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Home My WebLink About~Master - July 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 JULY 2026 MONTHLY PROJECTHIGHLIGHTS FIRE Nuisance Code Update: In 2023, the City Council adopted Chapter 30 of the Ames Municipal Code, the Public Nuisance Ordinance. The ordinance went into effect on January 1, 2024. The new ordinance consolidated existing ordinances into a single, easy - to-navigate document with consistent enforcement methods. Additionally, three new regulations were introduced: 1) Grass Height on owner-occupied properties (previously only applied to rental properties), 2) Dangerous Trees, and 3) Structural Defects. Staff presented an update on the ordinance to the City Council at the July 22, 2025 , Council Meeting. This update included information on how the ordinance was/was not working with statistics showing the break-down of code complaints. Staff requested direction from the City Council on specific issues that needed clarification within the code. The City Council asked staff to look into options regarding the following: • A prohibition of vermin infestations within structures • A policy regulating the placement and removal of items in the right-of-way • An exception for RVs to be parked in a driveway within the front yard between April and October • A grant/loan program to assist homeowners with compliance costs • The amount of money spent on compliance costs • If staff should begin proactive enforcement rather than just reactive • If there should be restrictions on filing anonymous complaints • A possible ordinance to regulate vacant and abandoned structures Staff plans to bring these items back to the City Council this Fall for consideration. 2 LIBRARY Focus on Addiction and Subtance Use Disorder: The Library will host two events exploring addiction and Substance Use Disorder. • "Addiction" Documentary & Discussion: Wednesday, August 19, at 7 p.m., Ames Public Library’s Rotary Room. Join Community & Family Resources for a showing of NOVA|PBS's documentary "Addiction." A brief, engaging conversation will follow. • Stigma with Substance Use Disorder (SUD): Wednesday, August 26, at 7 p.m., Ames Public Library’s Rotary Room. Join Community & Family Resources, using materials created by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) and PPSI (Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute), for community training on how stigma affects people who use illegal substances, and learn practical strategies to reduce stigma. Great Reads from Great Places: As the Iowa Center for the Book, Ames Public Library will host several events featuring Iowa’s 2026 Great Reads from Great Places selections: “It's Corn Picking Time!" written by Jill Esbaum and illustrated by Melissa Crowton , and "The Re-Do List" by Denise Williams. • Watch the National Book Festival Livestream: Saturday, August 22, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Ames Public Library’s Rotary Room or online • Family Farm Festival with Author Jill Esbaum: Saturday, September 19, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Ames Public Library • An Evening with Author Denise Williams: Tuesday, October 13, 6:30 p.m., Library Auditorium or via Zoom These events are presented by Ames Public Library and the Iowa Center for the Book. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and supported by Ames Public Library Friends Foundation. Pub Fiction: The Ames Public Library Friends Foundation is gearing up for the annual Pub Fiction literary-themed pub crawl and fundraiser. This year’s event will be Thursday, August 13, at various Downtown businesses. Dress like your favorite book character (optional) and visit participating downtown Ames businesses, all with different themes and exclusive drink specials for participants! Literary costumes are encouraged, but not required. Get your tickets and find out more at https://bit.ly/PubFiction2026. All funds raised help support Ames Public Library programs and collections. 3 PARKS & RECREATION Ada Hayden Heritage Park Mini Shelter Renovations: Staff completed renovations on three mini shelters at Ada Hayden Heritage Park in mid-July. The work included demolition of the existing bench top and seating, roof, and concrete slab, as necessary. The renovated structures included a new metal roof, new accessible benches and tables, concrete foundations, and concrete accessible sidewalks. All three shelter renovations were funded through donations. Aquatics: Swim lessons at Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center continue to be popular as total enrollment for the July sessions totaled 532 participants. Additionally, the Swim Camp for Junior Lifeguarding had seven participants in the July 6-10 session and ten participants in the July 20-25 session. The Princess and Pirates Party, held Saturday, July 11, welcomed 40 children. Attendees had the opportunity to swim, do activities, and get pictures taken with their favorite characters! A 50 Days of Summer Carnival was held Sunday, July 12, from 1 to 8 p.m. Almost 1,700 people showed up to swim and participate in special activities like a bounce house, dunk tank, and more! Twilight Swim featuring inner tube water polo was held Monday, July 13, from 8:15 to 9:30 p.m. Homewood Golf Course: As of July 22, 2026, Homewood Golf Course has had 14,216 rounds. During the same time frame last year, there were 14,577 rounds played. Homewood opened on March 28 in 2025 and on March 30 in 2026. Below is information related to the Homewood Clubhouse rentals: July 1, 2025 – June 22, 2025 July 1, 2026 – July 22, 2026 Paid Event Hours 8 3 Revenue from Paid Events $840.00 $315.00 Non-Paid Event Hours 4.5 4.5 Homewood Golf Course hosted an Iowa Junior PGA tournament Monday, June 29. A total of 64 youth participated. Teams represented Nevada, Carroll, and Ames. 4 Parkview Park Playground Project: Staff completed the Parkview Park Playground Project in the northernmost section of the park in early July. The project included a new playground, suitable for children ages 5 through 12, with a two-bay swing set, a stand- alone climber, single and multi-seat spinners, engineered wood fiber surfacing, and a concrete border. Storm Cleanup: Staff cleaned up after multiple wind and rain events in late June and early July. There were multiple downed trees in the parks along with flooding in the areas of Brookside Park, Ada Hayden Heritage Park, and North and South River Valley Park. There was another wind event in late July that contributed to more downed trees and limbs within the parks, woodlands, and right-of-way. 5 RESOURCE RECOVERY Construction Progresses at R3C Facility: Work at the Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus (R3C) has been underway for just over three months. Site grading, stormwater, and utilities work are mostly complete. Site paving, electrical, and foundation work are currently in progress. In August, the pre-engineered metal building will begin to be erected. Work is also progressing to fabricate and deliver the facility equipment, which will be installed as the building is enclosed.