HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council 01/26/1993MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA JANUARY 26, 1993
The Ames City Council met with the Ames School Board and the Story County Board of
Supervisors as the Conference Board at 6:30 p.m. followed by a regular City Council meeting at
7:00 p.m. on the 26th day of January, 1993, in the City Council Chambers in the City Hall, 515
Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Curtis presiding and the following members present:
City Council: Campbell, Hertz, Hoffman, and Parks; Ames School Board: McGinness, John,
Summers, and Moehlmann; Story County Board of Supervisors: Halliburton, Mathison, and Larson.
Council Members Brown and Wirth arrived late.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Hoffman, Second by Summers, to approve the minutes
of the March 3, 1992 Conference Board meeting as presented.
Motion declared carried unanimously.
BOARD OF REVIEW APPOINTMENT: Motion by Larson, Second by Parks, to approve the
appointment of John Thurston to the Board of Review.
Motion declared carried unanimously.
ASSESSOR'S BUDGET PROPOSALS: Richard Horn, City Assessor, reviewed his FY 93-94
budget proposal, including an explanation of a proposed increase in the Special Appraiser's Fund
for increased support for the GIS mapping project. He said a reinspection of existing properties in
Ames will begin as soon as possible after the 1993 Board of Review, in anticipation of a 1995
revaluation effort, and noted that would also be funded out of the Special Appraiser's Fund.
Supervisor Larson suggested increasing the amount allotted to the GIS project to account for a full
50% of the project cost, since that is a shared expense with the County Courthouse.
Council Member Brown arrived at 6:45 p.m.
Motion by Larson, Second by Campbell, to amend the proposed budget by increasing the line item
for the Maps and GIS Project from $25,050 to $28,000, to reflect a full 50% of the project cost.
Roll Call Vote: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
There was discussion regarding the proposal's request for a 4.5% salary increase for the Assessor
and the Deputy Assessor. Supervisor Larson asked if it reflected salary increases in other
departments in the City of Ames. Board Member John noted comparables for the Assessor's office
had been sought a year or two ago. Council Member Campbell said the Mini Board could address
the issue of providing an evaluation format for these two positions.
There was discussion of the carryover balance on the Assessment Expense Fund. Mayor Curtis
noted it represented nearly 20% of operating budget for that fund, and said he questioned the merit
of that in these tight budgetary times. He said he would like to see the historical perspective of what
that surplus has been in the past. Mr. Horn said he could provide that information to the Board by
the next meeting.
Council Member Wirth arrived at 6:58 p.m.
Motion by Brown, Second by Larson, to receive the proposed Assessor's budget as amended.
Roll Call Vote: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Motion by Campbell, Second by Summers to set 6:30 p.m., on February 23, 1993, as the time and
date for the hearing on the proposed Assessor's budget.
Roll Call Vote: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS:
There was discussion about requests for a Fax machine in the Assessor's Office. Supervisor
Mathison said he'd like to see a Fax machine available and felt it should be paid for out of the
Assessor's budget. Council Member Parks agreed and said he felt it was a service the City Assessor
ought to provide.
Motion by Mathison, Second by Parks, to direct the City Assessor to install a Fax machine in the
City Assessor's Office.
Roll Call Vote: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
PROCLAMATION: Mayor Curtis presented Mrs. "Toots" Kennedy from the Sundial Chapter of
the Daughters of the American Revolution with a proclamation declaring the month of February
1993 as American History Month in Ames.
1993-98 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN: Mildred Lange, R.R. 5, said her husband and she
had received correspondence from the City Manager's office regarding solutions to the storm water
drainage problem that was occurring on the eastern portion of their property which fronts on East
Lincoln Way near Freel Drive. She said she didn't agree with the solutions offered. She said there
had been fill deposited to the north of their property as well as to the west. She said they were
asking that funds be appropriated in the near future to divert the water away from the drainage
channel and direct it to the Skunk River along Lincoln Way.
Public Works Director Paul Wiegand described how the drainage situation in the area developed.
He said the City staff's recommendation was to proceed with the construction of the storm sewer
along the south side of Lincoln Way, and take it directly to the river. He noted that project was
placed in the fifth year of the CIP with general obligation fund financing.
2
Mayor Curtis said he would like to see an evaluation from the City Attorney's office regarding the
City's responsibility in providing a solution to the problem. He said perhaps they could institute a
storm water management district with an assessment for the improvements shared between all of the
contributors.
Verle Burgason, Rt. 5, Ames, said he was present as a representative of the Chamber of Commerce
and of the Ames Plan Committee. He asked that the City stay focused on the eventual completion
of such Ames Plan projects as South Duff, Gateway, the Depot, and the Elwood Drive entryway.
He asked that they continue their interests in these projects, and said they could all be accomplished.
Motion by Brown, Second by Wirth, to amend the Community Protection portion of the Capital
Improvements Plan to add $350,000 for the Duff Ave/Gateway project in the 5th year of the CIP,
with a funding source from general obligation bonds.
Council Member Hertz said she would prefer to set that priority at Council goal setting sessions
rather than at this time. Council Member Parks said the South Duff project was a very worthy
project, but agreed that Council needed to keep its focus narrow in order to accomplish the priorities
set at the last goal setting session. Council Member Brown expressed concern about the message
that might be sent to investors in the South Duff area.
Mayor Curtis said the City's share of the costs for the DOT's widening and street improvements in
the area represented a significant contribution and commitment to the South Duff project. Council
Members Hoffman and Campbell agreed. The motion was withdrawn.
Motion by Hertz, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 93-24 approving the 1993-1998
Capital Improvements Plan as amended at the January 12 meeting.
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 Campbell, to direct staff to look into the funding alternatives for storm
water management, including the possibility of an assessment district. Motion declared carried
unanimously.
AMES CONVENTION/VISITORS BUREAU ANNUAL REPORT: B.J. Reed, Executive
Director, Ames Convention/Visitors Bureau, presented the Bureau's annual report to the City
Council, and thanked Council Members Hertz and Campbell for their work on the Board. She said
they were looking forward to working with Council Member Wirth who had been newly appointed
to the Board.
PRESENTATION ON PROPOSED CITY HALL EXTERIOR ARTWORK: Kathy Svec, City
Hall Art Committee Co-Chair, said the Committee has been reviewing sculptural work in order to
choose an artist to create a piece for the exterior of City Hall under the new public art program. She
said they have selected Minnesota artist Janet Lofquist to design a proposal for the exterior artwork.
Motion by Wirth, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 93-25 authorizing the design
3
of City Hall exterior artwork piece as presented by the Public Art Policy and Acquisition
Committee.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
NATURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY: Brian O'Connell, Director of Planning and Housing,
introduced Bill Norris, the botanist who has been performing the Natural Resources Inventory. Mr.
Norris said the inventory was approximately half-way completed, and showed a slide presentation
to Council of areas of field study in Reactor Woods.
There was discussion as to how this inventory would be used as part of the planning process.
Council Member Brown said in the future, it would be a good idea to consider ways in which
prospective buyers of properties could be made aware of the valuable resources that might be on the
property.
CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Curtis noted Item #33 had been moved to the Consent Agenda.
Motion by Campbell, Second by Wirth, to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
Motion to approve minutes of the regular and special meetings of January 12, 1993.
Motion to approve payment of claims.
Motion to approve renewal of the following beer and liquor licenses:
a. Class C Beer - Swift Stop #1, 412 S. Duff
b. Class C Beer - Sinclair Retail #14011, 105 E. Lincoln Way
c. Class A Liquor - American Legion Post #37, 225 Main Street
d. Special Class C Liquor - The Pizza Kitchens, 120 Hayward
e. Special Class C Liquor - Cafe Lovish, 2512 Lincoln Way
f. Class E Liquor - Save-U-More, 538 South Duff
g. Class E Liquor - Hy-Vee Food Store, 3600 West Lincoln Way
h. Class E Liquor - Drugtown, 3700 West Lincoln Way
Motion to refer to staff request from Ames City Employees Credit Union to vacate alley at 212
East Lincoln Way.
RESOLUTION NO. 93-26 approving appointment of Council Member John Parks to the Utility
Retirement Board.
RESOLUTION NO. 93-27 approving appointment of Sara Duhrkopf to the Human Relations
Commission - Investigative & Conciliation Officer.
RESOLUTION NO. 93-28 approving release of real estate mortgage in City's Housing
Rehabilitation Program.
RESOLUTION NO. 93-29 accepting bids and awarding contract in the amount of $25,808.00
to R.H. Grabau Construction, Inc. for the Electric Distribution Work Center - Office Remodeling
Project.
RESOLUTION NO. 93-30 accepting bids and awarding contract in the amount of $41,404.00
to Armstrong Company for the Ash Disposal Project.
RESOLUTION NO. 93-31 approving request to waive formal bidding requirements and
authorizing the purchase of additional rock salt based on informal quotations, if weather
conditions require additional material during the current fiscal year.
4
RESOLUTION NO. 93-32 approving preliminary plans and specifications for construction of
public restroom facilities at Inis Grove Park; setting February 24, 1993 as the bid due date, and
March 2, 1993 as the date of hearing and award of contract.
RESOLUTION NO. 93-33 approving preliminary plans and specifications for the 1993-94
Wheelchair Ramp Construction and Sidewalk Maintenance & Repair Programs; setting February
11, 1993 as the bid due date, and February 23, 1993 as the date of hearing and award of contract.
RESOLUTION NO. 93-34 approving preliminary plans and specifications for the mowing of
park grounds for the Parks and Recreation Department; setting February 8, 1993 as the bid due
date, and February 23, 1993 as the date of hearing and award of contract.
RESOLUTION NO. 93-35 authorizing the Mayor to sign loan agreement documents in
connection with the City's 92-93 CDBG Affordable Housing Grant.
RESOLUTION NO. 93-36 approving agreement for refinancing of Arbor Hills Center.
RESOLUTION NO. 93-37 approving policy for compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
PUBLIC FORUM: No one appeared for this portion of the meeting.
ORDINANCE RESTRICTING PARKING ON HOOVER AVENUE: Motion by Campbell,
Second by Hoffman, to pass on first reading an Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code to
Regulate Parking on Hoover Avenue.
Donna Wobig, 2507 Hoover, said of the 20 properties included in the survey conducted by City
staff, 8 did not face Hoover, and 3 were churches with large parking lots. She said these property
owners should not have been included in the survey, and said the 9 residents who will be affected
by this ordinance will be inconvenienced by the restriction. She asked Council to reconsider the
issue.
Council Member Campbell asked if there was a sight problem from 28th Street. Ms. Wobig said
she was not aware of any problem from 28th.
Sandy Miller, 2505 Hoover, said she questioned the validity of the survey. She said she has been
a resident on that street for 16 years and has never seen a problem, accident, or danger due to
parking on the east side of Hoover. She said she would like Council to reconsider.
Norm Marty, 2715 Hoover, said he was not aware that there had ever been a parking problem on that
street. He said the fewer signs along the City streets, the better.
Vicki Marty, 2715 Hoover, said the survey was confusing, and the residents had felt they had to
choose one of the alternatives.
Connie Sweeney, 2607 Hoover, said she was not in favor of the restriction.
5
Mayor Curtis said the City had sent the survey out in good faith. He read the question from the
survey, and said the results had been 10 "yes" votes and 4 "no" votes. He said staff had made their
recommendation on those results.
Council Member Campbell agreed and said they wanted the City staff to be responsive to individual
concerns. She said she felt the survey was appropriate, but noted this was the purpose of public
hearings.
Council Member Wirth said she had received a comment from a resident on Hoover who felt very
strongly that these restrictions were needed.
The motion to pass on first reading was withdrawn.
ORDINANCE TO ADOPT HOUSING QUALITY STANDARDS REGARDING SMOKE
DETECTORS: Motion by Brown, Second by Parks, to pass on second reading an Ordinance
Amending the Municipal Code to Adopt U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development
Housing Quality Standards Regarding Smoke Detectors.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE TO REZONE LAND SOUTH OF COLLEGE CREEK AND WEST OF
SOUTH DAKOTA AVENUE: Motion by Wirth, Second by Hoffman, to pass on second reading
an Ordinance Amending the Zoning Map to Rezone Land Generally Located South of College Creek
and West of South Dakota Avenue.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE PROVIDING VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROVISION TO
UTILITY RETIREMENT ORDINANCE: Motion by Hoffman, Second by Hertz, to pass on third
reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3213, An Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code to
Provide a Program of Rehabilitation for Persons on Disability Under the Utility Retirement System.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
ORDINANCE CREATING ADDITIONAL EXCEPTIONS, UNDERAGED PERSONS ON
LICENSED PREMISES: Motion by Campbell, Second by Hoffman, to pass on third reading and
adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3214, An Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code for the Purpose of
Allowing Separate Restaurant and Bar Hours for Licensed Liquor Establishments.
Roll Call Vote: 5-1. Voting Aye: Brown, Campbell, Hertz, Hoffman, and Wirth. Voting Nay:
Parks. Ordinance declared adopted 5-1, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these
minutes.
AUDITOR'S ANNUAL REPORT TO MANAGEMENT: Motion by Hertz, Second by Parks,
to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 93-38, approving the Auditor's Report to Management for the Year
ended June 30, 1992.
6
Sue Rybolt, Assistant Finance Director, reviewed the Auditor's Report to Management.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT: Motion by Parks, Second by Hertz, to
adopt RESOLUTION NO. 93-39, approving the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1992.
Ms. Rybolt reviewed the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. She noted that this was the
thirteenth year the City had received the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in
Financial Reporting.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
I.R.S. REIMBURSEMENT REGULATIONS - HOSPITAL REVENUE BONDS:
Motion by Parks, Second by Campbell, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 93-40, Resolution Relating
to Financing of Projects to be Undertaken by Mary Greeley Medical Center; Establishing
Compliance with Reimbursement Bond Regulations Under the Internal Revenue Code.
Roll Call Vote: 5-1. Voting Aye: Campbell, Hertz, Hoffman, Parks, and Wirth. Voting Nay:
Brown. Resolution declared adopted 5-1, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these
minutes.
APPLICATION TO REVOLVING LOAN FUND FROM ETREMA PRODUCTS, INC.:
Motion by Parks, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 93-41 conditionally approving
loan application to the City of Ames Revolving Loan Fund from ETREMA Products, Inc., with
stipulations.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
AMENDMENT TO CEBA CONTRACT WITH SOFTFORCE, INC: Motion by Hertz, Second
by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 93-42 approving an amendment to the CEBA Contract
with the Iowa Department of Economic Development and SoftForce, Inc.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
RATE INCREASE FOR CITY'S HEALTH BENEFIT TRUST: Risk Manager Scott Johnson
provided a summary of the revenue and expenses of the Health Benefit Trust fund. He said because
there has been insufficient revenue to the fund compared to claims, there was a deficit in the fund
of $157,141.00 at the end of fiscal year July 1992, leaving an end of the year deficit of $91,677.00.
Motion by Parks, Second by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 93-43 approving a 20 percent
increase in health insurance rates for City of Ames Employee Health Benefit Trust, effective March
1, 1993.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
7
AAPF CONTRACT: Motion by Parks, Second by Campbell, to hold a closed session as provided
by Section 20.17(3) Code of Iowa, to discuss collective bargaining agreement.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
The closed session began at 8:50 p.m.
The regular meeting reconvened at 9:02 p.m.
Motion by Parks, Second by Wirth, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 93-44, ratifying the agreement
between the City of Ames, Iowa, and the Ames Association of Professional Firefighters, local 625,
IAFF, for FY 93/95.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby
made a portion of these minutes.
COMMENTS: Council Member Brown said she was going to request that Mayors in the area write
letters to their respective legislators to lobby for AmTrak. Mayor Curtis said his ad hoc group was
contacting Mayors in the surrounding communities and asking for similar types of responses.
Council Member Wirth said she had received a call from a resident on Top O Hollow Road who was
concerned about speed and the amount of traffic in the area, particularly from construction trucks.
She asked if traffic patterns had been studied, and if a stop sign had been considered in the area. She
asked if staff could look into the matter.
Council Member Hoffman said she had heard from a citizen regarding turn lanes at Dayton and 13th
who had been told by a Police officer that traffic lanes and signals were dictated by the number of
accidents that occurred. There was discussion about how traffic warrants are based on the number
of accidents that occur.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
_______________________________ __________________________________
Sandra L. Ryan, City Clerk Larry R. Curtis, Mayor
8