HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - February 4, 2026, Special Meeting of the Ames City Council
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SUMMARY OF MINUTES OF THE
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA FEBRUARY 4, 2026
The Special Meeting of the Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila
at 5:15 p.m. on the 4th day of February, 2026, in the City Council Chambers in City Hall,
515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law. Present were Council Members Bronwyn Beatty -
Hansen, Amber Corrieri, Tim Gartin, Rachel Junck, and Anita Rollins. Ex officio Emily
Boland was also present. Council Member Gloria Betcher joined the meeting
electronically.
FY 2026/27 BUDGET PROPOSALS: Director of Parks and Recreation Keith Abraham
began with an overview of the operating budget for Parks and Recreation with input from
Parks Superintendent Joshua Thompson and Recreation Superintendent Courtney Kort.
He recognized the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) with anticipated completion dates
within the current fiscal year that would impact the operating budget for the Department.
Cemetery activities and Right-Of-Way Maintenance were next to be reviewed by Director
Abraham. He focused discussion on the progress of the Department in executing the
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) response plan.
Director of Electric Services Donald Kom and Assistant Director Curtis Spence continued
the proposals for Electric Services. Director Kom presented the operating budget for
activities in the areas of Administration, Demand Side Management, Electric Production,
Fuel and Purchased Power, Electric Distribution, Technology Services, and Engineering.
He then discussed the Storm Warning System, with Electric Distribution Manager Curt
Zierke highlighting that all components of the system are functioning properly.
Fire Chief Rich Higgins, alongside Deputy Fire Chiefs Tom Hackett and Karen Tapper,
then reviewed the proposed budget for Fire Safety. He recognized the ongoing
partnership with Iowa State University (ISU) and the upcoming relocation of Fire Station
No. 2 and personnel planning for the future Fire Station No. 4. Chief Higgins then shifted
to the proposed budget for Building Safety , highlighting proposed increases to building
permit and rental fees.
Moved by Junck, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to refer to staff for a memo that analyzes
the concept of passing credit card fees to the customer and how it would be implemented
across different City services.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Chief of Police Geoff Huff concluded with review of the proposed budgets for activities in
the areas of Law Enforcement and Animal Control. He highlighted personnel recruitment
and training efforts, grants received, and community engagement and outreach. Chief
Huff ended with an overview of Parking Law Enforcement. He noted the success of
implemented parking initiatives and detailed plans to con tinue.
The Members of the City Council engaged with City staff during each section of the
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presentation to gather clarifications on specific issues and inquire about status updates
for current projects.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: The Mayor and Council Members thanked staff for the time and
efforts dedicated to preparing the proposed budget.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Rollins, seconded by Junck, to adjourn the meeting at 7:49
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