HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated March 10, 2026To:Mayor & City Council
From:Mark O. Lambert, City Attorney
Date:March 10, 2026
Subject:Affirming Council Member Gartin's Vote
Item No. 13
MEMO
On March 5, 2026, Council member Tim Gartin attended and participated in a
meeting of the Story County Emergency Management Commission – Story
County Board of Supervisors’ Joint EOC Project. He was requested by Mayor
Haila to attend the meeting in place of the Mayor, who is the City’s representative
on the Commission.
On the way to the meeting, Council Member Gartin telephoned the City Attorney
and the two discussed the legality of Tim voting as a member of the Commission,
when he is not a member and not the Mayor Pro Tem (who is authorized by the
Iowa Code to act in lieu of the Mayor, when the Mayor is unavailable).
A decision was made that Council Member Gartin would attend the meeting
and vote, and that the City Council would be asked to retroactively approve
his votes, to make clear that he had the authority to vote on behalf of the
City.
There were two votes taken where Council Member Gartin voted with the
majority. One was to approve the selection of an A/V system bid for the
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) project. Story County had already
approved the allocation of the funds. This vote was to approve the selection of
the low bidder. The cost is $104,530. The vote was 8-3.
The second vote was to approve $4,000 in new furniture and $10,853 in a
contingency fund for the project. The vote had one dissenting vote. This brought
the total project cost to $119,383. When construction costs are added, the total
project cost is $260,000.
Fire Chief Higgins was present and reported that his review of the proposal was
consistent with other EOC A/V systems in the area.
Therefore, Council Member Gartin and the City Attorney ask that the Council
Legal 515.239.5105 main
515.239.5142 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
adopt a resolution affirming that the Council retroactively authorizes Council
Member Gartin’s votes on behalf of the City at the March 5, 2026, meeting of the
Story County Emergency Management Commission.
Legal 515.239.5105 main
515.239.5142 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org