Dan DeGeest's Council Review

Greetings.

It was a chilly Tuesday but that didn't prevent the City from plowing through a very full agenda containing multiple presentations, proclamations and regular business items.  One proclamation in particular is near and dear to my heart, namely the one declaring May Bike Month and May 15-19 Bike to Work Week for  2017.  Once again this year the Ames Bicycle Coalition has worked hard to encourage participation in these two nationally observed bicycle programs with a host of local events throughout the month of May.  See the ABC Facebook page for a full list of events including several free breakfasts (including City Hall again this year) to help fuel your morning bike commute during bike to work week May 15-19. #donutdriveyourcar.
 

The Ames City Council for April 25, 2017. The agenda included:
 

• 19. Resolution approving payment of compensation and attorneys fees for 161-kV Transmission Line condemnation.
  Several years ago, the city installed a power line from Ames to Ankeny. While most of the property owners negotiated a buy-out, two properties took the city to court and were eventually awarded $290k for their loss of property. With court costs, the city and Iowa State (responsible for 21%) owe a total of $354k for the 33-foot wide easement on which the 161-kV transmission line sits.
  
  Motion approving resolution and settlement payment passed 6-0.

• 43. Appeal of 2516 Lincoln Way Minor Site Development Plan Conditions of Approval.(VIDEO)
  The owner of the properties at 2510, 2512, 2518, and 2522 Lincoln Way is working on redeveloping those properties into a single property (2516 Lincoln Way). This redevelopment would consist of an apartment building with commercial uses on the ground floor. The conditions laid out by the Planning Director include two which the developer is appealing. First, the developer is requesting no required parking. Council recently instituted parking requirements for mixed use developments in Campustown, and the requirement for this property would be 8 spaces. (One for each residential unit.)  Second, the developer is asking for a curb cut onto Lincoln Way. Staff's opinion is that the heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic on Lincoln Way makes it unsafe as a driveway. Instead, they suggest bollards at the north end of the driveway, so vehicles (such as trash collection) could access from Welch Ave. through the interior parking lot, but not from Lincoln Way.
  
  Long story short the developer does not want to provide any parking for this project. Under the current zoning (which recently had its language updated) they are required to provide 8 spaces for the residential component.  They are not required to provide parking for the commercial components.  That is covered by the metered street parking throughout Campustown.  To provide the needed spaces they contend they will have to remove a rear patio feature which I think is one of the best parts of the new project.  It could help finally kick-start the community gathering space concept that has been talked about for several years now in that rear lot.
  
  It is hard for people in Ames to fathom building in an urban environment without providing a huge parking lot.  However the parking required here will not help you or anyone else trying to go to one of the new businesses or any other businesses in the area.  They would be reserved for the tenants and if not in use by them they would sit empty.  Why is it so scary to consider a residential project that provides no parking and leaves that issue to the tenants to decide if that is something they can or want to accept when they sign a lease?  Lots of people, especially in a college town, live without a car and the trend is increasing.  ISU is not providing a parking space for every dorm room right across the street at Friley Hall.
  
  My daughter attends college in St. Paul, MN.  It's a small school in a bustling city, located next to the wide and picturesque Summit Avenue.  I helped her move up, visited multiple times, and picked her up for summer breaks.  Not once have I ever parked next to or even close to her dorm, coffee shops and restaurants, or any of the other places I have needed to visit.  I have to park farther away and walk to my destination.  I rather enjoy it.  There are always a lot of other people walking, things to see, and many times I have discovered new businesses or place to dine on the way.
  
  The second appeal was to allow for a driveway from the rear lot that would cross the sidewalk and dump out between two parking spaces directly onto Lincoln Way.  I won't mince words here - this is a terrible idea.  There is already access to the rear after a previous project secured an easement ensuring it.  There is no need to put a third access point and start driving cars and trucks over the sidewalk serving this block of commercial services.
  
  After lots of discussion and input, motion denying both appeals passed 6-0.

• 45. Hearing on Annexation of property located at 4605 Hyde Avenue. (VIDEO)
  This annexation was approved by Council 6-0 at our Feb. 14th meeting, but there was a clerical omission in the application, so the City Development Board didn't accept it. In order to proceed, the application needs to be resubmitted.
  
  This has been discussed at length in previous meetings and was back on the agenda because of a formality.  Motion approving annexation passed 6-0.
   

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• 50. First passage of ordinance increasing compensation for Mayor and City Council.(VIDEO)
  During budget hearings, an increase from $7k to $10k in Council salaries was approved. Council also asked for a report of the salaries of Council members in comparable cities in Iowa. The last Council salary increase was 12 years ago, and salaries can only be changed every four years coinciding with a mayoral election.
  
  City Council takes a lot of time.  Time that our elected officials put in on top of day jobs, families, and so on.  While I just have to read the materials and go to meetings to provide this newsletter, those elected do that and field countless calls, emails, and attend all sorts of events and meetings.  I think they are all deserving of the small salary and this increase is well justified after 12 years of no adjustments.  Maybe it will encourage more people to run for a seat - elections are coming up!
  
  Motion passing first reading of ordinance passed 5-1 (Orazem NO).