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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - November 2025 Monthly Project Highlights Contact the City Manager's Office at 515-239-5101 515 Clark Avenue, Ames, IA 50010 Report compiled by Jeramy Neefus, Principal Clerk City Manager's Office NOVEMBER 2025 MONTHLY PROJECTHIGHLIGHTS CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE Green Iowa AmeriCorps: In a new partnership, the City is hosting two Green Iowa AmeriCorps members at City Hall who are here to help with sustainability educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and energy services. Through this partnership, energy services, including energy audits and weatherization, are available at no cost to Ames residents. Home energy audits involve safety and blower door tests to identify opportunities to save energy, and weatherization includes cost-effective measures such as weatherstripping, caulking, LED light bulbs, pipe insulation, and faucet aerators. The team has recently completed its first audit and is now scheduling appointments. Find out more, including how to sign up, at www.CityofAmes.org/Sustainability. 2 ELECTRIC Advanced Metering Infrastructure: The initial system acceptance test, in which more than 1,000 electric meters were installed, occurred in November. Successful testing to confirmed that information could be gathered and shared with the City's billing system. In 2026, work will begin to roll the program out across the city. This will open up opportunities for optional time-of-use electric rates, and greater electric usage information available to customers. Ames Energy Center: Staff has begun to have meetings with the engineering consultant, Sargent & Lundy. The focus has been on the general arrangement of the power plant on the former coal yard site. Near term goals are to have transformer specifications complete and a Request for Proposal published before the end of the year. Also being developed are engine specifications and generation interconnection filings. Capital Improvement Planning: Electric staff met with Iowa State University (ISU) regarding the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan, focusing on projects that would impact ISU or are involved in the Ames-ISU cost sharing agreement. Natural Gas: Electric staff is working to acquire natural gas for Power Plant operations. Pricing remains challenging. 3 FIRE Fire Station No. 2 Relocation: On Tuesday, November 4, Ames voters went to the polls to vote and approved the Fire Station #2 bond measure with an 86.7% approval. Construction is planned to start late next year and be completed by the end of 2027. The State of Iowa Board of Regents approved the lease agreement between Iowa State University and the City of Ames at its meeting on November 12. 4 LIBRARY Gift Ideas for Book Lovers: Looking for that special holiday gift for a book lover? Ames Public Library is here to help! • Shop for gently-used books, puzzles, and more for all ages at Literary Grounds bookstore, located near the Library's lobby. Literary Grounds also sells gift cards for those hard-to-shop- for friends and family! • RAYGUN and the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation offer the greatest Ames Public Library shirts in the universe! Order locally-printed, library themed shirts for friends and family with 40% of the price benefiting the Library at bit.ly/RaygunAPL. • Check out one of the 2025 Gift Guides curated by local book experts. For readers with more specific taste, fill out a Personalized Picks form online for a customized list of ideas! Visit https://www.AmesPL.org/books-movies-more/recommendations to gift someone their next great read! An Ames Public Library card also provides free access to Consumer Reports. Go to www.amespubliclibrary.org/databases and click on Consumer Reports to get started. StoryWalk®: Ames Public Library’s annual StoryWalk® in Downtown Ames will be up December 2 through January 2. Start at Ames Public Library and find the pages of “Ten Ways to Hear Snow” by Cathy Camper and illustrated by Kenard Pak in windows of downtown businesses. Those walking will read the story of a snowy day, a trip to Grandma's, time spent cooking with one another, and space to pause and discover the surrounding environment. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. Study Space: As the semester draws to a close, students of all ages are finishing projects and studying for tests. Ames Public Library has reserved extra space for study time December 8-18. Stop by and head upstairs to the reserved meeting room, or ask about regular study rooms. Winter Reading Challenge: Ames Public Library’s Winter Reading Challenge starts December 1, and everyone is invited to join! All ages can earn a prize just for reading on 5 30 days between December 1 and January 31. Pick up a reading log at the Library or Bookmobile starting December 1, or sign up online at AmesPublicLibrary.beanstack.com. 6 PARKS & RECREATION 60 Forward Duckpin Bowling League: On November 19, the second Duckpin Bowling League at the Sixty Forward Center concluded with 11 participants. The winter league will start on January 21 and participation numbers continue to rise . Ada Hayden Heritage Park Path Replacement Project: Staff recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Ada Hayden Heritage Park Path Replacement Project. The project included replacing the ten-foot-wide asphalt path with a twelve-foot-wide concrete path with path markings. The seeding contractor will finish seeding and hydro mulching in late November. Staff is in the process of getting signs made to be installed adjacent to the path reminding users of path etiquette. Signs will be installed in late Nove mber. Baker Subdivision Park: Staff completed the new park in Baker Subdivision, 3205 Tripp Street. The park includes a small shelter, playground structure, a two -bay swing set, concrete playground border, and engineered wood fiber playground surfacing. A ribbon cutting is expected to take place in the spring 2026. Christofferson Park Playground Replacement Project: Staff completed the Christofferson Park Playground Project. The project included new play equipment, a two - bay swing set, concrete playground border, and engineered wood fibers. The park is located at 2130 Oakwood Road, in south Ames. The playground marks the fi fth playground project renovation that was completed by staff in the park system this year. The new playground is pictured below. 7 Daley Park Splash Pad Project: TK Concrete, Pella, Iowa, completed the installation of the underground utilities for the Daley Park Splash Pad Project. TK Concrete is planning to complete the concrete installation for the mechanical building that park staff will be constructing. The underground piping, pumps, spray feature equipment, outdoor showers, shelters, and concrete for the splash pad will be constructed in th e spring of 2026 and completed by June 1, 2026. Fall Tree Planting and Pruning: Staff completed the fall tree planting season by conducting final waterings, collecting water buckets that were dispersed around the community, and adding mulch and deer fencing as necessary. Staff is preparing for winter tree work by maintaining equipment, training staff, and reviewing safe working procedures. Inspections have been completed in all seven parks scheduled to be pruned this winter: Franklin Park, Gateway Hills Park, Lloyd Kurtz Park, Calhoun Park, Emma McCarthy Lee Park, O'Neil Park, and Old Towne Park. These inspections assess trees for health and condition, further identify trees that need work, and describe work needed, such as raising the canopy or removing deadwood. These inspections help to increase efficiency of the full Forestry crew in that staff can quickly identify which trees need work and exactly what work needs to be done. 8 Homewood Golf Course: During the 2025 season, Homewood Golf Course had 25,881 rounds played. In 2024, Homewood had 25,959 rounds played. The course was open 18 days more in 2024 than 2025. The table below shows information related to Homewood Clubhouse rentals. July 1, 2024 – November 18, 2024 July 1, 2025 – November 18, 2025 Paid Event Hours 62.75 49.25 Revenue from Paid Events $6,540.75 $5,028.25 Non-Paid Event Hours 53.5 63.5 New sessions of euchre and cribbage started at Homewood Clubhouse. Euchre has 24 participants on 12 teams. Morning cribbage has 16 participants, and evening cribbage has 18 participants. The Homewood Golf Course Hole 9 Improvements Project recently moved forward with the City Council awarding a contract to Con-Struct, Ames, Iowa. The project includes the removal of the pedestrian bridge on hole nine and installation of a new crossing that will include a culvert and a concrete path for golf carts and walking golfers. Also included in the project is the stabilization along the banks of the ravine that bisects hole nine. The project is expected to start in December with completion in mid-March. The pavement for the path will be completed after the 2026 golf season. The crossing will be open for golfers for the 2026 season. 9 Moore Memorial Park and Ontario Park REAP Grants: Staff was notified in early November that the City was the recipient of two Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grants awarded by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for the Moore Memorial Park Pedestrian Bridge and Ontario Park Pedestrian Bridge Projects. Each grant is worth $200,000. Park Maintenance Facility Expansion Project: King Construction, Iowa Falls, Iowa, is continuing to make progress on the Park Maintenance Facility Expansion Project. The bulk water station was relocated to the southern part of the site and was recently opened to the public. Almost all the concrete needed for the project has been poured including parking lots, building slabs, and walkways. Also, progress is continuing in the main shop with renovations to the break room to accommodate the additional staff that will be relocated from the Cemetery maintenance location. Upcoming work includes completion of the break room and the start of erecting the structure for the new cold storage facility. The project is expected to be completed by the end of January 2026. Patio Homes West Park Playground Replacement Project: Staff completed the Patio Homes West Park Playground Project. The project included new play equipment, a two - bay swing set, concrete playground border, and engineered wood fiber playground surfacing. The park is located at 1515 Idaho Avenue. The new playground is pictured below. 10 Program Guide Cover Contest: On November 1, the winning artwork from the first-ever Program Guide Cover Contest made its debut on the front of the Fall Parks and Recreation Program Guide. Staff received more than 30 submissions from residents and expects to bring the contest back for future guides. Pumpkin Decorating Contest: In early November, the Pumpkin Decorating Contest wrapped up with great community engagement. The Facebook event generated strong participation and visibility for the department, featuring 25 creative submissions, 12 shares, and more than 200 total likes on the original post. The contest helped showcase local talent while boosting awareness of the event and the programs offered through Parks and Recreation. Tree Risk Assessment Training: Gabbi Edwards, City Forester, received training and recertified for the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification through the International Society of Arboriculture. The two and a half day training course highlighted assessing trees for 11 conditions and defects and using a standardized, systematic process for assessing tree risk and providing information for management decisions to promote the safety of people and property and enhance tree benefits, health, and longevity. Trout Stocking at Ada Hayden Heritage Park: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources stocked the north lake of Ada Hayden Heritage Park with approximately 1,500 trout in early November. Winterizing of Park Restrooms and Irrigation Systems: Staff completed the process of winterizing all park restrooms, water fountains, and irrigation systems throughout the park system. Staff also removed the boat docks and the fishing pier from Ada Hayden Heritage Park in late November. 12 PLANNING & HOUSING Downtown Vision Implementation Updates: The Downtown Ames committee will propose its short-term priorities to City Council in December. Longer term strategic priorities will be discussed in 2026. E 13th Street Commercial Development Agreement: The City Council received a letter in September from Chris Murray representing the Elwell-Rueter ownership of the regional commercial land at the I-35/E 13th Street interchange requesting that City Council take up changes to the prior development agreement and zoning. City Council had already initiated these updates and directed staff to follow up with Mr. Murray. Staff has discussed options with Mr. Murray and has provided two methods to accomplish desired change s. Pending a response from the developer, staff will update City Council and seek direction in December on how to proceed with zoning amendments. Harrison Road Workforce Housing: The City Council approved a land purchase option agreement in May with a developer for construction of 12 workforce housing units at the intersection of Welbeck and Harrison with a deadline to complete approvals by December 31. The applicant has submitted its PUD and subdivision plans, but the plans will not be to City Council for approval until January. Staff will prepare an extension of the option 13 agreement for City Council’s approval on December 16. The Planning and Zoning Commission plans to hold a public hearing for the project on December 17. Neighborhood Commercial Rezoning on SE 2nd Street: A prospective buyer of a 1.25-acre vacant lot near Sumner Avenue and SE 2nd Street has proposed rezoning to Neighborhood Commercial (NC) from Highway Oriented Commercial (HOC). The goal of the applicant is to develop a medium sized mixed-use project, which requires approval of a rezoning to allow for housing. The site is in a transition area of Ames Plan 2040 that the applicant believes supports the proposal. The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a hearing on December 3. City Council is expected to review the proposal on December 16. 14 POLICE 6th Street Multi-Modal Improvements: The project on the north side of City Hall is substantially complete. ADA issues have been corrected and parking for Police vehicles has been improved. New streetlights will be installed, and some landscaping will be completed in spring. 15 WATER & POLLUTION CONTROL PFAS Payments: As of mid-November, the City had received $1.931 million in settlement payments from the 3M and DuPont class action suits. An additional $1.25 million is anticipated by the end of the fiscal year. Staff is still awaiting a decision by the court on the disbursement of an additional pool of money in the 3M case for actual out - of-pocket expenses incurred by utilities. Staff has submitted a $2.78 million claim against this second allotment. Additional payments from 3M, Tyco, and BASF are expected next fiscal year in the amount of $428,000. Water Plant Receives a Monitoring Violation: The Water Treatment Plant’s operating permit requires that a specified number of samples be collected throughout the distribution system each month. The samples need to be spaced out both geographically and over time. The samples are to be tested to confirm th e water is bacterially safe and that water quality has not changed since leaving the treatment plant. The samples must be analyzed by a state-certified laboratory and using an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved test method. The City’s Laboratory Division is a certified laboratory, and it is certified to test for coliform bacteria using the “Colilert(18)” test method. During September, all required distribution system samples were collected. The eight samples collected on September 23 were analyzed using a slightly modified test method – Colilert(24). The Colilert(24) method is approved by the EPA. While the Ames labora tory has been certified for the Colilert(24) testing method in the past, it is not currently. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has issued the City a Tier 3 Monitoring Violation for failure to submit results by a certified lab using an approved test method for which that lab is certified. The City will be required to distribute a notice in a manner similar to how the annual Consumer Confidence Report is delivered. The notice will include wording very similar to the following. We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not your drinking water meets health standards. On September 23, 2025, eight samples were collected from the distribution system. The samples were analyzed using a US EPA -approved test method. While the laboratory that performed the analysis is certified by the state of Iowa to perform bacterial testing, it is not certified for the specific test method used on that single day. Therefore, the results from that day cannot be used to ensure the quality of the drinking water on that specific date. 16 Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly, such as people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses. You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. Este informe contiene informacion importante acerca de su agua potable. Le recomendamos que encuentre recursos que le pueden ayudar a traducir este informanción. While staff is not permitted to add anything to the wording above that would have the effect of nullifying the public notice, it is important to note that the test results using the 24-hour test on September 23 were all negative for bacteria. The City has never had a confirmed coliform-positive sample in its distribution system. The lab has been certified for Colilert(24) in the past, and internal quality control protocols were followed just as if it were a certified method. Staff is exceedingly confident that the water was safe on that date. WPC Nutrient Modifications Approaching 50% Complete: Progress on the Nutrient Reduction Modifications crossed a significant milestone in November. Staff is now fully relocated into the new Administration Building, and the old Administration Building has been demolished. An unexpected concrete foundation and slab were discovered under the old Admininstration Building during demolition, which slowed the demolition work. The next several tasks to be completed include the installation of the aeration basin base slab, finishing the doors and hardware in the addition to the sludge pumping building, and the start of the new grit removal process piping and equipment. Based on pay requests processed through the middle of October, the project is 46% complete. Like most projects, delivery and installation of the electrical switchgear will dictate the actual completion date. The contractor is expecting to be substantially complete by October 2026. The contractual final completion date is June 30, 2027.