HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council 07/23/1996MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA JULY 23, 1996
The Ames City Council met in regular session at 5:00 p.m. on the 23rd day of July, 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, and Tedesco.
Council Member Wirth arrived late. Council Member Quirmbach was absent.
CALL TO ORDER: 5:00 p.m
WORKSHOP ON WATER SYSTEM PRESSURE: Assistant City Manager Bob Kindred stated
that the purpose of the Water Pressure Work Session was to give an overview of the distribution
system, how the public water system worked in relation to private plumbing systems, and how
the systems were impacted by pressure levels.
Council Member Wirth arrived at 5:10 p.m.
Water and Pollution Control Director Tom Neumann reviewed the historical background of the
City’s water distribution system and presented a display which simulated water pressure levels
during various situations of usage. Water Plant Superintendent Phil Propes showed a video of
a residence located in west Ames that demonstrated the fluctuations in water pressure during
different stages of use.
Jeff Pearson, Building Official, reviewed the legal requirements placed upon the public water
system and how they differed from those required of private plumbing systems.
Public Works Director Paul Wiegand summarized the City’s various pressure levels and how
they were affected by topography, service sizes, and main sizes.
Fire Chief Mike Childs explained fire flow levels and firefighting water pressure requirements
which needed to be maintained.
Assistant City Manager Kindred discussed the dynamics of future changes related to both public
and private systems.
Plumbing Code Board of Appeals Member Chris Kayser spoke on behalf of the board, and
relayed their suggested changes for private water system pressures governed under the City’s
ordinances. Mayor Curtis thanked the board for their service.
After questions from Council members regarding various aspects of the water distribution
system, it was determined that along with exploring a two-pressure distribution system and the
utilization of pressure reduction valves in certain areas of town, Staff would work with the
Plumbing Board and bring back recommended changes for Council consideration at a later date.
RECESS: Mayor Curtis called for a recess at 6:55 p.m.
RECONVENE: The regular meeting was reconvened at 7:00 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Tedesco, seconded by Parks, to approve the following items on
the Consent Agenda:
1. Motion to approve payment of claims
2. Motion to approve minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 9 and the Special Meeting of
July 12, 1996
3. RESOLUTION NO. 96-320 approving application for Local Law Enforcement Block
Grant through Bureau of Justice Assistance
4. Motion to approve renewal of the following beer and liquor licenses:
a. Class C Liquor - Cafe Northwest, 114 South Duff Avenue
b. Class C Liquor - Welch Avenue Station, 207 Welch Avenue
c. Class C Liquor - Sportsman’s Lounge, 123 Main Street
5. RESOLUTION NO. 96-321 declaring Ball Container Corporation site as an economic
development area
6. RESOLUTION NO. 96-322 amending policy regarding Main Street banners to allow for
administrative approval of requests involving 30 or less consecutive days
7. RESOLUTION NO. 96-323 approving preliminary plans and specifications for Electric
Administration and Distribution Work Center Roof Replacement; setting August 16, 1996,
as bid due date and August 27, 1996, as date of hearing and award of contract
8. RESOLUTION NO. 96-324 approving preliminary plans and specifications for Manhole
Rehabilitation Project; setting August 21, 1996, as bid due date and August 27, 1996, as
date of hearing and award of contract
9. RESOLUTION NO. 96-325 approving preliminary plans and specifications for Air
Handling Unit at Municipal Indoor Pool; setting September 11, 1996, as bid due date and
September 24, 1996, as date of hearing and award of contract
10. RESOLUTION NO. 96-326 approving REAP grant application for continuation of the
Squaw Creek Green Way System
11. RESOLUTION NO. 96-327 accepting completion of Water Pollution Control Plant Water
Well Project
12. RESOLUTION NO. 96-328 accepting completion of Water Pollution Control Plant Non-
Potable Water System Project
13. RESOLUTION NO. 96-329 accepting completion of Division 1 and 2 contracts for High
Service Pump Station Projects
14. RESOLUTION NO. 96-330 approving change orders for Bloomington Road, George
Washington Carver Avenue to east of Eisenhower
15. RESOLUTION NO. 96-331 approving change orders for Duff Avenue Widening, 10th to
12th Street, subject to MGMC concurrence
16. RESOLUTION NO. 96-332 approving contract and bond for 1996-97 Sidewalk Safety
Repair Program
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 spoke during this time.
REQUEST FROM BOYS & GIRLS CLUB: City Manager Steve Schainker stated that while the
City was willing to waive the requested $5,300 permit and plan review fees for the Boys & Girls
Club fund-raising campaign, the City would prefer not to get involved with the requested in-
kind contributions for their construction project. He suggested that in lieu of the in-kind
contributions, the City would reimburse the Boys & Girls Club up to $11,500 towards stubbing
the water and sewer into the new building and grading of the playground area.
2
Moved by Tedesco, seconded by Parks, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-343 approving the
Boys & Girls Club request to waive the building, mechanical, and electrical permit fees as well
as plan review fees in an amount not to exceed $5,300.00; and to contribute funds, in lieu of in-
kind contributions, towards the construction project in an amount not to exceed $11,500.00.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
Council Member Campbell hoped that the Boys & Girls Club would work with the Parks and
Recreation Department to help resolve the skateboarding park issue.
DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS FOR AMES YOUTH SPORTS COMPLEX: Moved by
Hoffman, seconded by Tedesco, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-333 approving the request to
disburse $18,378.00 to Layne Western Company for the construction of a new well at the Ames
Youth Sports Complex.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM: City Manager Schainker explained that
earlier the Council had appropriated $50,000 from Local Sales Tax funds in the current budget
for the new Neighborhood Improvement Program. He said that Staff had been working with
neighborhood representatives for their input into the program, and that the quality of their input
had been very good. During review of the program, City Manager Schainker stated that it
should promote a greater sense of community through residents’ participation. He explained the
criteria for eligible neighborhood projects and the application process.
Moved by Tedesco, seconded by Parks, to support the Neighborhood Improvement Program
framework.
Discussion was held regarding the rating of applications and the neighborhood local match
requirements, as well as whether commercial areas would be allowed to participate in this
program. Mr. Schainker said that the Neighborhood Improvement Program was intended for use
in residential settings—not for commercial locations. Council Member Campbell felt that
because the funds allocated for this program would not go that far, residential neighborhoods
were a good place to start. Council Member Parks suggested that the City try the program as
outlined.
Further discussion was held regarding the Rating Team membership. Mr. Schainker stated that
the panel would be composed of four neighborhood association representatives and two staff
representatives. He would serve as the convener and moderator for the group. The Council
questioned whether or not citizens should make application and be appointed through that type
of process instead of limiting membership to registered neighborhood association
representatives. It was determined that the program would be implemented as outlined.
Jim Popken, 920 Clark Avenue, appeared on behalf of the Neighborhood Coalition. He read a
statement endorsing the Neighborhood Improvement Program, and he encouraged the Council
to endorse it as well.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
3
CDP FOR VULCAN SUBDIVISION: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Tedesco, to adopt
RESOLUTION NO. 96-334 approving the Conceptual Development Plan (CDP) for Vulcan
Industrial Properties with the following stipulations: 1) that there shall be combined driveways
for Lots 1 and 2, Lots 3 and 4, and Lots 5 and 6, and there shall be notes to the Administrative
and Final Plats to that effect; 2) that there shall be no access to Lot 6 from Dayton Avenue; 3)
that the City Council approve the CDP without sidewalks along Southeast 5th Street and along
Dayton Avenue; and, 4) that there shall be a note to the Administrative and Final Plats that “soil
borings are required in areas within the site, which have been identified by the City as having
soils that make the construction of buildings difficult.”
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
AMENDMENT TO P-C PLAN FOR OKOBOJI GRILL: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by
Tedesco, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-335 approving an amendment to the Planned
Commercial (P-C) Plan for Okoboji Grill located at 2719 Grand Avenue to allow a sign change,
new awnings, and a new entry door.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
PURCHASE OF UTILITY BODY AND AERIAL MANLIFT: Moved by Tedesco, seconded by
Parks, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-336 waiving formal bidding procedures and approving
the purchase of a truck-mounted fiberglass utility body and 30-foot aerial manlift at a cost not
to exceed $35,000.00.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR WATER TREATMENT PLANT
RENOVATION PROJECT: Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Tedesco, to adopt RESOLUTION
NO. 96-337 approving the engineering services agreement with Howard R. Green Company of
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the amount of $17,700.00 for the Water Treatment Plant Renovation
Project.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
EASEMENT AGREEMENTS FOR LIME SLUDGE DISPOSAL PROJECT: Moved by
Tedesco, seconded by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-338 approving an easement
agreement between the City of Ames and Eastwood Apartments for property located at 420 East
7th Street.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
Moved by Tedesco, seconded by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-339 approving an
easement agreement between the City of Ames and Wendell and Beulah Wescoat for property
located at 441 East 6th Street.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
HEARING ON LINCOLN WAY/CLARK/WALNUT PROJECT: Mayor Curtis declared the
hearing open. There being no one present wishing to testify, the hearing was declared closed.
4
Moved by Tedesco, seconded by Parks, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-340 approving final
plans and specifications and awarding a contract to Con-Struct, Inc., of Ames, Iowa, in the
amount of $300,757.33 for the Lincoln Way/Clark Walnut Project.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
HEARING ON SOUTH 4TH STREET BRIDGE REPAIR PROJECT: Mayor Curtis declared
the hearing open. There being no one present wishing to testify, the hearing was declared
closed.
Moved by Tedesco, seconded by Parks, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-341 approving final
plans and specifications and awarding a contract to Cramer & Associates, Inc., of Des Moines,
Iowa, in the amount of $82,450.00 for the South 4th Street Bridge Repair Project.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
HEARING ON PARKING LOT Z RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT: Mayor Curtis declared
the hearing open. There being no one present wishing to testify, the hearing was declared
closed.
Moved by Tedesco, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 96-342 approving final
plans and specifications and awarding a contract to Manatt’s, Inc., of Ames, Iowa, in the amount
of $108,712.00 for the Parking Lot Z (Stanton/Chamberlain) Reconstruction Project.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
ORDINANCE AMENDING TRAFFIC CODE REGARDING DEFINITIONS: Moved by
Tedesco, seconded by Wirth, to pass on first reading an ordinance amending Section 26.1 of the
Municipal Code regarding traffic code definitions.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Tedesco, seconded by Wirth, to suspend the rules required for the passage of an
ordinance.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Tedesco, seconded by Hoffman, to pass on second and third readings and adopt
ORDINANCE NO. 3392 amending Section 26.1 of the Municipal Code regarding traffic code
definitions.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
ORDINANCE ON TOWING OF ABANDONED VEHICLES: Council Member Hoffman asked
if this ordinance change would include all abandoned vehicles. City Attorney John Klaus
explained that the statute referred to any abandoned vehicle which was parked illegally on public
right-of-way for more than 24 hours. Previously, the ordinance allowed vehicles to be illegally
parked for a three-day period prior to starting the notification/towing process. This amendment
would authorize the Police Department to take custody of such vehicles after a 24-hour period.
Notice would still be given to the violator prior to being towed. Mr. Klaus further explained that
the State recently enacted this change, and the amendment would parallel the State statute. He
5
reiterated that this amendment would include vehicles illegally parked for any reason. Council
Member Hoffman saw this change as opening up a situation in which the City may not want to
get involved.
Moved by Campbell, seconded by Wirth, to pass on first reading an ordinance amending the
Municipal Code to provide Police the authority to tow abandoned vehicles which remain
illegally parked on public property for more than 24 hours.
Roll Call Vote: 4-1. Voting aye: Campbell, Parks, Tedesco, Wirth. Voting nay: Hoffman.
Motion declared carried.
ORDINANCE PROHIBITING PARKING ON PORTION OF PRIVATE DRIVEWAY:
Moved by Tedesco, seconded by Hoffman, to pass on first reading an ordinance prohibiting
parking upon that portion of a driveway within the limits of the street.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE ON PARKING PROHIBITIONS ON HICKORY DRIVE: Moved by Wirth,
seconded by Parks, to pass on first reading an ordinance extending the parking prohibition from
the south line of the driveway at 315 Hickory Drive to the south line of 327 Hickory Drive.
Council Member Hoffman stated that she would like to include property located at 309 Hickory
Drive in this parking prohibition.
Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Parks, to amend the motion by extending the parking
prohibition from the south line of the driveway at 309 Hickory Drive to the south line of
327 Hickory Drive.
Vote on Amendment: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE DESIGNATING SPEED LIMIT ON WEST LINCOLN WAY: Moved by
Tedesco, seconded by Hoffman, to pass on first reading an ordinance designating a 45 mph
speed limit zone on West Lincoln Way from Dakota Avenue to 3,960 feet west, and a 50 mph
speed limit zone from 3,960 feet west of Dakota Avenue to the west corporation limits.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE DESIGNATING URBAN REVITALIZATION AREA NO. 6: Moved by
Campbell, seconded by Tedesco, to pass on second reading an ordinance designating Urban
Revitalization Area No. 6.
Dan Strodtman, 3315 Emerald Drive, spoke on behalf of this issue. He indicated that he owned
property which faced the revitalization area on two sides. He endorsed the City’s efforts to give
tax abatements for the project, as any assistance given to this area would benefit everyone in the
vicinity. Some discussion was held regarding the developer’s proposed plans for Urban
Revitalization Area No. 6. It was pointed out that the Council would be reviewing those plans
in the future.
6
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE DESIGNATING PARKING PROHIBITIONS ON WHITE OAK DRIVE:
Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Wirth, to pass on second reading an ordinance designating
parking prohibitions on White Oak Drive.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
COMMENTS: Council Member Hoffman inquired about the street lights on Hyland Avenue and
the time frame of when they would be installed and functioning again. Public Works Director
Paul Wiegand responded that once the storm sewer installation was completed around the
end of August, the street lights should be installed and working once more.
Council Member Hoffman thanked Staff for their good work on the City’s Blue Cross/Blue
Shield health insurance, as it amounted to a zero percent increase in costs.
Mayor Curtis asked Staff to address the pothole situation at the intersection of South Duff
Avenue and South 16th Street.
Moved by Tedesco, seconded by Hoffman, to set 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14, 1996, as
the date of a special meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the Village
Concept.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Hoffman, seconded by Tedesco, to place on an upcoming agenda correspondence
from the Ames Heritage Association requesting use of the former Water Pollution Control Plant.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
_________________________________________________________________________
Jill Ripperger, Recording Secretary Larry R. Curtis, Mayor
7