HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Meeting of the Ames City Council 11/19/1991MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA NOVEMBER 19, 1991
The Ames City Council met in special session at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 1991, in
Conference Room No. 235 of the City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Curtis
presiding and the following members present: Campbell, Hoffman, Parks, and Wirth. Council
Members Brown and Hertz arrived late.
ISU STUDENT ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL: Moved by Parks, seconded by Hoffman, to
approve a request from the ISU Student Environmental Council to allow underage people on the
premises of People's Bar and Grill on December 4, 1991, between 8:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. while
alcohol is being served.
Vote on Motion: 4-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Council Members Brown and Hertz arrived.
1992-93 CDBG APPLICATION: Vanessa Baker-Latimer, Housing Coordinator, stated that there
are two possible projects to be included in the City's 1992-93 CDBG Application, acquisition
of a property for the Ames Boys and Girls Club and the City's First-Time Homebuyers Program.
She explained that the Boys and Girls Club withdrew their application to the Zoning Board of
Adjustment for a Special Use Permit and that the club does not meet the low and moderate
income requirements for a grant. Therefore, Staff does not suggest including the club in this
year's CDBG application. Ms. Baker-Latimer stated her recommendation to include only the
City's First-Time Homebuyers Program, a $280,000 project for acquiring and rehabilitating ten
single-family owner occupied units either for sale or rent in specified targeted areas of the city,
in the application. The project, which would have a 100% benefit to low and moderate income
citizens, would also assist the first-time homebuyer with downpayment and closing costs in the
acquisition of these properties.
Moved by Parks, seconded by Hertz, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 91-425 including only the
First-Time Homebuyer Program in the City's 1992-93 CDBG application.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
WORKSHOP ON WATER AND SEWER RATES: Tom Neumann, Director of the Water and
Water Pollution Control Department, informed the Council that there has been no increase in
water rates since 1978. He said that if a rate adjustment is not made, the utility will be operating
in the red by 1993. He explained that the criteria used to determine revenues needed are to plan
5 years ahead through 1997, to meet all costs from rate and contract revenues with no borrowing,
and to maintain a minimum fund balance of $400,000. He reviewed several options for raising
revenues. The Council discussed flat rates, which are presently used by the City, as well as
inclining and declining rates based on usage. City Manager Schainker told the Council that at
a future meeting they will have to make decisions about what level of revenue increase should
be enacted, which type of rate structure should be used, and whether a minimum bill with an
allowance should be continued or whether a service charge with no allowance should be
adopted. Most of the Council indicated interest in continuing with a flat rate, with a one-time
rate adjustment rather than step adjustments over several years. They also suggested continuing
with a minimum bill with an allowance and raising the minimum rate to $4.00. Council Member
Hertz asked Staff to consider a declining rate schedule. Mayor Curtis and Council Member
Parks commented that they would like to look at a mix of a rate increase with some borrowing
to meet the increased revenue needs.
When Mr. Neumann moved the discussion to sewer rates he said that a rate reduction may be
possible. He stated that there is a mandated flat rate for sewer revenues. Council indicated that
they would like to see a minimum rate of $3.00 with an allowance retained. They also supported
an 18% decrease. It was noted that ordinance changes concerning water and sewer rates will
need to be made prior to May 1, 1992, to allow time to notify customers prior to their beginning
usage that would be billed at the new rates at the beginning of fiscal year 1992-93.
The Council requested the Mayor to write a letter of thanks to Harris Seidel, former Director of
the Water and Water Pollution Control Department, who prepared much of the information for
this workshop on a volunteer basis.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
______________________________________ _____________________________________
Nancy Dionigi, City Clerk Larry R. Curtis, Mayor