HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Extended Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Ames City Council held on 09/16/20251
MINUTES OF THE
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA SEPTEMBER 16, 2025
The Special Meeting of the Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila
at 6:00 p.m. on the 16th 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, Gloria Betcher, Amber Corrieri, Tim Gartin, Anita Rollins, and Rachel Junck. Ex
officio Emily Boland was absent.
CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Betcher, to approve the
consent agenda.
1. Motion authorizing the Mayor to sign a Certificate of Consistency with the 2024 -
2028 City of Ames CDBG Consolidated Plan on behalf of The Bridge Home (TBH)
for renewal funding under the State of Iowa Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and
Shelter Assistance Fund (SAF) Programs
Vote on Motion: Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
FIRE STATION NO. 2 RELOCATION PROJECT: City Manager Steven Schainker
expressed appreciation for the opportunity to move ahead with this project. He explained
that the purpose of the presentation was to provide information to the request of placing
the item on the November 2025 ballot. City Manager Schainker emphasized that staff had
prepared estimates for square footage and costs, not final designs. He noted that the
project could change after hiring a consultant to compare the detailed design work, and
that staff would be transparent throughout the process.
Fire Chief Rich Higgins thanked the City Council for the opportunity to present information
about Fire Station No. 2 Project and acknowledged the team that helped prepare the
presentation. He emphasized that the relocation and construction of the station was a
smart investment for the present and future of Ames.
Chief Higgins explained several key benefits of relocating the fire station:
1. Faster emergency response time citywide. By relocating the station from Welch
Avenue to State Avenue, staff would be able to reach 120 more calls within 5
minutes. Looking at the Ames Plan 2040, staff would be able to reach over 300
more calls by moving the station west.
2. Reduced traffic conflicts in Campustown. Chief Higgins showed a photograph
from a recent Saturday night following an Iowa State University (ISU) home
football game that demonstrated how difficult it was to operate a fire engine in the
current location due to pedestrian traffic.
3. No cost for the land. Chief Higgins noted that ISU President Winterstein had
expressed willingness to support a long-term lease for a site on university
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property at no cost to residents.
4. Modern efficiency opportunities. The current Welch Station was built in 1966 and
designed with a single bunk room with shared locker/shower room. The station
was not ADA compliant and had outdated windows, doors, and insulation.
5. Redevelopment opportunities on Welch Avenue if the station is relocated. This
would add a taxpayer to the tax roll.
6. Sale revenue could be used to offset debt service costs. Chief Higgins mentioned
that a Request for Proposal (RFP) for appraisal had gone out and closed that
day. Additionally, in conversations with President Winterstein, she expressed that
ISU intends to reinvest their 50 percent of proceeds from the sale into the new
Fire Station No. 2.
Council Member Gartin asked about the sequence of construction and the sale of the
property. City Manager Schainker explained that when the sale revenue is received, staff
would recommend putting it in the debt service fund to reduce the annual debt service.
Council Member Betcher asked about ADA accommodations. Chief Higgins explained
that while staff had made reasonable accommodations in the past, the primary concern
was making the new facility accessible for visitors.
Chief Higgins noted that there would be no additional costs for personnel or apparatus
with the relocated station. Staff had identified over $172,000 worth of existing equipment
that could be moved to the new station to reduce costs.
Regarding the location, Chief Higgins explained that the site would be at 601 State
Avenue on a 29-acre parcel owned by Iowa State University. Staff was expecting to
secure a 52-year lease on the property, with 2 years being dedicated to construction. The
specifics of the lease agreement were being finalized and would need final approval from
Chief Higgins discussed the sizing of the new station, noting that the original design called
for 14,810 square feet, but after value engineering, it was reduced to 12,925 square feet.
This is larger than Station 3 (built in 2001), which is 7,492 square fe et, due to several key
features. The additional space is needed for ADA requirements to ensure accessibility,
net-zero readiness for future energy efficiency improvements, and a fourth apparatus bay
with increased depth for current and future operational needs. The station will also have
operational improvements, including dedicated fitness space, decontamination facilities
for post-fire clean-up, a gear room with a separate ventilation system to reduce
carcinogen exposure, and a dedicated IT room for bette r technological integration and
security.
It was also highlighted that the new station design incorporated a clean/dirty side concept
for carcinogen reduction planning, with decontamination bathrooms allowing staff to clean
up after fires before entering the living quarters.
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Chief Higgins reviewed the projected costs, which totaled $10,500,000. Mayor Haila
expressed concern about the lack of an estimate contingency in the building construction
cost. City Manager Schainker noted that staff would be locked into the total figure of $10.5
million, with flexibility among the construction categories.
Council Member Gartin expressed concern about the cost for net-zero ready upgrades,
referencing challenges with previous geothermal projects. Chief Higgins stated that the
architect felt comfortable with the projected cost, even though the net-zero ready concept
was relatively new for fire stations.
City Manager Schainker discussed the property tax implications which would amount to
approximately $11 per year per $100,000 of assessed valuation, representing 2.1 %
increase.
Communications and Outreach Manager Susan Gwiasda discussed the public education
campaign planned for the project. She explained that staff had already created a website
and would be using various communication tools including open houses, speaking
engagements, social media, posters, and media outreach. Manager Gwiasda noted that
while the timeframe was compressed, it could help maintain momentum and public
interest.
Council Member Gartin asked if the education campaign would discuss the cost for net-
zero upgrades. Manager Gwiasda confirmed staff would be transparent about all costs.
City Attorney Mark Lambert clarified that if the bond were to fail in November, the same
proposal could be brought back a year later without changes.
City Manager Schainker presented three alternatives for the Council's consideration:
approve the resolution to place the referendum on the November 2025 ballot in the
amount of $10,500,000; place the referendum on the ballot in a different amount; or wait
until November 2026.
Council Member Betcher requested a grammar correction in the resolution, before action
was taken.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Gartin, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 25-462
approving Alternative 1: Approve resolution calling an election on proposal to enter into a
General Obligation Loan Agreement and borrow money thereunder for Fire Station No. 2
Relocation Project.
Before the vote, Council Member Gartin stated that while he seconded the motion, he
would vote against the item. He explained that he supported the project but opposed the
additional cost for net-zero ready upgrades, expressing concern that this addition might
make it difficult to achieve the required 60% approval from voters, especially at a time
when residents were concerned about property taxes.
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Council Member Betcher responded that the City Council had previously voted for the
climate action plan, which calls for creating more sustainable city buildings.
Roll Call Vote: 5-1, Voting Aye: Beatthy-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Junck, Rollins. Voting
Nay: Gartin. Resolution declared adopted, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a
portion of these minutes.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: Council Member Gartin thanked staff who organized the 100th
Birthday Party for Brookside Park, noting the outstanding event, great weather, and
turnout. Mayor Haila echoed Gartin's comments, noting the great partnership with Iowa
State University and expressing appreciation that President Winterstein participated in
the event.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to adjourn the
meeting at 7:06 p.m.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
__________________________________ ________________________________
Renee Hall, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor