Residential Curbside Recycling 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.

• 1. 2024 Ames Human Relations Commission (AHRC) Annual Report.
  Each year, Council receives a report from the AHRC detailing their activities and accomplishments for the prior year. For the first time since 2018, the Iowa Office of Civil Rights has refused to give us aggregate information about the number of claims filed in Ames and has refused to provide a clear reason for withholding this information, according to the staff report. 
  
  
• 8. Annual 2025 Urban Renewal Report.
  Each year, Council gets a report of all the TIF rebates in the community. A lot of them have been paid off so this year the TIF rebate to Barilla was the only one reported. Council is required to vote on releasing that rebate. 
  
  
• 12. Resolution approving Memorandum of Agreement with Mary Greeley Medical Center for Alternative Response to Community Health Calls for Service.
  The City has partnered with Mary Greeley for the past few years for the ARCH program, a team of an EMT and a social worker who pair up and take certain 911 calls pertaining to mental health crises. The City is being asked to contribute $132K this year, and if approved Mary Greeley will pay the remaining $176K of their budget for 2025/2026. 
  
  
• 31. Residential Curbside Recycling Program.
  Due to our transition away from waste-to-energy, increased recycling will be needed to divert some types of materials away from the landfill. Council received a preliminary report in August, and now staff are back with some additional information and feedback. Council will be asked to make decisions on a number of aspects of a recycling program, such as level of access (will all households participate, vs those that opt in), type of provider (contracted or not), frequency of service, and more.
  
  
• 34. Resolution approving Preliminary Plat with PUD Amendment for 3300 University Boulevard, known as Discovery Place, 1st Addition.
  This piece of Research Park property was recently rezoned to allow for a handful of apartment buildings. Staff recommend approval, as did the Planning and Zoning Commission by a vote of 6-0.
  
  
• 42. Hearing on Lease of City Property located East of 731 Billy Sunday Road now known as Lot 3 of Billy Sunday Subdivision to Lamar Advertising Company.
  Staff are asking this hearing be continued until November 25th to allow time for the agreement language to be finalized.
  
  

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

Pet Licensing

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. Motion accepting the Building Energy Audit Report
  As part of the City's Climate Action Plan, an energy audit of 16 municipal buildings was undertaken in late 2024, and the results are presented in the linked staff report. The report includes recommendations for improving systems such as HVAC, insulation, windows, water heaters, and lighting. The report also examines the feasibility of solar installations on select municipal buildings, as well as increasing electrical vehicle charging facilities at a number of municipal buildings.
  
  
• 17. Presentation of Resident Satisfaction Survey 2025.
  This year's survey yielded 464 responses. A snapshot of some demographics from this year: Half of respondents were non-student residents, half were students. Half the respondents make less than $50,000 annually. This year 58% of the respondents were male. The survey results continue to show high levels of satisfaction with City services. Respondents were asked their opinions on a range of topics from transportation to utilities to public safety. One new category of questions this year measured resident input on our social services process (ASSET).
  
  
• 18. Motion approving the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center Monthly Update
  
  
  
• 19. Resolution approving Major Site Development Plan within a PUD Overlay for 3200 University Boulevard (ISU Research Park)
  A developer (Hunziker Construction Services, Inc.) is planning to build some duplexes and 4 apartment buildings on this property at the ISU Research Park, with a total of 74 residential units. The flagpole shaped entryway to the larger party of the property will be lined with the duplexes, while the apartment units will sit on the larger piece of the property. Some agreements with the County will need to be secured, as the site abuts the Tedesco Learning Corridor (a Story County park).
    
  
  
• 23. Resolution approving lease agreement with the Board of Regents, State of Iowa for University property located on State Avenue for the relocation of Ames Fire Station No. 2
  This is related to the Bond Referendum on November 4th. If that vote is successful, the City will need to enter into a lease agreement with the Board of Regents for the State Avenue property.
  
  
• 24. First reading of an Ordinance establishing a Pet Licensing Program 
  Council first heard of the proposed Pet Licensing Program (PLP) in January of 2025, when the Police Department presented their annual budget plan. Many Iowa communities have a PLP (of the 15 largest cities, only Ames and one other did not yet have PLPs). Staff recommend a licensing fee of $12 annually for each "altered" dog or cat, and $24 for "unaltered" dogs/cats.
  
  

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

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