HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 06/01/1992MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA JUNE 1, 1992
The Ames City Council met in special session at 5:05 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 1992, in the City
Council Chambers in the City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Curtis presiding
and the following Council Members present: Brown, Campbell, Hertz, Hoffman, Parks, and Wirth.
DEPOT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: Brian O'Connell, Director of Planning and Housing,
reviewed the process for selection of a developer for the Depot Project. He stated that a Request
for Proposal was sent to 160 firms and individuals in January. Only one proposal was received
by the City. Mr. O'Connell assured the Council that that proposal from Ames Depot, Inc.
contains all the minimum requirements for the project.
Larry Kerr, Project Coordinator for Ames Depot, Inc., introduced representatives from Hubbell
Realty and VOV Architecture out of Des Moines as the other members of the development
group. He also informed those present that some nationally known businesses such as Lands
End as well as a theatre and a local bank are interested in becoming tenants in the Depot and
buildings proposed to be built near it.
Bob Wilson, President of VOV Architecture, showed slides of past projects of his company
during which he emphasized their concern for historic sensitivity, the use of appropriate
materials in older buildings, and their enthusiasm for this particular project. He said that his firm
likes to pick up strengths of an existing building when additions are to be added. He described
specific plans for the Depot and additional buildings proposed for the west end of the Depot Site.
The proposal includes a theatre on the west end and a bank anchoring the northeast corner of the
site. He also mentioned the possibility of locating employee parking off-site to the south of the
railroad tracks and restoring the tunnel that runs under the tracks.
Linda Gibbs, with Hubbell Realty, stated that her firm has had contact with several retail
companies and restaurants that are interested in being located in Ames but have never been able
to find sites. She discussed aspects of leasing the Depot and accompanying buildings for retail
stores and offices. Ms. Gibbs said that she thought it would be a positive move to use Clark
Avenue as a main entrance to downtown and to re-route traffic in the downtown area so that
Main Street is a one-way street going east.
Mr. Kerr said that all plans discussed at this meeting for development north of the railroad tracks
would be included in Phase I with an estimated completion time of two years. He assured the
Council that required parking spaces and landscaping will be provided. Mr. Kerr stated that the
architecture of the new buildings proposed for the Depot Site would blend with the Depot and
with the downtown buildings.
Moved by Brown, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 92-192 designating
Ames Depot Associates, Inc. as the Preferred Developer for the Depot Redevelopment Project.
Roll Call Vote: 5-1. Voting Aye: Brown, Campbell, Hertz, Hoffman, and Wirth. Voting Nay:
Parks. Resolution declared adopted, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these
minutes.
Moved by Wirth, seconded by Brown, to approve the following timetable for redevelopment of
the Depot Site:
(1) City Staff should negotiate a Developer's Agreement with Ames Depot, Inc. by no later
than August 1, 1992.
(2) The security format agreed to in the Developer's Agreement should be secured by the City
no later than September 1, 1992.
(3) Construction of the project should begin no later than March 1, 1993.
(4) Completion of all four buildings totaling 64,000 square feet should be ready for occupancy
no later than March 1, 1995.
Vote on Motion: 5-1. Voting Aye: Brown, Campbell, Hertz, Hoffman, and Wirth. Voting Nay:
Parks. Motion declared carried.
SNYDER DRUG BEER PERMIT: Moved by Parks, seconded by Hoffman, to approve renewal
of the Class C Beer Permit for Snyder Drug, Inc., 207 South Duff Avenue.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
ELWOOD DRIVE AND SOUTH 4TH STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT: City
Manager Schainker explained that Staff is still working with the low bidder for this project to
try to reduce the cost. He suggested that the award of contract be delayed.
Moved by Parks, seconded by Hoffman, to delay the award of contract for the Elwood Drive and
South 4th Street Reconstruction Project until the City Council meeting on June 9, 1992.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
HEARING ON FLOOD PLAIN ZONING ORDINANCE: Mayor Curtis declared the hearing
open. Brian O'Connell, Director of Planning and Housing, explained that the need for this
ordinance resulted from a community assessment by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA). He said that this ordinance will fulfill FEMA's requirements and clarify
current regulations for nonconforming uses. There were no further comments and the hearing
was declared closed.
Council Member Brown left the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Moved by Wirth, seconded by Campbell, to pass on first reading an ordinance approving revised
flood plain zoning regulations.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Wirth, seconded by Campbell, to waive the rules required for the adoption of an
ordinance.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Campbell, seconded by Hoffman, to pass on second and third readings and adopt
ORDINANCE NO. 3176 approving revised flood plain zoning regulations.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
TIF DEVELOPERS' AGREEMENT: Moved by Campbell, seconded by Hoffman, to adopt
RESOLUTION NO. 92-193 approving the Development Agreement for the Ames Community
Industrial Tax Increment Finance District.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A TIF DISTRICT: Moved by Campbell, seconded by Parks,
to pass on third reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 3177 establishing a TIF District within
the designated Urban Renewal Area No. 3.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Ordinance declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
COMMENTS: Council Member Parks explained his negative vote on the depot project. He said
that he believes the concept is good but he is concerned about the financial capability of the
developer to complete the project.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
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Nancy Dionigi, City Clerk Larry R. Curtis, Mayor