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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - January 13, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council 1 SUMMARY OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL AMES, IOWA JANUARY 13, 2026 The Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila at 6:09 p.m. on the 13th day of January, 2026, 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, and Anita Rollins. Council Member Rachel Junck and ex officio Emily Boland joined the meeting electronically. 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 December 1-15, 2025, and December 16-31, 2025 3. Motion approving Summary of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on December 16, 2025, and Special City Council Meeting on December 23, 2025 4. Motion approving Civil Service Candidates 5. Motion approving new Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service and Catering Privilege - Stephens Auditorium at ISU, 1900 Center Drive, Pending Favorable Inspection 6. Motion approving new Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service - The Stan Tap, 216 Stanton Avenue 7. Motion approving the renewal of the following Alcohol Licenses: a. American Legion Post 37, 225 Main Street, Class F Retail Alcohol License, Pending Dramshop Review b. Blue Owl Bar, 223 Welch Avenue, Class C Retail Alcohol License with Catering Privilege and Outdoor Service, Pending Dramshop Review c. Perkins #1025, 325 South Duff Avenue, Special Class C Retail Alcohol License d. Springhill Suites, 1810 SE 16th Street, Special Class C Retail Alcohol License e. Staybridge Suites Ames, 2111 Isaac Newton Drive, Special Class C Retail Alcohol License, Pending Dramshop Review 8. Motion authorizing staff to apply for and participate in the Bloomberg Philanthropies' Youth Climate Action Fund program for up to $100,000 9. Motion authorizing staff to apply for and participate in the Iowa Economic Development Authority's Community Energy Resilience Program for up to $37,500 10. RESOLUTION NO. 26-001 approving appointment of Council Member Anita Rollins to the Ames Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) 11. RESOLUTION NO. 26-002 approving appointment of Council Member Gloria Betcher to Discover Ames 12. Ames Main Street Requests for 2026 Special Events (tabled from December 16, 2025) 2 a. Requests from Ames Main Street for Art Walk on Thursday, June 11, 2026: i. Motion approving blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit and blanket Vending License in Central Business District ii. RESOLUTION NO. 26-003 approving suspension of parking meter fees and enforcement for 23 metered parking spaces for vendors from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. iii. RESOLUTION NO. 26-004 approving waiver of parking meter fees and enforcement, usage and waiver of electrical fees, and waiver of fee for blanket Vending license for Ames Main Street from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. iv. RESOLUTION NO. 26-005 approving closure of Kellogg Avenue and Douglas Avenue from Main Street to 5th Street from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. v. RESOLUTION NO. 26-006 approving usage of Tom Evans Plaza b. Requests from Ames Main Street for Summer Sidewalk Sales on July 9 - July 12, 2026: i. Motion approving Blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit ii. RESOLUTION NO. 26-007 approving suspension of parking regulations and enforcement for the Downtown from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11 iii. RESOLUTION NO. 26-008 approving transfer of $1,370.25 from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund to the Parking Fund c. Requests from Ames Main Street for Music Walk on Thursday, September 17, 2026: i. Motion approving blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit and blanket Vending License in Central Business District from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ii. RESOLUTION NO. 26-009 approving suspension of parking meter fees and enforcement of 23 metered parking spaces for vendors from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. iii. RESOLUTION NO. 26-010 approving waiver of parking meter fees and enforcement and usage and waiver of electrical fees, and waiver of fee for blanket Vending License for Ames Main Street from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. iv. RESOLUTION NO. 26-011 approving closure of Kellogg Avenue and Douglas Avenue from 5th Street to Main Street d. Requests from Ames Main Street for Witches Walk on Thursday, October 8, 2026: i. Motion approving blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit and blanket Vending License in Central Business District from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and waiving fee for blanket Vending License ii. RESOLUTION NO. 26-012 approving waiver of electrical fees on Ames Main Street from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. iii. RESOLUTION NO. 26-013 approving closure of Kellogg Avenue from Main Street to 5th Street from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. iv. RESOLUTION NO. 26-014 approving suspension of parking meter 3 fees and enforcement for 14 parking spaces in Downtown from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on October 8, 2026 e. Requests from Ames Main Street for Holiday Open House event from November 5 through November 8, 2026: i. Motion approving Blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit for Downtown ii. RESOLUTION NO. 26-015 approving suspension of parking regulations and enforcement for Downtown 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026 iii. RESOLUTION NO. 26-016 approving waiver of parking meter fees and enforcement iv. RESOLUTION NO. 26-017 approving transfer of $1,370.25 from Hotel/Motel Tax Fund to the Parking Fund f. Requests from Ames Main Street for Small Business Saturday on November 28, 2026: i. Motion approving Blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit for Downtown and Campustown on November 28, December 5, December 12, D ecember 19, and December 26 ii. RESOLUTION NO. 26-018 approving suspension of parking regulations and enforcement for Downtown and Campustown from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on November 28, December 5, December 12, December 19, and December 26 iii. RESOLUTION NO. 26-019 approving waiver of parking meter fees and enforcement iv. RESOLUTION NO. 26-020 approving transfer of $12,341.25 from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund to the Parking Fund g. Requests from Ames Main Street for Snow Magic on December 1 through December 31, 2026: i. Motion approving Blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit ii. Motion approving Blanket Vending License iii. RESOLUTION NO. 26-021 approving waiver of Vending License fee iv. RESOLUTION NO. 26-022 approving closure of four metered parking spaces on the east side of Douglas Avenue from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on December 3 v. RESOLUTION NO. 26-023 approving usage of electricity in Tom Evans Plaza and waiver of fees for electricity 13. RESOLUTION NO. 26-024 approving preliminary plans and specifications for the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation (E. Lincoln Way and Nikkol Trunk Line) project, setting February 18, 2026, as the bid due date and February 24, 2026, as the date of Public Hearing 14. Sanitary Sewer and Manhole Rehabilitation (Basin 11) Project a. RESOLUTION NO. 26-025 approving preliminary plans and specifications and setting February 18, 2026, as the bid due date and February 24, 2026, as date of Public Hearing b. RESOLUTION NO. 26-026 approving Cost Sharing Agreement with Manatt's Inc., of Ames, IA, in the amount of $91,440 4 15. RESOLUTION NO. 26-027 approving plans and specifications for the 2025/26 Collector Street Pavement Improvements (Bloomington Road), setting February 17, 2026, as the bid due date through the Iowa DOT and February 24, 2026, as the date of Public Hearing 16. RESOLUTION NO. 26-028 approving Professional Services Agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. of Omaha, NE, for Storm Sewer System Analysis in the amount not to exceed $490,370 17. RESOLUTION NO. 26-029 approving Amendment No. 1 with Brown Reynolds Watford Architects, of College Station, TX, for Architectural and Engineering Services for the New Fire Station No. 2 Project in an amount not-to-exceed $806,300 18. RESOLUTION NO. 26-030 approving Change Order No. 2 with Petrotech Inc., of New Orleans, LA, for Combustion Turbine Controls Upgrade in an amount of $176,054.59 19. 2022/23 East 13th Street Sanitary Sewer Extension Project a. RESOLUTION NO. 26-031 approving Change Order No. 4 in the increased amount of $11,808 b. RESOLUTION NO. 26-032 accepting the project as completed by On Track Construction, LLC, of Nevada, IA, in the amount of $2,335,282.96 20. RESOLUTION NO. 26-033 accepting completion of the City Hall Interior Improvements Phase II by GTG Construction, of Des Moines, IA, in the amount of $361,194.76 Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motions/Resolutions declared carried/adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes. PUBLIC FORUM: The Public Forum was opened by Mayor Haila. Julie Tigges, shared that her partner Todd Lauridsen, who was terminally ill, was requesting the release of his dog, Tyson, who was being held by Animal Control due to behavioral concerns. Michelle Griffith spoke about property taxes in Iowa and requested that the City Council consider a 2% property tax cap going forward. Caitlin Leon, representing the Ames Climate Action Team noted confusion in the community about the future of Resource Recovery with the end of the waste -to-energy system and voiced concerns about potential data center developments in Ames . Mayor Haila closed the Public Forum when no one else came forward to speak. AMENDMENT TO SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, KINGSBURY FIFTH ADDITION: Planning and Housing Director Kelly Diekmann explained that this item involved an amendment to a development agreement for cost-sharing on the extension of SE 3rd Street. The Public Input was opened and closed by Mayor Haila when no one came forward to 5 speak. Moved by Gartin, seconded by Corrieri, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-034 approving amendment to Second Supplemental Agreement for Public Improvements, Kingsbury Fifth Addition. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes. REQUEST TO INITIATE A GREENBRIAR COMMERCIAL AREA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT: Director Diekmann presented the request to initiate a comprehensive plan amendment process to relocate approximately eight acres of commercial area within the Greenbriar development. The proposal would move a planned commercial node from the center of the development to the northwest corner at the intersection of GW Carver Avenue and Cameron School Road. Mayor Haila opened the Public Input. Chuck Winkleblack, Hunziker Companies, stated that commercial development in the middle of the subdivision was not feasible but expressed confidence in the viability of a commercial location at the proposed intersection. The Public Input was closed by Mayor Haila when no one else came forward to speak. Moved by Gartin, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to approve Alternative No. 1: Initiate a developer application for Comprehensive Plan Amendment to relocate the NC-MU area to the intersection of Cameron School Road and GW Carver Avenue as a Minor Amendment with a required neighborhood meeting. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. FITCH FAMILY INDOOR AQUATIC CENTER PROPOSED FEES AND FACILITY HOURS UPDATE: Recreation Superintendent Courtney Kort, alongside Director of Parks and Recreation Keith Abraham, provided an update on the operations of the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, including proposed hours of operation and fees. HEARING ON DIGITAL BILLBOARD LEASE AGREEMENT ON THE WESTERN THIRD OF 731 BILLY SUNDAY ROAD, LOT 3 WITH LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY (CONTINUED FROM OCTOBER 14, 2025): Director Diekmann presented the lease agreement with Lamar Advertising that would allow the use of part of the Billy Sunday property for a digital billboard. The City Council had previously created a zoning ordinance to allow for digital billboards, and this lease would enable Lamar Advertising to pursue a permit for construction of a billboard at this location. The Public Hearing was opened by Mayor Haila. Jeri Neal, 916 Ridgewood, asked if the light levels of the billboard would be decreased at night. 6 Director Diekmann confirmed that the established 160-nits standard applied during evening and nighttime hours. Mayor Haila closed the Public Hearing when no one else came forward to speak. Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-036 approving the lease agreement with Lamar Advertising to place a digital billboard on City of Ames property known as Lot 3 of the Billy Sunday Subdivision generally addressed as 731 Billy Sunday Road. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes. HEARING ON FY 2023/24 STORY COUNTY EDGE OF FIELD PROJECT: Mayor Haila opened and closed the Public Hearing when no one came forward to speak. Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to accept the report of bids. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. Moved by Rollins, seconded by Gartin, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-037 approving final plans and specifications and awarding a contract to Hands On Excavating, of Radcliffe, IA, in the amount of $292,849.82. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes. HEARING ON EASEMENT AT 400 FREEL DRIVE FOR THE RESOURCE RECOVERY AND RECYCLING CAMPUS: The Public Hearing was opened and closed by Mayor Haila when no one came forward to speak. Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-038 approving vacation of an existing public utility easement at 400 Freel Drive for the Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes. HEARING ON EASEMENTS AT 320 SE 2ND ST, 405 SE 3RD ST, AND 413 SE 3RD STREET: Director Diekmann advised that since ownership had not yet transferred on the properties as originally presumed, staff recommended holding the Public Hearing but taking no action on the vacation until the final plat was presented for approval. Mayor Haila opened and closed the Public Hearing when no one came forward to speak. Moved by Gartin, seconded by Betcher, to take no action and table the item to a future City Council Meeting after the final plat became available for review. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE MODIFYING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS 4 & 19 TO ADDRESS PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION DEVICES : Assistant City 7 Manager Pa Vang Goldbeck noted that staff had investigated drafting language for a first offense fix-it period for lighting violations in accordance with the City Council’s direction at its meeting on December 9, 2025. It was determined, however, that such language could be seen as a discouragement from enforcing the law. Therefore, no changes were included in the second reading of the ordinance. Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to pass on second reading an ordinance modifying Municipal Code Chapters 4 & 19 to address personal transportation devices. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE REZONING A PART OF PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE IOWA STATE RESEARCH PARK LOCATED ALONG SOUTH 530th AVENUE FROM AGRICULTURAL (A) TO RESEARCH PARK INNOVATION DISTRICT (RI) WITH MASTER PLAN: Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Rollins, to pass on second reading an ordinance rezoning a part of property located within the Iowa State Research Park located along South 530th Avenue from Agricultural (A) to Research Park Innovation District (RI) with Master Plan. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE REZONING PROPERTY AT 200, 204, 210, 214, 220 SOUTHEAST 2ND STREET AND 210 SUMNER AVENUE FROM HIGHWAY- ORIENTED COMMERCIAL (HOC) TO NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL (NC) WITH MASTER PLAN: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to pass on second reading an ordinance rezoning property at 200, 204, 210, 214, 220 Southeast 2nd Street and 210 Sumner Avenue from Highway-Oriented Commercial (HOC) to Neighborhood Commercial (NC) with Master Plan. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. THIRD READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 4580 ON ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT FOR LANDSCAPING ROCK MULCH WITHIN REQUIRED LANDSCAPE AREAS: Moved by Rollins, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to pass on third reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 4580 on Zoning Text Amendment for Landscaping Rock Mulch within required Landscape Areas. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. REZONING WITH MASTER PLAN FOR 23959 580TH AVENUE: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-040 approving the Rezoning Agreement for 23959 580th Avenue. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes. Moved by Rollins, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to pass on third reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 4581 on rezoning (with Master Plan) for 23959 580th Avenue from Intensive Industrial to General Industrial. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. 8 THIRD READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 4582 MODIFICATIONS TO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 19, PARKS AND RECREATION, TO CLARIFY EXPECTATIONS OF PARK USE: Moved by Gartin, seconded by Corrieri, to pass on third reading and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 4582 Modifications to Municipal Code Chapter 19, Parks and Recreation, to clarify expectations of park use. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. DISPOSITION OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL: Mayor Haila noted that there were ten items for consideration. The first item was from Caleb Roelfs regarding a request for Welch Avenue Improvements. Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Rollins, to direct staff to respond to the requestor, thank them for the feedback, and notify them that the City Council will take this information into consideration as applicable moving forward. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. A request regarding garbage issues at apartments on Tripp Street from Erik Charter was the second item. Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to refer to staff for a memo regarding No. 1 of the included suggestions, which related to a letter of compliance for rental properties. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth items all related to traffic concerns and included a request from Bonnie Alley regarding Mortensen Road Corridor, two requests from Grant Olsen, one regarding the intersection of Lincoln Way and North Dakota Avenue and the other regarding Thackeray Trail Crossing, and a request from Ryan Park regarding the West Towne Apartments’ exit. Moved by Gartin, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to refer the four traffic related items to staff for a memo. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. The seventh item was an Animal Control concern from Julie Tigges. Moved by Gartin, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to direct staff to respond to the requestor and inform them that the request was outside the jurisdiction of the City Council. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. A memo from Director Diekmann in response to a property owner request for Zoning Text Amendment for Encroachment Setbacks was the eighth item. Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to approve Option 5: Take no action. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. The ninth item was a memo from Director Diekmann in response to a request for Plan 2040 Amendment to land use classification for property within Boone County. 9 Moved by Gartin, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to direct staff to obtain additional information from the applicant. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. A staff report from City Manager Steve Schainker on the Ontario Workforce Housing Subdivision was the final item. Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Betcher, to place the item on the agenda of the January 27, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. REPORT OF GOVERNING BODY: The Mayor and City Council Members 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. Council Member Rollins expressed interest in obtaining more information regarding Tax Increment Financing (TIF) regarding development projects. Moved by Rollins, seconded by Gartin, to request that staff develop a TIF guidebook and hold an informational workshop for the City Council Members. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. CLOSED SESSION: Mayor Haila asked City Attorney Mark Lambert if there was a legal reason to go into Closed Session. Attorney Lambert replied in the affirmative, citing Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c), to discuss matters presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent. Moved by Gartin, seconded by Rollins, to go into Closed Session at 7:21 p.m. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. The City Council reconvened in Regular Session at 8:32 p.m. Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Rollins, to direct staff to proceed with action as discussed in Closed Session. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to adjourn the meeting at 8:33 p.m. Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously. ______________________________ ______________________________ Taylor Swanson, Deputy City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor 10 ______________________________ Renee Hall, City Clerk