HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - May 12, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council Extended Minutes1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA MAY 12, 2026
The Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila
at 6:00 p.m. on the 12th day of May, 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, Rachel Junck, Anita Rollins, and Tim Gartin.
PROCLAMATION FOR "PEACE OFFICERS' MEMORIAL DAY," MAY 15, 2026:
Mayor Haila proclaimed May 15, 2026, as “Peace Officers’ Memorial Day” in honor of
federal, state, and municipal officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Chief of Police
Geoff Huff accepted the proclamation alongside Major Jason Tuttle and Officer Isaiah
Wieland. Chief Huff thanked the Mayor and City Council and granted special recognition
to Ames Police Sergeant Howard Schneider, whose name was memorialized on the
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. He reported that no new Iowa names
were added to the memorial wall this year and expressed his hope that no Ames officer
would ever be added again.
PROCLAMATION FOR "NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK," MAY 17-23, 2026:
The week of May 17-23, 2026, was proclaimed “National Public Works Week” by Mayor
Haila. The theme was recognized as "Rooted in Service, Powered by Community."
Public Works Director Justin Clausen with Traffic Engineering Manager Damion
Pregitzer and Civil Engineer II Mark Gansen accepted the proclamation. Director
Clausen expressed thanks to the Mayor and City Council on behalf of the 70 Public
Works professionals employed by the City of Ames.
CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Haila requested to pull Item No. 10, Council Member
Gartin requested to pull Item No. 9, and Council Member Beatty-Hansen requested to
pull Item No. 12.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to approve the Consent Agenda less Item Nos.
9, 10, and 12.
3. Motion approving payment of claims
4. Motion approving Report of Change Orders for period of April 16-30, 2026
5. Motion approving Summary of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on
April 28, 2026
6. Motion approving Civil Service Candidates
7. Motion approving Ownership Update for Class C Retail Alcohol License -
Morning Bell Coffee Roasters, 111 Main Street Suites 101-103
8. Motion approving the renewal of the following Alcohol Licenses:
a. BP, 2720 East 13th Street, Class E Retail Alcohol License
b. Casey's General Store #2298, 428 Lincoln Way, Class E Retail Alcohol
License
c. Casey's General Store #2560, 3020 S Duff Avenue, Class E Retail Alcohol
License
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d. Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, LLC, 2100 Green Hills Drive,
Class C Retail Alcohol License with Catering Privilege
e. Hilton Garden Inn Ames, 1325 Dickinson Avenue, Class C Retail Alcohol
License with Outdoor Service, Pending Dramshop Review
f. North Grand Cinema, 2801 Grand Avenue Ste 1300, Special Class C
Retail Alcohol License
g. Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Avenue, Special Class C Retail
Alcohol License with Outdoor Service, Pending Dramshop Review
h. Crown Liquor, 113 Welch Avenue, Class E Retail Alcohol License
9. Requests from Ames Patriotic Council for Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May
25, 2026:
a. Motion approving blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit for closed area
b. RESOLUTION NO. 26-280 approving closure of Pearle Avenue and 5th
Street from east of Pearle Avenue through Clark Avenue intersection from
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for parade line-up
c. RESOLUTION NO. 26-281 approving temporary closure of Clark Avenue
from 5th Street to 9th Street between 9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. for
movement of the parade
d. RESOLUTION NO. 26-282 approving temporary closure of 9th Street
between Clark Avenue and Maxwell Avenue from 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
for movement of the parade
e. RESOLUTION NO. 26-283 approving temporary closure of 6th Street at
Clark Avenue and Duff Avenue at 9th Street, as parade moves through
those intersections
10. RESOLUTION NO. 26-284 approving appointment of ex officio ISU Student
Liaison to City Council
11. RESOLUTION NO. 26-285 approving a Lease Agreement between the City and
Iowa State University (ISU) for ISU Land Adjacent Moore Memorial Park
12. RESOLUTION NO. 26-286 approving an Easement Agreement between the City
and Iowa State University (ISU) to place a bridge and future shared use path on
ISU Property
13. RESOLUTION NO. 26-287 authorizing and approving Loan and Disbursement
Agreement and providing for the issuance and securing the payment of
$5,700,000 Sewer Revenue Bonds, Series 2026B
14. RESOLUTION NO. 26-288 authorizing and approving a Loan and Disbursement
agreement and providing the issuance and securing the payment of $2,100,000
Sewer Revenue Bonds, Series 2026A
15. RESOLUTION NO. 26-289 approving Professional Services Agreement with
Bolton & Menk, Inc., of Ames, IA, for FY 2026/27 Airport Entryway Improvement
(South Parking Lot Expansion)
16. RESOLUTION NO. 26-290 approving Generation Interconnection Agreement
with MISO for Electric Services
17. Generator Step-Up (GSU) Transformer for the Ames Municipal Energy Center:
a. Motion accepting report of bids and delaying award
18. RESOLUTION NO. 26-291 approving a contract renewal to HTH Companies,
Inc., of Union, MO, for the Non-Asbestos Insulation and Related Services and
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Supply Contract at the Power Plant for the one -year period from July 1, 2026,
through June 30, 2027, in an amount not-to- exceed $150,000
19. RESOLUTION NO. 26-292 awarding contract to ChemTreat, Inc., of Glen Allen,
VA, for Chemical Treatment Program for Power Plant for the one-year period
from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, in an amount not-to-exceed $398,000
20. RESOLUTION NO. 26-293 awarding contract to Mississippi Lime Company of St
Louis, MO, for pebble lime for the Water Plant in the amount of $248.93/ton
21. RESOLUTION NO. 26-294 awarding a contract to Electrorep Energy Products of
St. Louis, MO, for Unit 8 Battery Replacement at the Power Plant in the amount
of $145,111.07 (inclusive of Iowa sales tax)
22. Water Pollution Control Biosolids Hauling Contract:
a. RESOLUTION NO. 26-295 accepting completion of Year One contract in
the final amount of $89,787.65
b. RESOLUTION NO. 26-296 awarding Year Two of Three-Year Biosolids
Hauling Contract with Wulfekuhle Injection & Pumping, of Peosta, IA
23. RESOLUTION NO. 26-297 waiving the City's Purchasing Policy requirement for
competitive bidding and awarding a contract to Armor Equipment Co., Inc., of
Johnston, IA, for the purchase of a sewer camera system in the amount of
$206,985
24. RESOLUTION NO. 26-298 waiving the City's Purchasing Policy requirement for
competitive bidding and awarding a contract to Ascendance Trucks Midwest of
Altoona, IA, for the purchase of six semi-trucks in the amount of $1,230,384
25. RESOLUTION NO. 26-299 approving Change Order No. 2 with J Pettiecord Inc.,
of Bondurant, IA, for additional tree and brush removal for the Resource
Recovery and Recycling Campus project in the amount of $13,900
26. RESOLUTION NO. 26-300 setting May 26, 2026, as the date of public hearing to
consider adoption of the final amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget
27. RESOLUTION NO. 26-301 approving preliminary plans and specifications for
2026/27 Airport Entryway Improvement (South Parking Lot expansion), and
setting May 28, 2026, as bid due date and June 9, 2026, as date of Public
Hearing
28. RESOLUTION NO. 26-302 approving preliminary plans and specifications for the
2025/26 Asphalt Street Pavement Improvements (Hillcrest Ave, Ellis St,
Kentucky Ave, Illinois Ave, Indiana Ave, Oklahoma Dr, and Delaware Ave)
project, setting June 3, 2026, as the bid due date and June 9, 2026, as the date
of Public Hearing
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motions/Resolutions declared carried/adopted unanimously, signed
by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
REQUESTS FROM AMES PATRIOTIC COUNCIL FOR MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
ON MONDAY, MAY 25, 2026: Council Member Gartin, chair of the Ames Patriotic
Council, noted a conflict of interest and recused himself from the vote. He encouraged
residents to attend the Memorial Day parade at 10:15 a.m. and the program at 11:00
a.m. at the Ames Municipal Cemetery.
Moved by Junck, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to approve the requests from Ames
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Patriotic Council for Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2026, as follows:
a. Motion approving blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit for closed area
b. RESOLUTION NO. 26-280 approving closure of Pearle Avenue and 5th Street
from east of Pearle Avenue through Clark Avenue intersection from 9:00 a.m. to
11:00 a.m. for parade line-up
c. RESOLUTION NO. 26-281 approving temporary closure of Clark Avenue from 5th
Street to 9th Street between 9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. for movement of the
parade
d. RESOLUTION NO. 26-282 approving temporary closure of 9th Street between
Clark Avenue and Maxwell Avenue from 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for movement of
the parade
e. RESOLUTION NO. 26-283 approving temporary closure of 6th Street at Clark
Avenue and Duff Avenue at 9th Street, as parade moves through those
intersections
Roll Call Vote: 5-0-1, Gartin abstaining due to conflict of interest. Motions/Resolutions
declared carried/adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor, and hereby made a
portion of these Minutes.
EASEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
(ISU) TO PLACE A BRIDGE AND FUTURE SHARED USE PATH ON ISU
PROPERTY: Council Member Beatty-Hansen requested clarification regarding a
concrete ford over Ioway Creek near the proposed bridge location. Parks and
Recreation Director Keith Abraham explained that the structure was originally installed
by Iowa State University and that after consultation with the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), Iowa State's Facilities Planning and Management Department, and
City staff, a decision was made not to remove it.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Gartin, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-286
approving an Easement Agreement between the City and Iowa State University (ISU) to
place a bridge and future shared use path on ISU Property.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor,
and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
APPOINTMENT OF EX OFFICIO ISU STUDENT LIAISON TO CITY COUNCIL: Mayor
Haila introduced Trey Anderson, a freshman political science and international studies
student from the Sioux City area, recommended by ISU Student Government to serve
as the ex officio to the City Council.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Junck, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-284 approving
appointment of ex officio ISU Student Liaison to City Council.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor,
and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
Ex officio Trey Anderson joined the meeting at 6:14 p.m.
PUBLIC FORUM: Mayor Haila opened the Public Forum.
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Cameron Gray spoke regarding the lack of late-night transportation options for students
and residents who have consumed alcohol. He noted that rideshare services in Ames
cease operation around 2:00 a.m. and urged the City Council to consider a solution to
prevent impaired driving and protect the wellbeing of young adults.
Mayor Haila closed the Public Forum when no one else came forward to speak.
2023/24 MULTI-MODAL ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS (SOMERSET
IMPROVEMENTS - STANGE ROAD): Engineer Gansen presented the two design
alternatives previously reviewed by the City Council in February, noting that staff had
completed two rounds of community feedback that showed a strong preference for
Design Alternative A. He explained that Design Alternative A would reconfigure the
eastern half of Stange Road to carry one lane of traffic in each direction, convert the
western side to a parking loop serving adjacent businesses, install a new shared -use
path along the western edge, add a mid-block crossing, and implement four-way stops
at the intersections of Aspen Road and Northridge Parkway. He furthered that Design
Alternative B would have retained the existing two-way configuration reduced to one
lane per direction, with angle parking on the east, parallel parking on the west, and a
two-way cycle track.
Design Alternative A was recommended by staff as better meeting the multimodal goals
of the project and being more aligned with driver, pedestrian, and bicyclist expectations.
Engineer Gansen noted that a contract amendment with Shive-Hattery, Inc. would be
necessary to complete the additional design work required for Alternative A, including
the new shared-use path, driveway configurations, and intersection approaches. He
also noted that CyRide stop locations would be coordinated as part of final design, with
stops anticipated approximately 150 feet outside the northern and southern
intersections of the project.
Council Member Gartin asked about traffic modeling and the implications of reducing
Stange Road from four to two lanes given planned growth to the north. Manager
Pregitzer responded that the original Somerset Village plan had contemplated one lane
in each direction on Stange Road, and that the later expansion to four lanes was made
prior to the establishment of the Ames Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and
before modern regional traffic modeling was available. Current modeling project ed that
neither Stange Road nor GW Carver Avenue would exceed approximately 7,000 and
5,000 to 6,000 average daily trips respectively by 2050, well below the 20,000 to 24,000
average daily traffic (ADT) threshold where four lanes would be warranted. He further
noted that the right-of-way would be preserved, ensuring the ability to expand capacity
in future cycles if ever needed, though he characterized that scenario as many decades
away. Council Member Gartin acknowledged that additional surveying for public input
had been conducted at the direction of the City Council and noted his appreciation even
though only ten respondents participated.
Council Member Corrieri inquired whether the project design could incorporate electrical
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service to the crescent area for community events. Director Clausen indicated that staff
could coordinate with Electric Services to facilitate that addition. Council Member
Corrieri also raised constituent interest in reducing angled parking to expand sidewalk
café opportunities. Director Clausen noted that the configuration of Design Alternative
A, by moving the shared-use path away from the west side, would naturally create
additional space for such uses, and mentioned that a parklet model similar to Main
Street could be considered.
Mayor Haila asked about addressing stormwater and flooding issues that had been
raised by a business owner in the area. Engineer Gansen confirmed that staff was
aware of flooding events in 2025, and that Design Alternative A provided substantially
more room to remedy the existing drainage problem. Director Clausen added that intake
capacity had been previously upgraded and that the project would include rebuilding the
storm sewer infrastructure in the area. He acknowledged that the intensity of recent
storm events exceeded design capacity and that full resolution would require pipes
approximately three times their current size, but that other mitigations would be
employed.
The Public Input was opened by Mayor Haila.
Kevin Bourke expressed concerns about the design alternatives for the Stange Road
corridor. He suggested other solutions, such as crosswalks with flashing lights, similar
to those by hospitals or schools, instead of four -way stops, to slow traffic and enhance
pedestrian safety.
Hector Arbuckle shared support for calming traffic in the Stange Road area, noting that
it had been unpleasant for pedestrians due to the cars speeding by. He welcomed the
proposal as a positive change.
The Public Input was closed by Mayor Haila when no one else came forward to speak.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to direct staff to proceed with Design
Alternative A with the additional consideration that Public Works staff collaborate with
Electric Services staff to add electrical infrastructure to the crescent and adopt
RESOLUTION NO. 26-077 approving Amendment No. 1 to contract with Shive-Hattery,
Inc., of West Des Moines, IA, for the 2023/24 Multi-Modal Roadway Improvements
(Somerset Improvements - Stange Road).
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor,
and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
Engineer Gansen confirmed that final design would proceed through summer and fall of
2026, with coordination meetings for adjacent properties planned to address stormwater
concerns and construction phasing. Construction was anticipated in 2027.
STAFF REPORT ON TREE REMOVAL AT 624 DUFF AVENUE: City Manager Steve
Schainker summarized that a large tree at 624 Duff Avenue was determined to be an
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imminent public safety hazard, and the City contracted for its removal at a cost of
$8,000 after being unable to reach the property owner. The property owner
subsequently indicated she would have been able to negotiate a lower cost had she
been contacted in time.
Council Member Rollins thanked the City Council for taking up the matter and conveyed
that while the family understood the safety necessity, the timing had not allowed them to
act sooner. Additionally, she noted that a major health event had prevented the property
owner from attending the meeting. Council Member Gartin expressed sympathy for the
circumstances and indicated comfort with reducing the assessed amount to $4,000 from
the original $8,000. He proposed giving the property owner the option of either a five -
year or ten-year repayment schedule. City Attorney Mark Lambert clarified for Council
Member Gartin that the amount would be assessed to the property as a special
assessment, meaning that if the property were sold, any remaining balance would
become due at that time.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Junck, to direct staff to reduce the assessed amount to
$4,000 and authorize staff to negotiate a schedule of either five or ten years at the
option of the property owner.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR PAVING OF CEDAR LANE TO AURORA
AVENUE: Planning and Housing Director Kelly Diekmann explained that the City
Council received a request from the Burgasons, developers of the Ansley subdivision,
asking to amend their previous funding request related to the paving of Cedar Lane to
rather pave approximately 650 feet of Aurora Avenue. Under the current agreement, the
City had committed to funding future paving improvements on Cedar Lane as an off -site
improvement, currently estimated at approximately $250,000. The developer proposed
substituting that commitment with City funding for the paving of Aurora Avenue, an
internal road within the development, currently estimated at approximately $370,000.
Council Member Gartin asked about the cost-benefit rationale behind the request to
substitute City funding for Aurora Avenue paving in place of the Cedar Lane
commitment. Director Diekmann acknowledged that a formal cost-benefit analysis had
not been performed, consistent with the approach taken for other developer incentive
agreements approved in December. He explained the change would enable the
developer to open additional lots sooner, which was consistent with the broader
incentive strategy previously undertaken by the City.
Mayor Haila opened the Public Input.
Steve Burgason expressed gratitude for the previous agreement to assist with the
paving costs for Cedar Lane. He highlighted the shift towards developing Aurora
Avenue, noting it would open nearly 50 lots, offering townhomes and cottage court
homes. He emphasized affordability and market appeal, especially for workforce
housing, due to proximity to the ISU Research Park.
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Mayor Haila closed the Public Input when no one else came forward to speak.
Council Member Rollins inquired about funding sources. Director Diekmann noted that
the original approach for funding the Cedar Lane improvement was assumed to be
through general obligation bonds, as there was no established timeline for the work,
making it difficult to apply inflationary adjustments to cost estimates. He explained that
general obligation bonds were typically the default funding source for public
improvement projects. Director Diekmann added that unlike certain other incentive
projects funded using diverse sources such as American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
funds, the likely funding options for the requested amendment would be confined to
utilizing bonds, contingent on approval by the City Council.
Members of the City Council discussed the importance of facilitating more diverse
housing options, while also managing the City's financial exposure and precedent -
setting aspects of amending incentive agreements. Director Diekmann cautioned the
City Council against setting a precedent of repeatedly amending prior incentive
agreements, noting that all developers who participated in the December incentive
process now had an opportunity to request adjustments. He reiterated the distinction
that the Cedar Lane improvements were reactive and based on development
expansion, whereas Aurora Avenue paving directly enabled immediate residential
development.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Corrieri, to approve Option 1: Direct Staff to Prepare an
Agreement for Paving Approximately 650 Feet of Ansley Lane in Lieu of Cedar Lane.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
STAFF REPORT ON 608 BURNETT ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS AND INCENTIVE
REQUESTS: Director Diekmann presented a multifaceted request related to a
developer request to construct a four-story, approximately 38-unit, apartment building at
608 Burnett Avenue. To facilitate the project, several zoning amendments were
necessary, and an evaluation of financial incentives was required.
The key zoning barriers under the current Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zoning were
reviewed by Director Diekmann. These included the parking requirement of one space
per bedroom, limitations on building height that ma de it difficult to accommodate a 4-
story structure, a floor area ratio cap of 0.7, and design guidelines that were primarily
intended for smaller commercial buildings. Director Diekmann presented the City
Council with a decision: to either focus on amending NC zoning standards specifically
for this project by approving Option 2 or to conduct a broader review of the whole three -
block NC zoning area through approval of Option 1. Director Diekmann recommended
Option 2 due to its timeliness should the City Council desire to support the proposed
project. He suggested that Option 1 would be better suited for a more comprehensive
code review in the future.
Director Diekmann then discussed two financial incentive requests. The first involved a
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property tax abatement with a custom schedule proposed by the developer, which was
more generous than the existing 10-year sliding scale frequently used by the City. The
second request was for City support of a Workforce Housing Tax Credit (WHTC)
application to the State of Iowa, with a deadline of June 10, 2026. According to Director
Diekmann, the state sponsored WHTC program required a City commitment of at least
$1,000 per unit. He highlighted that this commitment could be sourced from anywhere,
including tax abatement, in order to unlock state tax credits of up to $15,000 per unit.
He also highlighted the considerable uncertainty surrounding how the recently enacted
state budget legislation could affect the long-term financial impact of tax abatements for
the City.
The Public Input was opened by Mayor Haila.
Luke Jensen, CityLight Apartments, described the proposed project as a quintessential
urban infill development consistent with the Downtown Ames Guiding Vision. He
emphasized the project aimed to bring housing into the downtown area, contributing to
the community fabric by providing more people with the opportunity to experience the
unique environment and amenities that a vibrant downtown offers. He also highlighted
the importance of having full-time residents to further strengthen the connectivity and
economic vitality of the downtown community.
Dave Carter, Old Town Neighborhood, expressed support for increased downtown
residential density, emphasizing that infill redevelopment was crucial for the
sustainability and growth of downtown areas like Ames. He stressed the importance of
design guidelines to ensure the new developments harmonized with the existing historic
character of the area. Noting floor area ration limitations as a significant additional
hurdle to address, he suggested that design standards should not be onerous but
should preserve the unique charm of the neighborhood.
Sam Stagg, Ames Main Street, cited research indicating that peer university cities have
approximately 5% of permanent residents living downtown, which for Ames would
translate to around 1,500 people compared to the current 300 residents. He stressed
the discrepancy and potential for growth by highlighting that Ames was still far from
achieving these benchmarks. He also highlighted the ample amenities that downtown
Ames provided, including grocery stores, government services, and entertainment
options, which would make it attractive for more permanent residents if more housing
were available.
Dylan Kline, Ames Regional Economic Alliance, highlighted the proposed project as the
first to emerge directly from the Downtown Guiding Vision and urged timely action . He
remarked that this project could serve as a catalyst for additional developments in the
downtown area. He also emphasized the significance of meeting the deadline for WHTC
to maximize the opportunity for credits, making the project more financially viable and
aligning with longer-term visions for downtown growth and rejuvenation.
Hector Arbuckle spoke in support of reducing parking minimums as consistent with the
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City's Climate Action Plan (CAP) and multimodal transportation goals. He pointed out
that parking minimums could inflate housing costs and discourage the kind of dense,
walkable neighborhoods that plans like the CAP aimed to achieve. By drawing a line
connecting reduced parking minimums to climate resilience, he suggested that
downtown housing projects could allow residents a lifestyle less reliant on cars, utilizing
existing public transport and walkability to live sustainably and reduce their carbon
footprint.
Kate Gregory, Old Town Neighborhood, expressed support for the proposed project,
commending the proactive approach by the developer in engaging with the Old Town
Neighborhood. She emphasized that engagement efforts helped build trust with
residents and encouraged dialogue about preserving the historical character amidst
new construction. She urged the City Council to ensure that new projects establish and
uphold design standards that were reflective of the historical aesthetics of the area,
suggesting this could enhance the acceptance and integration of the proposed
development within the community.
The Public Input was closed by Mayor Haila when no one else came forward to speak.
Mayor Haila inquired about the deadline for the WHTC application, which was set for
June 10, 2026. Director Diekmann clarified that while the City could submit a letter of
support committing at least $1,000 per unit in city -provided value for the developer's
application, there was insufficient time to enact the necessary zoning changes before
the June 10 deadline. He emphasized that clear direction was needed from the City
Council on its support of the project in order for staff to represent that to the State.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Corrieri, to direct staff to amend parking
standards for Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zoning to allow one space per unit for
units that are two-bedrooms or fewer.
Director Diekmann emphasized that changes directed by the City Council would apply
to all NC-zoned properties across the City. He assured the City Council that he would
be adding specific language to the code to make these modifications work in practice,
although he did not have explicit directives for every part of the code needing a change.
He asked that the City Council be specific in its motions.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Corrieri, to amend the motion to be applicable
to new construction developments only.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Junck, to direct staff to allow four-story
buildings in NC zoning.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Director Diekmann noted that existing NC design guidelines were written for commercial
buildings and may not translate well to an apartment project and asked for City Council
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direction on the issue.
Moved by Rollins, second by Beatty-Hansen, to direct staff to evaluate existing design
guidelines for NC zoning and provide proposed changes needed to accommodate a
four-story “urban design project.”
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Betcher, to approve Option 2: Explore changes to
zoning standards intended to address the site at 608 Burnett Avenue only at this time,
consistent with the above actions.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Betcher, to direct staff to proceed with a letter of
support for the proposed project for the Workforce Housing Tax Credit application.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Council Member Corrieri inquired about the proposed tax abatement schedule from the
developer. Director Diekmann outlined the gap between the proposed custom
abatement schedule from the developer and the standard 10 -year sliding scale. He
discussed concerns about whether a custom abatement schedule, if established, would
be required to apply citywide to all Urban Revitalization Areas (URAs) under state law,
and about the implications of the new state budget legislation on the City's ability to
recognize incremental tax base growth from abated properties.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to direct staff to investigate the issues
surrounding the creation of an Urban Revitalization Area (URA) with an alternative
schedule of abatement as a means of gathering information.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to express the interest of the City
Council in pursuing a URA with tax abatement for the property at 608 Burnett Avenue.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Council Member Beatty-Hansen concluded by noting for the record that the City Council
was sensitive to concerns raised by the Postal Service and neighboring residents
regarding the loss of the existing parking lot, but that the goal of increasing downtown
residential density and supporting sustainable infill outweighed maintaining the property
as a surface parking lot.
The meeting was recessed by Mayor Haila at 8:04 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at
8:09 p.m.
AMES ANIMAL SERVICES UPDATE: Fleet Services Director Corey Mellies presented
a comprehensive design update for the Ames Animal Services facility alongside Invision
Architecture Principal Architect Brett Van Zee and Intern Architect Sean Davies with
comments from Chief Huff and Animal Control Supervisor Ron Edwards. The proposed
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project was situated at 2715 Dayton Avenue and involved a complete interior remodel of
the existing structure with a roughly 2,000 square-foot addition on the west end.
The design strategy effectively distinguished between different functional areas by
allocating dog adoption and intake areas to the west and cat adoption and intake areas
to the east. The layout of the building also featured a central entry lobby, an office suite,
treatment rooms equipped with surgery tables, and a multi -purpose room that served
dual purposes by enabling overflow animal housing when necessary. This thoughtful
layout ensured operational efficiency and catered to the varying needs of the facility.
For the exterior treatment of the building, the design incorporate d several elements to
enhance its aesthetic appeal and functionality. The existing brickwork would be treated
with a dark charcoal stain, complemented by dark gray metal panels and wood -look
metal accents. These materials would give the building a contemporary and inviting
look. In addition, bay windows were strategically placed to allow public views of the
adoptable cats and dogs, fostering a welcoming and engaging environment. A
prominent entry portal featured billboard graphic elements, adding character and
increasing visibility from the main road. Unique features include d screened outdoor
porches for cats, which would be accessible directly from the cat adoption rooms. The
dog run areas were noted to be essential for exercise and play, and were planned to be
surfaced with artificial turf for easy maintenance and hygiene.
Director Mellies reported that the total cost of the project was currently estimated to be
around $7.55 million. This figure was slightly higher due to an additional $178,000 in
design and construction costs aimed at improving direct access from the building to the
dog run. This enhancement was specifically requested by staff, donors, and volunteers,
and donors committed additional funds to cover these costs.
Following the presentation, Council Member Gartin inquired about the ventilation and
health and safety standards planned for the facility. Architect Van Zee clarified that the
building would be equipped with an advanced HVAC system featuring seven separate
zones. The system would manage air quality across different areas, such as healthy
animal spaces, intake areas, and staff workspaces. Architect Van Zee mentioned that
the design not only adhered to but also significantly exceeded the minimum state
requirements, ensuring a healthy and safe environment for both animals and staff. He
also noted that the design partner on the project, Design Learned, Inc. (DLI),
specialized in animal shelter facilities and incorporated compliance with anticipated
updated state and national standards into the project design.
Council Member Gartin further explored the extent of staff involvement throughout the
design process. Chief Huff confirmed that weekly meetings had been conducted with all
team members, ensuring continuous collaboration and input from Animal Control staff.
Council Member Betcher reiterated questions from Council Member Gartin concerning
the provision of shade structures for the dog runs . She also expressed a preference for
the structures or the bases for the structures to be included in the base bid rather than
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as an add alternate, due to concerns about the summer heat. Acknowledging the
importance of such structures, Architect Van Zee noted that the structures had initially
been placed as an add alternate for budgetary concerns, but committed to including
provisions for footings and foundations in the base bid to enable future installation
without requiring disruption of the artificial turf.
Council Member Betcher also queried whether the standing seam metal roof design
might exacerbate noise during inclement weather events. Architect Van Zee responded
that the use of eight inches of insulation alongside a hard -lid acoustic ceiling beneath
the roof should sufficiently buffer any such noise, thereby preventing it from disturbing
the animals housed within the facility.
Mayor Haila expressed gratitude toward the generous donor community, including an
anonymous benefactor who contributed a lead gift of $3,000,000. Specific thanks were
extended to volunteers and project leaders, including Communications and Outreach
staff Susan Gwisada, Bill Gebhart, Courtney Hinders, and Kati Frahm, for their
outstanding marketing efforts and support. Special recognition was also given to Emily
Sargent and Nancy Carroll for their leadership in driving the project fundraising. The
Mayor highlighted the collective effort of the community, representing a significant
milestone in animal welfare for the City.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Corrieri, to accept the Ames Animal Services
design concepts, interior and exterior material palettes, schedule, and budget, and to
authorize staff to proceed with plans and specifications for bidding.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Corrieri, to direct staff to include the footing and
foundation for the future dog run shade structures in the base bid package .
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
HEARING ON 13TH AND GRAND POWER LINE RELOCATION PROJECT: Director
Clausen noted that land acquisition and easement negotiations for the 13 th and Grand
Power Line Relocation project were ongoing, with 22 total acquisitions or easements
required. He indicated optimism that voluntary agreements would be reached but
acknowledged that if eminent domain proceedings became necessary, the timeline
could jeopardize a 2027 construction schedule. Council Member Gartin noted that
Council has used eminent domain only twice in recent memory and expressed the
importance of building in adequate time for that process if needed.
Mayor Haila opened and closed the Public Hearing when no one came forward to
speak.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Corrieri, to accept the report of bids.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Corrieri, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-303 approving
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final plans and specifications and awarding a contract to IES Commercial, Inc., of
Holdrege, NE, in the amount of $527,595.56.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor,
and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
HEARING ON A REVOCABLE LEASE OPTION WITH AMES GREENFIELD
DEVELOPMENT, LLC TO DEVELOP, INSTALL, AND OPERATE SOLAR FACILITIES
ON APPROXIMATELY 165 ACRES LOCATED ON PORTIONS OF THE FOLLOWING
PROPERTIES AT THE AMES MUNICIPAL AIRPORT: Assistant City Manager Brian
Phillips noted that a few outstanding items remained on the revocable lease option with
Ames Greenfield Development, LLC, and staff was requesting to continue the hearing to
May 19, 2026, to allow for staff to complete negotiations. The City Council discussed
the importance of clearly communicating to the developer that areas earmarked for
future development in the Airport Master Plan should not be included in the solar
footprint before the lease was finalized.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Rollins, to inform the potential developer that
the City Council has a strong preference that no solar be install ed in the areas
earmarked for future development in the Airport Master Plan.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
The Public Hearing was opened by Mayor Haila.
Caitlin Leon, on behalf of the Ames Climate Action Team, spoke in support of the
project, citing alignment with the CAP and the need to increase solar capacity. She
noted that the CAP had set a target of 50 megawatts of renewable energy by 2025 and
that this project, at 24.9 megawatts, would help close that gap.
Hearing and seeing no other participants for the Public Hearing, Mayor Haila requested
a motion to continue the hearing.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to continue the hearing to May 19, 2026.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
HEARING ON PROPOSITION OF ENTERING INTO PRAIRIEVIEW INDUSTRIAL
SUBSTATION LINE TAP CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT AND A TRANSMISSION
FACILITY JOINT OWNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN ITC MIDWEST, LLC AND
ENTERING INTO A TRANSMISSION INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT BY AND
AMONG ITC MIDWEST, LLC, THE CITY OF AMES AND MIDCONTINENT
INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR: Electric Services Director Donald Kom
explained that ITC Midwest, LLC was constructing a substation at the Prairie View
Industrial Center, and that discussions with ITC had been ongoing to allow the City of
Ames to participate in the project. He noted that staff was requesting to continue the
hearing to May 26, 2026, to allow for further negotiations.
Council Member Gartin asked whether there were substantive unresolved issues.
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Director Kom confirmed that the core terms had been agreed upon, with remaining
items being primarily technical and operational, such as ensuring the City retain ed the
right to access its own equipment within the Alliant -owned substation under various
outage conditions.
Mayor Haila opened the Public Hearing.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Beatty-Hansen, to continue the hearing to May 26,
2026.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 28 OF THE
MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 28.201 TO INCREASE WATER RATES BY 3.5% AND
SECTION 28.304 TO INCREASE SANITARY SEWER RATES BY 5.5% FOR
CHARGES TO BE BILLED ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 2026: Moved by Beatty-Hansen,
seconded by Betcher, to pass on second reading an ordinance amending Chapter 28 of
the Municipal Code Section 28.201 to increase water rates by 3.5% and Section 28.304
to increase sanitary sewer rates by 5.5% for charges to be billed on or after July 1,
2026.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
DISPOSITION OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL: Mayor Haila noted that there
were seventeen items for consideration. The first was an email from Kyle Poorman
regarding parking and zoning concerns within the South Campus Redirection Area.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to extend thanks to Kyle Poorman for the
information provided.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
An email from Lynn Ballard concerning 72-hour parking restrictions was next.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to inform Lynn Ballard that the City Council
was not interested in reconsidering its position on the matter of 72 -hour parking.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
The third item was an email from Brian Lawson, United States Postal Service
Postmaster, regarding the development proposal for 608 Burnett Avenue. Mayor Haila
noted that the item was resolved through previous action.
A request from Yong Han for consideration of long-term hail damage mitigation and
housing resilience incentives was the fifth item.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Corrieri, to extend thanks to Yong Han for the
suggestion.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
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The following item was a letter from Kurtis Bower, Mayor of Roland, requesting release
from the 28E Agreement for Solid Waste Services.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Junck, to direct staff to prepare the release and
place it on a future agenda.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Junck, to amend the motion to handle future
requests for release in the same manner.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
An email from Stacy Woodward concerning short-term rental housing and vacation
rentals was the sixth item.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Gartin, to encourage Stacy Woodward to report
violations observed to the Ames Police Department and inform her that short-term
housing and vacation rentals would be held to the same standards as long-term rental
housing.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
A request from Ron McMillen to amend Ames Plan 2040 to change the designation of
the property at 300 Airport Road was the seventh item while the ninth item was a
request from Rob Carter, Chief Executive Officer of Lightedge, for the development of a
new colocation data center at the James Herman Banning Ames Municipal Airport.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Corrieri, to request a memo from staff on the
aforementioned items.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
The eighth item was an email from Kyle Poorman concerning long -term sidewalk
closures.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Corrieri, to extend thanks to Kyle Poorman for
the information provided.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
The following five items were from Attorney Lambert concerning City liability in mass
casualty events or terrorist incidents at City approved events, municipal infractions for
negligent landlords in cases of tenant displacement, ordinance changes for pedestrian
street crossing safety, establishment of an engine break ordinance, and guidelines for
prohibiting smoking on Main Street. No action was taken by the City Council.
An update from Director Clausen on the Resource Recovery & Recycling Campus was
the fifteenth item followed by announcement from Director Clausen for a Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) grant opportunity under the Railroad Crossing Elimination
(RCE) Program. The City Council took no action.
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The final item was a memo from Planner Justin Moore in response to a request from
Kwik Star to initiate a Zoning Text Amendment to increase the allowed number of fuel
pumps within the Convenience General Service Zone.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to place the item on a future agenda.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
REPORT OF GOVERNING BODY: Council Members Beatty-Hansen and Rollins
reported that the Ames Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) had held a recent meeting
in Story City focused on mental health issues and agriculture. No other updates were
announced.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ex officio Anderson thanked the Mayor and City Council for a
substantive first meeting and expressed excitement about the work ahead, noting he
may participate in meetings via Zoom over the summer.
Council Member Gartin commended staff for organizing the Mayor and City Council's
community bike ride on the prior Saturday, noting approximately 100 participants, and
highlighted the subsequent open house at Ontario Park which drew over 200 attendees.
He reminded residents that the public engagement process for Ontario Park was just
beginning.
Council Member Beatty-Hansen reviewed the public forum comment from Cameron
Gray regarding late-night transportation and suggested that it be communicated to the
Ames Transit Agency Board of Trustees.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Rollins, to extend thanks and inform Cameron
Gray that the concerns and suggestions provided during Public Forum would be passed
on to the Ames Transit Agency Board of Trustees for consideration.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Council Member Betcher reported that a recycling information session at 60Forward on
the prior Monday had drawn approximately 75 attendees, with additional residents
arriving after the session had ended. She also indicated she would be researching
whether Ames could implement a cost-recovery model for City services expended in
responding to nuisance party violations, similar to a model used in Corvallis, Oregon,
and would bring the topic back to City Council if warranted.
Ex officio Anderson left the meeting at 9:46 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION: Mayor Haila asked Attorney Lambert if there was a legal reason to
go into Closed Session. Attorney Lambert replied in the affirmative, citing Section
21.5(1)(c), Code of Iowa, to discuss matters presently in litigation or where litigation is
imminent.
Moved by Rollins, seconded by Junck, to go into Closed Session at 9:37 p.m.
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Vote on Motion: 6-0.
The City Council reconvened in Regular Session at 9:41 p.m.
Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Betcher, to approve the settlement agreement with
Janet Dreesman in the amount of $100,000.
Vote on Motion: 5-0-1, Gartin abstaining due to conflict of interest. Motion declared
carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Betcher, to adjourn the meeting at
9:42 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