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Bronwyn's Council Preview |
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Send email to MayorCouncil@AmesCityCouncil.org
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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
- 40. Resolution approving City of Ames proposed Plat of Survey for Land in Rural Story County for Future Water Wells and Open Space located southeast of Ames near I-35 and 260th Street.
The City is looking to acquire land for future wells south of Ames, and this plat of survey is the first step towards land acquisition. - 41. 219/223 Sondrol Avenue - Sanitary Sewer.
The property owner at 219 and 223 Sondrol is requesting permission to put a building over an existing sanitary sewer line, a practice which has not been allowed in the past. - 43. Residential Curbside Recycling Program Limited Alley Opt-Out Criteria.
Because of the difficulties with recycling pickup along some alleys, Council allowed for opt-out criteria for some residences for whom pickups aren't possible. With the first attempt at defining these criteria, only 3 of over 900 properties would qualify to opt out. Staff recommend broadening the criteria. - 44. Signage for Churches in Residential Zones.
In addition to a specific request from a church in west Ames, staff recommend that Council consider policy changes regarding lit signs in residential areas. (Since lighted signs are much more common now than in the past.) - 45. Motion directing staff to begin proactive Code Enforcement for Campustown Business District.
In an effort to improve compliance with codes related to litter, mis-used garbage containers, and other environmental nuisances, Council recently directed staff to develop a proactive enforcement schedule for Campustown. - 47. Hearing on Ames Animal Services Facility.
Bids have come in for the Animal Services facility, with a $5.5 mil price tag, which is just above the $5.44 mil estimated cost. Council is being asked to accept bids but delay awarding a bid. Council is also being asked to weigh in on prioritizing bid alternates. - 49. Resolution approving Preliminary Plat for Ontario Park and Ontario Townes.
This preliminary plat is the next step in the construction of 26 single-family homes east of Scholl Rd. just off of Ontario Street to the north. The area west of Scholl Rd will be discussed in a subsequent preliminary plat sometime this winter. - 50. Initiating the Creation of and Amendments to Urban Renewal Areas (URA).
Due to changes to TIF at the State level, the City is creating a number of URAs within which TIF districts may be proposed to be deployed if needed for economic development or infrastructure purposes. - 51. First reading of ordinance amending Chapter 28 of Municipal Code to modify Electric rates.
Electric rates were scheduled to increase in order to pay for the new generation equipment for the Electric Department, and increases in project costs have nudged that increase to 2.5%.
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
