Presentation of E Lincoln Way Corridor Study

Bronwyn's Council Preview

 

YOU MAY VIEW THE MEETING ONLINE AT THE FOLLOWING SITES:
https://www.youtube.com/ameschannel12
https://www.cityofames.org/channel12
or watch the meeting live on Mediacom Channel 12

Usually some of the agenda items will have a period where members of the public may briefly speak to Council.
TO REACH THE MAYOR AND ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL:
Send email to MayorCouncil@AmesCityCouncil.org
(Note that emails to elected officials are generally subject to Iowa Open Records requests)

MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL

The Ames City Council meeting is at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The council meeting agenda includes the following. Note that you can generally click on individual agenda items below to get the full staff report or other explanation.

• 13. Resolution approving the Updated City Council Values, Goals, and Tasks for January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
  In May of 2025, the State Legislature passed a law prohibiting "public entities from engaging in certain activities relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion". Due to this new prohibition, our value related to a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Community will need to be removed to remain compliant with State code. 
  
  
• 29. Minor Final Plat for Billy Sunday Subdivision.
  With the relocation of the Ames Animal Shelter, this city-owned land will become available for other purposes (future commercial development). This subdivision will include rezoning some of the property to HOC (highway-oriented commercial) zoning. City staff recommend waiving the requirement to install a sidewalk along the north side of Billy Sunday road, citing topography issues and no clear future development date.
  
  
• 36. Updates to Chapter 28, Electric Rate Modifications.
  In 2024, EUORAB (the City's Electric Utility Operations Review and Advisory Board) commissioned a cost-of-service study, and recommended a 1.5% increase to electric rates beginning after the summer of 2025. 
  
  
• 37. Resolution recommending the proposed Chautauqua Park and Ridgewood Historic District for the National Register of Historic Places.
  In 2024 we began the process of recognizing the Chautauqua Park and Ridgewood area as a historic district. (This is the area from Brookridge to the train tracks from 6th to 13th St.) Listing a district on the National Register of Historic Places allows for state and federal grant possibilities, but does not place any restrictions on how the property owner can modify their property. 
  
  
• 38. Resolution approving Rezoning Agreement with Master Plan for 3220 Cameron School Road.
  The Master Plan attached details the proposed development at 3220 Cameron School Rd, the concept for which was presented at Council's August 26th meeting. The developer is proposing an independent living, assisted living, and memory care residential development, along with a convenience store at the corner of Cameron School Rd and GW Carver.
  
  
• 40. Presentation of findings for the E Lincoln Way (Duff Avenue to S Skunk River) Corridor Study. 
  The portion of East Lincoln Way from Duff Avenue to the South Skunk River is due for reconstruction/improvements, and a traffic study has suggested that the road could be reconfigured as a three lane road with improved pedestrian access and crossings, as well as an improved stoplight configuration at Duff and Lincoln Way.
  
  
  

Communications to Council: The following items are requests and communications to Council that aren't published on the agenda, so we won't deliberate them substantially. This includes staff reports and communications or requests from constituents and developers. Typically, Council will ask city staff for more information, put the item on a future agenda for deliberation and possible action, or just accept the communication, taking no further action.

Council Packet Summary

Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
Ames City Council, Ward 1

Fire Station No. 2 Relocation

Bronwyn's Council Preview

 

YOU MAY VIEW THE MEETING ONLINE AT THE FOLLOWING SITES:
https://www.youtube.com/ameschannel12
https://www.cityofames.org/channel12
or watch the meeting live on Mediacom Channel 12

Usually some of the agenda items will have a period where members of the public may briefly speak to Council.
TO REACH THE MAYOR AND ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL:
Send email to MayorCouncil@AmesCityCouncil.org
(Note that emails to elected officials are generally subject to Iowa Open Records requests)

MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL

The Ames City Council meeting is at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The council meeting agenda includes the following. Note that you can generally click on individual agenda items below to get the full staff report or other explanation.

• 2. Resolution calling an election on proposal to enter into a General Obligation Loan Agreement and borrow money thereunder for Fire Station No. 2 Relocation.
  
  For several years now, Council has heard from staff about the need to relocate Fire Station #2 from the corner of Welch and Chamberlin Avenues. It is difficult to navigate the large fire apparatuses in such a pedestrian-heavy environment, and could be unsafe at certain times of day (and night). Not only that, but response times could be affected if the fire trucks are slowed down by navigating through pedestrian traffic. Staff have been working with ISU to find a suitable new location, and property on the west side of State Avenue was identified. The estimated cost of construction and related costs (engineering, design, etc.) is $10.5 million, Council is being asked to decide if this will be put before the voters on the November 4th election ballot.

Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
Ames City Council, Ward 1

Developer Incentive Request

Bronwyn's Council Preview

 

YOU MAY VIEW THE MEETING ONLINE AT THE FOLLOWING SITES:
https://www.youtube.com/ameschannel12
https://www.cityofames.org/channel12
or watch the meeting live on Mediacom Channel 12

Usually some of the agenda items will have a period where members of the public may briefly speak to Council.
TO REACH THE MAYOR AND ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL:
Send email to MayorCouncil@AmesCityCouncil.org
(Note that emails to elected officials are generally subject to Iowa Open Records requests)

MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL

The Ames City Council meeting is at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The council meeting agenda includes the following. Note that you can generally click on individual agenda items below to get the full staff report or other explanation.

• 11. Resolution accepting FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grant Agreement - Airport Airside Improvements (Runway 01-19 Reconstruction).
  This FAA Grant will cover $1.14 million of a $1.19 million runway reconstruction project. The local match will be $56,505.
  
  
• 25. Developer Incentive Request Follow Up from May 27.
  This is a staff report regarding a number of requests we have gotten from housing developers to assist with infrastructure or other costs in order to get more new housing on the market quickly. Properties vary from small (20 acres) to larger (170 acres), and the amount requested for each project varied. All of the requests combined totaled $9.9 million, mostly in infrastructure costs (roads, water, sewer, etc.) The staff report outlines a few concepts that other communities might use to incentivize development, such as paying for the cost of oversizing, and making an investment in certain strategic "pioneer infrastructure".
  
  
  
• 26. Discussion of Fire Station No. 2 relocation 
  It has long been a goal to relocate Fire Station 2. It is in a difficult location currently (the intersection of Welch and Chamberlin Avenues), and land has been secured on the west side of State Ave. to relocate it. It is likely to require a bond referendum, and so Council is being whether to pursue that for the 2025 election or wait until 2026.
  
  
  
• 27. Resolution establishing an energy upgrade program and authorizing staff to submit a federal loan application for the USDA Rural Energy Savings Program in the amount up to $15,000,000.
  This loan program, if awarded, would allow the City to offer low-interest loans to residents to make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes. These loans could be paid back through a residents utility bill over a period of time, making some home upgrades more approachable and affordable. 
  
  
  

Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
Ames City Council, Ward 1

Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center Regular Update

Bronwyn's Council Preview

 

YOU MAY VIEW THE MEETING ONLINE AT THE FOLLOWING SITES:
https://www.youtube.com/ameschannel12
https://www.cityofames.org/channel12
or watch the meeting live on Mediacom Channel 12

Usually some of the agenda items will have a period where members of the public may briefly speak to Council.
TO REACH THE MAYOR AND ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL:
Send email to MayorCouncil@AmesCityCouncil.org
(Note that emails to elected officials are generally subject to Iowa Open Records requests)

MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL

The Ames City Council meeting is at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The council meeting agenda includes the following. Note that you can generally click on individual agenda items below to get the full staff report or other explanation.

• 25. Motion approving/denying an 8-month Class C Retail License - La Casa Maya, 631 Lincoln Way, Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service
  At a recent meeting, Council denied La Casa Maya's request for a 12-month liquor license on the basis of a few failed compliance checks. Since then, staff report that the owners of La Casa Maya have worked with the Ames Police Department and the State's IPACT training to get all staff trained. 
  
  
• 27. Motion approving the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center Monthly Update.
  Every quarter, Council hears a review of progress being made on the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center. Since our July 22nd meeting was already packed, this agenda item was moved to an August meeting. Concrete for the lap pool basin has been poured, and the next month will include pouring concrete for the recreational pool basin.
  
  
• 28. Hearing on Rezoning Property at 3220 Cameron School Road from “A” (Agricultural) to “CGS” (Convenience General Service) and “FS-RM” (Floating Suburban Medium-Density Residential) Zone with Masterplan.
  This rezoning request is for property near the corner of Cameron School Rd and GW Carver Ave, and is planned to be an assisted living development and small convenience/gas station. 
  
  

Communications to Council: The following items are requests and communications to Council that aren't published on the agenda, so we won't deliberate them substantially. This includes staff reports and communications or requests from constituents and developers. Typically, Council will ask city staff for more information, put the item on a future agenda for deliberation and possible action, or just accept the communication, taking no further action.

Council Packet Summary

Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
Ames City Council, Ward 1

Council Goals and Priorities Update Session

Bronwyn's Council Preview

 

YOU MAY VIEW THE MEETING ONLINE AT THE FOLLOWING SITES:
https://www.youtube.com/ameschannel12
https://www.cityofames.org/channel12
or watch the meeting live on Mediacom Channel 12

Usually some of the agenda items will have a period where members of the public may briefly speak to Council.
TO REACH THE MAYOR AND ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL:
Send email to MayorCouncil@AmesCityCouncil.org
(Note that emails to elected officials are generally subject to Iowa Open Records requests)

MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL

This Special Meeting will be held at the Homewood Golf Course Clubhouse at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. The council meeting agenda includes the following. Note that you can generally click on individual agenda items below to get the full staff report or other explanation.

• 2. Council Goals and Priorities Update Session.
  Annually, Council holds a special meeting to set goals and priorities for the upcoming year. This is our mid-year check in, and Council will review and update those goals and priorities established at our January 12th meeting. 
  
  

Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
Ames City Council, Ward 1

Fire Station #2 Relocation

Bronwyn's Council Preview

 

YOU MAY VIEW THE MEETING ONLINE AT THE FOLLOWING SITES:
https://www.youtube.com/ameschannel12
https://www.cityofames.org/channel12
or watch the meeting live on Mediacom Channel 12

Usually some of the agenda items will have a period where members of the public may briefly speak to Council.
TO REACH THE MAYOR AND ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL:
Send email to MayorCouncil@AmesCityCouncil.org
(Note that emails to elected officials are generally subject to Iowa Open Records requests)

MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL

The Ames City Council meeting is at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The council meeting agenda includes the following. Note that you can generally click on individual agenda items below to get the full staff report or other explanation.

• 35. Resolution approving FY 2026/27 City Analysis of Social Services Evaluation Team Priorities.
  The ASSET process is a partnership between the City of Ames, Story County, Iowa State Student Government, and United Way to fund social services. In the past, each agency submitted their own lists of funding priorities. Over the past year, conversations among the funding partners have led to the creation of a list of joint priorities.
  
  
• 36. Staff Report on Residential Curbside Recycling.
  Because of the transition away from waste-to-energy, Ames will need a new way to divert recyclables from being landfilled. This staff report outlines some of the considerations involved in moving to a system that includes curbside recycling, such as whether or not to contract that service and how often it should be provided, among others. Council is not being asked to make any decisions at this time, but rather what questions we may have about moving forward.
  
  
• 37. Maple Grove Mobile Home Park - Request for Sanitary Sewer Connection.
  It has long been suspected and recently confirmed that College Creek has human-source e coli from upstream of Wilder Boulevard, likely due to failing septic systems in the area. A few properties outside the border of Ames have requested to abandon their septic systems and tie into the City's sewer service. Staff are recommending the creation of a rural sewer agreement for this type of situation.
  
  
• 38. Finalize New Power Plant Site. 
  Along with the transition from waste-to-energy, the current power plant will be replaced by smaller more efficient RICE energy generating units. Staff recommend these units be placed at the old coal yard between the Resource Recovery Plant and the Power Plant. At the last meeting, Council asked staff if they had explored all other alternatives for the location of this new facility.
  
  
• 39. Resolution awarding contract to Sargent & Lundy LLC, of Chicago, IL, for Engineering Services for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) Electric Generation Facility, in the amount not-to-exceed $6,885,000.
  See above item #38
  
  
  
• 40. South Lincoln Mixed Use (S-SMD) Zoning District Text Amendment Request.
  A property owner south of Lincoln Way has requested some changes in order to rebuild a house on his residential property.
  
  
  
• 41. Staff Report Regarding Fire Station #2 Relocation - Net Zero-Ready Versus Non Net-Zero Ready.
• This staff report details the difference in estimated costs of building to Net-Zero Ready standards vs not. (The City’s Climate Action goals include one about new City buildings being built to Net-Zero standards.)
  
  

Communications to Council: The following items are requests and communications to Council that aren't published on the agenda, so we won't deliberate them substantially.This includes staff reports and communications or requests from constituents and developers. Typically, Council will ask city staff for more information, put the item on a future agenda for deliberation and possible action, or just accept the communication, taking no further action.

Council Packet Summary

Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
Ames City Council, Ward 1

Renewable Energy Buyback Program

Bronwyn's Council Preview

 

YOU MAY VIEW THE MEETING ONLINE AT THE FOLLOWING SITES:
https://www.youtube.com/ameschannel12
https://www.cityofames.org/channel12
or watch the meeting live on Mediacom Channel 12

Usually some of the agenda items will have a period where members of the public may briefly speak to Council.
TO REACH THE MAYOR AND ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL:
Send email to MayorCouncil@AmesCityCouncil.org
(Note that emails to elected officials are generally subject to Iowa Open Records requests)

MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL

The Ames City Council meeting is at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The council meeting agenda includes the following. Note that you can generally click on individual agenda items below to get the full staff report or other explanation.

• 16. Resolution approving third amendment to 28E Funding Agreement with Story County Edge of Field Project .
  This is a 3-year extension of a great partnership including Story and Hamilton County, the City of Ames, and the Iowa Department of Ag & Land Stewardship to install edge of field run-off prevention methods, such as saturated buffers or bioreactors within the Skunk River watershed.
  
  
• 28. FY 2024/25 Climate Action Plan Update.
  The linked presentation will be given to Council to provide an update on progress so far toward our Climate Action Plan and the upcoming year's goals. Categories in the staff report include renewable energy generation, building retrofits (including municipal buildings), net-zero-ready new construction, reducing vehicle emissions, transit and active transportation, and reducing waste emissions. 
  
  
• 29. Nuisance Ordinance Update.
  This is a review of our newly implemented (in effect since Jan 2024) residential property maintenance standards. These standards include things like prohibiting junked cars, outdoor storage of stuff, grass being too tall, noxious weeds, etc. Council will be asked if we'd like to clarify or amend any of the current standards. 
  
  
• 30. Resolution approving Solid Waste Disposal Agreement with Carroll County, Iowa Solid Waste Management Commission.
  This agreement is important in moving forward with our new Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus. If this resolution is approved by City Council, it will then be voted upon by the Carroll County Solid Waste Management Commission at their July 15th meeting.
  
  
• 31. Motion approving/denying a Class C Retail License - La Casa Maya, 631 Lincoln Way, Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service.
  This establishment failed two compliance checks in the span of 6 months. A followup compliance check was conducted in late June of this year, and the establishment did pass. Council is being asked whether or not to deny renewal of their alcohol license.
  

• 34. Hearing on Rezoning of Property located at 57258 220th Street (East 13th Street) from Agricultural (A) To General Industrial (GI) upon its final approval of Annexation by the State.
   
  
• 36. Modifications to Municipal Code for Renewable Energy Buyback Program.
  These changes will change how rebates and energy buybacks work for the installation of solar panels. 

Communications to Council: The following items are requests and communications to Council that aren't published on the agenda, so we won't deliberate them substantially.This includes staff reports and communications or requests from constituents and developers. Typically, Council will ask city staff for more information, put the item on a future agenda for deliberation and possible action, or just accept the communication, taking no further action.

Council Packet Summary

Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
Ames City Council, Ward 1