HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Extended Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council 09/09/20251
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
The Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila
at 6:00 p.m. on the 9th day of September, 2025, in the City Council Chambers in City Hall,
515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law. Present were Council Members Bronwyn Beatty-
Hansen, Amber Corrieri, Tim Gartin, Anita Rollins, and Rachel Junck. Ex officio Emily
Boland was also present. Council Member Gloria Betcher joined the meeting
electronically.
CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Haila stated that staff requested to pull Item No. 7: Motion
approving revisions to City's Street Banner Policy.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Junck, to approve the consent agenda less Item No. 7.
1. Motion approving payment of claims.
2. Motion approving Report of Change Orders for period of August 16 -31, 2025
3. Motion approving Summary of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on
August 26, 2025, and Special City Council Meeting on September 3, 2025
4. Motion approving Civil Service Candidates
5. Motion approving new Class E Retail Alcohol License - MEGA SAVER, 3111 S
Duff, effective October 1, 2025
6. Motion approving the renewal of the following Beer Permits, Wine Permits & Liquor
Licenses:
a. Kum & Go #0217, 3111 S. Duff Avenue, Class E Retail Alcohol License
b. Lalo's Liquor Store Inc, 809 Wheeler Street #105, Class E Retail Alcohol
License
c. Dollar General Store #22303 3407 Lincoln Way, Class B Retail Alcohol
License
d. AJ's Ultra Lounge, 2401 Chamberlain Street, Class C Retail Alcohol
License with Outdoor Service, Pending Dramshop Review
e. Neighborhood Liquor Mart, 3505 Lincoln Way Ste 105, Class E Retail
Alcohol License
7. Motion approving revisions to City's Street Banner Policy
8. Motion authorizing the Mayor to sign a Certificate of Consistency with the 2024 -
2028 City of Ames CDBG Consolidated Plan on behalf of YSS for renewal funding
under the State of Iowa Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Shelter Assistance
Fund (SAF) Programs
9. RESOLUTION NO. 25-442 approving request from Fitness Sports Ames for
modified road closures for Turkey Trot on November 27, 2025
10. RESOLUTION NO. 25-443 waiving enforcement of Section 19.9 of Ames
Municipal Code from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026, and from
3:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2026, to allow Iowa Multisport, LLC.,
to utilize two motorized golf carts or similar type vehicles on the Ada Hayden
Heritage Park Trails for the Ames Triathlon
11. RESOLUTION NO. 25-444 accepting FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP)
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Grant Agreement – Airport Airside Improvements (Runway 01-19 Reconstruction)
12. RESOLUTION NO. 25-445 setting September 23, 2025, as date of public hearing
for Digital Billboard Lease Agreement with Lamar Advertising Company
13. RESOLUTION NO. 25-446 setting the date for sale of General Obligation
Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2025A for September 23, 2025, and authorizing
the use of preliminary official statement in connection therewith
14. RESOLUTION NO. 25-447 setting September 23, 2025, as date of public hearing
for first amendment to FY 2025/26 Adopted Budget
15. RESOLUTION NO. 25-448 setting September 23, 2025, as date of public hearing
on proposal to enter into a Sewer Revenue and Disbursement Agreement and to
borrow money thereunder
16. RESOLUTION NO. 25-449 approving plans and specifications for the 2025 Battery
Electric Bus Facility Improvement Project, setting October 8, 2025, as the bid due
date, and October 14, 2025, as the date of Public Hearing
17. RESOLUTION NO. 25-450 approving Change Order No. 1 with ASK Studios of
Des Moines, IA, in the amount of $53,524.03 for On-Call Architecture and
Engineering Services Contract for CyRide
18. RESOLUTION NO. 25-451 approving contract and bond for the 2025/26 Water
System Improvements Program (E. 14th St & Meadowlane Ave) Project with Jet
Drain Services, LLC of Ames, IA, in the amount of $314,426
19. RESOLUTION NO. 25-452 approving contract and bond for the 2024/25 Multi-
Modal Roadway Improvements (6th Street, North of City Hall) with MidState
Solution, LLC of Baxter, IA, in the amount of $125,151.50
20. RESOLUTION NO. 25-453 approving Plat of Survey for a Boundary Line
Adjustment in rural Story County in the Ames Urban Fringe at 1568 & 2066
Stagecoach Road
21. RESOLUTION NO. 25-454 accepting the 2022/23 Airport Improvements Program
(South Apron Rehabilitation) as completed by Con -Struct, Inc., of Ames, IA, in the
amount of $1,251,928.25
22. Lloyd Kurtz Mini Pitch Project:
a. RESOLUTION NO. 25-455 accepting Bid Package No. 1, with changes, as
completed by Caliber Concrete LLC, of Adair, IA, in the amount of
$186,640.37
b. RESOLUTION NO. 25-456 accepting Bid Package No. 2 as completed by
Caliber Concrete LLC, of Adair, IA, in the amount of $109,300
c. RESOLUTION NO. 25-457 accepting Bid Package No. 3 as completed by
Van Maanen Electric, Inc., of Newton, IA, in the amount of $7,610
23. RESOLUTION NO. 25-458 accepting completion of public improvements and
releasing the financial security on file for Amy & Corey Schmidt Sidewalk, 4004 &
4008 Cochrane Parkway
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motions/Resolutions declared carried/adopted unanimously, signed
by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
REVISIONS TO STREET BANNER POLICY: Mayor Haila noted that Iowa State
University (ISU) had requested two further changes to the banner policy regarding
University Boulevard – Lincoln Way to Mortensen Road: 1) that requests are coordinated
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with University Marketing and Communications, 515-294-7958 and 2) the length of the
season is April – November.
Council Member Betcher requested that references to the Main Street Cultural District be
replaced with Ames Main Street.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Corrieri, to approve revisions to City's Street Banner Policy
with the following additional revisions: 1) that requests for banners on University
Boulevard from Lincoln Way to Mortensen Boulevard are coordinated with University
Marketing and Communications, 2) the length of the season for banners on University
Boulevard from Lincoln Way to Mortensen Boulevard is April through November, and 3)
references to the Main Street Cultural District are replaced with Ames Main Street.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM: Mayor Haila opened the Public Forum.
Bo Gilbert, Huxley resident, encouraged the City Council to follow the example of Iowa
City in divesting from Israel and companies supporting the genocide in Gaza.
The Public Forum was closed by Mayor Haila when no one else came forward to speak.
AMENDMENT TO FY 2025/26 ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL SERVICES EVALUATION
TEAM (ASSET) CONTRACT WITH THE SALVATION ARMY: Assistant City Manager
Pa Vang Goldbeck presented the revisions to the ASSET contract with The Salvation
Army (TSA) to spread out expenditures of emergency shelter funding across the funding
period to ensure funding is available year-round. She also noted that TSA would include
a survey in the intake process and provide aggregated data to the City. The Homeless
Outreach and Support Team (HOST) would also discuss care coordination for recipients
of emergency shelter assistance in its weekly service provider meetings.
Mayor Haila opened and closed the Public Input when no one came forward to speak.
Council Member Gartin asked about the number of homeless residents this year versus
last year. Assistant City Manager Vang Goldbeck replied that such data was not available.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Corrieri, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 25-459 approving
amendment to FY 2025/26 ASSET contract with The Salvation Army.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
DEVELOPER INCENTIVE REQUESTS: Planning and Housing Director Kelly Diekmann
presented the requests for incentives for four projects in the North Development Area and
two projects in the South Development Area. He provided analysis of short-term and long-
term goals, various financing options, and the relation of the requests to the priorities of
Ames Plan 2040. Director Diekmann also noted that several developers expressed
interest in utilizing tax-increment financing (TIF). While the City had used TIF for
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commercial and industrial development in the past, it had not been considered for
residential development due to a state code requirement that imposes an additional
obligation on cities to set aside additional funding for low- and moderate-income (LMI)
housing developments as a percentage of the assistance provided through TIF.
City Manager Steve Schainker stated that the City Council would eventually have to
decide which developers to assist, the amount of incentives to offer, and the timing of the
incentives. These decisions would need to be reflected in the Capital Improvement s Plan.
The City Council discussed the precedent of incentives offered by past City Councils, the
differing approaches used by other cities in Iowa, and various funding sources.
Mayor Haila opened the Public Input.
Justin Dodge, Hunziker Companies, discussed the challenges facing residential
development from a developer perspective and answered questions from the City
Council.
Mayor Haila closed the Public Input when no one came forward to speak.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Corrieri, to direct staff to engage developers with respect
to Options 1-3 as presented in the Staff Report.
Motion withdrawn.
The City Council reached consensus around supporting continuing staff discussions with
developers and looking forward to future presentations by staff with examples of possible
incentive packages including varying elements and levels of assistance.
Ex officio Emily Boland left the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
FIRE STATION NO. 2 RELOCATION: City Manager Schainker noted that the relocation
of Fire Station No. 2 would require a bond referendum, which could only be placed on the
ballot in November elections. The deadline for adding it to the November 2025 ballot was
September 18. He asked the City Council for direction on whether to wait until November
2026 or move forward with consideration in November 2025.
Council Member Gartin expressed concern that moving forward with November 2025
would not allow sufficient time to educate the public on the issue. Council Member Betcher
raised the issue of low voter turnout.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Rollins, to address Fire Station No. 2 Relocation
in 2026.
Council Member Corrieri stated that shorter education campaigns may be more effective ,
citing the Story County Conservation Bond as a successful example of a short and
impactful bond referendum campaign. Council Member Betcher noted that the longer
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campaign for the Healthy Life Center bond referendum had failed . She also pointed out
that construction costs would continue to rise over time.
Council Member Beatty-Hansen inquired whether the same bond referendum could be
put forward again in 2026 if it failed in 2025. City Attorney Mark Lambert believed that it
would be possible to do so.
Fire Chief Rich Higgins shared that the number one question he receives when engaging
with the public was when Fire Station No. 2 would be relocated. To inform the public,
formal notice of bond referenda is required to be provided in two methods: a mailing to
every registered voter from the County Auditor and a notice published in the paper. The
Communications & Outreach team was already working on a campaign to provide
broader education to the public. Chief Higgins also noted that relocating would improve
emergency response times, which had been dropping.
Motion withdrawn.
Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Betcher, to schedule a Special Meeting of the City
Council to consider placing a bond referendum for Fire Station No. 2 Relocation on the
ballot in November 2025.
Vote on Motion: 5-1. Voting Aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Junck, and Rollins.
Voting Nay: Gartin. Motion declared carried.
USDA RURAL ENERGY SAVINGS PROGRAM (RESP): Electric Services Director
Donald Kom and Sustainability Coordinator Nolan Sagan presented the staff request to
submit an application for the RESP, which would provide the City with a no -cost federal
loan that would be used to pay the up-front cost for energy upgrades for utility customers.
The program would include three tracks for energy upgrades: HVAC replacement, clean
energy, and whole home retrofit. Those customers would then repay the investment
through a fixed charge on their utility bills over 15 years. The program would be
administered by a third-party. If the application was approved, the program could start in
approximately one year. If the application was not approved, the program would not move
forward.
Council Member Gartin inquired about liability for contractor damages. Director Kom
noted that both contractors and the third-party program operator would carry insurance.
Next, Coordinator Sagan clarified for Council Member Gartin that the fixed utility bill
charge runs with the property, so if a program participant sold their house, the buyer
would assume the obligation. This agreement would be reflected in the property abstract.
Council Member Gartin inquired about any potential impact of the program to the City’s
bond rating. City Manager Schainker noted that Finance Director Corey Goodenow had
determined that the program would not affect the general obligation bond rating and
would have negligible impact to the electric revenue bond rating. Council Member Gartin
shared his view that the program should be presented as a loan program rather than an
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energy investment.
Council Member Betcher inquired about whether the energy upgrades funded by the
program were likely to be impacted by Section 106 in the same way that a recent
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project triggered further review by the
State Historic Preservation Office. Director Diekmann noted that the vast majority of the
improvements would be exempt and that staff would receive guidance from the USDA on
the matter.
Mayor Haila opened and closed the Public Input when no one came forward to speak.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 25-460 establishing
an energy upgrade program and authorizing staff to submit a federal loan application for
the USDA Rural Energy Savings Program in the amount up to $15,000,000.
Roll Call Vote: 5-1. Voting Aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Junck, Rollins. Voting
Nay: Gartin. Resolution declared adopted, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a
portion of these minutes.
DANFOSS REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF SIDEWALK INSTALLATION
REQUIREMENT: Director Diekmann explained that Danfoss obtained a state grant to
construct a new daycare facility, and a code requirement to install missing infrastructure
was triggered by the plan to add a new principal building to the Danfoss property.
However, Public Works staff could not identify a feasible way for Danfoss to produce a
usable sidewalk at this time due to significant challenges regarding the condition of the
right-of-way near the I-35 interchange. Waiving the requirement in this case would not
prevent its being triggered by future improvements or developments on the Danfoss
property.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Corrieri, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 25 -461 approving
request from Danfoss to waive sidewalk installation requirement at 2800 E. 13 th Street.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these minutes.
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE RELATING TO REZONING OF PROPERTY AT
3220 CAMERON SCHOOL ROAD FROM “A” (AGRICULTURE) TO “CGS”
(CONVENIENCE GENERAL SERVICE) AND “FS-RM” (FLOATING SUBURBAN
MEDIUM-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL) ZONE WITH MASTERPLAN: Moved by Beatty-
Hansen, seconded by Rollins, to pass on second reading an ordinance relating to
Rezoning of Property at 3220 Cameron School Road From “A” (Agriculture) to “CGS”
(Convenience General Service) and “FS-RM” (Floating Suburban Medium-Density
Residential) Zone with Masterplan.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
THIRD READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 4569 ON ZONING TEXT
AMENDMENT TO AMEND THE PUD OVERLAY OPEN SPACE STANDARD FOR
INFILL SITES: Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Rollins, to pass on third reading and adopt
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ORDINANCE NO. 4569 on Zoning Text Amendment to amend the PUD Overlay Open
Space Standard for Infill Sites.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
THIRD READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 4570 REZONING
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2715 DAYTON AVENUE FROM AGRICULTURAL (A) TO
GOVERNMENT/AIRPORT DISTRICT (S-GA): Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by
Rollins, to pass on third reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 4570 rezoning property
located at 2715 Dayton Avenue from Agricultural (A) to Government/Airport District (S -
GA).
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
THIRD READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 4571 FOR 400 SOUTH 4TH
STREET PUD OVERLAY WITH SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN: Moved by Rollins,
seconded by Corrieri, to pass on third reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 4571 for 400
South 4th Street PUD Overlay with Site Development Plan.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
DISPOSITION OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL: None.
REPORT OF GOVERNING BODY: None.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: Council Member Beatty-Hansen thanked the individual who
spoke in Public Forum for sharing his thoughts.
Council Member Gartin congratulated the Cyclones on winning the CyHawk football
game.
Mayor Haila invited the public to attend the Brookside Park 100th Anniversary Celebration
on Saturday, September 13.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Junck, to adjourn the meeting at 8:21
p.m.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
__________________________________ ________________________________
Jeramy Neefus, Principal Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
__________________________________
Renee Hall, City Clerk