of the proposed eliminations, she was concerned that the guard at the Duff/O’Neil Drive crossing was proposed to be eliminated. She said she felt traffic flow needed to be taken into account, and didn’t think enough attention had been paid to the large amount of traffic at that intersection. Motion by Wirth, Second by Campbell, to eliminate noon-time crossing guard coverage at the Duff Avenue/9th Street crossing, the Duff Avenue/O’Neil Drive crossing, the Grand Avenue/30th Street crossing, the 24th Street/Van Buren Avenue crossing, the Lincoln Way/Beedle Drive crossing, and the South Dakota/Todd Drive crossing; to retain noon-time guards at the Lincoln Way/Franklin Avenue and Grand Avenue/9th Street crossings for the remainder of the school year while counts continue to be taken by the crossing guards; to retain the noon-time adult crossing guard at the Ontario/North Dakota crossing; and to reallocate the savings gained from eliminating noon-time coverage at the 7 six under-used locations so as to increase the daily payments to adult guards to $15/day for morning/afternoon coverage, and $26/day for morning/noon-time/afternoon coverage. Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. PROPOSED SCHEDULE FOR TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN: Motion by Tedesco, Second by Campbell, to approve the proposed schedule for the Transportation Master Plan, as contained in the Staff Report. Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. AGREEMENTS WITH IOWA DOT FOR IOWA CLEAR AIR ATTAINMENT PROGRAM FUNDING FOR CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGNS: Motion by Wirth, Second by Campbell, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-52 approving agreements with Iowa Department of Transportation for obtaining Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program funding for two changeable message signs. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT FOR LIME SLUDGE DEWATERING LAGOON PROJECT: Motion by Wirth, Second by Tedesco, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 97-53 authorizing engineering services contract with Fox Engineering for Lime Sludge Dewatering Lagoon Project. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. ORDINANCE REVISING THROUGH STREET PROVISIONS ON KNAPP STREET FOR SPECIAL STOP AT CORNER OF KNAPP AND HAYWARD: Motion by Campbell, Second by Hoffman, to pass on first reading an ordinance revising through street provisions on Knapp Street to allow for special stop at corner of Knapp and Hayward. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Motion by Campbell, Second by Wirth, to suspend the rules regarding adoption of an ordinance. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Motion by Campbell, Second by Hoffman, to pass on second and third readings and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3420 revising through street provisions on Knapp Street to allow for special stop at corner of Knapp and Hayward. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. ORDINANCE DESIGNATING PARKING PROHIBITIONS FOR COCONINO ROAD, MARICOPA CIRCLE, AND MARICOPA DRIVE: Motion by Wirth, Second by Tedesco, to pass on second reading an ordinance designating parking prohibitions for Coconino Road, Maricopa Circle, and Maricopa Drive. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH ADDITIONAL ZONING REGULATIONS FOR TOWERS AND OTHER THINGS ASSOCIATED WITH PERSONAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES: Motion by Campbell, Second by Tedesco, to pass on third reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3421 amending Chapter 29, Zoning, of the Municipal Code by enacting a new and additional section to be numbered Section 29.85 for the purpose of establishing additional zoning regulations pertaining to towers and other things associated with personal wireless communications services. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes. COMMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Coun. Campbell noted the Council had received a letter dated January 16, 1997 from the Chair of the Planning & Zoning Commission following the Council’s January 7, 1997 action on directing the preparation of an ordinance establishing a Single-Family Conservation Overlay Zone Designation regulation. 8 Motion by Campbell, Second by Wirth, to refer draft of Single-Family Conservation Overlay Designation ordinance to the Planning & Zoning Commission for their review at the Commission’s next meeting and for their recommendation to the Council. City Manager Steve Schainker said Staff intended to bring this issue back to the Council on their February 4 agenda, for final concurrence on the form of the ordinance, and for clarification as to whether there was to be an ordinance establishing regulations for a Single-Family Conservation Overlay Zone and one ordinance establishing compatibility standards. He said there was not time for the ordinance to go to the Planning & Zoning Commission before that February 4 Council meeting, but noted the Commission would be meeting the following evening, on February 5, so there would still be time for the Commission’s input prior to the actual public hearing and first reading of the ordinance. He said Staff had not wished to delay clarification as to which ordinance was to be prepared and on file once the notice of public hearing was published. The Council discussed whether they wished this item to be included on the agenda prior to the February 5 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Coun. Campbell withdrew the motion. Coun. Campbell said she felt it was appropriate to have Staff bring the ordinance to the Council on February 4 for clarification, and suggested Council could make a motion at that meeting to refer the clarified draft to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Mayor Curtis said he felt that was the appropriate action. Motion by Quirmbach, Second by Wirth, that the Mayor be directed to write a letter to the School Board in support of the South Wilmoth residents’ requests concerning use of residential parking in front of their homes by Ames Middle School employees as contained in a letter to the City Manager dated October 20, 1996. Coun. Campbell noted a meeting with the neighbors had been scheduled, and Public Works Director Paul Wiegand said City Staff were trying to scheduled a meeting with the neighborhood, the School District, and City Staff to see if a resolution to the problem might be found. Coun. Quirmbach withdrew his motion. Coun. Quirmbach noted the recent passing of Don Hadwiger, cited his many contributions to the community, and said he will be greatly missed. Motion by Hoffman, Second by Wirth, to schedule a joint meeting with the Library Board of Trustees for 6:30 p.m. on March 4, 1997. Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Coun. Hoffman noted the Council members had received a letter dated December 2, 1996 from Joe Herriges regarding the possibility of the City waiving building permit fees for Habitat for Humanity projects. Coun. Campbell said she intended to write a response to that letter. Mayor Curtis noted the Council to date has received no requests for such permits, and Coun. Hoffman said it might be an idea to consider if and when the issue does come before them. Coun. Hoffman noted the Council Members had received a letter dated January 14, 1997 from the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and American Lung Association asking for a letter of support for the repeal of pre-emption of the City’s rights to deal with tobacco sales and use. She said home rule was an important issue, and asked that the Mayor write a letter in support of its reinstatement with regard to tobacco. Mayor Curtis said he would be happy to do so. In response to a question from Coun. Hoffman, Public Works Director Paul Wiegand said Staff is working on an alley in the Arborwood area. When questioned by Coun. Tedesco, he said Staff is looking at the East 8th Street alley as well. When questioned by Coun. Wirth, Mr. Wiegand said Staff is responding to her previous request for a handicapped parking space at the First Church of Christ Scientist at 9th and Kellogg, and 9 said the issue will likely not have to come back to the Council. Motion by Tedesco, Second by Campbell, to place a presentation from the Downtown Taskforce on the Council’s February 4, 1997 agenda. Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Coun. Hoffman noted she had copies available of Mark Edelman’s publication on Local Option Sales Tax, and noted in other states, those funds are allocated to cities on a monthly basis. CLOSED SESSION: Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to hold closed session as provided by Section 20.17(3), Code of Iowa, to discuss collective bargaining strategy. Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. The Closed Session began at 9:35 p.m. RECONVENE: The Regular meeting reconvened at 9:50 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: The Regular meeting adjourned at 9:50:02 p.m. Sandra L. Ryan, City Clerk Larry R. Curtis, Mayor