Data Center Study Committee, Recycling in Alleys, and Property Tax & TIF Changes

Bronwyn's Council Preview

 

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.

• 29. Building and Fire Code Discussion.
  Most of proposed changes to building and fire code are based on periodic State-mandated updates, though staff outline a few for further discussion. These include; fire protection for floors over unfinished basements, stair rise and run, outdoor guardrails, and smoke & CO2 detectors.
  
  
• 31. Resolution approving City Council Data Center Study Committee Plan.
  This proposal outlines the process for forming and guiding a study committee related to environmental impacts of data centers. The next step would be seeking applications for committee members that might be experts or have experience in fields related to this topic. This might range from those in ecology-based fields to those in the technical trades such as mechanical or electrical. The committee members will work to find, summarize, and present factual evidence and studies to Council. 
  
  
• 32. Resolution appointing an interim City Attorney for the City of Ames.
  The current City Attorney is nearing his date of retirement, and the City recently opted to go with a search firm to help in recruiting applicants. Since this is still underway, an interim City Attorney will need to be named.
  
  
• 33. Staff Report on Impacts of SF 2472 related to Property Taxes and Development Incentives.
  This staff report outlines impacts of recent change at the State level regarding property tax and also TIF development incentives, as well as how these might relate to the City of Ames budget.
  
  
• 34. Staff Report on FY 2025/26 Climate Action Plan Update.
  Council gets a report annually on the progress toward our Climate Action Plan, and every two years the greenhouse gas inventory is updated. The staff report details progress toward the "six big moves" and out lines next steps. The big moves include; Renewable Energy Generation, Municipal Building Retrofits, Net-Zero Ready Construction, Green Transportation, and Reducing Waste Emissions. 
  
  
• 37. Staff Report on Residential Curbside Recycling Collection in Alleys.
  The curbside recycling program is still being worked out for a number of properties that are adjacent to certain alleys in Ames. Staff outline four options that range from serving alley residents at a slightly greater cost to allowing those residents whose alleys can not be serviced to opt out of the program. 
  
  

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 Communications  

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

Mid-Year Review of Council Goals

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

This Ames City Council meeting is at the Ames Water Treatment Plant Conference Room, 1800 E 13th St, Ames, IA 50010. The meeting is Tuesday the 18th, starting at 5:15 p.m. 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.

The following agenda will guide Council through our mid-year goal-setting check in. While we don't typically add or subtract goals mid year, we check in on progress made toward current goals and check if any realignment is needed.

Mid-Year Review of Council Goals – August 18, 2026
January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027

5:15 p.m. Call to Order (Mayor)

5:15 – 5:20 p.m. Welcome and Opening Comments (Mayor)

5:20 – 5:25 p.m. Affirming Values (Council)

5:25 – 5:40 p.m. Mid-Year Review (Pa)

        a. What has gone well so far this year? (Council)

        b. What could we improve upon? (Council)

5:40 – 6:00 p.m. Staff Review of Goals and Task Items – A, B, D, C (Assistant City Managers). See staff housing report for item B.

1. What should be dropped or continued?

2. Are any adjustments to the goals needed?

6:00 – 6:45 p.m. Prioritization of Major Projects as of January 2026 (City Manager)

1. Indoor Recreation Center (focusing on serving local participants, focusing on attracting regional participants and visitors for tournaments, or both) - $20 million, excludes operating subsidies and capital replacement costs

2. Downtown Ramp - $20 million, assumes no operating subsidy, but excludes capital replacement costs

3. Ontario Park - $12 million, excludes operating subsidies and capital replacement costs

4. Event Center - $12.5 million, excludes operating subsidies and capital replacement

5. Corridor Beautification (University Boulevard) – primarily operational costs for maintenance

Key Questions:

• What is the timing of each of these projects?

• How will each of these projects be financed?

• What’s the approval process?

6:45 – 7:20 p.m. Communications and Engagement Check in (Mayor)

• What has gone well so far this year?

• What could we improve upon?

1. Residents

2. Other Government Entities

3. Internal among City Council

4. City Staff

7:20 – 7:25 p.m. Effective Council Meetings

1. Length of Council Meetings: Data from the Past Years (Pa)

2. How are we doing so far? (Council)

7:25 – 7:30 p.m. Wrap Up and Next Steps 

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

Study committee to evaluate environmental impacts of data centers

Bronwyn's Council Preview

 

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.

• 25. Update on Roundabout Improvements at G.W. Carver and Cameron School Road
• This intersection is being considered for a roundabout. The staff report shows support for a roundabout due to overall safety and traffic flow measurements but the decision to proceed with a roundabout or a traffic signal will still depend on a few factors like future funding and partnership with the County.

• 26. Council discussion of study committee to evaluate environmental impacts of data centers.
• This was one of the methods Council proceeded with in order to gather more input on data centers and potential environmental impacts.
  
  
• 29. Ames Animal Services Facility Project.
• The low bid for this project was higher than the estimates, and staff are asking for more time (one week) before awarding the bid to crunch some numbers and see if any savings can be achieved. 
  
  
• 30. Resolution approving request from Interfraternity Council to use golf carts on designated City streets for formal recruitment on August 14-20, 2026.

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 Communications  

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

Direction on Data Center research, update on Municipal Energy Center

Bronwyn's Council Preview

 

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 accepting the 2026 City Boards and Commission Survey Results.
  This survey was developed in order to gather feedback from current board/commission members about their role as a volunteer, and what obstacles might prevent others from service on a board or commission. 
  
  
• 28. Data Centers:
  This topic is back after guidance was given at the most recent regular Council meeting. Council will be asked to provide direction to staff regarding which topics related to data centers should be further researched by staff and Council. In addition, Council still needs to set the length of time for the temporary delay on data centers. 
  
  
• 29. Hearing on Annexation of Ames Golf and Country Club and Irons Subdivision Properties.
  This item is the result of a decision in 2025 to proceed with annexation of the Irons and the Ames Golf and Country Club. The development of the residential properties near the AGCC back in 2014/2015 included a provision that required future annexation of these properties into the City of Ames. 
  
  
• 34. Appeal of Conditions of Approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness for 904 Kellogg Avenue 
  The Historic Old Town neighborhood has a number of unique design standards that were created to preserve the historic look and feel of that neighborhood. The property at 904 Kellogg had two heat-pump (mini splits) units put in without first consulting the Historic Preservation Commission regarding the appearance of the piping lines. The HPC asked that the property owners cover and paint the piping to better match the color of the house, and the property owners are appealing that decision by the HPC to the City Council.
  
  
• 36. Resolution accepting easements and approving purchase agreements for the 2024-26 Traffic System Capacity Improvement Program (13th & Grand).
  Work is underway to secure the property and easements needed to add a dedicated turn arrow on the east and westbound lanes of 13th St at Grand Avenue. Staff recommend allowing for a few more months to secure voluntary transfers of property or easements, which would mean relocation of existing utilities and preconstruction coordination in 2027 and then intersection reconstruction in 2028.
  
  
• 37. Ames Municipal Energy Center.
• This is an update on our progress toward replacing the current power plant with new generation equipment, a process which has been in the works for a number of years.
  
  
  

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 Communications  

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

Municipal Electric Generation and Duff Ave Corridor Study

Bronwyn's Council Preview

 

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.

• 1. Update on the Duff Avenue Corridor Study.
  
  
  
• 2. Staff Report on Ames Municipal Energy Center Generator and Step-Up Transformer Procurement. Staff complete evaluation and report.

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

Data Center Follow-Up (and more)

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.

• 13. Motion directing staff to notify Mediacom Communications that the City of Ames is relinquishing Government Access Channel 12 and Public Access Channel 16.
  Over time the public has changed how they typically receive communications, and the number of residents using broadcast television has dropped drastically. Because of these trends and the difficulty in preparing less popular long-format video content, staff are recommending discontinuing these methods. 
  
  
• 15. Resolution approving the expansion of the Neighborhood Improvement Grant to encourage community connections.
  For many years, the City of Ames has had grants available for neighborhood improvement projects. These funds were typically used for permanent physical improvements to neighborhoods, such as corner gardens, sculptures, and the like. The program has seen declining use, with no requests received since 2022, so staff recommend expanding the program to include funding for other community building resources. 
  
  
• 16. Resolution approving the allocation of $20,000 in FY 2026/27 from the Council Priorities Fund sustainability reserve to be made available through the Net-Zero Ready High Performance Home Pilot Project.
  
  
• 17. Resolution accepting the update on the Homelessness Ames and Story County Action Plan 2025 Report.
  
  
• 47. Staff Report on Data Centers.
  This topic is back on our agenda after an informational session and then a special meeting dedicated to gathering public input. Council has received a large number of e-mails and other types of correspondence related to the Lightedge proposal and also data centers more broadly. Please know that we do read every e-mail, even if we might not have the chance to respond to each one. Council is now being asked to direct staff how to proceed. Staff recommend some possible changes to code to address the potential for any data center that might want to locate in any industrial zoning areas in Ames. 
  
  
• 51. Resolution approving Downtown Facade Grants for Spring of Fiscal Year 2025/26.
  
  
• 52. Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center - Staining Update.
  
  

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

Lightedge Data Center Proposal Listening Session

Bronwyn's Council Preview

 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL

 AUDITORIUM - CITY HALL

JUNE 30, 2026

Public input regarding both a recent proposal for a data center in Ames and establishing policy about any future data center development will take place at a special City Council Listening Session on Tuesday, June 30. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Ames City Hall Auditorium, 520 Sixth St.

In May, City staff received a letter from Lightedge, a data center provider headquartered in Des Moines, expressing interest in developing a data center on approximately 10.86 acres along Aviation Way, directly west of property occupied by Sigler Companies. The proposed facility would be constructed in phases based on customer demand over an estimated 10-year period. On June 23, the Council reviewed a staff presentation and received input from representatives of Lightedge. The staff report considered many aspects of the project including Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) impacts, lease considerations, electricity issues, and alternative properties.

The public input session will begin in the City Auditorium. Participants will move into the City Hall Gymnasium to share feedback in small groups with Councilmembers. The meeting will regroup in the City Auditorium for report-outs and next steps.

Due to the interactive nature of the meeting, the listening session will not be livestreamed. The City Council will meet again on Tuesday, July 14, for its next regularly scheduled meeting.

The June 23rd  "Staff presentation on overview of Lightedge Data Center Project and request to negotiate a lease of Airport property." gives additional valuable context.

DATA CENTER - CITY COUNCIL LISTENING SESSION 

CALL TO ORDER : 6:00 p.m

• 1. INTRODUCTION: 
• a. Goals of the listening session 
• b. Expectations 
• c. Agenda overview 
• 2. SMALL GROUP BREAKOUT SESSIONS (in City Gymnasium) 
• 3. REPORT OUT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS ( in City Auditorium) 
• 4. NEXT STEPS 5. ADJOURNMENT: 

Receiving public feedback is important to Council. We have received a number of communications already, but we encourage people to reach out via email if they have thoughts and aren’t able to attend the meeting. You can always email us as a group with mayorcouncil@amescitycouncil.org

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