Budget Overview 2026/27

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 2:00 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. Budget Overview for recommended 2026/27 Fiscal Year.  The draft budget is available here. 
  
  As part of the City's annual budget process, staff presents the budget overview for City Council consideration. Public input is welcome at the City Council meeting on February 10, 2026. 

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

Civil rights protection for gender identity

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.

• 26. 2026-2031 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) public input. The Draft CIP is available to here.
  Council heard a report of the draft '26-'31 CIP at last week's meeting. Now is the time for public input on this document. 
  
  
• 27. Staff Report on Ontario Workforce Housing Subdivision.
  In an effort to encourage infill housing, Council is being asked to consider a TIF incentive to assist with the repaving of a section Scholl Rd in order to facilitate a housing development between the railroad tracks and Ontario Street on either side of Scholl Rd.) 
  
  
• 28. Discussion on elements for Draft Municipal Code Chapter 14, Human Relations regarding civil rights protection for gender identity 
  At a recent meeting, Council voted 5-1 to direct staff to begin work on updating our municipal code to include gender identity as a protected class as it relates to civil rights. Staff are asking for Council's guidance on the level of fine as well as who would investigate and mediate discrimination claims. 
  
  
• 29. Hearing on Rezoning of Property West of the Intersection of Harrison Road and Welbeck Drive with a Major Site Development Plan and Preliminary Plat.
  For awhile now, Council has been pursuing a small housing development on some vacant City-owned property at the intersection of Harrison Road and Welbeck Drive. At this stage, Council is being asked to approve the proposed Major Site Development Plan and the Preliminary Plat, and to rezone the property as low-density residential with a planned urban development overlay.
  
  
• 30. Resolution approving preliminary plans and specifications for the Resource Recovery & Recycling Campus (R3C), setting March 3, 2026, as the bid due date and March 10, 2026, as the date of Public Hearing.
  The Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus (R3C) is an important step in our transition from waste-to-energy to diversion, recycling, and landfilling our refuse. 
  
  
• 31. Modifications to Municipal Code Chapter 10, Garbage and Refuse.
  These modifications will add definitions and clarification related to recycling to our municipal code, in preparation for a residential curbside recycling program and the opening of the R3C.
  
  

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

Five-year Capital Improvements Plan

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 5:15 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. Staff presentation of recommended five-year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP).  The City Managers CIP letter to council gives a good overview the plan. The draft CIP is available here.

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

City Council Values, Goals and Tasks Update

Bronwyn's Council Preview

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 the Ames Water Treatment Plant, 1800 E. 13th Street, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday January 17th. The public is invited 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. 

• 1. City Council Values, Goals and Tasks Update. 
  The City Council members meet annually with staff for a strategic session to discuss City Council values, goals and tasks. 
  
  The City Council Values, Goals, and Tasks January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025 can be found here. 

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

Aquatic Center Proposed Fees and Facility Hours

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 Professional Services Agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. of Omaha, NE, for Storm Sewer System Analysis in the amount not to exceed $490,370
  As part of developing our annual CIP (Capital Improvements Plan), the City has undertaken a storm sewer system analysis to identify areas of town that are most at risk of localized flooding during high volume rain events. Now that these areas have been identified, Council is being asked to approve a contract with an engineering consultant who will identify storm sewer improvements to be scheduled into the CIP.
  
  
• 21. Resolution approving amendment to Second Supplemental Agreement for Public Improvements, Kingsbury Fifth Addition
  This agreement involves a cost-share for paving a small piece of SE 3rd St. In the agreement Council is being asked to approve, the City will pay 50% of the cost of paving, and the two adjacent property owners will pay the other 50%.
  
  
  
  
• 22. Request to Initiate a Greenbriar Commercial Area Comprehensive Plan Amendment
  This request involves the location of a convenience store node in a yet-to-be-developed area of north Ames. The staff report recommends approval, but mentions that the developer will need to submit a plan that matches the concept of RN-4 zoning (with a walkable neighborhood feel).
  
  
  
  
  
• 23. Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center Proposed Fees and Facility Hours Update
  This staff report outlines a proposal for hours and fees for the new Fitch Family Aquatic center, and details how the two aquatic centers will work together to best utilize available staff.
  
  
• 24. Hearing on Digital Billboard Lease Agreement on the western third of 731 Billy Sunday Road, Lot 3 with Lamar Advertising Company (continued from October 14, 2025)
  This item involves the sale of some City property along Hwy 30 to Lamar Advertising for a digital billboard. This item has been continued for a number of Council meetings as final details were worked out between all parties.
  
  
• 25. Hearing on FY 2023/24 Story County Edge of Field Project
  This is a continuation of our "edge of field" projects in which the City and County partner with landowners to install buffers and bioreactors to slow down the flow of nutrients (nitrates and phosphorous) into our watershed.
  
  

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

FY 2026/27 City Council Budget Guidelines

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.

• 22. Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center Update.
  Council is being given an update on the progress of the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center. Due to construction delays, Council is being asked to approve a change order for an additional $211k for the construction management company.

• 23. Resolution approving first amendment to the Land Purchase Option with Keystone Equity Group for Surplus Land at Harrison and Welbeck to Extend Final Plat Deadline.
  Staff are recommending that Council allow a 60-day extension to the deadline for final plat approval for a 12-unit development at the intersection of Harrison and Welbeck.
  
  
• 25. Hearing on rezoning of property at 200, 204, 210, 214, 220 Southeast 2nd Street and 210 Sumner Avenue from Highway-Oriented Commercial (HOC) to Neighborhood Commercial (NC) with Master Plan.
  Overflow is hoping to develop a multi-use property to the east of their current location on Duff Ave. The property would consist of commercial and residential uses on the ground floor, with residential units on the 2 stories above that.
  
  
  
  
  
• 27. Staff Report regarding Developers' Request for Housing Incentives 
  This was presented to Council at the last meeting. This time, Council is being asked how to proceed with the proposals for incentivizing the development of housing. Council will also be asked for input on the George Washington Carver Ave. corridor, and if we have any interest in pursuing substantial changes (such as a roundabout at the intersection of GW Carver and Cameron School Rd.)
  
  
• 33. FY 2026/27 City Council Budget Guidelines.
  Every year, Council is presented with an overview of budget considerations, as we head into the next budgeting cycles.
  
  
• 35. Membership in the Iowa Public Power Agency.
  Council is being asked to consider joining the IPPA, a non-profit comprised of Iowa municipal power utilities. Benefits include the opportunity to pool buying power and potentially invest in improvements to the power grid.

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

$7,400,000 in developer incentives and Civil rights protection for gender identity on Council agenda

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.

• 23. Discussion on Municipal Code Chapter 14, Human Relations regarding civil rights protection for gender identity.
  At a recent Council meeting, Senator Herman Quirmbach asked Council to consider adopting an ordinance to financially hold accountable those who might discriminate because of an individual's gender identity. The Statehouse, in the last legislative session, removed civil rights protections based on gender identity, so the protections that once existed at the state level are gone. As described in the staff report from the City Attorney, Iowa law does allow Cities to establish protections beyond those of the State. Questions for Council if we proceed would be who would investigate claims of discrimination and what the fines for this proposed municipal infraction would be.
  
  
• 25. Hearing on Zoning Text Amendment for Landscaping Rock Mulch within Required Landscape Areas.
  This request was from the Research Park, which had erroneously used rock mulch instead of organic mulch in some planter beds. Staff mention that while organic mulch is preferred, the success of the plants in the planter bed is more often related to the soil quality underneath, and not the mulch material. However, the Planning and Zoning Commission considered this request, and recommended denial of the request by a vote of 5-1. They stated concerns about the city-wide application of this change of policy. 
  
  
• 27. Hearing on Amendment to Adaptive Reuse/Major Site Development Plan for North Grand Mall located at 2615 Grand Avenue.
  This relates to a proposal for a KFC (with drive through) in the old US Bank location at the North Grand Mall. The amendment is necessary because the Adaptive Reuse Plan (in place since 2007) has some parking and traffic flow requirements that need to be altered in order to facilitate the proposed KFC. 
  
  
• 28. Modifications to Municipal Code Chapters 4 and 19 to address Personal Transportation Devices.
  This item relates to personal transportation devices such as scooters, one-wheelers, electric skateboards, e-bikes, etc. 
  
  
• 29. Modifications to Municipal Code Chapter 19, Parks & Recreation, to clarify expectations of park use.
  There are a number of proposed changes, some minor, but notable ones including a speed limit of 10 mph for personal transportation devices within City parks. Other changes include allowing foraging and prohibiting swimming in ALL parks (it had only been explicitly prohibited in Ada Hayden before).
  
  
• 32. Staff Report regarding Developers' Request for Housing Incentives.
  A number of developers of subdivisions have asked Council for incentives to help open up new land for housing. These incentive requests totaled nearly $10 million, and Council asked staff to come back with more information about these requests, and how they might fit into our goals for additional housing. The staff report on this item again details the requests, the properties in question, and proposes three scenarios for funding some of the requested incentives.

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