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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - August 11, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council Extended Minutes1 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,” highlighting its mission to celebrate aging, promote ongoing contributions of seniors, and encourage seniors to connect with their communities. It was further noted that the nonprofit organization was supported by over 180 volunteers in various roles and had raised nearly $250,000 for local senior projects. The proclamation was accepted by Senior Variety Show representatives, who expressed their gratitude for the recognition. 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 with Outdoor Service 11. RESOLUTION NO. 26-498 approving revisions to ASSET Policies and 2 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 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 3 * . 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: Mayor Haila opened the Public Forum. Tana Moorhead, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience representative, shared that her organization deployed field staff in Iowa to serve communities following a disaster declaration issued due to flooding and severe storms that occurred July 2-4, 2026. She highlighted that 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 Polk County Disaster Loan Outreach Center would be operating in person until Wednesday, August 19, and accepting electronic applications for assistance through September 21. Gene Saienga detailed concerns regarding stormwater infrastructure along Stonebrook Road. He reviewed long-standing capacity issues specifically related to the culverts under Harrison Road, which were immediately north of the neighborhood. He observed that large runoff volumes have frequently overwhelmed the system and requested that a study be conducted. 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 noted that staff was requesting direction from the City Council regarding the type of intersection treatment to pursue at G.W. Carver Avenue and Cameron School Road, along with authorization for a grant application depending on the option selected. He reviewed that there were two viable design alternatives. The first (Alternative A) was the construction of a single-lane roundabout, which would lower speeds to 35 miles per hour as identified by the Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Plan. Under this alternative, approach, drainage, pedestrian, and other improvements would also be made to support a multimodal corridor. The funding sources for the project were discussed by Director Clausen. He highlighted that 4 the first alternative was eligible for funding through the Traffic Safety Improvement Program grant sponsored by the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT). If the alternative were selected, staff would be requesting support to apply for up to $500,000 TSIP funding. This funding would be in addition to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assumptions, developer contributions, and Story County funding participation. Director Clausen then reviewed the second alternative (Alternative D), which was a traffic signal that would include the construction of only the necessary turn lanes and ultimately retain the current two-lane pavement where practical. He highlighted that the traffic signal would likely be deferred until the Stange Road connection was complete. This alternative was noted to be less costly; however, it was not eligible for TSIP grant funding. All other funding mechanisms available for the first alternative were noted to still be applicable for the second alternative. The three options formulated by staff were then presented to the City Council for consideration. Option 1 and Option 2 reflected the design alternatives presented by Director Clausen. The third option, however, presented a significantly different funding strategy but resulted in a roundabout. Director Clausen shared that staff was recommending approval of Option 1, which shared support by the Story County Board of Supervisors. Mayor Haila asked for clarification regarding the level of commitment by Story County. Director Clausen confirmed that a formal agreement with Story County was pending execution. He emphasized that the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution in support of the implementation of the roundabout. He also noted that in conversations with the Board of Supervisors, support was also stated for pursuing TSIP funding. The Public Input was opened by Mayor Haila. Kurt Friedrich, Friedrich Companies, highlighted his involvement as the developer of the subdivision immediately adjacent to the intersection in question. He noted that the roundabout at the intersection had been an ongoing topic of discussion since 2017 and expressed his concurrence with the staff recommendation of Option 1. He stated 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. DISCUSSION OF STUDY COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF DATA CENTERS: Mayor Haila noted that at a previous meeting, the City Council had passed a vote to form a group of experts to provide input on environmental questions related to data centers. He then turned the time over to the City Council for discussion. 5 Council Member Betcher began and explained that her primary motivation for the creation of the study committee was to simplify the volume and complexity of information the City Council had received regarding data centers. She stated that she did not feel adequately equipped to address issues such as heat generation and localized temperature increases, impacts on wildlife habitats, and effects on human health. She stressed that her intent was not to produce a formal environmental impact study, but rather to convene a study committee of community members with relevant expertise who could do research, review published sources, examine what other communities have done, and return to the City Council with a findings report that summarized data and resources. She emphasized her desire for the committee to gather objective information, not to advocate for one side or another. She proposed creating a process for obtaining committee members information similar to the one used for Board and Commission members and suggested targeting announcements to Iowa State University (ISU) departments and business entities with relevant expertise. Council Member Gartin expressed full agreement with Council Member Betcher, noting that City Councils across Iowa were facing decisions that required an understanding beyond typical expertise. He raised pragmatic concerns about bias control and the large volume of material that exists on the subject, questioning how the committee could approach its work objectively and fairly given the breadth of available information. Council Member Corrieri echoed the concern about ensuring unbiased expertise and also cautioned that past committees without specific scopes had been unsuccessful. She urged that the committee formed be given a focused scope. Council Member Rollins expressed support for the concept, endorsing the emphasis on transparency and data-driven findings rather than opinion. Council Member Junck agreed, deferring largely to the points raised by other members. Council Member Beatty-Hansen asked about the goal for moving forward. Mayor Haila suggested that rather than defining a detailed scope from the dais, the City Council should appoint two members to work together with staff, develop a specific and narrow scope with a defined timeline, solicit applicants, and bring a concrete proposal back to the full City Council for consideration. Ex officio Anderson expressed enthusiasm for the ISU connection and offered to assist in that capacity. Council Member Betcher volunteered to lead the effort and suggested ex officio Anderson would provide valuable ISU connections. After brief discussion, it was agreed that Council Members Betcher and Beatty-Hansen would form the working subcommittee along with ex officio Anderson. The subcommittee 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 informed the City Council that a communication received late that afternoon from staff indicated that the applicant had requested to withdraw their 6 application. The applicant was no longer seeking a land use designation change and Mayor Haila clarified that the matter would only return if the applicant chose to reapply at a future date. CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SERVICES FOR FITCH FAMILY INDOOR AQUATIC CENTER: Parks and Recreation Director Keith Abraham explained that staff was requesting approval of Change Order No. 3 with Story Construction Company for Construction Manager Services for the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center (FFIAC). The change order was a balancing change order that would close -out the contract. 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. Story Construction Director of Operations Russ Lewton stated concurrence with the statements from Director Abraham. Mayor Haila asked for clarification regarding warranty services, and Director Abraham confirmed that warranty and all continuing services through the following year were included within the existing contract at no additional cost. Council Member Gartin inquired whether the proposed change order would be the last change order. Director Lewton replied in the affirmative, noting that change orders may still exist with the prime contractors on each bid package. 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. 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 a detailed update on the Ames Animal Services Facility Project. The team reviewed floor plans, 3-D renderings, and project timeline. Mr. Davies highlighted that the building design remained largely unchanged from the previous presentation, with some cost-saving measures like removing the multipurpose room partition and epoxy flooring in specific areas. Key design features included brick staining, bay windows for cat spaces, a wood-look entry element, and a new addition for dog spaces. Mayor Haila inquired about how the entry would look without the wood-look alternate, to which Mr. Davies promised to provide a rendering. The discussion furthered and addressed several previous concerns, including minimal odor transfer between rooftop units, adherence to exemplary design standards, satisfactory results from brick staining trials, and steps to address shade structure concerns by including their foundations in the base bid, with structures themselves as an add alternate. 7 Eight add alternates for budget flexibility were shared, covering items like epoxy flooring, parking expansion, exterior signage, and building automation. While current costs fit the overall budget, concerns remained about lacking a construction contingency and uncertain funding for add alternates. A more competitive bidding environment was noted to potentially allow the reclaiming of some cost-cut items. Council Member Gartin raised concerns about the adequacy of parking at the new animal services facility, noting that the base bid allows for 27 parking spaces, which was only two more than the current facility. An add alternate offered the potential to increase this to 39 spaces by adding 12 more, and it was clarified that a gravel overflow lot would not comply with existing codes, though the current base bid met zoning requirements. Mayor Haila mentioned that if bids for additional parking, estimated at $95,000, come in, the City Council could choose to award them, independent of the budget consideration. A parallel discussion focused on shade structures, estimated at $60,000, which Council Member Betcher emphasized as significant for both animal welfare and worker comfort due to harsh sun conditions. Recognizing these issues, Council Member Rollins proposed that staff explore alternative funding sources to address these vital needs and the City Council discussed potentially including parking in a future Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) if it could not be addressed immediately. While acknowledging the constraints with the nearing completion of construction documents, Mayor Haila and Mr. Van Zee pointed out that the current bid structure, emphasizing transparency, required further deliberation once all bids were reviewed at the award stage. 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. He highlighted the robust community support, evidenced by $4.7 million in private donations, and suggested the contribution from the City should match this enthusiasm. Kathy Parsons, Ames Animal Shelter volunteer, echoed comments from Mr. Rothschild and expressed willingness to pay higher taxes to support the project. Jennifer Hubbs, Ames Animal Shelter volunteer, shared support for the project and detailed the community benefit, highlighting her involvement in coordinating volunteers through the Boys and Girls Club. She observed that community cat room space was constrained and urged the City Council to find the funds needed to include the “catio” in the project. The Public Input was closed by Mayor Haila 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. 8 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. REQUEST TO USE GOLF CARTS ON DESIGNATED CITY STREETS ON AUGUST 14-20, 2026: Chief Huff shared that the ISU Interfraternity Council (IFC) had requested permission to use golf carts the week before classes for recruitment purposes. During that week the IFC anticipated serving 750 students across recruitment activities. Chief Huff observed that golf carts were likely previously used for this purpose for many years without formal authorization and expressed no concerns with approving the request. He confirmed the carts would operate only from sunrise to sunset as required by Municipal Code, and that carts would be clearly identified as IFC vehicles with slow-moving vehicle signs affixed. He added that if issues arose, the authorization could be revoked. Ex officio Anderson endorsed the golf carts as necessary, noting the long distances between Greek houses and the ongoing construction in the area made usual pedestrian patterns less safe. Council Member Junck asked whether approval covered vehicle use by both IFC and the Collegiate Panhellenic Council (CPC). Chief Huff replied in the affirmative. Mayor Haila opened the Public Input. Aaron Verdun, IFC representative, and Zoey Lohse, CPC representative, shared that accessibility was the primary goal of the request for golf cart use, particularly for students with disabilities or physical challenges, thus facilitating equal participation in recruitment activities. They further highlighted the secondary benefit of distributing water during the typically hot week, emphasizing the safety advantage golf carts offer over university vans. Mayor Haila closed the Public Input when no one else came forward to speak. Mayor Haila then asked whether the authorization process could be streamlined in future years to avoid requiring annual City Council approval. Chief Huff replied in the affirmative, noting that discussions were underway as staff anticipated receiving similar requests as football season approached. 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. 9 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 presented to the City Council for approval. 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, accepting the report of bids and adopting 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: 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. 10 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 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. REPORT OF GOVERNING BODY: It was noted that the Ames Transit Agency Board of Trustees, Discover Ames, and Story County Emergency Management Agency meetings were upcoming. Thus, no report was available. Council Member Rollins noted that conversation at the Ames Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) board meeting focused on the proposed data center by Lightedge. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Council Member Betcher offered an observation prompted by her review of the Ames Human Relations Commission ordinance approved earlier in the meeting. She expressed concern about the current policy that prohibited former board and commission members from serving again after completing two appointment cycles. She suggested the policy could be modified to require only a waiting period before an individual could serve again, rather than a permanent prohibition. Council Member Betcher did not make a formal motion but indicated it was something the City Council might want to consider for future action. Council Member Junck announced that CyRide was celebrating its 50th anniversary on Saturday, August 15, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the CyRide facility, with a program beginning 11 at 1:15 p.m. Council Member Rollins welcomed back students, highlighting upcoming opportunities for students to engage with the City Council members. Ex officio Anderson expressed excitement for students returning to campus and shared that the joint meeting of the Ames City Council and ISU Student Government was scheduled for October 21. 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. Detailed meeting minutes respectfully submitted by Carly M. Watson, Consulting Secretary to the Mayor and City Council.