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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - December 9, 2025, Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council1 SUMMARY OF MINTUES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL AMES, IOWA DECEMBER 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 December, 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, Rachel Junck, and Anita Rollins. Ex officio Emily Boland was also present. CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to approve the consent agenda. 1. Motion approving payment of claims 2. Motion approving Report of Change Orders for period of November 16 -30, 2025 3. Motion approving Summary of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on November 25, 2025, and the Special City Council Meeting on December 3, 2025 4. Motion approving Civil Service Candidates 5. Motion approving Ownership Update for Special Class C Retail Alcohol License - Ames History Museum, 416 Douglas Avenue 6. Motion approving new Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service - Perfect Games, 1320 Dickinson Avenue 7. Motion approving new Special Class C Retail Alcohol License (BW) - The Spice, 402 Main Street 8. Motion approving the renewal of the following Beer Permits, Wine Permits & Liquor Licenses: a. Aunt Maude's, 547 Main Street, Class C Retail Alcohol License with Catering Privilege and Outdoor Service b. Cafe Beaudelaire, 2504 Lincoln Way, Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service c. Cyclone Liquors, 626 Lincoln Way (Back Room Only), Class C Retail Alcohol License d. Mickey's Irish Pub, 109 Welch Avenue, Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service e. Thumbs Bar, 2816 West Street, Class C Retail Alcohol License with Catering Privilege and Outdoor Service f. Tip Top Lounge, 201 E Lincoln Way, Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service g. Torrent Brewing Company, 504 Burnett Avenue, Class C Retail Alcohol License with Living Quarters and Outdoor Service 9. Motion approving revisions to City's Street Banner Policy 10. Motion authorizing the Police Department to apply for and participate in the 2025 Department of Justice Office of Justice Program's Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program 11. Requests from Ames Main Street for Snow Magic on December 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025: 2 a. Motion approving Blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit b. Motion approving Blanket Vending License c. RESOLUTION NO. 25-600 approving waiver of Vending License fee d. RESOLUTION NO. 25-601 approving usage of electricity in Tom Evans Plaza and waiver of fees for electricity 12. Requests from Ames Main Street to extend free parking to include all remaining Saturdays in December 2025 to support small businesses: a. Motion approving Blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit for Downtown and Campustown on December 13, December 20, and December 27, 2025 b. Motion approving transfer of $7,404.75 from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund to the Parking Fund c. RESOLUTION NO. 25-602 approving suspension of parking regulations and enforcement for Downtown and Campustown from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on December 13, December 20, and December 27, 2025 13. RESOLUTION NO. 25-603 authorizing Public Art Commission to enter into agreements with artists for 2026/27 Ames Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition selections 14. RESOLUTION NO. 25-604 awarding contract with Tim Adams (dba Stony Creek Landscapes), of Webster City, IA, in the amount of $30,000 for the fabrication, delivery, and purchase of the sculptural collection "Perennials" for the bus stop shelters along CyRide's Red Route 15. RESOLUTION NO. 25-605 approving a Development Agreement for Public Improvements to Cedar Lane with the Ansley Subdivision Developer 16. RESOLUTION NO. 25-606 approving contract and bond for the Homewood Golf Course Hole Nine Crossing Improvement Project with Con-Struct, of Ames, IA, in the amount of $213,410 17. RESOLUTION NO. 25-607 approving partial completion of required street trees and reducing financial security on file for Domani Subdivision 1st Addition to $750 18. RESOLUTION NO. 25-608 approving partial completion of stormwater management maintenance and reducing financial security on file for Domani 2nd Addition to $6,553.64 19. RESOLUTION NO. 25-609 approving partial completion of required street trees and sidewalks and reducing financial security on file for Scenic Valley 6th Addition to $1,620 20. RESOLUTION NO. 25-610 approving partial completion of required streetlights, trees, and sidewalks and reducing financial security on file for Scenic Valley 7th Addition to $103,362 21. RESOLUTION NO. 25-611 accepting the 2023/24 Ames Plan 2040 Sanitary Sewer Extension (S 500th Avenue County Line Road) project as completed by Rognes Corp., of Ankeny, IA, in the amount of $542,477.70 22. RESOLUTION NO. 25-612 accepting the 2024/25 Accessibility Enhancement Program as completed by TK Concrete, Inc., of Pella, IA, in the amount of $91,701.68 Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motions/Resolutions declared carried/adopted unanimously, signed 3 by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes. PUBLIC FORUM: Mayor Haila opened and closed the Public Forum when no one came forward to speak. DISCUSSION REGARDING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 14, HUMAN RELATIONS REGARDING CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTION FOR GENDER IDENTITY: City Attorney Mark Lambert presented information for the consideration of the adoption of an ordinance that would provide civil rights protections for gender identity and responded to questions from the City Council. The Public Input was opened by Mayor Haila. Amanda Dotson first expressed her love for Ames as a community that seeks to be inclusive and protective of all its members. She shared research findings about endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in consumer products and touched on genetic disorders of sexual development to highlight the importance of legal protections for gender-diverse individuals against discrimination. Dave Peterson communicated his discontent with recent legislative actions removing civil rights protections. He emphasized the importance of Ames being a welcoming city for all, including trans and non-binary residents. Madeline conveyed the everyday challenges of being transgender, underscoring her fears around documentation not aligning with her gender identity, which could open the door to discrimination. John Christensen expressed his support by reflecting on the historical significance of gender identity protections in Iowa and the implications of their removal at the state level. He stressed the importance of Ames being an inclusive city, supporting not only current residents but also potential newcomers, especially students. Carolyn Klaus, Women League of Voters of Ames and Story County, highlighted the league's focus on personal safety and democratic principles, encouraging the City Council to enact protections against gender identity discrimination as an essential step forward. Ianka Mitchell-Conway spoke about the principle of religious and personal freedom as fundamentally American, emphasizing that discrimination against gender identity infringes upon individual rights to determine one's life path. Sondra Wilson elaborated on legal angles, discussing how current actions by public officials may be classed as color of law crimes, violating individuals' rights under the guise of legality. She urged the City Council to take a moral stand on the issue. Senator Herman Quirmbach expressed his view that the proposed ordinance would be 4 a sound exercise of local government authority. Highlighting statutory provisions that allow municipalities to extend civil rights protections, he supported the City Council's potential action to provide such protections for gender identity. The Public Input was closed by Mayor Haila. Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Junck, to direct staff to proceed with drafting an ordinance adding gender identity as a protected class in Municipal Code Chapter 14, Human Relations. Roll Call Vote: 5-1, Gartin dissenting. Motion declared carried. HEARING ON LEASE OF CITY PROPERTY LOCATED EAST OF 731 BILLY SUNDAY ROAD NOW KNOWN AS LOT 3 OF BILLY SUNDAY SUBDIVISION TO LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to continue the hearing to December 16, 2025. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. The meeting was recessed by Mayor Haila at 6:49 p.m. and reconvened at 6:51 p.m. HEARING ON ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT FOR LANDSCAPING ROCK MULCH WITHIN REQUIRED LANDSCAPE AREAS: Director Diekmann presented a draft ordinance to change the current landscaping standard to allow rock mulch in lieu of organic mulch in defined planter beds. Mayor Haila opened the Public Hearing. Justin Dodge, Hunziker Companies, spoke in favor of the amendment, highlighting the maintenance benefits of rock mulch and its longer-lasting appearance compared to organic mulch. Mayor Haila closed the Public Hearing when no one else came forward to speak. Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to pass on first reading an ordinance regarding a Zoning Text Amendment for Landscaping Rock Mulch within Required Landscape Areas. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. HEARING ON REZONING (WITH MASTER PLAN) FROM INTENSIVE INDUSTRIAL TO GENERAL INDUSTRIAL FOR 23959 580TH AVENUE: Director Diekmann reviewed the rezoning request for a former food processing plant property that was annexed and zoned as Intensive Industrial. He highlighted that the owner was seeking broader allowable uses through rezoning to General Industrial with a master plan. The Public Hearing was opened and closed by Mayor Haila when no one came forward to speak. 5 Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to pass on first reading an ordinance regarding a Rezoning (with Master Plan) from Intensive Industrial to General Industrial for 23959 580th Avenue. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. HEARING ON AMENDMENT TO ADAPTIVE REUSE/MAJOR SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR NORTH GRAND MALL LOCATED AT 2615 GRAND AVENUE: Director Diekmann detailed an amendment to the adaptive reuse plan for North Grand Mall to change a former bank building into a fast-food restaurant with a drive-through. Mayor Haila opened and closed the Public Hearing when no one came forward to speak. Moved by Betcher, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 25-613 approving Adaptive Reuse/Major Site Development Plan for North Grand Mall located at 2615 Grand Avenue. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes. MODIFICATIONS TO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS 4 AND 19 TO ADDRESS PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION DEVICES: Assistant City Manager Pa Vang Goldbeck and Parks and Recreation Director Keith Abraham presented proposed ordinance language for personal transportation devices in Ames to establish speed limits. The Public Input was opened by Mayor Haila. Grant Olsen spoke about the challenges of knowing one's speed on a bicycle without a speedometer and emphasized the importance of pedestrian safety. Jeri Neal, Ames Bicycle Coalition, discussed various community concerns about speed limits in different contexts and raised issues about right-of-way rules and penalties. The Public Input was closed by Mayor Haila when no one else came forward to speak. Moved by Gartin, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to pass on first reading an ordinance regarding Municipal Code Chapter 4 and 19 to address personal transportation devices. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Rollins, to request staff to develop language regarding the first offence on a lighting violation to establish a period of time to allow the user to fix the issue. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. MODIFICATIONS TO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 19, PARKS & RECREATION, TO CLARIFY EXPECTATIONS OF PARK USE: Director Abraham reviewed several 6 changes to Chapter 19, including updating language related to weapons prohibition and swimming. Council Member Gartin referenced language regarding swimming , which as written would apply to all bodies of water. Director Abraham shared that the intent was to prohibit swimming in lakes and ponds on City property, noting that staff would revise the language for clarity. Mayor Haila opened and closed the Public Input when no one came forward to speak. Moved by Betcher, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to pass on first reading an ordinance regarding Modifications to Municipal Code Chapter 19, Parks & Recreation, to clarify expectations of park use. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. SECOND READING ON ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT FOR THE SOUTH LINCOLN SUB AREA MIXED USE DISTRICT (S-SMD) SINGLE FAMILY DESIGN STANDARDS: Moved by Rollins, seconded by Betcher, to pass on second reading an ordinance regarding a Zoning Text Amendment for the South Lincoln Sub Area Mixed Use District (S-SMD) Single Family Design Standards. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. THIRD READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 4577 ON REZONING PROPERTY AT 220-400 FREEL DRIVE FROM GENERAL INDUSTRIAL (GI) TO GOVERNMENT/AIRPORT DISTRICT (S-GA): Moved by Rollins, seconded by Betcher, to pass on third reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 4577 on rezoning property at 220- 400 Freel Drive from General Industrial (GI) to Government/Airport District (S-GA). Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. STAFF REPORT REGARDING DEVELOPERS' REQUEST FOR HOUSING INCENTIVES: City Manager Steve Schainker and Director Diekmann, alongside Finance Director Corey Goodenow, presented a detailed report analyzing options for housing development incentives for five projects. The Public Input was opened by Mayor Haila. Justin Dodge, Hunziker Companies, highlighted the considerable costs associated with initial infrastructure development, emphasizing the substantial risk developers face when bringing lots to the market. He underscored the need for City assistance to move projects forward successfully, ensuring that developers can sell lots to builders who, in turn, provide housing to end users wanting to live in Ames. Keith Arneson, Pinnacle Properties, addressed the immense risks developers face in the current housing market recession and highlighted the connection between substantial investments in housing to the eventual payoff through increased property values and subsequent tax benefits for the City. 7 Kurt Friedrich, Friedrich Real Estate, expressed gratitude for the ongoing conversation about development incentives, marking it as a positive progression for Ames. He stated that with City assistance with infrastructure improvements, his team could focus resources on building townhomes of various sizes and price points, addressing a diverse range of housing needs in the community. Luke Jensen, RES Development, concentrated on the strategic importance of a cohesive and safe traffic plan for the corridor along George Washington Carver Avenue. Emphasizing how the project extends beyond individual developments into regional improvements, he mentioned the 190th Street Corridor Plan that foresaw roundabouts for safer traffic management, calling for City expertise in developing this infrastructure. Casey Schafbuch, ATI Group, shared optimism about moving projects forward with anticipated assistance and expressed appreciation for the cooperative efforts between developers and City staff to enhance opportunities to bring needed housing to the community. The Public Input was closed by Mayor Haila when no one else came forward to speak. Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Gartin, to request staff to place this item on the agenda for the December 16th Regular Meeting of the City Council. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Junck, to direct staff to provide a memo about options for intersection improvements in the corridor, including potential roundabouts, with the item. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. DISPOSITION OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL: Mayor Haila noted that there were four items for consideration. A memo from Water and Pollution Control Director John Dunn regarding drinking water monitoring and communication from Assistant City Manager Goldbeck concerning video recordings for Boards and Commissions were noted to be for information only. A request to amend Chapter 31, Historic Preservation Districts, to allow for alterations based on existing conditions from Moria Keech required no action. Director Diekmann noted that the request had already been addressed by the Historic Preservation Commission. Finally, a response from Director Diekmann to a request for an amendment to Ames Plan 2040 to relocate a commercial area within the planned Greenbriar Development was addressed. Moved by Gartin, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to place the item on the agenda for the January 13th Regular Meeting of the City Council. 8 Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. REPORT OF GOVERNING BODY: The Members of the City Council and Mayor provided highlights from their attendance at various board and commission meetings. COUNCIL COMMENTS: The Mayor and City Council Members reported on various events attended, upcoming meetings, community events, and items of interest. ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to adjourn the meeting at 9:26 p.m. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. _______________________________ _______________________________ Carly M. Watson, Deputy City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor _______________________________ Renee Hall, City Clerk