Development Outline for The Bluffs

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 Ames City Council meeting is at 6:00 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.

• 42. Motion directing staff regarding annexation schedule for the Ames Golf and Country Club and adjacent The Irons Subdivision residential properties.
  A little over a year ago, Council decided to proceed with the annexation of The Irons Subdivision and the Ames Golf & Country Club. This is the next step in that process, and if approved, would be followed by the official hearing for annexation at Council's meeting on July 28th.
  
  
• 43. Development Outline for The Bluffs.
  (relates to item #44) The Bluffs is a residential development along Cameron School Road and GW Carver. Originally, the developer was responsible for roadway improvements, but would have been able to use TIF to cover $1 million of the cost. The developer is asking that the City take over the responsibility of roadway improvements and use the TIF money to do so. To further complicate matters, the City and County are examining the possibility of a roundabout at this intersection. Staff indicate that there would be some benefit to the City to do the whole road as one contiguous project, and provide several alternatives, including waiting until the roundabout costs are known before finalizing any repayment plan with the developer. 
  
  
• 44. Major Final Plat for The Bluffs Subdivision Located at 3220 Cameron School Road.
  
  
• 46. Staff Report on Electric Energy Upgrade Program and USDA Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP).
  The City was awarded a grant for a loan program for homeowners to convert to electric appliances, namely heat pumps rather than gas furnaces. Future uses for this funding might also include loans for solar installations or other energy-saving upgrades.
  
  
• 47. Steven L. Schainker Plaza Update.
  A punch list of final items has been completed, and we are awaiting approval from the state (which staff estimate might come yet this week). Other issues persist, such the fog nozzles, which become submerged when the water feature is running and then don't work very well. Oh fognozzles! But seriously, this project has been a long time coming, and has been a source of frustration for residents and City staff alike. If all works out, parts of the plaza will be open to the public by mid June. 
  
  
• 50. Hearing on Major Site Development Plan Amendment (Les Schwab Tire Center) to an Integrated Site Plan Subdivision for 1410 Buckeye Avenue.
  
  
• 51. Hearing on proposed Zoning Text Amendment for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU).
  
  

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

Proposed Solar Project

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 Ames City Council meeting is at 6:00 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.

Due to the Memorial Day weekend, I wasn’t able to summarize items below, so this will be an abbreviated version of the newsletter. My apologies, and thanks for reading!

• 9. Resolution approving Request for Funding for the Downtown Outdoor Dining Pilot Program in the amount of $10,000.
  
  
  
  
• 37. Presentation of Ames Regional Economic Alliance Annual Report.
  
  
• 38. Important update to the proposed Solar Project at the Airport .
  
  
• 39. 2025/26 Multi-Modal Roadway Improvements (Wilder Boulevard - Mini Roundabout Corridor Improvement).
  
  
• 41. Hearing on Property Rezoning for 3299, 3312, 3699 East 13th Street and 1699 570th Avenue from "PRC" (Planned Regional Commercial) with "O-GNE" (Northeast Gateway Overlay) with a Contract Zoning Agreement to only "PRC" (Planned Regional Commercial) with "O-GNE" (Northeast Gateway Overlay).
  
  
• 46. Hearing on rezoning of the parcel at 5120 Tabor Drive from “A” (Agricultural) and “FS-RL” (Floating Suburban - Residential Low Density) to “FS-RL” (Floating Suburban - Residential Low Density) with a Master Plan.
  

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

Stange roadway improvements, infill housing opportunity, and rebranding to Ames Animal Services

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 Ames City Council meeting is at 6:00 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 approving a Lease Agreement between the City and Iowa State University (ISU) for ISU Land Adjacent Moore Memorial Park.
  This potential 20-year land lease would allow nearly 30 acres to be converted to prairie and maintained by the City.
  
  
• 12. Resolution approving an Easement Agreement between the City and Iowa State University (ISU) to place a bridge and future shared use path on ISU Property.
  This item would allow for a future pedestrian bridge and path from Moore Memorial Park to the west side of Ioway Creek, connecting to Scholl and Ontario Roads.
  
  
• 29. 2023/24 Multi-Modal Roadway Improvements (Somerset Improvements - Stange Road)
  Council saw this item before, but allowed extra time for feedback to be collected from property owners in the affected area. 
  
  
  
  
• 31. Request to amend Development Agreement to Change Paving of Cedar Lane to Aurora Avenue
  Some time ago, Council agreed to cost-share in the paving of Cedar Lane, but is now being asked to switch our financial commitment instead to the paving of Aurora Avenue, to better facilitate housing development in the affected area. 
  
  
• 32. Staff Report on 608 Burnett Zoning Text Amendments and Incentive Request.  (see google map)
  Council has been asked to consider a potential infill project at 608 Burnett Avenue. In order to facilitate the request, the developer is asking for a few changes to the Neighborhood Commercial zoning as well as a financial incentive that is different from the typical Downtown incentive structure.
  On a related note, you can see the communications to Council from Ames Post Master (as seen in the Council Packet Summary at the end of this week's newsletter)
  
  
• 33. Ames Animal Services Update.
  Along with the new facility as described in the staff report, the department formerly known as Ames Animal Control is rebranding to Ames Animal Services. This better reflects the work of a department that offers a number of services such as vaccination clinics, microchipping, and education beyond the traditional concept of animal "control". 
  
  
• 35. Hearing on a Revocable Lease Option with Ames Greenfield Development, LLC to develop, install, and operate solar facilities on approximately 165 acres located on portions of the following properties at the Ames Municipal Airport.
  This item is being introduced, but Council is being asked to wait until our special meeting on the 19th to make any final decisions on this lease option.

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

South Campus Redirection Area

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 Ames City Council meeting is at 6:00 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.

• 38. Summary of The Irons Subdivision Sewer Extension Alternatives.
  A number of years ago, Council agreed to allow certain elements of the Irons development in exchange for a future promise of annexation. As a result of annexation into Ames, it is typical to require the upgrade of certain utilities like sewer. The residents have communicated their concerns about the requirement to hook into sewer, so Council asked staff to outline some options for sewer hookup arrangements.
• 39. Resolution approving Preliminary Plat for the Auburn Trail Subdivision.
  The map below shows the subject property, located mostly to the west of Hyde Avenue, to the west of Ada Hayden. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-0 to approve recommendation. 
  
  
  
• 40. Selection of a developer's proposal for the purchase of single-family market-rate lots in the Baker Subdivision.
  Two developers submitted proposals for the Baker Subdivision market-rate lots. Staff scored applications and are reporting back that Keystone scored higher with the criteria used.
  
  
• 41. South Campus Redirection Area Staff Report. 
  This is an area outlined as a "Redirection Area" in Ames Plan2040. This could potentially involve increased building height standards or reduced parking standards to spur higher density residential redevelopment, and staff are outlining several degrees of change that Council could consider.
  
  
  
• 42. 2025/26 Asphalt Street Pavement Improvements - Sidewalk Infill along Delaware Avenue. 
  As the City completes street reconstructions, it is a goal of ours to fill in missing sidewalk infrastructure. This section of Delaware does not have a complete sidewalk from North Dakota so the proposal is to fill in the missing sidewalk along the west side of Delaware Ave.
  
  
• 44. First reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 28 of the Municipal Code Section 28.201 to increase water rates by 3.5% and Section 28.304 to increase sanitary sewer rates by 5.5% for charges to be billed on or after July 1, 2026.
  This concept of a rate increase was introduced to Council by staff as part of our regular budgeting process. 
  
  

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

New Electric Generation and Solar Updates

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 Ames City Council meeting is at 6:00 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. New Thermal Generation Project Update.
  The City's Electric Utility provides electricity to just under 30K customers across the city including residential, small and large commercial, and industrial users. The Electric Utility is required to maintain enough generation capacity to meet its peak need, which is currently 166.3 MW. Failure to maintain that generation capacity costs quite a lot of money, and it is only estimated to get more expensive in future years. We are currently only short by a little bit of capacity, but a few factors make new generation high priority. First, our current equipment is old, and has been worn down by the burning of RDF. (This is one of the reasons the City is moving to a new waste disposal strategy.) Unit 7 is nearing the end of its lifespan, and so new thermal generation is needed in the near future. Secondly, energy use is only expected to increase, meaning new peaks and new requirements for capacity. An initial rough estimate for a new production facility was $84 million, but a more recent more accurate estimate suggests this project might cost closer to $190 million. Staff outline how a project like this might be financed, including a combination of savings from dropping RDF and small annual rate increases.
  
  
• 3.Solar Energy Project at Ames Municipal Airport.
  In addition to additional thermal generation, the City is considering a PPA (power purchase agreement) with a company that would potentially build a solar array on land near the airport. In order to lock in incentives before they expire, the company in question needs to meet certain deadlines by summer. Staff are asking Council to weigh in before proceeding with negotiations. 

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

Planning Division Workplan

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 Ames City Council meeting is at 6:00 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.

• 15. Resolution setting April 28, 2026, as date of Public Hearing on a long-term lease with Xenia Rural Water District for portions of 900 S 500th Avenue (Mortensen and County Line Water Tower parcel).
  This is the draft of an agreement that will be on the April 28th agenda. This proposal would increase the amount of water that Xenia buys from the City of Ames. Included in the proposal is a long-term lease to allow Xenia to build a booster pump station on the parcel which is the site of the Mortensen/County Line water tower.
  
  
• 30. Hearing on City of Ames Budget.
  This hearing on the budget is required by State law. Council will vote on approval of the Adjusted '25/'26 Budget and Proposed '26/'27 Budget. The proposed City levy will be $10.27, and is estimated to generate $39,881,096 for the Fiscal Year 2026/2027.
  
  
• 34. Resolution approving $1,500 for the Ames: A Glimpse Inside Event 
  The "Glimpse Inside" event allows for public viewing of some homes, businesses, and institutional buildings with a goal of educating the public about the history of Ames and the value of historic preservation. Council is being asked to approve the allocation of $1,500 for this event, and choose the source for funding. (Last year, the funding was allocated from the Historic Preservation Commission's budget.
  
  
• 37. Planning Division Workplan.
  This is a regular update that Council receives from the Planning Department, including projects that are in the works, proposed (by staff or others), or on the horizon. Council is being asked to prioritize these projects to provide direction to Planning staff.

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

City Attorney job description and hiring timeline

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)

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL

CALL TO ORDER: 5:15 p.m.

• 1. Public Hearing regarding Proposed Property Tax Levy for Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027.
  This required public hearing is for input related to our tax levy. The attached document describes the school, city, and county tax rates. The City of Ames levy will be 10.27 for general (non-ag) properties, down slightly from last year's levy of 10.30. The City's total levy of 10.27 goes towards a few different levies, including the general levy, transit levy, and debt service levy. This year, both the general and transit levies will see a small decrease (to land at 6.26 and .59 respectively), while the debt service levy is up slightly from 3.32 to 3.42.

MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL

This Ames City Council meeting is at 6:00 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.

• 39. Discussion on City Attorney job description and hiring timeline (tabled from March 10, 2026, meeting).
  Copied from the last meeting: The current City Attorney has announced his upcoming retirement. Since this is one of two positions hired and overseen by the City Council (the other being the City Manager), Council is receiving a report from the HR Director about the City's process for filling this position. The application will be available starting on May 1st, with interviews and the selection process hopefully yielding a final candidate by the end of summer.
  
  
• 40.Staff Report on Ironwood Estates request for woodlot restoration of Iowa DOT Property.
  This staff report is in response to a request from the Ironwood Estates Homeowners Association to replant vegetation as a buffer between their properties and Hwy 30. Brush (mostly invasive) had been cleared for needed electrical work, and the neighbors are requesting the City seek grant funding to replant native vegetation in its place.
  
  
• 41. Resolution approving the expansion and/or establishment of Park Boundaries.
  This resolution would bring any greenways and other unspecified natural areas which are City property and right-of-way into the Parks system. Currently, these areas are public property but are not specifically governed by municipal code. 
  
  
• 42. Resolution approving staining or receiving a credit for the Precast Concrete Panels of the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center.
  This agenda item relates to the appearance of the concrete panels adorning the outside of the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center. The concrete panels were supposed to have a uniform color of gray, but instead appear somewhat blotchy. Council is being asked to decide if we should attempt to stain them, or leave them as they are and take a credit of $52,000. 
  
  
• 45. Award of contracts for Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus.
  At our last meeting, Council delayed the award of bids for the R3C to give staff more time to investigate some of the bid amounts compared to the estimates.

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