HomeMy WebLinkAboutA034 - April 28, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Ames City CouncilITEM #:38
DEPT:P&H
April 28, 2026
Staff Report
IRONS SUBDIVISION SEWER EXTENSION ALTERNATIVES
BACKGROUND:
The Irons Subdivision and the Ames Golf and Country Club (AGCC) are located north of
Ames and west of Ada Hayden Park, adjacent the City's corporate limits. In spring 2025, when
the City of Ames was in the process of annexing land north of Ames, the City Council elected
to proceed with the annexation of what is known as the "Borgmeyer" property separately from
annexation of properties within The Irons Subdivision and the AGCC.
Annexation of The Irons Subdivision and the AGCC was based upon previous covenants
agreed to at the time of development of The Irons Subdivision that required annexation at the
direction of City Council and for a future sanitary sewer line extension at the direction of City
Council. City Council accepted required annexation applications in May 2025 and
deferred the annexation process until 2026.
Additionally, City Council, at the request of some property owners in the Irons, directed Public
Works staff to prepare cost estimates for a sanitary sewer line extension to serve the homes in
the Irons. The Irons sewer extension is predicated on the development of the former
Borgmeyer farm (known as the Greenbriar project) and the extension of sewer trunk line
through the project to southern boundary of Irons Court. The intent of this process was to
assist the property owners in understanding the options they would have to accomplish a
sewer extension once the planned Greenbriar development occurs.
City staff used an email list of property owners in December 2025 to provide two alternatives
for construction of the sewer line and associated cost estimates using City bid prices. Staff
provided the same information to the AGCC board. Staff invited owners to a meeting with staff
on January 14, 2026. The routes and estimates provided to the owners are attached. The
January meeting included a staff overview of the two routes and the cost estimates. Eight
property owners were present, some from each of the two HOAs, which are the townhomes
and the single-family detached homes.
The main themes were about: 1) the costs of the project, 2) benefits of alignments, 3) why
there was a need to do the project, 4) timing, 5) what sewer service line issues may exist, and
6) how costs would be allocated. A summary of the questions and responses from the
January meeting is attached.
OPTIONS:
At the time of the platting of the Irons Subdivision a sanitary sewer easement was created
through the project to allow for future service of the homes. The AGCC is not required to
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connect to a sanitary sewer main by the current covenants because it was not known if it was
feasible when the project was approved. However, the AGCC could choose to connect if it
becomes feasible.
City staff evaluated one version utilizing the original easement and a second version with a
different route generally to the rear of homes that would require new easements and
cooperation of property owners. The estimates do not include individual costs to the owners
for abandoning septic systems and connecting a service line to the new sewer main.
Option 1: New Rear Alignment
This new option has a lower projected overall cost compared to the original alignment.
However, because the easements for this route do not exist it would require cooperation of
owners to implement the alignment. The Rear Alignment generally has reduced costs of
construction due to less disruption of paved streets and it generally provides a closer
connection point for individual home service lines, but this will vary depending on the lot. Staff
also noted the septic abandonment process is through Story County and does not involve the
City of Ames. This option is also likely best suited to serve AGCC.
Rear Yard Alignment Cost Estimates
Site Prep/Restoration $37,300
Sewer Main $578,829
Replacement Paving $106,000
Mobilization/Survey/TC $71,000
City Eng./Admin/Inspection $158,624
Total $951,744
Option 2: Original Alignment
This option follows the original alignment and does not require new permanent easement.
Costs are greater because of the increased area of pavement removal and replacement
associated with this option. Service lines may be lengthier for many homes because services
are generally in the rear of these homes and the sanitary sewer main in this option is adjacent
to the street pavement.
Original Alignment Cost Estimates
Site Prep/Restoration $21,500
Sewer Main $624,425
Replacement Paving $513,125
Mobilization/Survey/TC $76,000
City Eng./Admin/Inspection $247,210
Total $1,483,260
STAFF COMMENTS:
Timing of an extension is not known at this time. The sewer extension to serve the Irons is
dependent on the timing of the Greenbriar project to the south and their extension of the sewer
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line through their property to the southern edge of the Irons Subdivision. There are ongoing
conversations with the Greenbriar developer, but it is not clear how quickly they would
extend the sewer across the property. With that said, it would seem that the earliest
that it could occur is FY 2027/28, but that has not been formally established.
Actual construction of either alignment could be done privately by a contractor hired by the
owners, subject to City review and inspection. Alternatively, the owners could approach the
City and ask for the City to take on the project as a special assessment project. A special
assessment process allocates the full costs proportionally to each property and includes a
schedule for payment that is collected with property taxes, typically over 10-15 years. Staff
believes any future proposal for a special assessment and allocation of costs should come
from the property owners so the City Council would know what the support of the process is
before initiating such a project.
There are no next steps planned at this time by the City. The property owners can work
to create a plan for either alignment and work with staff on how to proceed with review
of a specific proposal. Ultimately, the timing of requiring the sewer extension is at the
discretion of the City Council.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Irons Sanitary Sewer Meeting Notes Summary 1-14-26.pdf
Cost Estimates December 2025.pdf
Option 1 Rear Yard.pdf
Option 2 Original Easement.pdf
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Irons Sanitary Sewer Extension Options
Meeting Summary
1/14/2026
Irons Residents and Owners:
Eight attendees
City Staff:
Kelly Diekmann, Planning and Housing Director
Justin Clausen, Public Works Director
Amelia Schoenman, Planner
Introduction/Background
City Council directed staff to evaluate options for a sewer line extension to serve the Irons
Subdivision at the request of some of the Irons property owners. This was in response to
the annexation process from Spring 2025.
The City of Ames Public Works Department created a preliminary design for two sewer
main extension routes. These two options were sent out to Irons property owners and the
AGCC in December.
The first option used the existing sanitary sewer easement created with the Irons
Subdivision. The Alternative sewer route has fewer property disruptions, but it would
require agreement amongst owners to change the sewer easement locations. The
Alternative route is estimated to cost less than the original alignment. Each owner would
be responsible for their owner service line connection, for either option.
Mr. Clausen further discussed the alternatives. Depth of sewer in the existing easements
would be 20 feet, more difficult to construct with the original option, service lines would
need to be brought from rear of properties to the fronts.
The alternative route would be in primarily in rear yards, has lower cost, potentially shorter
service line extensions to the main for some property owners.
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Resident Questions
Q: Will there be any risk to foundations with existing easement?
A: Staff believes the easements are located far enough from houses that there should be
no issues.
Q: Are costs of street work (demo, replacement) included in the estimates?
A: Yes, both for Irons Court and Irons Court Way pavement removal and reconstruction is
included. Pavement removal costs are lower for the Alternative route.
Q: What is the timing and can we keep our septic systems until they fail?
A: Not everyone would need to switch after construction, technically could be incremental.
However, the timing is up to City Council as stated in the existing covenants.
Staff believes it is practicable to allow for time to switch over and would not recommend
compelling everyone to connect immediately upon competition of the project. If not all
connected at once, PW may have higher maintenance needs to jet annually given lower
volume of water in sewer.
Q: Right now, share a septic system in the twin homes. Would they have individual
services?
A: Yes, individual service lines are required for each unit.
Q: Where does property owner maintenance responsibility begin for a service line?
A: The main is the City’s responsibility. The property owner is responsible for the “Y” and
then to the house.
Q: What are the steps required for the sewer? Design, construction, inspections, etc.
A: The first need is a decision by property owners if they want to self-finance a project or
ask the City to complete the project as a special assessment project. If it is a City project,
City hires a design engineer to complete design and prepared construction plans, puts the
project out to bid, once bid selected, assessment schedule.
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If it is a private project, property owners would hire a designer and they would submit
improvement plans for City approval.
With either the private or special assessment option, if the sewer is to be in the Alterative
alignment an easement will need to be provided at the beginning of the process to
guarantee it can be designed and constructed in that alignment.
Q: How would assessment be broken down?
A: There is not a proposal by staff of how to allocate costs. Owners would need to make a
proposal to the City Council at the time they request the City to initiate a special
assessment project.
If not unanimous, could all individually communicate opinions to City Council. Council can
determine an assessment schedule, there is provision in the covenants to accept a special
assessment for public improvements.
Q: How is the Club involved?
A: The Club is not required to connect to the sewer per the original agreements. However, if
they choose to connect, staff believes they should be included in the assignment of cost.
AGCC has stated to staff they are interested, but have not made final decision. The
Alternative route is better suited to having them connect than the original option.
Q: If Club waited to make decision would the be assessed?
A: There would at least be a connection fee if construction was completed when they
connected. Staff would want to know if they are going to be involved in the project or not
before it starts.
Q: When will this go to City Council?
A: February 24 would be the soonest. Would give residents another month to decide. Latest
would be in March as staff needs direction on if additional information is needed. Note-
Staff has delayed this report out on cost estimates until April 28th, as of April 1,2026.
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Q: What is the Borgmeyer development timeline related to the sewer extension?
A: East West Sewer Line from Hyde to the west side of the railroad tracks will be done by
the City in 2026. Developer to extend further, not expected to be completed before the end
of 2027. Developer will start first phase on south side of the development with sewer in
Valley View. Would expect to know more on their timelines this summer as part of
development agreements/approvals processes. Staff believes the earliest the sewer main
would be adjacent to the Irons for an extension would be in late 2027.
Q: What type of equipment used to install the lines?
A: The backyard option with existing easements would be open cut construction. Could
use borer or dig with spoil piles.
The front yard option would have to be bored.
Q: How long would construction take?
A: Likely 8 weeks for each phase, two phases assumed.
Q: Is the church across the street being annexed? Any areas north of 190th?
A: Staff reached out to Christ Community, they indicated that they do not have an interest
in connecting to the sewer at this time. The church has no obligations to annex or connect
to a sewer utility. The church was approved by the County.
Q: Is there a third option to use the church property to route the sewer on the west side?
A: If the County granted easement in right-of-way for sewer, it’s possible but not
recommended as connections would be harder with service lines crossing the road.
Q: Is the Borgmeyer sewer line required to be brought to property line?
A: Yes, they are required to stub it to Irons Court. Staff noted that even if the main is not
within 200 feet of the homes, the current covenants still require the extension.
Q: Is there interest charged with the City assessment?
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A: Yes, would need to recoup interest on the City’s bond and any administrative costs.
Q: Any past developments in similar situation?
A: Woodview Drive petitioned City for services and were special assessed voluntarily. There
are other rural developments with similar covenants (Bella Woods) but none have sewer
available at this time to implement the covenants.
Q: Individual property owner costs for service lines are different in each scenario. How do
we figure that out?
A: City doesn’t have that information. Staff used an estimate of $75 per foot.
Q: How are we supposed to decide?
A: Front yard version will be the default for the sewer extension if there is no consensus.
Q: Can both options allow incremental connections?
A: With existing easement, a “Y “will be installed on the main and will be capped. At time of
connection, will have to dig service line to the Y. You could also do it during construction,
which might save on inflationary cost increase.
With alternative route, could do the same.
Q: Will they have to remove the septic?
Yes, septic systems are required to be removed. Sceptic systems are permitted and
regulated by Story County. The City is not involved in the process.
When connection to the sanitary sewer occurs, abandonment rules in Iowa Code Chapter
69 require:
(1) Concrete tanks shall be pumped, the tank lid crushed into the tank, and the tank filled
with sand or soil.
(2) Plastic, fiberglass, or metal tanks shall be pumped and removed and the cavity filled
with sand or soil.
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An abandonment permit from Story County Environmental Health is required prior to
removal of each system.
Q: Is the special assessment labeled as such on tax statement?
A: Yes.
Other comments-
Some of the speakers noted that many residents return in the Spring, likely no Board
meetings until May. No consensus by February.
Owners/HOA could get quotes on the estimates provided by staff to compare.
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Irons Sanitary Sewer Extension Estimates
Option 1- New Easements- Backyard Option:
Site Prep/Restoration: $37,300
Sewer Main/Structures: $578,820
Replacement Paving: $106,000
TC/Mobilization/Survey: $71,000
City Engr/Inspection/Admin: $158,624
Total: $951,744
Option 1 includes two separate sewer main extensions with new easements in order to
route the sewer main to the rear yard of each home. A rear yard location would likely make
the private sewer service connections easier for each home.
This option would require cooperation of property owners to agree to a new easement
alignment.
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Option 2-Existing Easements- Boring Option:
Site Prep/Restoration: $21,500
Sewer Main/Structures: $625,425
Replacement Paving: $513,125
TC/Mobilization/Survey: $76,000
City Engr/Inspection/Admin: $247,210
Total: $1,483,260
Option 2 is a single sanitary sewer main extension within the existing easement.
Due to its location, boring rather than open trench construction was assumed.
Although less overall pipe is part of this option, the cost of boring and the cost of
replacement paving makes this option more expensive than Option 1.
The private sewer service connection location at the front of homes will also likely be more
difficult and costly than Option 1.
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