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2016/17 BUDGET WRAP-UP

2016/17 BUDGET WRAP-UP
	Bronwyn Beatty Hansen's Council Preview

Hello,

Matthew Goodman here. As many of you know, I am no longer a member of the Ames City Council. It was fun, and I loved it but I am onto other things, including my work with The Ames Progressive Alliance, a group of Ames residents committed to working towards progressive priorities in Ames. Currently, we are working with the Ames Community Solar Initiative and The City of Ames to pursue Community Solar. Community Solar allows all members of the community, even those with trees in their neighborhood, to invest their own money and reap the benefits of solar energy.

Stay informed on the progress of Community Solar in Ames and show your support for solar in Ames here!

Learn more about the Community Solar model, here!

Lastly, as you may have guessed, from the heading, Bronwyn will be taking over the newsletter, and you would be correct. She will continue this community resource of information and perspective for The City of Ames. Thanks so much for your support all these years, and I will pop back in time, to time to share my thoughts (you could have guessed that too, right?). Keep Reading!

Matthew Goodman

The Ames City Council begins at 5:15 PM with a SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL. The agenda includes:

1. Council Budget Presentations:

a. Public Art - $41,000 recommended
b. Arts Funding (COTA) - $156,170 recommended
c. Human Services (ASSET) - $1,278,973 recommended
d. Outside Funding Requests - $136,900 recommended
e. Other Requests

2. Public Input on Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) and Budget

3. Final Council Decisions:

a. Set salaries for Council appointees
b. Amendments to 2016-2021 CIP
c. Vote on motion to approve 2016-2021 CIP, as amended (This includes the addition of $5.3 mil to extend sewer and water to 590th St. in the East Industrial Area, as well as the addition of $150K for shared-use path expansions and multi-modal traffic studies. Note: the price tag of the sewer/water expansion has increased, as the old estimates were based on 2011 numbers.)
d. Amendments to FY 2015/16 budget
e. Vote on motion to approve proposed budget amendments for FY 2015/16
f. Motion to set March 1, 2016, as date of public hearing on proposed budget amendments for FY 2015/16
g. Amendments to proposed FY 2016/17 budget
h. Vote on motion to approve proposed budget for FY 2016/17, as amended
i. Motion to set March 1, 2016, as date of final public hearing on proposed budget for FY 2016/17

The Regular City Council meeting will immediately follow Budget Wrap-Up:

25. Resolution approving Final Plat for ISU Research Park Subdivision, Phase III, 2nd Addition. - The property owner wants to create an additional lot by subdivision. Staff recommends approval.
26. Resolution approving/motion denying 2016 Urban Revitalization tax abatement requests. - Two projects completed in 2015 are requesting abatement, Zeta Delta House (307 Ash Ave.) and 517 Lincoln Way (Squeaky Clean Laundromat). Both have met the criteria for urban revitalization, staff recommends approval.
27. ACCESS resolution authorizing sale of ACCESS property and resolution approving allocation. - In ’84, the city used $80K in CDBG (community development block grant) funds to purchase a property for ACCESS. In 2004, the city allowed ACCESS to sell that property and use the $80K towards a new building. Now ACCESS is requesting to sell this property. ACCESS is working to move from a single location model to a multi-location model of service. (ACCESS is looking to purchase a duplex or single-family house for their shelter service.) The City can choose to allow the sale of the building, and also can choose to commit the $80K to ACCESS for a future time when they have chosen a property in which to reinvest.
28. Resolution approving Federal grant for additional $150,000 for Airport Terminal Building and Hangar Project. The City’s projected revenue sources for the planned airport improvements include $600K in federal funding. $450K had been collected already, the difference of $150K needs to be secured this year through federal entitlements.