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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - June 2026 Monthly Project HighlightsContact the City Clerk's Office at 515-239-5105 515 Clark Avenue, Ames, IA 50010 Report compiled by Taylor Swanson, Deputy City Clerk City Clerk's Office JUNE 2026 MONTHLY PROJECTHIGHLIGHTS LIBRARY Book Sale: The Ames Public Library Friends Foundation’s summer Book Sale is coming up July 9 through 12. Find great deals on thousands of used items including books, movies, music, and more, with proceeds benefitting the Ames Public Library. •Thursday, July 9, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Admission $2; Free admission and early entry starting at 5 p.m. for donors to the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation at the $20 level and above •Friday, July 10, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Free admission •Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Free admission •Sunday, July 12, from 12 to 5 p.m.: Last day! Admission $1 (cash only), and everything is free! (Auditorium only) The Library is planning four book sales next year instead of three, so there will be even more opportunities to shop! Summer at the Library: Summer is in full swing at the Ames Public Library. The children's area is packed with families here for special events, free SUN Meals, reading prizes, and, of course, books! About 2,500 people have already read over a million minutes for the Summer Reading Challenge, which continues through August 23. There is still plenty of time to sign up. There are prizes for all age groups, from babies to adults. This year's free lunches for children and teens are provided through the USDA 's Summer Food Service Program. The Library has served an average of 120 people per day, weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Staff and volunteers guide participants in disposing of food waste in special bins as part of the City of Ames Food Waste Diversion program. Every summer since 2022, the free lunch program has sent hundreds of pounds of food waste to be composted instead of going to a landfill! Watch Party at the Library: Ames Public Library is hosting a free FIFA World Cup 2026™ Watch Party! Soccer fans of all ages are invited to watch the big game on the big screen Sunday, July 19, starting at 1:30 p.m. Popcorn and art supplies will be on hand to enjoy. (FIFA World Cup 2026™ is not associated with Ames Public Library.) 2 PARKS & RECREATION Aquatics: Swimming lessons began June 1. The first session had 289 participants enrolled, and the second session, which began June 15, had 341 participants. Adaptive lessons began on June 5 with 17 students enrolled, and there have been 12 private lessons. Furman Aquatic Center opened for the season Saturday, May 23. Due to inclement weather June 6, Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center was opened for public swimming from 2 to 8 p.m. Sun Safety Day, hosted by Mary Greeley Medical Center, was held at the Furman Aquatic Center on Friday, June 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. The first Swim Camp for Junior Lifeguarding was held June 8 through 12, with 11 future lifeguards participating. A total of five water slide attendants, 99 lifeguards, 10 shift leaders, and 50 swim instructors were hired for the summer. Please note that some individuals are hired for more than one position as there are staff who lifeguard and teach swimming lessons. Homewood Golf Course: As of June 23, 2026, Homewood Golf Course has had 10,603 rounds played. During the same timeframe last year, there were 10,946 rounds played. Homewood opened on March 28 in 2025, and on March 30 in 2026. 3 Below is information related to the Homewood Clubhouse rentals: July 1, 2024 – June 23, 2025 July 1, 2025 – June 23, 2026 Paid Event Hours 190.25 181 Revenue from Paid Events $19,778.25 $18,368 Non-Paid Event Hours 150.50 157.50 Homewood partnered with Painting with a Twist on June 2 to host a summer painting class. 21 participants created their own masterpieces. The Youth Golf League began June 3. A total of 13 youth participants attend weekly. Father’s Day was celebrated June 21 with free golf for fathers accompanied by a paying customer. Three fathers took advantage of the promotion. Due to anticipated rain throughout most of the day, participation was low. Youth golf lessons for ages six through nine concluded June 23. The class was full, with 10 participants. Parkview Park Playground Project: Play-Pro Recreation, of Des Moines, Iowa, completed installation of the new playground equipment on the north side of Parkview Park. Once the equipment was finished, staff completed installation of the aggregate subgrade, engineered wood fiber playground surfacing, and concrete playground border. Steven L. Schanker Plaza: The spray pad at the Steven L. Schainker Plaza opened to the public June 15. Staff was present to give out ice cream treats and provide instructions on how to activate the water features. 4 Windstorm Event Clean Up: Ames experienced two storms in early June that impacted the trees in the rights-of-way and parks. Staff has been busy responding to downed tree branches and tree damage from those events. 5 PLANNING & HOUSING Auburn Trail: Hunziker has submitted public improvement plans for the first 50 lots of the project. The developer expects to begin construction work late this summer with Final Plat approval anticipated this fall to create buildable lots. A final agreement addressing City Council incentives will accompany the Final Plat. City Light Apartments (608 Burnett): The developer submitted its state workforce housing tax credit application in June. The developer’s next step is to propose zoning text amendments for the project. The developer does not anticipate proceeding with the actual development plan until October after there is notice of award for state tax credits. The City Council will also need to consider the request for tax abatement later this year. Domani I 3rd Addition (Green Hills Extension): The City Council agreed to share in the cost of the Cottonwood Road improvement with the extension of Green Hills for the final phase of the Domani development. Staff anticipates Final Plat approval for the end of July to create buildable lots. The City will plan for the Cottonwood extension in 2027. Greenbriar: The developer will propose to divide a south portion of the overall 150 acre site to create a first phase of single-family detached homes with the extension of Stange Road and Valley View Road. The developer is still working through commercial and multi- family concepts for the northern portion of the site, but wants to begin a single-family component this fall. With the first phase of development, an agreement is necessary regarding planning for the overall development incentives and reserving space for a future Ames Fire Station location. A rezoning and preliminary plat application are anticipated this fall. Hayden’s Preserve: The developer plans to submit a revised development concept for staff review in July and seek City Council approval of a new master plan and development agreement by September. The plan includes some changes in the mix of housing types and an increase in units, but a reduction in commercial space. The first phase is anticipated to include a substantial number of attached single-family townhomes for a rental community along the Hyde Avenue frontage. The second phase is anticipated to include the creek crossing and the development of detached single-family lots. The development agreement will need to be updated to address the City Council incentives related to the east-west sewer, creek crossing, future City park, and Hyde trail improvements. 6 Hyland/Oakland Apartments: The City recently approved new zoning to support intensified development along Hyland Avenue and Sheldon Avenue. The West University Pedestrian Enhancement District Overlay (O-WUPED) zoning permits lower parking rates and higher densities of units with new design requirements. The developer of the corner property has not completed its plans for the project, but has changed its plans from the initial concept described to the City Council in 2025. It now desires to develop two buildings rather than one singular integrated building. This revised concept has been challenging for the developer to meet zoning and site constraints. Staff believes a final plan for City Council approval will be submitted late this summer. Manatt’s South Dayton Interchange Zoning and Annexation: Manatt’s requested in 2025 that Story County rezone property on the south side of the Dayton/HWY 30 interchange to industrial to allow for permanent use of the site for rock and sand storage and concrete production. Story County directed Manatt’s to approach the City about annexation and consistency with City plans before making a final decision on rezoning. Manatt’s representatives plan to submit a letter to the City Council describing its interest for industrial use and annexation by the end of July. Property Tax Abatement and Urban Renewal Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Programs: City staff provided the City Council with a memo reviewing existing Citywide Ownership Housing, Industrial, and Area specific tax abatement programs and individual TIF projects before the June 23rd City Council meeting. The memo describes effects of the new state property tax legislation and the General Fund financial issues of accounting for new growth. The City Council referred this item to be put on a future agenda, which is anticipated for July 2026. The City Council was presented options for the status quo, to modify or eliminate certain programs, or adjust criteria for specific priorities to receive incentives. Scholl/Ontario Road: Staff is awaiting a formal rezoning application for the project and has recently discussed three design parameters of reconstructing Scholl Road. The developers anticipate single-family detached homes east of Scholl Road and a townhome project to the west. The developers have indicated a goal of seeking zoning approval later this summer. At the time of rezoning, the City Council will also have to consider the request to utilize TIF to incentivize the development for reconstruction of Scholl Road in support of creating workforce ownership housing. 7 POLICE 911 Service Board Consolidation Study: The Story County 911 Service Board is moving forward with a plan to hire a consultant to evaluate a PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) consolidation between the City of Ames and Story County. Currently, both entities have a PSAP. The Iowa Legislature has had more than one proposed bill around consolidation of services including PSAPs. The Department of Government Efficiency Report for the State of Iowa also had recommendations around PSAP consolidation. The consultants will help the 911 Service Board understand the costs of consolidation along with the potential cost savings. There will be no cost to the City as the 911 Service Board is funding the study. Iowa State University has decided not to be included in the study but is supportive of the City and County participating.