HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council 01/23/1996OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA JANUARY 23, 1996
The Ames City Council met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. on the 23rd day of January, 1996, in the
City Council Chambers in City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Larry R. Curtis
presiding and the following Council Members present: Campbell, Hoffman, Parks, Quirmbach,
Tedesco, and Wirth.
WORKSESSION ON RENTAL HOUSING CODE REVISIONS: Building Official Jeff Pearson
reviewed proposed revisions to the City's Rental Housing Code, as contained in the Staff Report.
He noted some changes were proposed by Staff, while others were proposed by the Landlord's
Association and the Housing Board of Appeals. He said Staff would return to Council at a future
meeting for a line-by-line consideration of the proposed changes, then return at a later time with
the changes in ordinance format.
Red Buckman, 310 School Street, Gilbert, expressed concerns regarding the retroactive
conversion permit. He said he was concerned that he had brought property up to the existing
codes a few years ago, and now he would have to bring it up to code again. Mayor Curtis
explained that except in instances of extreme hazard, existing structures would be exempt from
new code changes unless the specific areas that were retroactively approved are remodeled.
Jim Gunning, 119 Hickory, said he had submitted comments last September when this issue first
came to the Council. He said he was notified of only one meeting regarding these changes, and
suggested a meeting between the Council, the Housing Board, and landlords should be held so
all could provide input on these issues. He said he felt landlords should be able to recognize
liability concerns on their own. He said exclusive of a renovation on an exterior application, he
didn't feel the handrail/guardrail requirement should be retroactively pursued, as the result could
be unsightly, and would increase tenants' costs. He questioned the hazard created if a gas-fired
appliance opened onto a bathroom, saying if carbon monoxide is a problem, it has little to do with
where the appliance is. He said he was uncomfortable with the broad interpretation of the
language "dangerous circumstance" proposed to be added to the section on electrical outlets. He
said the requirement for emergency lights would not provide that much light in a smoky situation,
and a more practical solution would be to include a certain amount of hall length as criteria. He
questioned the proposal to require labelling the basement, furnace, and water heater areas, and
asked if the implication was that renters and tenants did not have the same intelligence as the
general population. He questioned why the City would choose to be involved in liability issues.
Housing Board Chair Jon Diller said the Board supported the Staff recommendations and had no
problem deleting the proposals Staff did not recommend. He said many of these issues
represented requests landlords had made of the Board, and the Board had felt compelled to make
the Council aware of these requests.
PRESENTATION OF AMES CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ANNUAL REPORT:
Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Rich Harter reviewed highlights of the
Bureau's Annual Report for 1995.
PRESENTATION OF BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS FOR HOLIDAY LIGHTING: Bill
LaGrange, Chair of the City of Ames Beautification Committee, presented awards for holiday
lighting to the following individuals: Gary & Deborah Nelson; Terry & Deborah Freeman; James
& Desiree Gunning; Glen & Jill Hansen; Derek Krebs & Catherine Sealock-Krebs; Charles &
Connie Ellingson; Francis & Karen Andrew; Steven & Annette Jensen; Mary E. Young; Dennis
& Gloria Erickson; Charles Burg & Joan Kellogg; Terry & Teresa Mason; Wayne & Mary Jo
Larson; Steve & Jana Finnegan; Mushtaqur & Guljan Rahman; Karen G. Lawler; Delbert &
Janice Trickle; Larry & Charlene Hulsebus; Harlan & Alice Tett; Janice Schloerke; Kenneth &
Dorothy Erickson; Michael & Nancy Campbell; and Carl & Karen Thompson.
CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Tedesco, Second by Parks, to approve the following items on
the Consent Agenda:
Motion to approve payment of claims
Motion to approve Official Minutes and Clerk's Notes of Regular Meeting of January 9, 1996
Motion to approve renewal of the following beer and liquor licenses:
a. Class A Liquor - American Legion Post #37, 225 Main
b. Special Class C Liquor - Pizza Kitchens, 120 Hayward
c. Special Class C Liquor - Actors, Inc., 120 Abraham Drive
d. Special Class C Liquor and Outdoor Service Area - Cafe Lovish, 2512 Lincoln Way
e. Class E Liquor - The Keg Shop, 218 Welch, Suite 3
Motion to set 6:30 p.m. on February 6 and March 5, 1996 as Conference Board meeting
dates
Motion to refer to Staff request from Ames/ISU Bicycle Committee regarding removal of bicycle
prohibition on Grand Avenue
RESOLUTION NO. 96-28 confirming appointments of Steve Schnell and Phil Mescher as GSB
representatives to the Ames/ISU Bike Committee
RESOLUTION NO. 96-29 approving Three Party Agreement for Ames Transit Agency
RESOLUTION NO. 96-30 approving preliminary plans and specifications for Thackeray Avenue
Storm Sewer Improvements; setting February 28, 1996 as bid due date and March 5, 1996 as date
of hearing and award of contract
RESOLUTION NO. 96-31 approving preliminary plans and specifications for Airport Road
Paving Project; setting February 28, 1996 as bid due date and March 5, 1996 as date of hearing
and award of contract
RESOLUTION NO. 96-32 approving final plat for Ames Industrial Park, 2nd Addition
RESOLUTION NO. 96-33 accepting completion of subdivision improvements for Northridge
11th, 12, 13, and 14th Additions
RESOLUTION NO. 96-34 accepting completion of subdivision improvements for Country
Gables, 8th Addition
RESOLUTION NO. 96-35 accepting completion of subdivision improvements for Valley East,
4th Addition
RESOLUTION NO. 96-36 accepting completion of subdivision improvements for Bloomington
Heights, 4th Addition
RESOLUTION NO. 96-37 accepting completion of subdivision improvements for Brookview
Place, Second Addition
RESOLUTION NO. 96-38 accepting completion of subdivision improvements for Arbor on the
Green
RESOLUTION NO. 96-39 accepting completion of water main in Creekside First Addition
RESOLUTION NO. 96-40 accepting completion of water main installation at 305 Airport Road -
Sam's Club
RESOLUTION NO. 96-41 approving contract and bond in amount of $271,500.00 for Traffic
Signal Improvement Projects
RESOLUTION NO. 96-42 accepting completion of 1995/96 Asphalt Resurfacing Program
RESOLUTION NO. 96-43 accepting completion of Continuous Emission Monitor Upgrade
RESOLUTION NO. 96-44 approving agreement with Iowa Department of Transportation for I-
35 Business Route Signing Project
RESOLUTION NO. 96-45 approving Traffic Safety Improvement Grant application for
Wheeler/Northwood/Grand traffic signal
RESOLUTION NO. 96-46 revising official parking meter map to increase durations of meters
in City Hall Lots M and N
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
1996-2001 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN: Motion by Parks, Second by Tedesco, to adopt
RESOLUTION NO. 96-47 approving 1996-2001 Capital Improvement Plan.
Harry McMaken, 234 S. Franklin, said he was representing the Ames Youth Sports Complex,
Inc., to request the City include funding in FY 1996-2001 to complete purchase of DOT land for
Phase II of the complex, and that the City negotiate with the DOT to allow AYSC, Inc. access
to the land as of August 1, 1996. He said last year, AYSC, Inc. had estimated the cost of this land
would be $60,000, but it has since been appraised at $82,000. He said the difference was due to
the amount of land available; the price per acre has remained the same. He said AYSC, Inc. will
be in a position to begin development of that land in the next calendar year, and asked that the
City proceed with its purchase. He said the DOT has agreed to a 4-year buy-out period.
Dave Carter, 709 Douglas, said he was representing the Ames Neighborhood Coalition. He said
the neighborhoods support moving funding for the development of the Transportation Master
Plan into FY 1996-97. He said they were glad to see the $50,000/year allocation for the
Neighborhood Improvement Program and felt it would generate good relationships between the
City and the neighborhoods. He said the neighborhoods would like to see funding including in
the operating budget for an additional full-time planner, as there would be a need to have the
extra staff as the City moves into implementation of the LUPP.
Merlin Pfannkuch, 1424 Kellogg, said he was disappointed in the CIP, as he disagreed with the
philosophy of government it represented. He said he didn't feel a major role of government was
to foster commerce and business. He questioned what he felt might be deferred maintenance of
the South Duff Storm Sewers. He asked that any funding pertaining to VisionAire be pulled until
there could be a public discussion of the merits of the project. He asked that funding for Airport
Road be cut back to the current contractual commitment. He said if there was a choice between
the $50,000/year allocation for the Neighborhood Improvement Program and additional Planning
staff, he would choose the additional staff person. He said if the City was serious about fostering
alternative transportation, there should be more funding allocated for bikeways. He said the City
was using what historically may have funded these projects to foster economic development.
Dan Krieger, representing the Ames Economic Development Commission, referred to his January
5, 1996 letter to the Mayor and City Council, which discussed the costs of the ISU Research Park
expansion project, and asked for City support. He reviewed how the City had supported Phase
I of the Research Park by providing City services to the area. He reviewed contributions from
other agencies to the project. He said there are currently 28 tenants and 6 companies located in
Research Park Phase I, which will generate approximately $155,000 in estimated real estate taxes
in 1996. He said as of October 1995, 628 new jobs were added in the community because of the
Research Park. He said the original development of the Park was presented and approved in two
phases, and as Phase I was complete, it was now time to have the City consider the development
of Phase II. He said the infrastructure described in his letter would allow the Park to expand with
the first development consisting of 17.46 acres south of Airport Road, and submitted a map
entitled "Masterside Plan." He noted the letter included two separate requests: 1) That the City
consider providing water, electric, and sewer service to the Phase II area; and 2) That the City
consider submitting a Revise Iowa's Sound Economy (RISE) grant application to cover streets
and engineering costs. He reviewed contributions made by the ISU Foundation, IES, and ISU
to Phase II of the project, and said Story County was considering their request during its current
budget process.
There being no one else appearing to speak at this time, Mayor Curtis declared the public input
portion of the CIP consideration closed.
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to amend the 1996-2001 Capital Improvement Plan to
include $22,000 in FY 2000-2001 for purchase of the Department of Transportation land for
Phase II of the Ames Youth Sports Complex, to be funded from Local Option Sales Taxes.
Vote on Motion to Amend: 6-0. Motion to Amend declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Wirth, Second by Tedesco, to amend the 1996-2001 CIP by moving the allocation of
$50,000 from Engineering Services for the Downtown Redevelopment Program in FY 1997-98
to FY 1996-97 for the Downtown Redevelopment Program, to be funded from available balance
of Road Use Tax Funds.
Vote on Motion to Amend: 6-0. Motion to Amend declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to amend the 1996-2001 CIP by adjusting the FY 1997-
98 allocation for the Southwest Collector (Airport Road to Elwood Drive) Project to $183,000;
by reducing the allocations to the Clear Water Diversion Program to $200,000/year; and by using
the funds from the latter to increase the allocation to the Annual Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation
Program from $50,000 to $250,000 for FY 1996-97, then to $200,000/year for the following
years.
Vote on Motion to Amend: 6-0. Motion to Amend declared carried 6-0.
Roll Call Vote on Main Motion as Amended: 6-0. RESOLUTION NO. 96-47 declared adopted
unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Parks, that the Council continue to support the ISU Research Park
as it has in the past, that Staff be directed to handle the details of the request for infrastructure,
and that Council hold a special meeting prior to February 1, 1996 for the purposes of approving
the RISE grant application.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM: No one appeared to speak at this time.
HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO MUNICIPAL CODE, ZONING
REGULATIONS, TO ADD PARKING LOT AS A PERMITTED USE IN P-C ZONING
DISTRICT: Mayor Curtis declared the public hearing open. There being no one present wishing
to speak, the public hearing was declared closed.
Motion by Campbell, Second by Tedesco, to pass on first reading an ordinance amending
municipal Code, Zoning Regulations, to add parking lot as a permitted use in P-C Zoning District.
Roll Call Vote: 5-1. Voting Aye: Campbell, Hoffman, Parks, Quirmbach,
Tedesco. Voting Nay: Wirth. Motion declared carried 5-1.
Motion by Campbell, Second by Parks, to suspend the rules required for adoption of an
ordinance.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Campbell, Second by Hoffman, to pass on second and third readings and adopt
ORDINANCE NO. 3366 adding parking lot as a permitted use in the Planned-Commercial
Zoning District.
Roll Call Vote: 5-1. Voting Aye: Campbell, Hoffman, Parks, Quirmbach, Tedesco. Voting
Nay: Wirth. Ordinance declared adopted 5-1, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion
of these minutes.
CONTRACT FOR LOAD MANAGEMENT DEVICES: Motion by Wirth, Second by Parks, to
accept report of bids and delay award of contract to February 6, 1996.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
REPORT ON EXCAVATION IN PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY NEAR TREES: Public Works
Director Paul Wiegand said following two recent instances in which construction activities
damaged large tree roots in the public right-of-way, Council directed Staff to evaluate the need
for a specific policy to protect right-of-way trees. He reviewed the Staff Report.
Motion by Wirth, Second by Hoffman, to direct Staff to continue with the present policy and
engage in an active educational program.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
RESOURCE RECOVERY CENTER "FREE DAYS": Motion by Parks, Second by Tedesco,
to approve concept of establishing fourth Saturday in April and second Saturday in September
as "free days" at the Resource Recovery Plant, and direct Staff to review the proposal with the
participating agencies before returning for final action in March 1996.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Parks, Second by Campbell, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-48
approving concept of a Resource Recovery Appreciation Day and waiving of the tipping fee.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
GRAND AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT: Motion by Campbell, Second by Tedesco,
to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-49 approving preconstruction agreement with Iowa Department
of Transportation for Grand Avenue-Lincoln Way to 5th Street.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Parks, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-50 approving preliminary
plans and specifications for Grand Avenue Reconstruction Project (L-Way to 5th); setting
February 28, 1996 as bid due date and March 5, 1996 as date of hearing and award of contract.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
28-E AGREEMENT FOR PAVING BLOOMINGTON ROAD - G.W. CARVER TO UNION
PACIFIC RAILROAD TRACKS: Motion by Tedesco, Second by Parks, to adopt RESOLUTION
NO. 96-51 approving 28-E agreement with Story County for paving Bloomington Road - G.W.
Carver to Union Pacific Railroad Tracks.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
28-E AGREEMENT FOR PAVING ONTARIO STREET - WEST OF KENTUCKY TO
COUNTY LINE ROAD: Motion by Tedesco, Second by Parks, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-
52 approving 28-E agreement for paving Ontario Street- 400' west of Kentucky to County Line
Road (R-38).
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
BLOOMINGTON ROAD PAVING FROM 400' EAST OF EISENHOWER TO UNION
PACIFIC RAILROAD TRACKS: Motion by Parks, Second by Tedesco, to adopt RESOLUTION
NO. 96-53 Preliminary Resolution.\
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
Motion by Parks, Second by Tedesco, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-54 approving preliminary
plans and specifications.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
Motion by Parks, Second by Tedesco, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-55 adopting proposed
Resolution of Necessity; setting March 5, 1996 as date of hearing.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
DIVISION III, 1995 SANITARY SEWER AND WATER PROGRAM (S.E. 16TH STREET):
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-56 accepting
completion of project, ordering final payment, determiningamount to be assessed, and ordering
final plat and schedule.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. 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. 96-57
adopting final assessment schedule; amending, confirming, and levying
assessments.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
CHANGE ORDER FOR DOWNTOWN AREA SANITARY SEWER RELIEF LINE:
Motion by Wirth, Second by Tedesco, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-58 approving change
order for Downtown Area Sanitary Sewer Relief Line.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
PROPOSED CONVEYANCE OF LAND IN REAR OF 1511 NORTH DAKOTA: Motion by
Tedesco, Second by Parks, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-59 proposing conveyance of land
located in rear of 1511 North Dakota, and setting February 6, 1996 as date of hearing.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR PETE COOPER SUBDIVISION, 2ND
ADDITION: Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-60
approving Conceptual Development Plan for Pete Cooper Subdivision, 2nd Addition.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PLANNING SERVICES: Motion by Hoffman, Second by
Wirth to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-61 approving Request for Proposals for Planning
Services.
Mayor Curtis left the meeting at 8:20 p.m., and Coun. Parks assumed the role of Mayor Pro Tem.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
ORDINANCE CHANGING STREET NAME TO "EAST" O'NEIL DRIVE: Motion by
Hoffman, Second by Tedesco, to pass on first reading an ordinance changing street name to
"East" O'Neil Drive for segment east of Duff Avenue.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
REZONING OF PROPERTY LOCATED SOUTH OF OAKWOOD ROAD AND WHITE
OAK DRIVE: Motion by Hoffman, Second by Tedesco to pass on second reading an ordinance
rezoning property generally located south of Oakwood Road and White Oak Drive from A-1
(Agricultural, Story County) to R1-6 (Low-Density Residential, City of Ames).
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE DESIGNATING PARKING PROHIBITIONS ON SOUTH 16TH STREET:
Motion by Hoffman, Second by Campbell, to pass on second reading an ordinance designating
parking prohibitions on South 16th Street.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE ADOPTING "SOUTH BELL AVENUE" AS STREET NAME: Motion by
Wirth, Second by Hoffman, to pass on second reading an ordinance adopting "South Bell
Avenue" as street name.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
DESIGNATION OF PARKING PROHIBITIONS IN BLOOMINGTON HEIGHTS, PLATS
4 AND 5: Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to pass on third reading and adopt
ORDINANCE NO. 3367 designating parking prohibitions in Bloomington Heights, Plats 4 and
5.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
COMMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Mayor Pro Tem Parks noted a number of
students from an ISU journalism class were in the audience this evening, and invited them to visit
with Council Members after the meeting.
Motion by Campbell, Second by Parks, to set 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January
26, 1996 as date of special meeting to consider request for submittal of RISE grant for ISU
Research Park, Phase II.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Sandra L. Ryan, City Clerk Larry R. Curtis, Mayor