Bronwyn's Council Preview

The Ames City Council begins at 5:30 with Regular Meeting of the Ames Conference Board. The Regular Meeting of the Ames City Council will immediately follow the Regular Meeting of the Ames Conference Board. The agenda includes:

• 34. Resolution approving Plat of Survey for 2510 - 2526 Lincoln Way.
  This plat of survey is being initiated by the Randall Corp. to consolidate 3 buildings into one lot. At this time, no infrastructure improvements are needed. If redevelopment is sought, the next step would be a site development plan.
  

• 37. Discussion of additional questions to Resident Satisfaction Survey to replace previous one-time special topics of interest
  2017 marks the 35th anniversary of the Resident Satisfaction Survey. Some room is reserved in the survey for policy questions that City Council would like to ask the citizens. Last year's special questions related to incentives for non-formula businesses and use of public property for development in Campustown and Downtown.

• 38. Proposal to hold Firefly Country Night on Main Street on Friday, September 8.
  At our last meeting, Council directed staff to communicate with the Main St. Cultural District about the timing of Firefly Country Night. Event organizers are planning to schedule this event (the second of two planned Country Nights this summer) for the Friday evening of Cy-Hawk weekend, September 8th. Organizers have made several changes to the event, to mitigate the chance for any disturbances that might involve the Police Department. Such changes include ending alcohol service at 8 p.m., ending the event by 9 p.m., hiring security, and setting price points to attract "an older crowd", among other things. 

• 39. Request for City incentives from Barilla regarding its expansion.
  Barilla is deciding whether to expand their operations in Avon, NY or Ames, IA. The city of Avon and the state of New York are offering significant financial incentives to Barilla, and so there is some pressure on Ames to offer a greater incentive than is standard in order to ensure the expansion happens here. Three options are presented in the staff report, ranging from the approx. $1 mil standard offering for redevelopment of this type to TIF in the amount of $3 mil. Staff recommend the $3 mil TIF on the grounds that Barilla is a long-standing corporate customer, the 2nd highest tax payer in the city, and this investment may spur future investments in this facility.

• 40. Motion approving content and form for Request for Proposals for 321 State Avenue.
  This is the first draft of the RFP for the city's long-sought affordable housing development at 321 State Ave. If Council is satisfied, the RFP will be issued and developers who feel they can meet all the requirements laid out in the RFP will have until April 14th to submit a proposal for consideration.

• 41. Multi-Modal Roadway Improvements Program Locations.
  When approving this year's CIP, Council modified the page containing on-street bicycle improvements after some feedback from the Ames Bicycle Coalition. The changes to the CIP remove two projects currently in the LRTP, in favor of other, more impactful projects. 

• 45. First passage of ordinance modifying requirements for Sidewalk Cafes.
  With the passage of this ordinance, restaurants will be able to have outdoor service areas which can be off-set from the building, use parklets, and serve alcohol (until 10 p.m.).

• 46. Campus and Community Commission. 
  One of the City Council's goals is to "Promote a Sense of One Community". In light of that, Council is voting on a resolution to initiate a new Campus and Community Commission. This commission would study matters affecting student and resident relations.

• The non-agenda packet is comprised of correspondence from citizens, organizations, developers, other interested parties. During the Council Comments section of council meetings, these items may be brought forth for more information, or to direct staff to put the topic on a future agenda. On this week's non-agenda packet:
  -Request from property owner at the intersection of I-35 and 190th to amend the urban fringe plan map to allow for a self storage facility on the property.
  -Letter from the Ames Human Relations Commission with several recommendations for improving the City's score on the HRC's Municipal Equality Index, which measures LGBTQ inclusiveness for municipalities.
  -Report from staff regarding a water leak issue for a resident who was concerned that the City's policy to have homeowners pay for such repairs could end up costing citizens through lost water.
  -Memo from staff about U-Haul's request for a text amendment to allow for greater roof height at their properties at 710 and 720 S Duff Ave.

Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
City Council At-Large

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