Dan DeGeest's Council Review

Greetings friends,

Last week I participated in and Inter-City trip to Manhattan, KS, with the Mayor, City Manager, several Council members, and twenty or so other Ames residents and business owners.  We traveled as a group by bus and spent two days talking with local officials, community members, and business owners about their efforts and strategies to make Manhattan vibrant and appealing.  We toured their revitalized downtown, their campus town area known as Aggieville, and Kansas State campus.

Overall, Manhattan resembles Ames in a remarkable number of ways.  One major thing I took away from the trip is that residents and community groups are driving the changes in Manhattan, not the City.  The City role is to assist them.  In Ames I still often get a sense that people are waiting around for the City to "do something".   As I have said before, this is our City, let’s make it great.

Another big difference I noted was just general layout and community planning.  In Manhattan they have figured out that retail, lodging, dining, and other things need to be physically close to each other.  We stayed at the Bluemont Hotel and were within easy walking distance of K-State, Aggieville, and Downtown – restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, bars, parks, and entertainment.  Contrast that with coming to Ames and staying at a hotel near the Research Park or out on HW30.  Where do you walk for food and fun?  Even if you are driving is it easy to figure out where to go and easy to get there?

Hopefully lessons learned will be applied here in Ames.

On to the Council Review – this week’s meeting was pleasantly short at just under 2 hours.  See below for comments.

The Ames City Council May 10, 2016.  The agenda included:

• Consent Agenda 37. Resolution approving Plat of Survey for 122 Hayward Avenue
  
  There was plenty of discussion on this project at the last council meeting and it's impacts on the Council's goals for Lot X.  This was pulled and passed 5-0 with Council member Nelson abstaining due to a potential conflict of interest.  It is also important to note the I incorrectly stated that their easement and URA requests passed 6-0 at the last council meeting when in fact Council member Nelson also abstained on those votes because of potential conflict of interest.  My apologies to Mr. Nelson for incorrectly reporting the vote.

• 40. Resolution approving policy for naming of Parks and Recreation facilities.
  This is back on the agenda after Council provided feedback on the draft policy in April. Changes included striking the waiting period (after death) for naming requests, and removing language about specific percentages of funding required for naming rights.
  
  There was lengthy discussion on this issue at the last council meeting and staff was back with the suggested changes.  The motion approving the policy passed 6-0.  This should give supporters of renaming the Ames Skate Park after Georgie Tsushima a clear path forward to get the park renamed.

• 42. Hearing on rezoning, with Master Plan, of 3535 South 530th Avenue from Agricultural (A) toSuburban Residential Medium Density (FS-RM) and Residential High Density (RH).
  This property is to the southwest of the research park, along 530th Ave. (which will become University Blvd) The developer is proposing a mix of medium and high density residential, with a maximum of 275 units over approximately 20 acres. Planning and Zoning voted 6-0 to recommend this request.
  
  
  
  There was some discussion about the proposed location of the bike path through this property that will be coordinated with Story County.    The proposed route was chosen to appease some neighboring property owners but results in a less direct path and an extra street crossing that could potentially be avoided.  Motion approving passed 6-0.

• 44. Hearing on Proposed 2016/17 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan.
  Between CDBG allocations for the current fiscal year and roll-over from prior years, the city has $988K to work with. This will allow some major spending on the old middle school property, but will still leave funds for ongoing programs, such as renter assistance and the acquisition/reuse program.
  
  Passed 6-0

• 47. Report on 2015 Development Process User Survey.
  This survey was sent to 487 users who interacted w/ Inspections and Planning and Housing Departments. Of the 487 surveys sent, 96 were returned. Most responses rated city staff favorably, and favorability in most instances was greater than the survey 5 years prior.
  
  Passed 6-0

• 48. First passage of ordinance adjusting Storm Water Rates
  ​The staff report states "The development of land in the City has resulted in an expanded amount of impervious surface which has increased the cost of both operations and capital for the Storm Water utility. The increased expenditures will help to reduce overland flooding and maintain compliance with storm water runoff regulations." In February, Council directed staff to prepare a storm water rate increase to compensate for these increased costs of development.
  
  Passed 6-0
• Council Comments
  
  Councilperson Beatty-Hansen mentioned the value of coordinating transportation initiatives between the City and ISU, something she noted that seemed to be working better in Manhattan, KS.  The roads on and around ISU, known as institutional roads, are designed and maintained by ISU but create important and often exclusive routes through the community and improved coordination would make our overall transportation system better.  She successfully moved (6-0) to direct the City Manager to contact ISU officials and inquire about ISU adopting a complete streets policy that could work in conjunction with the one being worked on by the City.

Thanks for reading,

Dan DeGeest>>

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