HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - February 10, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council1
SUMMARY OF MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA FEBRUARY 10, 2026
The Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila
at 5:15 p.m. on the 10th 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, Gloria Betcher, Amber Corrieri, Tim Gartin, Rachel Junck, and Anita
Rollins. Ex officio Emily Boland was also present.
FY 2026/27 BUDGET WRAP-UP: Assistant City Managers Brian Phillips and Pa Vang
Goldbeck presented the recommended funding allocations for activities related to the
Analysis of Social Services Evaluation Team (ASSET), Commission on the Arts
(COTA), Public Art, and Outside Funding Requests. City Manager Steve Schainker then
reviewed the fund forecast for the Ames Intermodal Facility before Finance Director
Corey Goodenow concluded with the budget approval timeline.
The Public Input on the 2026-2031 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP), FY 2025/26
Adjusted Budget, and 2026/27 Proposed Budget was opened and closed by Mayor
Haila when no one came forward to speak.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to approve the 2026-2031 Capital
Improvements Plan as amended.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Rollins, seconded by Gartin, to approve Adjusted Budget for FY 2025/26 as
amended, including interfund transfers and General Fund carryover funding.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Rollins, to approve proposed budget for FY 2026/27 as
amended, including interfund transfers.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to approve proposed budget for FY 2026/27
as amended, including the recommended funding amounts for the ASSET, COTA,
Public Art, and Outside Funding Requests as well as interfund transfers.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Rollins, to set March 24, 2026, as date of final
public hearing to adopt a property tax levy for FY 2026/27.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
The FY 2026/27 Budget Wrap-Up portion of the meeting was recessed by Mayor Haila
at 5:41 p.m. Mayor Haila reconvened with the start of the Regular Meeting agenda at
5:45 p.m.
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CONSENT AGENDA: Council Member Betcher requested to pull Item No. 8: Motion
directing staff to prepare an ordinance to revise Chapters 10, 17, 21, 22, 27, and
Appendix D of the Municipal Code relating to licenses and permits issued by the Office
of the City Clerk. Council Member Beatty-Hansen requested to pull Item No. 13:
Resolution certifying the grant application for the 2027/28 Arterial Street Pavement
Improvements Program - East 13th Street and East Lincoln Way/Dayton Avenue
intersection.
Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Junck, to approve the consent agenda less Item No. 8
and Item No. 13.
1. Motion approving payment of claims
2. Motion approving Report of Change Orders for period of January 16 -31, 2026
3. Motion approving Summary of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on
January 27, 2026, and Special City Council Meetings on January 30, 2026, and
February 3, 4, and 5, 2026
4. Motion approving Civil Service Candidates
5. Motion approving new Special Class C Retail Alcohol License (BW) with Living
Quarters - Staybridge Suites, 2111 Isaac Newton Drive, Pending Favorable
Inspection
6. Motion approving Ownership Update for Special Class C Retail Alcohol License -
Clouds, 119 Stanton Avenue Suite 701
7. Motion approving the renewal of the following Alcohol Licenses:
a. The Dot, 127 Dotson Drive, Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor
Service, Pending Dramshop Review
b. Wal-Mart Supercenter #4256, 534 South Duff Avenue, Class E Retail
Alcohol License
c. Campus Cheers, 131 Welch Avenue, Class C Retail Alcohol License
8. Motion directing staff to prepare an ordinance to revise Chapters 10, 17, 21, 22,
27, and Appendix D of the Municipal Code relating to licenses and permits issued
by the Office of the City Clerk
9. Motion directing staff to prepare an ordinance to revise Chapter 28 Division II,
changing the specific water meter setting requirements to accommodate a
change to Automatic Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
10. Requests for Midnight Madness on July 10, 2026:
a. RESOLUTION NO. 26-061 approving partial street closures of Kellogg
Avenue from 12th Street to 5th Street; 10th,11th, and 12th Streets from
Burnett Avenue to Kellogg Avenue; 5th Street from Kellogg Avenue to
Pearle Avenue; Pearle Avenue from 5 th Street to Main Street; Main
Street/Northwestern Avenue from Pearle Avenue to 9 th Street; 9th Street
from Northwestern Avenue to Hodge Avenue; Hodge Avenue from 9 th
Street to 7th Street; and 7th Street from Northwestern Avenue to Hodge
Avenue for the race route
b. RESOLUTION NO. 26-062 approving closure of Burnett Avenue from 5th
Street to 6th Street for post-race activities
11. RESOLUTION NO. 26-063 accepting Resource Recovery System 2025 Annual
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Report
12. RESOLUTION NO. 26-064 authorizing the expenditure of approximately $3,003
from Council Contingency Account to sponsor 2026 NAACP Freedom Fund
Banquet
13. RESOLUTION NO. 26-065 certifying the grant application for the 2027/28 Arterial
Street Pavement Improvements Program - East 13th Street and East Lincoln
Way/Dayton Avenue intersection
14. RESOLUTION NO. 26-066 certifying grant application for the 2027/28 Arterial
Street Pavement Improvements Program - Duff Ave (6th Street - East 13th Street)
15. RESOLUTION NO. 26-067 certifying grant application for 29/30 Arterial Street
Pavement Improvement Program - East 13th Street (McCormick Ave to Dayton
Ave)
16. RESOLUTION NO. 26-068 approving contract and bond for the FY 2023/24
Story County Edge of Field Project with Hands On Excavating, LLC, of Radcliffe,
IA, in the amount of $292,849.82
17. RESOLUTION NO. 26-069 approving preliminary plans and specifications for the
2025/26 Downtown Street Pavement Improvement Program (Alley - North of
Lincoln Way Between Kellogg Ave and Sherman Ave) project, setting March 4,
2026, as the bid due date and March 10, 2026, as the date of Public Hearing
18. RESOLUTION NO. 26-070 approving preliminary plans and specifications for the
2025/26 Alley Pavement Improvement Program (Alley - South of Lincoln Way
Between South Kellogg Ave and South Sherman Ave) project, setting March 4,
2026, as the bid due date and March 10, 2026, as the date of Public Hearing
19. RESOLUTION NO. 26-071 approving preliminary plans and specifications for the
2025/26 Seal Coat Street Pavement Improvements Program and Water System
Improvements Program (Ferndale Avenue and Furman Drive) project, setting
March 4, 2026, as the bid due date and March 10, 2026, as the date of Public
Hearing
20. RESOLUTION NO. 26-072 awarding contract to Dewey Ford, of Ankeny, IA, for
three Ford Police Hybrid Interceptors in the amount of $130,862.04
21. RESOLUTION NO. 26-073 approving change order to Simmons, Perrine, Moyer,
Bergman PLC of Cedar Rapids, IA, for Outside Legal Services related to the
Steven L. Schainker Plaza
22. RESOLUTION NO. 26-074 accepting the 2024/25 Traffic Signal Program (S.
16th & University) as completed by Van Maanen Electric, Inc., of Newton, IA, in
the amount of $142,043.15
23. RESOLUTION NO. 26-075 accepting 2024/25 Collector Street & Water System
Improvements (Oakland Street - Oliver Avenue to Hawthorne Avenue) project as
complete by Manatt's, Inc., of Ames, IA, in the amount of $662,342.48
24. RESOLUTION NO. 26-076 accepting 2023/24 Campustown Public
Improvements (Welch Avenue and Chamberlain Place) project as complete by
Con-Struct, Inc., of Ames, IA, in the amount of $1,553,172.12
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motions/Resolutions declared carried/adopted unanimously, signed
by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
REVISIONS TO CHAPTERS 10, 17, 21, 22, 27, AND APPENDIX D OF THE
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MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO LICENSES AND PERMITS ISSUED BY THE
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK: Council Member Betcher and Mayor Haila pointed out
two points of clarification to be added to the requested revisions.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Junck, to amend Section 10.14 to replace the
language listing the title of “Resource Recovery Superintendent” with “City Manager or
Manager’s designee.”
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Junck, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to amend Section 27.5(3) to clarify
“fiscal” year.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to direct staff to prepare an ordinance to
revise Chapters 10, 17, 21, 22, 27, and Appendix D of the Municipal Code relating to
licenses and permits issued by the Office of the City Clerk, as amended.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE 2027/28 ARTERIAL STREET PAVEMENT
IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM - EAST 13TH STREET AND EAST LINCOLN
WAY/DAYTON AVENUE INTERSECTION: Public Works Director Justin Clausen
responded to an inquiry from Council Member Beatty -Hansen related to shared use
path expansion, confirming that staff would seek expansion opportunities under Iowa
Department of Transportation (DOT) owned bridges should the grant be awarded.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Betcher, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-065
certifying the grant application for the 2027/28 Arterial Street Pavement Improvements
Program - East 13th Street and East Lincoln Way/Dayton Avenue intersection.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM: Mayor Haila opened the Public Forum.
Jim Roch expressed concerns about the proposed pet licensing program and the
replacement of electric meters to advanced metering infrastructure when current meters
have not reached end of life, citing fiscal responsibility.
Mayor Haila closed the Public Forum when no one else came forward to speak.
MODIFICATIONS TO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 14, HUMAN RELATIONS,
REGARDING CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTION FOR GENDER IDENTITY: City Attorney
Mark Lambert presented an ordinance that would create a protected class of gender
identity under Chapter 14 of the Municipal Code, as previously directed by the City
Council.
Moved by Gartin to pause efforts related to the aforementioned ordinance in order to
observe the outcome of the current Legislative session.
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Motion died due to lack of a second.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to pass on first reading an ordinance
approving modifications to Municipal Code Chapter 14, Human Relations, regarding
Civil Rights Protection for Gender Identity.
Roll Call Vote: 5-1, Gartin dissenting. Motion declared carried.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Corrieri, to suspend the rules.
Roll Call Vote: 5-1, Gartin dissenting. Motion declared carried.
Moved by Junck, seconded by Corrieri, to pass on second reading an ordinance
approving modifications to Municipal Code Chapter 14, Human Relations, regarding
Civil Rights Protection for Gender Identity.
Roll Call Vote: 5-1, Gartin dissenting. Motion declared carried.
Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Betcher, to pass on third reading and adopt
ORDINANCE NO. 4586 approving modifications to Municipal Code Chapter 14, Human
Relations, regarding Civil Rights Protection for Gender Identity.
Roll Call Vote: 5-1, Gartin dissenting. Motion declared carried.
RENAMING CENTER AVENUE TO CHANTLAND AVENUE: Assistant City Manager
Phillips presented a staff-initiated request to rename Center Avenue to Chantland
Avenue in honor of former Public Works Director Arnold O. Chantland.
Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Gartin, to pass on first reading an ordinance renaming
Center Avenue to Chantland Avenue.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE REZONING PROPERTY WEST OF THE
INTERSECTION OF HARRISON ROAD AND WELBECK DRIVE FROM
RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY (RL) TO SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY
(FS-RL) WITH A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT: Moved by Corrieri, seconded by
Betcher, to pass on second reading an ordinance rezoning property West of the
Intersection of Harrison Road and Welbeck Drive from Residential Low Density (RL) to
Suburban Residential Low Density (FS-RL) with a Planned Unit Development.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE MODIFYING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 10,
GARBAGE AND REFUSE: Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Rollins, to pass on second
reading an ordinance modifying Municipal Code Chapter 10, Garbage and Refuse.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
2023/24 MULTI-MODAL ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS (SOMERSET
IMPROVEMENTS - STANGE ROAD): Director Clausen, Traffic Engineer Damion
Pregitzer, and Civil Engineer II Mark Gansen presented design alternatives for
improvements to Stange Road through Somerset. The project aimed to slow traffic
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speeds, improve walkability and bikeability, and increase safety for all transportation
modes.
The Public Input was opened by Mayor Haila.
Kevin Bourke, 3716 Fletcher Circle, noted ownership of 2511 Aspen Road and 2730
Stange Road, expressed concerns about not receiving notification about the project ,
and worried about noise impacts from buses stopping at the four-way stops near
residential units.
Jeri Neal, 916 Ridgewood Avenue, shared thoughts in support of the proposed design
from the Consultant on behalf of the Ames Bicycle Coalition.
The Public Input was closed by Mayor Haila when no one else came forward to speak.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Corrieri, to employ the same notice standard for the
2023/24 Multi-Modal Roadway Improvements project as is used for proposed Zoning
changes.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Gartin, to place discussion of future notices for
similar roadway projects on a future agenda.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
The City Council Members agreed to table any further action related to this item until the
noticing process was completed.
ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, 2025: Director Goodenow and Accounting and Reporting Manager Kara Nady
provided a high-level overview of the report.
Mayor Haila opened and closed the Public Input when no one came forward to speak.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Betcher, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-078 approving
the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2025 .
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor,
and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
CITY COUNCIL VALUES, GOALS, AND TASKS FOR 2026-2027: Assistant City
Manager Phillips reviewed the values, goals, and tasks compiled by staff .
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Corrieri, to strike “Develop a shared
understanding of affordable housing” from B1.T1.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Rollins, to decouple the tasks listed in C1.T3. to
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separate discussion regarding the Event Center at The Linc and the Entry Corridor
Beautification Project into two tasks.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Junck, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-079 adopting
City Council Values, Goals, and Tasks for 2026-2027, as amended.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor,
and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
HEARING ON REZONING OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT IOWA STATE
UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PARK, 4200 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD (S 530TH),
SOUTH OF THE CURRENT RESEARCH PARK BOUNDARY FROM
AGRICULTURAL (A) TO RESEARCH PARK INNOVATION DISTRICT (RI): Planning
and Housing Director Kelly Diekmann explained that the aforementioned property was
previously considered; however, the real estate description had been increased by
roughly an acre, necessitating a restart of the rezoning process.
The Public Hearing was opened and closed by Mayor Haila when no one came forward
to speak.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Betcher, to pass on first reading an ordinance rezoning
of the property located at Iowa State University Research Park, 4200 University
Boulevard (S 530th), South of the Current Research Park Boundary from Agricultural (A)
to Research Park Innovation District (RI).
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Rollins, to suspend the rules.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to pass on second reading an ordinance
rezoning of the property located at Iowa State University Research Park, 4200
University Boulevard (S 530th), South of the Current Research Park Boundary from
Agricultural (A) to Research Park Innovation District (RI).
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Rollins, seconded by Gartin, to pass on third reading and adopt ORDINANCE
NO. 4585 rezoning of the property located at Iowa State University Research Park,
4200 University Boulevard (S 530th), South of the Current Research Park Boundary
from Agricultural (A) to Research Park Innovation District (RI).
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PARK PHASE IV
FIRST ADDITION AT 4200 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD: Director Diekmann presented
the preliminary plat before reviewing the conditions attached to the plat.
Mayor Haila opened and closed the Public Input when no one came forward to speak.
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Moved by Gartin, seconded by Betcher, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-080 approving
Preliminary Plat for Iowa State University Research Park Phase IV First Addition at
4200 University Boulevard with conditions.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor,
and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT OUTLINE FOR DOMANI I (COTTONWOOD
EXTENSION): Director Diekmann introduced a revised plan for the Domani
development incentive, which was initially approved for City responsibility of the
Cottonwood extension in fiscal year 2027/28. The developer, wanting a quicker timeline,
offered to fund and extend Green Hills Drive, with the City later completing
improvements to Cottonwood Road.
The Public Input was opened by Mayor Haila.
Keith Arneson, 4114 Cochran Parkway, e xpressed gratitude as the developer for the
collaborative strategy and explained his eagerness to expedite project progress in order
to augment the housing inventory promptly with various lot options.
The Public Input was closed by Mayor Haila when no one else came forward to speak.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Betcher, to approve Alternative 1: Direct staff to amend
the existing development agreement prior to the next final plat approval for Domani to
allow for the Developer to extend Green Hills Drive in 2026 and plat the remaining 23
lots in Domani I and for the City to assume the responsibility for the future completion of
the Cottonwood Extension at a time approved by the City Council with a goal of doing
the extension in FY 2027/28.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
DISPOSITION OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL: Mayor Haila noted that there
were seven items for consideration. The first was from Mayor Dale Higgins from the City
of Maxwell requesting a release from the 28E agreement for Solid Waste Services.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to place the item on a future agenda.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Statements opposing the annexation of the Irons Subdivision from Joyce Vegge and
Jane Olson were the next items. Council Member Gartin noted that he had responded
to Ms. Vegge.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Betcher, to request the Mayor respond to Ms.
Olson.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Suggestions from Kody Olson for investments in North Grand Mall comprised the fourth
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item.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Rollins, to request the Mayor respond with
appreciation for the provided input and share that with uncertain budget times, the
suggestions will be considered but cannot be promised.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
The fifth item was from Sam Bryant related to reassessing current rental regulations.
Moved by Junck, seconded by Gartin, to request a memo from staff concerning the
three specific items referenced by Mr. Bryant with information on which of the
requirements apply to owner-occupied units.
Vote on Motion: 4-2, Beatty-Hansen and Corrieri dissenting. Motion declared carried.
Concerns regarding smart meter infrastructure in Ames from Clinton Richard Cabney
was the sixth item. No action was taken on this item.
The final item was from Planner Justin Moore regarding a request for a waiver to
subdivide land in Story County within the Ames Urban Fringe.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Junck, to place the item on a future agenda.
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 Rollins, to adjourn the meeting at
7:44 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