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Bronwyn's Council Preview |
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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)
Ames Council News keeps you up to date on the actions of the Ames City council. If you are interested in what is happening with government of the State of Iowa check out KHOI's Capitol Week. Laura Belin updates you on developments in Iowa government. Capitol Week is an in-depth look at each week’s legislative actions, the governor, public agencies, and important events, as lawmakers act on matters that affect you and your family.
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
The Ames City Council special meeting is at 5:15 p.m. at City Hall. Iowa Code section 24.2A requires a public hearing on the proposed property tax levy for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025. This property tax levy hearing must occur before holding a hearing on the proposed annual budget. This new requirement, approved during the 2023 legislative session, requires the property tax levy hearing to be the only item on the agenda.
- 1. Public Hearing Regarding the Proposed Property Tax Levy for Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025.
As part of a new State law in 2023, this public hearing is being held to hear thoughts on the proposed property tax levy. The City's proposed total levy is $10.09446 (per $1,000 of valuation). (This levy is down 1.04% from the prior levy of $10.20097.)
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
The Ames City Council meeting is at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The regular 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. Staff Report on Sidewalk Safety Program
Last year, it was determined that our sidewalk repair parameters needed review. Currently, sidewalk repair is the financial responsibility of the abutting property owner. It is a complaint-based (rather than proactive) system, and requires sidewalk to be replaced if it has gaps, cracks, etc. The staff proposal would update the size and number of gaps and cracks requiring attention. Council will also consider other factors, such as proactive enforcement and cost sharing. - 26. Request for Accommodation for Kiwanis Trailer at 803 & 919 E. Lincoln Way
This request is from the Ames Kiwanis, regarding a paper recycling drop-off semi trailer located between 803 and 919 E. Lincoln Way. A gravel driveway was added between the two properties without permits from the City, and the semi trailer is currently parked over the property line on this unauthorized driveway. The staff report outlines an option for an exception process overseen by the Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA), or the Kiwanis may yet reach an agreement with one of the property owners to park the trailer entirely on one property. - 27. Plats of Survey for Rural Boundary Line Adjustments within Boone County
Last year, Council received a request from a property owner to be allowed to subdivide property into parcels for estate planning purposes. At the time of the request, the property owner was amenable to a restriction to farming related purposes on all of the parcels but the one containing an existing farmhouse. Now the request is to allow the construction of one additional house, but restrict the remaining lots to farming purposes only. - 28. Proposed 2024-29 Consolidated Plan Five Year Goals and 2024-25 Annual Action Plan Projects
Annual Action Plans and Consolidated 5-Year plans are both required of HUD (Dept of Housing and Urban Development) in order to receive federal CDBG dollars. This is a follow-up to a meeting on Feb 20, when staff held a workshop to collect feedback from Council and the public on the proposed goals and priorities of the 5-year 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.
Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
Ames City Council, Ward 1
