HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Resolution approving amendment terminating the Resource Recovery System 28E Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of ZearingRESOLUTION NO. 26-465
RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENT TERMINATING
THE RESOURCE RECOVERY SYSTEM 28E INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
WITH THE CITY OF ZEARING
FOR THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA
WHEREAS, the Resource Recovery System (RRS) consists of partnerships
between the City of Ames, 11 of the incorporated cities in Story County, Story County
itself, and Iowa State University. The partnerships are outlined in 13 separate 28E
intergovernmental agreements with Ames. These agreements originated when the
Resource Recovery Plant was established in 1975, and have been renewed several times
since; and,
WHEREAS, included among these partners is the City of Zearing. In 2014, Ames
and Zearing entered into the current agreement, which is in effect through June 30, 2034;
and,
WHEREAS, Ames has been developing a new approach to handling solid waste.
By July 1, 2027, the waste-to-energy operation will be discontinued, and solid waste will
be consolidated at the Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus (R3C) and transported
to a landfill in Carroll County. The development of this new system requires increases in
tipping fees and changes to waste diversion efforts; and,
WHEREAS, in order to plan for the new R3C facility and its financing, City of Ames
staff approached the current RRS partners in fall 2025 and requested that each partner
consider approving revised 28E agreements. The revised 28E agreements would extend
through June 30, 2047; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Zearing is requesting a release from the existing 28E
agreement on or before August 31, 2026. Zearing intends to join the solid waste planning
area that contains Marshall County Landfill and will be served by it. The termination
language in the existing 28E agreement allows for cancellation of the agreement prior to
June 30, 2034 by mutual agreement of both parties. Several other communities in eastern
Story County are served by the Marshall County Landfill or are anticipated to be later this
year; and,
WHEREAS, City staff does not believe that the withdrawal of Zearing from the RRS
will have a significant negative impact on the viability of the system.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames,
Iowa, that an amendment to the Resource Recovery System 28E agreement with the City
of Zearing to cancel the agreement as of August 31, 2026, is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 28th day of July, 2026.
_______________________________ _________________________________
Renee Hall, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
Introduced by: Betcher
Seconded by: Gartin
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Junck, Gartin, Rollins
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 28th day of July, 2026.