HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - October 21, 2025, Special Meeting of the Ames City Council, Extended Minutes1
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA OCTOBER 21, 2025
The Special Meeting of the Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila
at 5:59 p.m. on the 21st day of October, 2025, in the City Council Chambers in City Hall,
515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law. Present were Council Members Bronwyn Beatty-
Hansen, Gloria Betcher, Tim Gartin, Anita Rollins, and Rachel Junck. Council Member
Amber Corrieri joined the meeting electronically. Ex officio Emily Boland was absent.
CONSENT AGENDA: Council Member Beatty-Hansen pulled Item No. 4, Contract to
Sargent & Lundy LLC, of Chicago, IL, for Engineering Services for Reciprocating Internal
Combustion Engine (RICE) Electric Generation Facility.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to approve the consent agenda less
Item No. 4.
1. RESOLUTION NO. 25-530 awarding contract to NAI Electrical Contractors, of
Ames, IA, for CyRide 2025 Battery Electric Bus Facility Improvement Project in the
amount of $77,300
2. RESOLUTION NO. 25-531 approving contract and bond for the 2024/25 CDBG
Infrastructure Improvements Program (S Russell Ave - S 4th Street to Lincoln Way)
with Iowa Water & Waste Systems, of Boone, IA, in the amount of $484,024.40
3. RESOLUTION NO. 25-532 approving contract and bond for the 2024/25 CDBG
Infrastructure Improvements Program (S Riverside Ave - S 4th Street to Lincoln
Way) with Iowa Water & Waste Systems, of Boone, IA, in the amount of
$559,321.30
4. RESOLUTION NO. 25-386 awarding contract to Sargent & Lundy LLC, of Chicago,
IL, for Engineering Services for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE)
Electric Generation Facility, in an amount not-to-exceed $6,885,000
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolutions declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
CONTRACT TO SARGENT & LUNDY LLC, OF CHICAGO, IL, FOR ENGINEERING
SERVICES FOR RECIPROCATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE (RICE)
ELECTRIC GENERATION FACILITY: Council Member Beatty-Hansen explained that
she pulled the item to give staff an opportunity to provide a brief overview of the project,
given its significance.
Assistant Director of Electric Services Curtis Spence reviewed that the contract with
Sargent & Lundy carried through the design, bidding, and award process for equipment
and construction contracts for the new power plant. Sargent & Lundy had the best
experience in working with RICE units of respondents to the request for proposals, and
its team showed excellent attention to detail and attentiveness in meetings with staff.
Council Member Gartin inquired about Sargent & Lundy’s capacity to address aesthetic
considerations for the new facility. Assistant Director Spence stated that staff had
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discussed aesthetic considerations with Sargent & Lundy, which had architects on its
team who were excited about working on the project. Council Member Gartin expressed
appreciation for the efforts of staff to develop infrastructure that could be aesthetic as well
as functional.
Assistant Director Spence clarified for Mayor Haila that, while Sargent & Lundy had
provided construction management services for similar projects in the past, the current
contract was specifically for design services.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to approve RESOLUTION NO. 25-386
awarding contract to Sargent & Lundy LLC, of Chicago, IL, for Engineering Services for
Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) Electric Generation Facility, in an
amount not-to-exceed $6,885,000.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and
hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: Council Member Betcher stated that she was looking forward to
the joint meeting with the Iowa State University Student Government on Wednesday.
Council Member Gartin shared that he had attended a moving funeral for Liz Grafton -
Robertson, who had a tremendous positive impact on the community.
Mayor Haila thanked the organizers of the “Ames: A Glimpse Inside” event for their work
opening historic buildings for the community to tour and learn about their history.
CLOSED SESSION: Mayor Haila inquired whether there was a legal reason to enter
Closed Session. City Attorney Mark Lambert replied in the affirmative, citing Section
21.5(1)(c), Code of Iowa, to discuss matters presently in litigation or where litigation is
imminent.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Rollins, to enter Closed Session at 6:12 p.m.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
The City Council reconvened in Regular Session at 7:54 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Rollins, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to adjourn the meeting
at 7:54 p.m.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
__________________________________ ________________________________
Jeramy Neefus, Principal Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
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Renee Hall, City Clerk