HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council 09/27/1994MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA SEPTEMBER 27, 1994
The Ames City Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m., September 27, 1994, in the City Council
Chambers in the City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Pro Tem John Parks
presiding and the following Council Members present: Brown, Campbell, Hoffman, Parks, Tedesco,
and Wirth. Mayor Curtis was absent.
PROCLAMATION FOR FIRE PREVENTION WEEK: Mayor Pro Tem Parks presented a
proclamation to Fire Inspector John Dethrow, designating October 9 through 15, 1994 as Fire
Prevention Week within the City of Ames.
CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Pro Tem Parks noted the amended agenda included an addition to
the Consent Agenda.
Motion by Hoffman, Second by Wirth, to approve the following items on
the Consent Agenda, removing Item 3 for separate consideration:
Motion to approve payment of claims
Motion to approve minutes of the special meetings of August 29 and 30,
September 7, 8, and 9, 1994 (Removed for separate consideration; see action at the end of this
section)
Motion to approve renewal of the following beer and liquor licenses:
a. Class B Beer - Happy Joe's, 551 South Duff
b. Class C Beer - Arnie's Petro Palace, 821 Lincoln Way
c. Class E Beer - Save-U-More, 538 South Duff
d. Class C Liquor - Wallaby's, 3720 West Lincoln Way
e. Class E Beer - Hy-Vee Food Store, 3600 West Lincoln Way
Motion to refer to Planning and Zoning Commission a request for
annexation of property located North of Bloomington Road and West of Bloomington Hts.
RESOLUTION NO. 94-403 approving appointment of Merlin Hove, Electric
Utility Director, as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Designated
Representative, and Gary Titus, Assistant Electric Utility Director, as
Designated Alternate
RESOLUTION NO. 94-404 approving and adopting Municipal Code Supplement
RESOLUTION NO. 94-405 approving Annual Street Finance Report
RESOLUTION NO. 94-406 approving Final Plat for Country Gables, 8th
Addition
RESOLUTION NO. 94-407 approving release of housing rehabilitation
mortgages
RESOLUTION NO. 94-408 approving agreement with Youth & Shelter
Services for Monitoring Juveniles
RESOLUTION NO. 94-409 accepting completion of subdivision
improvements in ISU Research Park, 2nd Addition
RESOLUTION NO. 94-410 accepting completion of subdivision
improvements at 1021 Airport Road
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
SEPARATE CONSIDERATION:
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 8, 1994: Coun. Tedesco
cited an amendment to the Minutes of the Special Meeting of September 8,
1994, to include the following groups in the proposed steering committee for
the Downtown Development Plan: Major Retailers, Major Employers, Lincoln
Way representatives.
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to approve the Minutes of the Special Meeting of
September 8, 1994 as amended.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
HEARING ON PROPOSED ISSUANCE AND SALE OF $2,015,000 GENERAL
OBLIGATION CORPORATE PURPOSE BONDS, SERIES 1994B: Mayor Pro Tem Parks
declared the public hearing open.
David Dirks, Evensen Dodge, said 9 bids on the proposed issue were received this afternoon, with
the low bid submitted by First Tennessee Bank of Overland Park, Kansas. He said a net interest rate
of 5.31% was represented. He said the rating agencies confirmed the City's outstanding rating of
AA-1 and AA.
There being no one further wishing to speak, the public hearing was declared closed.
Motion by Hoffman, Second by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 94-411
providing for award and issuance of $2,015,000 General Obligation Corporate
Purpose Bonds, Series 1994B, and providing for the levy of taxes to pay
the same.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
HEARING ON REZONING OF LAND GENERALLY LOCATED NORTHWEST OF
INTERSECTION OF 13TH STREET AND DAYTON ROAD: Mayor Pro Tem Parks declared
the public hearing open.
Planning and Housing Director Brian O'Connell reviewed this request to annex approximately 70
acres of land, and said by doing so, the Council would also be rezoning the land from County
Agricultural to City of Ames Agricultural. He said the Council had recently amended the City's
Land Use Policy Plan to designate the southern portion of this area as an alternate medical zone.
He said however, the property owner is not requesting any additional rezoning at this time, and the
land would remain agricultural until the City prepares its zoning text. He reviewed how Staff had
concluded this area met the goals of the Land Use Policy Plan, and said the Planning and Zoning
Commission recommended this request be approved.
Coun. Tedesco asked if there had been any discussion regarding what would surround the alternate
medical area. Mr. O'Connell said while the present plan is for the surrounding landuse to remain
Agricultural, that could change with the update of the City's Landuse Policy Plan. He said Staff
would hope to have public hearings on the completed Plan next spring or summer.
Coun. Tedesco asked if the Izaak Walton League had presented its concerns to the Planning &
Zoning Commission. Mr. O'Connell said concerns were presented regarding possible conflicts
between the use of the land owned by the Izaak Walton League and that of the property proposed
for annexation. He said however, the Planning and Zoning Commission believed that the rezoning
process would provide many opportunities to address how the physical development of this land can
occur in relation to uses of land next to it.
Brian Vandewater, President of the Ames Izaak Walton League, 1217 Grand Avenue, presented a
historical background of the League, and said they earn their funding through recreational programs.
He said the proposed annexation could jeopardize the shooting ranges which are the financial
background of the Ames League. He said the League believes there was a serious oversight in the
decision to designate this area as an alternate medical zone. He said allowing a medical zone would
open the door to residential development, and shooting ranges and residential neighborhoods were
not compatible. He said the League believes the surrounding area would be best served by
Agricultural, Recreational, or even Industrial uses. He said due to the noise of shooting ranges, they
recommend no residential housing be allowed within 3/4 mile of their facility. He said the League
was also concerned that the wildlife corridor had not been considered, and said perhaps a buffer zone
of natural plantings and wildlife habitat should be developed around their land. He said they also
question what the property owner has planned for remaining 50 acres not designated as Medical. He
said the League would like to see a master plan of the entire area and how it will address these
issues. He said they felt these issues might be best addressed prior to annexation, and asked that
the Council table a decision on this matter, and that a committee comprised of Story County
Conservation Board members, Izaak Walton League, City Planners, and other conservation groups
be formed to assist the City in finding solutions to these problems and questions.
Dale Brentnall, 429 25th Street, Ames Izaak Walton League, described how policies are developed
for the League and described some of their past environmental efforts.
R.K. Richards, 1821 George Allen Avenue, said he was a member of the Izaak Walton League, and
agreed with its members' statements, but was appearing on behalf of himself. He said in his opinion,
there was no need for a second medical zone in Ames, and no indication that the alternate zone was
going to be built. He said there was plenty of room to expand south of the present medical zone.
He said while expanding in that area was controversial, the City and medical organizations had paid
good prices for property there and no one had been injured.
Gregg Moorman, 212 Park Avenue, Story City, said he agreed with previous statements of League
members.
Tom Rodd, 1202 NW Greenwood, Ankeny, National Director for the Izaak Walton League, referred
to a map of the area and pointed out wetland and wooded areas, which he said were decreasing
rapidly in Story County due to development. He said Iowa had only 1/6 of its woodlands left due
to agriculture and development, and said the latter also impacted channelization of stream corridors
and loss of topsoil. He said Ames was unique in that the Izaak Walton League contributes to the
educational system at no cost to the City or to the County. He said they also bring dollars to the
County and the City via the Iowa Games and similar events. He said in addition, the League saves
lives through gun education.
Stephen Holmes, 737 7th Street, Nevada, First Vice President of the Ames Izaak Walton League,
said the League was concerned about cavalier use or misuse of land. He said there was concern
about preserving the social and economic benefits of the Skunk River Valley, and asked that the City
adopt a policy concerning its use. He said the League has been a good neighbor and an active
participant in the Ames community for a long time, and its value to the community and nation were
immeasurable. He said the City Council should develop the courage to take a stand on this issue,
and say that the City is going to be very sensitive toward encroachment on the River area. He
encouraged Council to send this issue back to Staff and accept the League's invitation for assistance
on this and future issues. He said the property owner has said he fully intends to develop houses on
the property, and the League did not want to be bad neighbors. He said they didn't want the property
to be misrepresented and for people to buy houses unaware there was a shooting range nearby.
There being no one further wishing to testify, the public hearing was declared closed.
Coun. Brown asked whether the Medical zone text for the LUPP update could be created if this
annexation issue were tabled, and Mr. O'Connell said the City would still have the option of creating
the text without this annexation. Coun. Brown said she felt there should be an opportunity to
address some of these concerns.
Coun. Tedesco pointed out that the land to the west of the subject property was designated
Agricultural, Open Space, Residential Reserve, and Agricultural Residential. He said the site that
was designated earlier was strictly Medical, not Hospital, and said the two terms get incorrectly
intermixed. He said he was concerned that not enough thought has been given to the surrounding
area and to the conflicts that already exist. He said those conflicts were not included in the previous
Planning and Zoning Commission discussions. He said perhaps by approving the annexation
request, they would be giving false hope to the developer that this land could be rezoned for other
than Agricultural. He questioned whether the issue should be referred back to the Planning and
Zoning Commission and a committee appointed to look at the area in general.
Coun. Parks noted the subject property had already been designated Medical, Agricultural,
Commercial Reserve and Industrial Reserve, but not Residential. He said that designation defines
what usage someone annexing this property might expect. He said there was a Residential Reserve
designation for land to the west of the subject property, but not the parcels under consideration.
Coun. Tedesco said he felt it needed to be taken into consideration, if they were talking about
landuse and the entire area.
Coun. Campbell said approving the annexation request would not preclude consideration of those
issues, and said specific uses could be looked at during the zoning stage. She said they had been
asked to annex, and could do so incorporating the designated Medical zone and leaving the rest A-1.
Coun. Wirth said she agreed that the zoning issue was a separate step. She said she could support
the annexation, as long as a committee is also formed to look at some of the issues raised this
evening, and that zoning is not dealt with until the committee's recommendations are presented. She
said the Story County Conservation Board has previously conducted a wildlife corridor study, and
had expressed interest in this issue.
Coun. Parks said they were really dealing with 3 separate process: annexation, Land Use Policy
Plan update, and zoning. He said he disagreed with the alternative Medical zone originally and had
not changed his mind. He said he felt these issues needed to be reviewed by a group comprised of
representatives from all the surrounding areas.
Mr. O'Connell said he felt the Council's decision should be to determine whether or not the landuse
decision to designate part of this area as a Medical zone should then be followed with a decision to
bring the area into the City to allow urbanization to occur. He said the zoning designation would
involve another deliberate, precise process that would have adequate opportunity for comments and
citizen input, as would the subdivision process.
Mr. Vandewater said the League was concerned about the order and procedure of these processes.
He said they felt the landuse studies already conducted did not produce an accurate picture, as the
wildlife corridors and the noise level were not taken into consideration at the time this area was
designated as a second Medical zone. He said they were asking that the studies be revisited in order
that these issues might be addressed.
Motion by Hoffman, Second by Brown, to table this issue, in order that there may be further
study on the wildlife corridor before Council takes action on this issue.
Coun. Wirth asked whether the motion included the formation of the committee as requested by the
League, and Coun. Hoffman said it did.
Vote on Motion: 4-2. Voting Aye: Brown, Hoffman, Wirth, Tedesco.
Voting Nay: Campbell, Parks. Motion declared carried 4-2.
Coun. Parks said he'd voted against the motion because he'd been opposed to the alternate Medical
zone designation to begin with, and felt that issue should be revisited.
PUBLIC FORUM: Bettie Cott, 5020 Ontario, said she was fortunate enough to have her own
private "wildlife corridor," but expressed concerns about the large population of raccoons. She said
they are a major source of rabies. She said more funding should be allocated to Animal Control to
help deal with the problem.
Keith Hoffman, 3411 Madison Court, said he appreciated the City's aggressive street repair program.
He asked if the City and County could work together to maintain the gravel portion of Bloomington
Road that runs past the new water tower. He asked about future plans for the intersection of Grand
Avenue and Top O'Hollow, and Coun. Tedesco responded that the intersection would be replaced
by a curve down Dawes Drive, and there would no longer be access at Grand and Top O'Hollow,
but Bloomington would access to Grand.
Mr. Hoffman said when curbs were removed at the Post Office and handicapped access installed,
the portion of the asphalt was not replaced. He said visibility at the intersection of Hyland and 13th
needed to be improved. Coun. Hoffman noted signalization was scheduled for that intersection next
year. Mr. Hoffman said the condition of Hyland itself was very rough. He said however, he
appreciated the milling machine the City has purchased to eliminate some of the speed bumps in the
streets.
REZONING OF AREA AROUND 300 BLOCK OF NORTH FRANKLIN AVENUE: Mayor
Pro Tem Parks declared the public hearing open.
Planning and Housing Director Brian O'Connell reviewed how Staff received a request last summer
for removal of two existing lots located on North Franklin, to be replaced with two new single
family homes. He said both of the lots contained less than 10,000 square feet, the minimum lot size
for the R1-10 zoning district. He said Staff learned the two lots were contiguous platted lots, which
according to the Zoning Ordinance, meant that only one single-family dwelling could be constructed
to replace the two existing structures. He said Staff found a similar problem exists in many other
lots in the area which are less than 10,000 square feet, and had suggested the property owner ask the
City Council to investigate a rezoning as an alternative. He said the Planning and Zoning
Commission had considered a number of alternatives and configurations the City might pursue.
Mr. O'Connell pointed out the Zoning Ordinance recognizes previously platted lots that are of a
smaller area than what is now required in the district, but that only applies to platted lots. He said
in other cases, i.e., for lots that have been made smaller due to sale of a portion of land to a neighbor,
if the existing home were destroyed, the property owner would have to obtain a variance from the
Zoning Board of Adjustment in order to rebuild. He said 13 of the lots in the proposed rezoning
area, roughly 12%, were in that circumstance. He said Staff's recommendation was to incorporate
as many of the under 10,000 sq. ft. lots into the district as possible, and still create a uniform zoning
district. He said if the area were rezoned to R1-6, as Staff recommended, lots larger than 6,000 sq.
ft. would still be legal lots.
Mr. O'Connell discussed concerns voiced by residents at the Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting, saying most focused on fear that the proposed rezoning would lead to increased density in
the area. He said that could occur, but the area was largely developed, and Staff did not believe
there was great potential for combining lots to increase the density. He said Staff has noticed
lending institutions seem to be increasingly reluctant to grant mortgages to property owners whose
property does not meet City zoning ordinances. He said the Planning and Zoning Commission
however, recommended that this rezoning not occur, believing the rezoning would not serve to
protect homeowners, might enable an increase in negatively-perceived density, and because there
was lack of support for this rezoning alternative. He said the Commission felt also there might be
other alternatives to the rezoning.
Coun. Parks asked whether Staff had considered amending the R1-10 zone to allow a non-platted
lot less than 10,000 feet to occur. Mr. O'Connell noted there was currently a provision to allow
platted lots less than 10,000 feet, but not non-platted lots.
Coun. Hoffman said when this request first came to Council, she anticipated a rezoning on Franklin
Avenue only. She said this larger proposed rezoning area came as a shock to the residents. She said
she felt Staff had done a good job of explaining the basis for their recommendation, but felt many
residents were still fearful of the proposed rezoning.
Frank Trumpy, 301 N. Franklin, said there was an error in the calculated sq. footage for one of the
lots. He said zoning should be done as an entire area, not by exceptions. He said in the entire
proposed area, almost all the lots cited as being under the minimum sq. footage were just barely
under 10,000 sq. ft. He said the majority of homes in the area are the spirit, if not the letter, of R1-
10. He said this was an R1-10 area that should not be changed, and that individual non-conforming
areas should be dealt with by issuing a variance. He said he owned a de-platted lot and would prefer
to request a variance, or work toward a change in the Zoning Ordinance as suggested by Coun.
Parks. He said the majority of residents didn't want this area rezoned, including the property owner
who made the original request.
Don Carr, 3615 Story Street, said he opposed the rezoning, and was concerned about increases in
density. He said the R1-10 zoning helps the City maintain control over the density. He said
increased density would lead to increased traffic, and noted there was a school in the area. He cited
disturbances that occurred on Franklin during VEISHEA 1994 as density problems. He said issuing
a variance or amending the Zoning Ordinance would be a better way to take care of the existing
problems. He said he didn't know any residents who wanted the R1-6 zoning.
John Kleitsch, 338 Westwood Drive, said the previous speakers and he were representing the newly-
formed Edwards Neighborhood Association, inspired by this proposed rezoning. He said the overall
character of the area is R1-10, and said mechanisms to resolve the existing problems seem to be
already in place. He said he liked the suggestion of modifying the Zoning Ordinance to allow de-
platted lots. He said he was concerned that adjacent areas might get upzoned as well.
Michael King, 310 Westwood Drive, said his wife and he were against increased neighborhood
density, and the traffic, trash, noise, and vandalism that accompany it. He said smaller lot sizes
ultimately mean more houses in the neighborhood. He cited incidents of noise and vandalism that
have occurred since apartments in the area have been rented. He said they live in a family
neighborhood, and want it to stay that way. He urged the Council to reject the proposed rezoning.
There being no one further wishing to testify, the public hearing was declared closed.
Motion by Brown, Second by Hoffman, to reject the proposal to rezone the
area.
Coun. Campbell said the Council received a number of phone calls from concerned residents, and
said she felt badly the issue had caused much anxiety and misinformation. She said however, she
didn't think the proposed rezoning would make that much difference. She said she had concerns
about not rezoning the area, and suggesting that one had to request a variance from the Zoning
Board of Adjustment, which was a judicial system where a fee was required, to find a solution. She
said she felt it was good planning to have the area rezoned to R1-6, but in light of the overwhelming
opposition to the rezoning, and the little support for it, she would be willing to vote to maintain the
current zoning.
Coun. Parks said part of the problem might have occurred because the request was initiated by a
small factor, and the information was not disbursed in the same way as in major rezonings. He said
he would support looking at modifications to the Zoning Ordinance to alleviate the problem, but
would not support the rezoning proposal.
Coun. Hoffman asked whether the current Ordinance could be amended to allow de-platted lots in
the R1-10 zoning district, and City Attorney John Klaus said Staff could look into that possibility.
Coun. Wirth asked whether rezoning could occur only in the pockets where there were under-10,000
sq. ft. lots, and there was discussion about trying to avoid "spot zoning." Coun. Wirth said she
hoped the residents with de-platted lots under 10,000 sq. ft. were aware of the potential problems
with lending institutions when the property is sold.
Vote on Motion to reject proposal: 6-0. Motion declared carried
unanimously.
Motion by Hoffman, Second by Brown, to direct Staff to investigate
the possibility of modifying the Zoning Ordinance to allow de-platted lots in
R1-10 zoning districts.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
RECESS: Mayor Pro Tem Parks called a recess at 8:50 p.m.
RECONVENE: The regular meeting reconvened at 8:55 p.m.
HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENT TO CODE REGARDING DETACHED
GARAGES IN MINIMUM SETBACK AREA OF MOBILE HOME PARKS: Mayor Pro Tem
Parks declared the public hearing open. There being no one wishing to testify, the public hearing
was declared closed.
Motion by Hoffman, Second by Brown, to pass on first reading an ordinance
amending Section 29.20(18)(e) of the Municipal Code to allow a minimum setback of 20 feet
from the exterior boundaries of mobile home parks for detached garages.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Wirth, to suspend the rules required for
the adoption of an ordinance.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Hoffman, Second by Tedesco, to pass on second and third
readings and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3297 amending Section 29.20(18)(e) of the Municipal
Code to allow a minimum setback of 20 feet from the exterior boundaries of mobile home parks
for detached garages.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
HEARING ON TECHNICAL AMENDMENT TO MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING
SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR SITE IMPROVEMENTS: Mayor Pro Tem Parks declared
the public hearing open.
City Manager Steve Schainker said this amendment was an effort to work with developers to reduce
development costs. He said whereas developers currently have to deposit financial security to
assure completion of site and landscaping improvements for projects in P-C and P-I districts, this
amendment would stipulate that security must be provided only if public improvements were not
in place at the time of occupancy.
There being no one further wishing to testify, the public hearing was declared closed.
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to pass on first reading an ordinance amending Section
29.24(3)(D) and Section 29.26(2)(E) of the Municipal Code regarding security requirements for
site improvements.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Wirth, Second by Hoffman, to suspend the rules required for
the adoption of an ordinance.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Hoffman, Second by Tedesco, to pass on second and third readings and adopt
ORDINANCE NO. 3298 amending Section 29.24(3)(D) and Section 29.26(2)(E) of the
Municipal Code regarding security requirements for site improvements.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
HEARING ON DEMOLITION OF FLOOD DAMAGED PROPERTIES: Mayor Pro Tem
Parks declared the public hearing open.
City Manager Steve Schainker noted this was an award of contract for demolition of properties the
City purchased on South Russell, South Hazel, and South Maple. He said the award required FEMA
approval, therefore Staff was recommending the award of contract be delayed until the October 11
meeting.
The public hearing was declared closed.
Housing Coordinator Vanessa Baker-Latimer noted there had been many questions from former
residents regarding salvage rights, and said nothing in the specifications gave first right of salvage
to previous owners. She said once the contract is awarded, the demolition contractor could be
contacted by anyone who lives within Ames. She said Staff would meet with the contractor to
discuss the process for removing salvage materials. She said the only things that could not be
salvaged were the houses themselves, and any hazardous materials containing asbestos. She said
asbestos removal had been separated from the demolition contract.
Coun. Wirth said she had been contacted by a previous homeowner interested in salvaging
landscaping materials. She asked that written communication be provided to all previous
homeowners to clear up any confusion regarding salvage rights.
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to accept report of bids and
delay award of contract to October 11, 1994.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
HEARING ON ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT PARKING LOT RESURFACING PROJECT:
Mayor Pro Tem Parks declared the public hearing open. There being no one wishing to testify, the
public hearing was declared closed.
Motion by Wirth, Second by Campbell, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 94-412 accepting final
plans and specifications and awarding contract to Manatt's, Inc. in amount of $42,282.50 plus
applicable sales tax for Alternate I, Item a.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION FOR AMES/ISU ICE ARENA: Motion by
Hoffman, Second by Tedesco, to approve new Special Class B Beer liquor
license application for Ames/ISU Ice Arena, 1505 Gateway Hills Park Drive.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
REQUEST FROM ISU HOMECOMING COMMITTEE FOR FIREWORKS PERMIT:
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to approve fireworks permit for
Thursday, October 13, 1994, for ISU Homecoming Celebration.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
REQUEST FOR FIRE PREVENTION PARADE: Motion by Tedesco, Second by
Brown, to approve request from Ames Fire Department for Fire Prevention
Parade on October 15, 1994.
Coun. Hoffman asked whether all downtown business owners had been notified of this parade. City
Manager Steve Schainker said the Downtown Betterment Association had been notified, but noted
not all downtown business owners were members of the DBA. He said for future events, perhaps
signatures from individual business people should accompany requests for street closures. Coun.
Hoffman suggested notices of such events could be handed out on Main Street. Coun. Parks said
Council might address this topic at a future meeting.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Wirth, Second by Tedesco, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 94-413
closing Main Street from Duff to Clark on October 15, 1994 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for
Fire Prevention Parade.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT STUDY: Assistant City Manager Bob Kindred said the Flood
Task Force, comprised of Staff from City, County, ISU, and the DOT, is ready to recommend award
of contract for the major flood management study. He said the Task Force and Snyder and
Associates have been working with the various federal agencies to assure all resources have been
utilized and that the work planned will satisfy the various regulatory agencies. He said the original
estimate for the comprehensive study was $150,000, but the Task Force has now determined a
higher degree of mapping and data collection is necessary, and the total estimated cost is now
$178,500, to be funded by the four jurisdictions.
Coun. Tedesco asked how far north and south the study area would extend, noting the area between
Hwy. 30 and I-35 was a major focus of the current Landuse Policy Plan update. Dale Harrington,
Snyder and Associates, said the study area would extend north to the City limits, and south of the
U.S. Hwy. 30 bridge. He said recent information from the Army Corps of Engineers is also
available.
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO.
94-414 approving contract with Snyder and Associates for Phase II of Flood Plain Management
Study.
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.
94-415 approving 28-E agreement for funding of Flood Plain Management Study with Story
County, Iowa State University, and Iowa Department of Transportation.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
Motion by Brown, Second by Tedesco, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 94-416
approving change in "local effort" provision of Flood Plain Management Study grant agreement
with Iowa Department of Economic Development.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
INSPECTION OF NO. 8 TURBINE AND REPLACEMENT OF RETAINING RINGS:
Motion by Wirth, Second by Tedesco, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 94-419 approving plans and
specifications for inspection of No. 8 Turbine and Replacement of Retaining Rings; setting
October 19, 1994 as bid due date and October 25, 1994 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.
LIMITS TO OPEN FIRES FOR RECREATIONAL USE: Motion by Brown, Second
by Hoffman, to direct City Attorney to prepare ordinance designating limited hours for open
fires for recreational use.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
DEMOLITION AND REMOVAL OF DEBRIS AT 811 SOUTH DUFF: Planning and Housing
Director Brian O'Connell said in 1992 Council approved an assessment agreement for relocation of
a sanitary sewer to allow a building to be constructed on property at 811 South Duff, and as part of
that agreement, the existing block building on that property would be removed by March 1, 1994.
He said the City had received a $10,000 letter of credit to secure that removal, and when the building
was not removed last spring, had approved a time extension for that removal to October 1, 1994.
He said since the building had still not been removed, Staff felt they needed to bring the matter to
the Council's attention.
City Attorney John Klaus noted the letter of credit had stipulated the building would be removed
before October 1, 1994. City Manager Steve Schainker noted Staff was recommending that if a
further extension was granted, a new letter of credit in the amount of $15,625 be issued to cover
increasing costs to the City should it be required to remove the building. City Attorney Klaus
recommended that an amended agreement also be signed, setting a clear date for when the building
would be removed and if it is not down by that date, providing authorization for the City to go onto
the premises to begin that removal process.
Ken Howe, 230 South Washington, noted a letter summarizing the Howes' position had been
distributed to the Council. He said they were 3 months behind the October 1, 1994 deadline due to
contracting problems. He said they have started the salvage of the building, and had the occupancy
clarified last week. He said they expect to have a guarantee from the contractor in the next 3-4 days,
and the actual demolition should take another 3-4 days. He said they should be able to have the
building debris off the lot by mid-November. He said in addition, they would agree to remove the
storage semi-trailers to a different location. He said some of those trailers contained flood-damaged
appliances, and there may be a delay in how quickly they can be moved. He said the dirt that had
been piled along the launching ramp parallel to South Duff should be taken care of by the end of
October. He said therefore, although the Howes expect to be able to complete the job within 3
months, they would like another extension of 6 months, to allow for delays due to weather, etc. He
said they would like to leave the lower portion of the existing building, two of the four kiln rooms,
standing for that 6 month period, to get much of the stored items under cover and help provide a
visual barrier for the remainder of the outside items. He said he would be willing to let the City staff
evaluate the situation at that point.
Coun. Tedesco said this request was a complete change from the original agreement, which was to
take down everything except the new building.
Mr. Howe said that was true, and due in part to the City's desire to have the area more visually
appealing. He noted they had lost all the trees in that area during the South Duff widening project.
There was discussion regarding whether the request was to extend the timetable for removal of all
structures within 6 months, or whether Mr. Howe was requesting that the kiln rooms remain for an
indefinite period.
Coun. Tedesco said it was time to reach a termination date on this project, and said he has received
many comments about this location being an unsightly entrance into the City. He said he was
confused by Mr. Howe's comment about Staff coming to look at the remaining building after the six
month period passed. Mr. Howe said he had been referring to the southeast kiln room. Coun.
Tedesco said that was a complete deviation from the original agreement which had stipulated that
all structures except the new building would come down. Mr. Howe said they were simply trying
to keep things under cover as long as possible. He said they were not talking about keeping the kiln
room up permanently.
Mr. Howe said he had no problem with the letter of credit amount being raised to $15,625.00.
Coun. Parks said if this request were approved, the City would need to be provided with a date for
the demolition, and the new letter of credit would have to be issued for beyond that date. He said
the new letter of credit would have to be filed before October 1, 1994.
Coun. Tedesco asked whether all conditions had been met regarding the occupancy for the new
building. Planning and Housing Director Brian O'Connell said the Building Official indicated that
the Building Code condition of the new building is such that they can allow occupancy on a
temporary occupancy basis, with followup to ensure any remaining items are completed. He said
site improvements, i.e., landscaping and parking, have yet to be constructed. He said the Howes
have indicated they want to phase-in those site improvements along with phasing-in of the building.
He said Staff needed to meet with the Howes to clarify which of the site improvements would be
installed with the first phase of construction and which with the second phase.
Motion by Campbell, Second by Brown, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 94- 417 approving a 3-
month time extension for removal of the old building to January 1, 1995, with stipulation that
a $16,000 letter of credit be filed with the City as security; that expiration date of letter of credit
be after January 15, 1995; that both parties sign an agreement stating dirt and building debris,
storage semi-trailers, and other items Mr. Howe admitted to in his discussion be removed by
January 1, 1995, and that clear permission be provided allowing the City onto the premises to
take the building down if it is not removed by January 1, 1995; that all documents pertaining to
this extension be filed with the City by noon on Friday, September 30, 1994; and that Staff be
instructed to cash the existing letter of credit if the above stipulation is not met by noon on
September 30, 1994.
Mr. O'Connell said he'd discussed with both Mr. and Mrs. Howe the importance of clarifying these
issues in writing, to make certain there was no disagreement over whether or not the Howes had
done everything the City expected of them.
Keith Hoffman, 3411 Madison Court, said he had been one of the contractors on this project, but the
property owners had then decided to do the work themselves. He said this project had held a
building permit for more than two years, and he questioned whether building contractors could come
to Council and ask for extensions of their permits. He asked how occupancy could be allowed in
a building with temporary doors, no parking lot, and no driveway. He said a great amount of
material from the excavation of the building was lying in the floodplain.
Coun. Brown asked whether approving the request for an extension on this demolition would violate
any of the City's Building Codes. City Attorney John Klaus said this issue involved a special
agreement for demolition of a structure, and had no connection with the Building Code. He said
objections as to whether or not any given project met the Building Code requirements should be
addressed to the Building Official.
Coun. Tedesco said the 6-month extension granted earlier this year for completion of this project
had not been met, and now another extension was about to be granted. He said this was the last time
he would support an extension for this project.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
Coun. Brown left the meeting.
ORDINANCE AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALLOW SUBDIVISION ENTRANCE
SIGNS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY: Motion by Tedesco, Second by Campbell,
to pass on first reading an ordinance amending Municipal Code, Section
5.220(11)(h) regarding maintenance of subdivision entrance signs.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Campbell, to suspend the rules required for the adoption of an
ordinance.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Campbell, to pass on second and third
readings and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3299 amending Municipal Code, Section
5.220(11)(h) regarding maintenance of subdivision entrance signs.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
Motion by Campbell, Second by Tedesco, to pass on first reading an
ordinance amending Municipal Code to create a new section regarding
easement requirements for subdivision entrance signs.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
There was discussion regarding whether as written, the proposed ordinance would preclude a sign
occurring on a homeowners association outlot, and City Attorney Klaus said it would. He said
striking the reference to "a platted building lot" would allow either option, a platted building lot or
an outlot.
Coun. Hoffman suggested the reference to "a platted building lot" be stricken, and the suggestion
was accepted as a friendly amendment to the motion.
Vote on Motion as Amended: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Campbell, to suspend the rules required for
the adoption of an ordinance.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Campbell, to pass on second and third
readings and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3300 amending Municipal Code to create
new section regarding easement requirements for subdivision entrance signs.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
FEMA 1362 PROPERTY ACQUISITION GRANT APPLICATION (MASONIC TEMPLE):
Motion by Wirth, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 94-418 approving the
submission of a FEMA 1362 Property Acquisition Grant application to purchase property at 715
South Duff Avenue (Masonic Temple).
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
PARKING PROHIBITIONS ON 24TH STREET: Motion by Campbell, Second by
Tedesco, to direct the City Attorney to prepare ordinance designating
parking prohibitions on 24th Street.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
DISPOSITION OF LANDFILL LAND: Motion by Hoffman, Second by Tedesco, to
table this item until appraisal information is available and terms of agreement have been worked
out.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
PARKING LOT "Q" RESURFACING PROJECT: Motion by Campbell, Second by
Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 94-420 accepting bid and awarding
contract to Manatt's, Inc. in amount of $39,647.68 for Parking Lot "Q"
Resurfacing Project.
Coun. Tedesco said several projects have specifications that deal with blacktop, and therefore only
one bid is received, which has recently been over the engineer's estimate for the project. He
suggested in the future, specifications be issued which allow alternate bidding using concrete.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
MAXWELL AVENUE SANITARY SEWER PROJECT: Motion by Campbell, Second
by Wirth ,to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 94-421 accepting bid and awarding
contract to Ames Trenching & Excavating, Inc. in amount of $68,755.00 for
Maxwell Avenue Sanitary Sewer Project.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
WATER MAIN EASEMENT ACROSS LOTS 9 AND 10, KINGSBURY ADDITION (JIFFY
LUBE): Motion by Wirth, Second by Campbell, to adopt RESOLUTION
NO. 94-422 abandoning water main easement across Lots 9 and 10, Kingsbury
Addition (Jiffy Lube).
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
SOUTH DUFF AVENUE TREE PLANTING AGREEMENT WITH IOWA DOT: Motion
by Hoffman, Second by Tedesco, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 94-423 approving agreement
between City of Ames and Iowa Department of Transportation for planting of trees along South
Duff Avenue.
City Manager Schainker thanked Mr. Rensink and the DOT staff for their efforts on this project.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS: Motion by
Tedesco, Second by Hoffman, to pass on first reading an ordinance
establishing additional regulatory features pertaining to peddlers and
solicitors.
City Attorney John Klaus noted a revision to the drafted ordinance, prohibiting door-to-door selling
and soliciting between the hours of sunset and sunrise, had been distributed to the Council this
evening.
The revision was accepted as a friendly amendment to the motion.
Coun. Tedesco asked that the fee schedule for peddlers' permits be revisited during the budget
process.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Campbell, Second by Tedesco, to suspend the rules required for
the 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. 3301 establishing additional regulatory
features pertaining to peddlers and solicitors.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
PARKING PROHIBITIONS ON MCKINLEY, HAYES, AND 20TH STREET: Motion
by Tedesco, Second by Campbell, to pass on first reading an ordinance designating parking
prohibitions on McKinley, Hayes, and 20th Street.
Leslie Holland, 2118 Hayes, said he and other residents have met with the School Board and City
Staff to resolve the recent parking problems in the Ames High School area. He noted a correction
to the ordinance stipulating 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. as times of prohibited parking on the north side
of 20th Street from Hayes Avenue to the western property line of Fellows School, and Mayor Pro
Tem Parks noted that revision had been distributed to the Council this evening. Mr. Holland
thanked City Staff for cooperating so well with the residents on this issue, and said they would now
continue working with the School Board.
Coun. Campbell suggested it might be time to resurrect the City Council/School Board liaison
committee.
Coun. Wirth expressed concern that the restrictions might simply move the problems over to another
street. She said the Bethesda Church's parking lot was quite a distance from the school, further away
than some of the other streets. She wondered if the neighborhood as a larger entity had been looked
at during discussions between Staff and the residents.
There was discussion of alternate routes from the Church parking lot to the High School. Coun.
Parks said this action was probably not the total answer, and said work with the High School will
have to continue. There was discussion regarding whether the parking problems were temporary
due to the High School's construction project. Coun. Parks said the students were simply trying to
find a place to park, and he felt finding a solution to the students' problem was the responsibility of
the School District and the City.
Mr. Holland said the concern of whether the problem would merely be forced to another street was
one of the reasons the residents had asked for parking prohibitions on both sides of the street. He
said they were trying to get the students back on the school lot. He said they had outlined a number
of different solutions for the School District to consider.
Coun. Tedesco said in addition to the safety concerns, students needed to remember to be good
stewards, and not leave the neighborhood areas strewn with litter and trash.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Campbell, Second by Tedesco, to suspend the rules required for
the adoption of an ordinance.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Hoffman, Second by Tedesco, to pass on second and third reading
and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3302 designating parking prohibitions on
McKinley, Hayes, and 20th Street.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
REZONING OF PROPERTY AT INTERSECTION OF ELWOOD DRIVE & OAKWOOD:
Motion by Tedesco, Second by Campbell, to pass on second reading an ordinance rezoning
31.21 acres located at the intersection of Elwood Drive and Oakwood, from Story County A-1
to R-2 (Low-Density Residential).
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Campbell, Second by Hoffman, to suspend the rules required for
the adoption of an ordinance.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Campbell, Second by Tedesco, to pass on third reading and adopt
ORDINANCE NO. 3303 rezoning 31.21 acres located at the intersection of
Elwood Drive and Oakwood, from Story County A-1 to R-2 (Low-Density
Residential).
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these minutes.
COMMENTS: Coun. Campbell said she liked the new public art in the City Council Chambers,
and applauded the efforts of the Public Art Committee and artist Eric Sealine.
Coun. Parks asked Staff to inspect the retaining wall on 13th Street, which
he said appeared to be leaning outward.
City Manager Schainker asked the Council for possible dates for the
worksession on the proposed changes to the Building Code, and it was decided the City Clerk
should poll the Council regarding possible dates.
Coun. Tedesco complimented City Engineer Jerry Byg for his work on the Bloomington Road
informational meeting.
Coun. Hoffman said she would be out of town for the Mayor's Bike Ride this Saturday, October
1, but she hoped the event was a big success.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Sandra L. Ryan, City Clerk Larry R. Curtis, Mayor