Data Center Committee

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.

Due to time constraints and a head cold, I was unable to summarize this weeks’ highlights, but I encourage you to check out the staff reports if you have any questions!!

• 34. Hearing on rezoning of property at Ontario Street & Scholl Road from Special Purpose Government/Airport District (S-GA) to Floating Suburban Residential Low Density (FS-RL) with Planned Unit Development (PUD) Overlay and Master Plan.

• 35. Hearing on proposed Ordinance to establish a Social District (Sip & Stroll).
  
  
• 36. Hearing on rezoning property at 259 and 263 Hyland Avenue from Residential High Density (RH) with West University Impacted District Overlay (O-UIW) to Residential High Density (RH) with West University Pedestrian Enhancement District Overlay (O-WUPED) with a Major Site Development Plan .
  
  
• 37. Hearing on amendment to the City-wide Urban Revitalization Area Designation and Plan.
  
  
• 38. Hearing on an Amendment to a Planned Unit Development Overlay for the South Lincoln Sub-Area Mixed Use District (S-SMD) Zoning District Major Site Development Plan for 322-410 Juniper Street.
  
  
• 41. Resolution approving request from Ames Main Street to activate Social District for Witches Walk on October 8, 2026.
  
  
• 42. Resolution approving appointments to City Council Data Center Committee.
  
  
• 43. Updates to Chapter 28, Electric Rate Modifications.
  
  
• 45. Request for a Waiver of City Subdivision Standards within two miles of the Ames City Limits in the Urban Fringe at 3500 560th Avenue.
  
  
• 46. Staff report regarding options for a potential study of Lincoln Way from Grand Avenue to University Boulevard.
  
  

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

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

Lightedge Data Center

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 salaries for Council Appointees for FY 2026/27.
  This is an annual item approve salaries for the two Council appointed positions (City Manager and City Attorney).
  
  
• 31. Staff presentation on overview of Lightedge Data Center Project and request to negotiate a lease of Airport property.
  A request from Lightedge came to Council in May, and knowing that it would be of high importance to the public, Council decided to put it on an agenda to discuss. We also voted to put a special listening session about data centers on our schedule of meetings, because we wanted to dedicate a whole meeting to public input. In addition, we asked the Legal Department to return in July with a memo about our ability to limit data centers in Ames more generally. So this item will be a public presentation of the proposal as we know it, with an opportunity for Council to ask clarifying questions about this proposal. Then, June 30th at 6 p.m. we will hold the public listening session, but still take no action. The meeting on July 14th is when we are expecting the report from the Legal Department about our legal mechanisms to pause, limit, or otherwise regulate data centers more generally.
  The proposal itself is for Lightedge to build a secure data storage facility, known as a colocation center (also a type of data center), to be used for companies to host data. The facility is proposed to be 3 MW to start, then 6-10 MW after a few years, with an eventual 10-year buildout of 25 MW. According to the staff report, they plan to use a closed loop cooling system, which would use a few thousand gallons of water to fill initially, but then wouldn't require much ongoing water. Other considerations include sound, backup power generators and the sound and exhaust they create, and stormwater drainage. 

• 32. Renewal of Ames Regional Economic Alliance Contract.
  During this year's budgeting time, Council asked for a more detailed report about our contract with the Ames Regional Economic Alliance.
  
  
• 33. Staff Report on Pedestrian Crossing along Lincoln Way at South Russell.
  This staff report was generated in response to resident requests regarding safety along Lincoln Way at South Russell. Staff outline several options, such as improved pedestrian crossing treatments or lighting. 
  
  
• 34. Resolution awarding a contract to CB Solar, Inc., of Des Moines, IA, to install solar panels on the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center and the Steven L. Schainker Plaza building in the amount of $463,760.
  As part of our Climate Action Plan, we have aimed to improve the renewable energy infrastructure on City property. These bids for solar at the two locations mentioned were under the estimates, and staff recommend moving forward with both.
  
  
• 35. Request to Initiate Plan 2040 Land Use Designation Amendment for 300 Airport Road.
  This request came to us from the owner of 300 Airport Road, who has used the site for industrial purposes, and wishes to continue that type of use. (On a related note to item 31, there has been some rumor about this being a backdoor way to allow Lightedge to locate at this site, but the power transmission issues still remain at this location, so rezoning alone wouldn't be enough to allow Lightedge to locate at 300 Airport Rd.)
  
  
• 36. Hearing on rezoning to amend the approved Floating Suburban Residential Medium Density (FS-RM) with Master Plan for The Bluffs at 4899 Everest Avenue .
  
  
• 37. Hearing on Zoning Text Amendment modifying the Northeast Gateway Overlay District (O-GNE) Standards. 
  
  

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.  Note interesting item for the City Manager about TIF and property taxes.

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

Construction Delivery Methods

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. Staff Report on Construction Delivery Methods.
  This Workshop was requested by Council in order to learn more about the different methods for approaching City construction projects, and the pros/cons of each method.

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

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