HomeMy WebLinkAboutA003 - August 25, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Ames City CouncilTo:Mayor & City Council
From:City Clerk's Office
Date:August 25, 2026
Subject:Approval of Minutes
Item No. 5
MEMO
Attached for the City Council's review are the minutes from the Regular City
Council Meeting on August 11, 2026, and Special City Council Meeting on
August 18, 2026.
ATTACHMENT(S):
C26-0811.pdf
C26-0818.pdf
Administration 515.239.5105 main
515.239.5142 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
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SUMMARY MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA AUGUST 11, 2026
The Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila
at 5:59 p.m. on the 11th day of August, 2026, in the City Council Chambers in City Hall,
515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law. Present were Council Members Gloria Betcher,
Amber Corrieri, Rachel Junck, and Anita Rollins. Ex officio Trey Anderson was also
present. Council Members Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen and Tim Gartin joined the meeting
electronically.
PROCLAMATION FOR "SENIOR VARIETY SHOW'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY," AUGUST
14-15, 2026: Mayor Haila proclaimed August 14-15, 2026, as the “Senior Variety Show’s
30th Anniversary.” The proclamation noted that the mission of the Senior Variety Show was
to celebrate aging, promote the ongoing contributions of seniors, and encourage seniors to
connect with their communities. The proclamation was accepted by Senior Variety Show
representatives.
CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Betcher, to approve the Consent
Agenda less Item No. 24(a).
2. Motion approving payment of claims
3. Motion approving Report of Change Orders for period of July 16-31, 2026
4. Motion approving Summary of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on
July 28, 2026
5. Motion approving new 5-Day (September 5-9, 2026) Special Class C
Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service - Hy-Vee #2, 1407 University
Boulevard
6. Motion approving new 5-Day (September 8-12, 2026) Special Class C
Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service - Apres Bar Co, 1930 E 13th
Street
7. Motion approving new 5-Day (September 19-23, 2026) Special Class C
Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service - Hy-Vee #2, 1407 University
Boulevard
8. Motion approving new Class E Retail Alcohol License - Kwik Star #1768,
1420 South Grand Avenue, Pending Favorable Inspection
9. Motion approving new Class E Retail Alcohol License - Kwik Star #1770,
1114 South Dakota Avenue, Pending Favorable Inspection
10. Motion approving the renewal of the following Alcohol Licenses:
a. Heartland of Story County, 205 S Walnut Avenue, Special Class C
Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service
b. Kwik Stop Liquor & Groceries, 125 6th Street, Class E Retail Alcohol
License
c. The Recipe, 412 Burnett Avenue Ste B, Class C Retail Alcohol License
d. The Mucky Duck, 3100 S Duff Avenue, Class C Retail Alcohol
License with Catering Privilege and Outdoor Service
e. El Azteca, 2120 Isaac Newton Drive, Class C Retail Alcohol License
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with Outdoor Service
11. RESOLUTION NO. 26-498 approving revisions to ASSET Policies and
Procedures
12. RESOLUTION NO. 26-499 amending name of the award from Cahoon Sales,
Inc. to GE Prolec Transformers Inc. for the purchase of the Generator Step-
Up (GSU) Transformer for Ames Municipal Energy Center
13. RESOLUTION NO. 26-500 setting the date for sale of General Obligation
Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2026C for August 25, 2026, and authorizing
the use of preliminary official statement in connection therewith
14. RESOLUTION NO. 26-501 approving preliminary plans and specifications for
the 161 kV Transmission Line Reconstruction - Iowa DOT I-35 &290th Street
project, and setting September 9, 2026, as the bid due date, and September
22, 2026, as date of Public Hearing
15. RESOLUTION NO. 26-502 awarding contract to Tenaska Power Services Co.,
of Irving, TX, for Partial MISO Service Requirements, for the period from the
date of award through June 30, 2027, in the amount of $99,000
16. RESOLUTION NO. 26-503 awarding contract to Country Landscapes, of
Ames, IA, for Maxwell Avenue Retaining Wall Replacement in the amount of
$129,800
17. RESOLUTION NO. 26-504 awarding contract to Strand Associates, Inc., of
Ames, IA, for engineering services associated with the Hauled Waste
Receiving Improvements project at the Water Pollution Control Facility in the
amount of $239,300
18. RESOLUTION NO. 26-505 approving Change Order No. 2 with Denco
Highway Construction Corporation, of Mingo, IA, for the 13th Street
Emergency Storm Sewer Pipe Repair in the amount of $14,500
19. RESOLUTION NO. 26-506 approving contract and bond for 2025/26 CDBG
Water System Improvements Program to Iowa Water & Waste Systems,
LLC, of Boone, IA, in the amount of $490,722.50
20. RESOLUTION NO. 26-507 approving contract and bond for 2026/27 Airport
Entryway Improvement (South Parking Lot Expansion) to Absolute Group,
of Granger, IA, in the amount of $373,970.75
* . ADDITIONAL ITEM RESOLUTION NO. 26-520 approving contract and bond for
2025/26 Low Point Drainage Improvements Program to JC Midwest Services,
of St. Charles, IA, in the amount of $174,637
21. RESOLUTION NO. 26-508 accepting 2023/24 Airport Improvement Program
(Wildlife Fence) as completed by Minturn, Inc., of Brooklyn, IA, in the amount
of $2,606,157.01
22. RESOLUTION NO. 26-509 approving completion of contract for the Furman
Aquatic Center Pool Basin Heater Project with Sentry Aquatic Innovations,
of Woodward, IA, in the amount of $297,600.30
23. Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center:
a. RESOLUTION NO. 26-510 accepting completion of the contract for bid
package 31-1 (Demolition & Earthwork) with Con-Struct, Inc., of Ames,
IA, for the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, in the amount of
$597,039
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b. RESOLUTION NO. 26-511 accepting completion of the contract for bid
package 33-1 (Site Utility Work) with Iowa Pipe & Grading, LLC, of
Ames, IA, for the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, in the amount of
$400,218
* . AMENDED ITEM RESOLUTION NO. 26-512 approving Domani I
Supplemental Development Agreement for Cottonwood Road Extension
24. Domani Subdivision:
a. Resolution approving Domani I Supplemental Development Agreement
for Cottonwood Road Extension
b. RESOLUTION NO. 26-513 approving Major Final Plat on Domani Third
Addition
c. RESOLUTION NO. 26-514 accepting Public Improvement Agreement
and Security on Domani Third Addition
d. RESOLUTION NO. 26-515 approving Supplemental Agreement for the
Construction of a Trail on Domani Third Addition
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Motions/Resolutions declared carried/adopted unanimously, signed
by the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
PUBLIC FORUM: The Public Forum was opened by Mayor Haila.
Tana Moorhead, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Disaster Recovery
and Resilience, explained that the SBA had field staff in Iowa to serve the community
following a disaster declaration arising from flooding and severe storms that occurred
July 2nd through 4th. She noted that the SBA offered a disaster low-interest loan
program for individuals, homeowners, renters, small businesses, non -profit
organizations, and faith-based organizations that had sustained physical damages. She
reported that the Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Polk County would be closing on
Wednesday, August 19th, but that applications for assistance would be accepted until
September 21st.
Gene Saienga voiced concerns about stormwater infrastructure along Stonebrook
Road. He cited long-standing capacity issues with culverts under Harrison Road
immediately north of homes in the neighborhood, noting that larger runoff volumes have
frequently overwhelmed the system. He requested that a study be conducted as soon
as possible.
Mayor Haila closed the Public Forum when no one else came forward to speak .
UPDATE ON ROUNDABOUT IMPROVEMENTS AT G.W. CARVER AND CAMERON
SCHOOL ROAD: Public Works Director Justin Clausen presented the update on the
roundabout improvements at G.W. Carver Avenue and Cameron School Road, explaining
that the City Council was being asked to provide direction on the type of intersection
treatment to pursue, along with authorization for a grant application depending on the
option selected.
Mayor Haila opened the Public Input.
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Kurt Friedrich, Friedrich Companies, addressed the City Council as the developer of the
project. He noted that the roundabout at this intersection had first been discussed in 2017
and expressed his concurrence with staff's recommendation of Option 1, stating that clarity
on the intersection treatment would allow all parties to move forward with their respective
projects.
The Public Input was closed by Mayor Haila when no one else came forward to speak.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to approve Option 1: Roundabout (Alternative A).
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF STUDY COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACTS OF DATA CENTERS: Mayor Haila opened the discussion, noting that at the
previous meeting the City Council had voted to form a group of individuals with expertise
to provide input on environmental questions related to data centers. During discussion, it
was determined that Council Members Betcher and Beatty-Hansen, alongside ex officio
Anderson, would serve on a subcommittee that would report back to the City Council at a
later date regarding recruitment and selection of study committee members, scope of
work, and timeline.
REQUEST TO INITIATE PLAN 2040 LAND USE DESIGNATION AMENDMENT FOR
300 AIRPORT ROAD: Mayor Haila reported that the applicant was no longer seeking a
land use designation change and that a request had recently been submitted to withdraw
their application.
RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NO. 3 WITH STORY
CONSTRUCTION, OF AMES, IA, FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES
FOR FITCH FAMILY INDOOR AQUATIC CENTER, IN THE AMOUNT OF $132,270:
Parks and Recreation Director Keith Abraham, alongside Story Construction Director of
Operations Russ Lewton, explained that Change Order No. 3 represented a close-out
of Story Construction's Construction Management Services contract for the Fitch
Family Indoor Aquatic Center. Director Abraham reported that Story Construction had
estimated a total overrun of approximately $298,000 on the project and was voluntarily
foregoing $166,000 of that overrun, acknowledging responsibility for some of the
associated delays, and requesting reimbursement for only $132,270.
Mayor Haila opened and closed the Public Input when no one came forward to speak.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-516 approving
Change Order No. 3 with Story Construction, of Ames, IA, for Construction
Management Services for Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, in the amount of
$132,270.
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor,
and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
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AMES ANIMAL SERVICES FACILITY PROJECT: Police Chief Geoff Huff, alongside
City Manager Brian Phillips and Invision Architecture representatives Brett Van Zee and
Sean Davies, presented an update on the Ames Animal Services Facility Project. The
presentation included floor plans, 3-D renderings, project timeline, and a budget
discussion including add alternates.
The Public Input was opened by Mayor Haila.
Max Rothschild, Ames Animal Shelter volunteer, requested that the City Council commit
City funding to cover contingencies and add-on options for the project. Mr. Rothschild
highlighted the community's robust support, evidenced by $4.7 million in private
donations, and suggested the City's contribution should match this enthusiasm.
Kathy Parsons, Ames Animal Shelter volunteer, echoed Mr. Rothschild's comments and
expressed willingness to pay higher taxes to support the project.
Jennifer Hubbs, Ames Animal Shelter volunteer, shared that she regularly brought youth
from the Boys and Girls Club to volunteer at the shelter. She noted that community cat
room space was constrained and urged the City Council to find the funds needed to
include the “catio” in the project.
Mayor Haila closed the Public Input when no one else came forward to speak.
Moved by Rollins, seconded by Betcher, to approve Alternative No. 1: Accept the report
and direct staff to place a resolution on the August 18, 2026, City Council Workshop
agenda to approve preliminary plans and specifications for the construction of the Ames
Animal Services Facility, setting September 16, 2026, as the bid due date and September
22, 2026, as the date of Public Hearing.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Junck, seconded by Corrieri, to direct staff to investigate potential additional
sources of funding for the Ames Animal Services Facility Project.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Council Member Beatty-Hansen exited the meeting.
RESOLUTION APPROVING REQUEST FROM INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL TO
USE GOLF CARTS ON DESIGNATED CITY STREETS FOR FORMAL
RECRUITMENT ON AUGUST 14-20, 2026: Chief Huff introduced the item, noting that
the Interfraternity Council (IFC) from Iowa State University (ISU) had formally requested
permission to use golf carts during formal recruitment week, which would take place the
week before the start of classes and serve approximately 750 students. Chief Huff
acknowledged that golf carts have likely been used for this purpose for many years
without formal authorization and expressed no concerns with approving the request.
Mayor Haila opened the Public Input.
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Aaron Verdun from ISU IFC and Zoey Lohse from ISU Collegiate Panhellenic Council
addressed the City Council, emphasizing accessibility as the primary goal of the golf
carts, particularly for students with limited mobility. They also noted that water
distribution was a key secondary purpose, and that the golf carts were substantially
safer than university vans given the volume of foot traffic during recruitment.
The Public Input was closed by Mayor Haila when no one else came forward to speak.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-517 approving
request from Interfraternity Council to use golf carts on designated City streets for
formal recruitment on August 14-20, 2026.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor,
and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE REVISING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 14
REQUESTED BY AMES HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: City Attorney Mark
Lambert explained that the version of the ordinance attached to the Council Action
Form had inadvertently carried a draft watermark. Additionally, the word "Commission"
had been omitted in error. Both issues had been corrected and the updated ordinance
was emailed to Council Members prior to the meeting.
The Public input was opened and closed by Mayor Haila when no one came forward to
speak.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to pass on first reading an ordinance revising
Municipal Code Chapter 14 requested by Ames Human Relations Commission, with
the aforementioned amendments.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
HEARING ON 2025/26 PAVEMENT RESTORATION - SLURRY SEAL PROGRAM:
Director Clausen was present to answer questions.
Mayor Haila opened and closed the Public Hearing when no one came forward to speak.
Moved by Rollins, seconded by Betcher, to approve Alternative No. 1:
• Accept the report of bids.
• Adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-518 approving final plans and specifications and
awarding a project to Fort Dodge Asphalt Company, of Fort Dodge, IA, in the
amount of $237,477.57.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Motion/Resolution declared carried/adopted unanimously, signed by
the Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
HEARING ON VACATION OF ELECTRIC UTILITY EASEMENT AND APPROVAL OF
THE DISCLAIMER OF INTEREST IN REALTY FOR THE 161KV TRANSMISSION
LINE RELOCATED FOR IOWA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
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(CONTINUED FROM JULY 28TH CITY COUNCIL MEETING): Director of Electric
Services Donald Kom was present to answer questions.
The Public Hearing was opened and closed by Mayor Haila when no one came forward
to speak.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 26-519 approving
vacation of Electric Utility easement and approval of Disclaimer of Interest in Realty.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0. Resolution declared adopted unanimously, signed by the Mayor,
and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
DISPOSITION OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL: Mayor Haila noted that there
were five items for consideration. A request for additional accessible parking at the
Library from Kathy Bever was the first item.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to request a memo from staff.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
The second item was a request for payment reimbursement from a sewer break from
Steve Bock.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to request a memo from staff.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
A request regarding silencing train whistles and installing horns at the north/south rail
lines from Scott Ripperger was the third item.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to request a memo from staff.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
The fourth item was a request for clean-up and enforcement of the Municipal Code in
Campustown from Luke Jensen.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to direct staff to investigate potential violations of
the Municipal Code in Campustown.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
A request regarding the Ames Event Center from Kevin Bourke was the final item.
Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Rollins, to request a memo from staff.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to place the item on the August 25, 2026,
Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council agenda.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
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REPORT OF GOVERNING BODY: The Mayor and City Council Members provided
highlights from their attendance at various board and commission meetings.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: The Mayor and City Council Members reported on various
events attended, upcoming meetings, community events, and items of interest.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Rollins, to adjourn the meeting at
7:49 p.m.
Vote on Motion: 5-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
______________________________ ______________________________
Taylor Swanson, Deputy City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
______________________________
Renee Hall, City Clerk
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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
AMES, IOWA AUGUST 18, 2026
The Special Meeting of the Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila
at 5:15 p.m. on the 18th day of August 2026 in the Water Treatment Plant Conference
Room, 1800 East 13th Street. City Council Members present were Gloria Betcher, Amber
Corrieri, Tim Gartin, Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen, and Anita Rollins. Ex officio Trey Anderson
was also present. Council Member Rachel Junck joined the meeting electronically. City
Manager Steven Schainker, Assistant City Manager Brian Phillips, and Assistant City
Manager Pa Vang Goldbeck were also present.
CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Corrieri, seconded by Rollins, to approve the Consent
Agenda.
1. RESOLUTION NO. 26-521 approving contract for R3C Bid Package No. 14-1
Elevator Lift Work to TK Elevator Corporation, of Atlanta GA, in the amount of
$109,800
Roll Call Vote: 6-0. The Resolution was declared adopted unanimously, signed by the
Mayor, and hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES UPDATE SESSION: Mayor Haila welcomed those
present to this mid-year update. The City Council reviewed the adopted City Council
values. Assistant City Manager Pa Vang Goldbeck invited the City Council to share what
has gone well for the City Council and what could be improved this year.
Assistant City Manager Goldbeck reviewed the status of the adopted Goals and Tasks.
The City Council discussed the communication received from Discover Ames at the most
recent regular City Council meeting regarding the Ames Event Center proposal. Mayor
Haila stated that the request from Discover Ames was to make a presentation to the City
Council to clarify the request and answer questions about the Ames Event Center.
City Manager Steve Schainker led the City Council through a discussion of prioritizing the
major projects under consideration by the City Council. The projects included the Indoor
Recreation Center, Downtown Parking Ramp, Ontario Park Improvements, Ames Event
Center, and Corridor Beautification.
City Manager Schainker explained that user groups for the Indoor Recreation Center must
be consulted as part of the feasibility study. The work on the Downtown Parking Ramp
will be occurring over the next two years as part of the federal grant -funded project. The
current fiscal year budget has funds allocated to initiate improvements at Ontario Park
and allow time for users to form opinions about future use. The Event Center project
requires more information about the approach to the project. The Corridor B eautification
project involves smaller-scale maintenance modifications and coordination with Iowa
State University (ISU) and the Iowa Department of Transportation.
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Council Member Corrieri stated her opinion that the Ontario Park project could be moved
further down the list of priorities since there was work underway to install preliminary
improvements. Mayor Haila noted the same could be true of the Parking Ramp proj ect
since it was underway through the federal grant and would take two years to study and
conceptually design.
Council Member Gartin expressed interest in developing a program to incentivize
improvements in Campustown through the use of tax incentives. Mayor Haila suggested
that this topic be revisited during the City Council Goal-Setting Session in January.
Mayor Haila reviewed communication and engagement efforts during the past year and
asked how these efforts could be improved upon. Council Member Gartin stated that he
was concerned about the current state of the relationship between ISU and the City. He
suggested that the City Council invite ISU administration officials to a social gathering.
Moved by Beatty-Hansen, seconded by Corrieri, to request a staff report on a future
agenda about automated license plate recognition cameras and other types of cameras
in the City and the policies regarding how video and data storage are handled.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Betcher, to direct staff to inquire with ISU and Story County
with respect to the location of Flock cameras within the city limits of Ames and how long
they have been in place.
Vote on Motion: 6-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Assistant City Manager Goldbeck reviewed data regarding the length of City Council
meetings since January.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: Council Member Betcher noted that she, Council Member
Beatty-Hansen, and ex officio Anderson met to discuss their data center task and the item
will be on the agenda for August 25th. Council Member Rollins reminded the City Council
of the Neighborhood Connection event tomorrow at Hira Park.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Corrieri, to adjourn the meeting at
7:54 p.m.
Vote on Motion: 6-0 Motion declared carried unanimously.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Brian Phillips, Assistant City Manager John A. Haila, Mayor
_______________________________
Renee Hall, City Clerk
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