Dan DeGeest's Council Review

The Ames City Council and Ames Human Relations Commission joint meeting May 23, 2017. The agenda included:

• 1. (Video)   Human Relations Commission annual report, recommendations regarding the Human Rights Campaign's "Municipal Equality Index", and a discussion of the Safe Community Resolution. The annual report is fairly routine, and happens, well, annually. The HRC's MEI is a rating of a City's LGBTQA+ "friendliness" and includes criteria such as having a police liaison and a representative from the City Manager's office that would act as point people for any issues of discrimination that would arise. (Though the Ames Human Relation Commission recommends these staff advocate for all types of diverse groups, and not only LGBTQA+ ones.) The Safe Community Resolution is very similar to the one adopted by Iowa City in January. It is designed to affirm the City's protection under the 10th amendment, and states that "the Ames Police Department shall not undertake any law enforcement action for the purpose of detecting the presence of undocumented persons or devote any public resources to the enforcement of federal immigration law".
  
  I did not make it to this presentation but I was told there was a lot of very good, productive discussion.  See the video for full details.

• 37. Miracle Field and Inclusive Playground (Resolution approving design and parking regulations discussion). (Video)
  The Miracle Field is back for final approval because Council wanted to make sure the design addressed some of the neighborhood concerns raised during the initial site selection. The design is back, and still includes lights and a sound system, which were two of the primary concerns from neighbors. The park layout shown below does maintain a large amount of open green space, which was another concern raised by the neighborhood. In regards to parking, 24th St. has been marked as no parking along the south side of the street east of Duff, and the west side of Broadmoor has also been designated as no parking. This was also done in response to neighborhood concerns about traffic congestion. In addition, a 4-way stop has been installed at 24th and Duff to facilitate pedestrian access to the park. 
  
  There was a very in-depth presentation of all of the features being planned for this new park and how users of varying skill levels would be able to interact.  This looks like a really ambitious project and will probably end up in the $1.8 million dollar range through private fund raising.  The park will then be turned over to the City for ongoing maintenance.  Concerns were addressed again regarding noise levels, parking, and other concerns raised during earlier discussions.  The designers will start more detailed site planning now that the preliminary design has been approved.
  
  Motion approving design passed 6-0.
  
  

• 38. Motion providing guidance to staff regarding Healthy Life Center Planning Study Request for Proposals. (Video)
  After much deliberation between several agencies hoping to partner on the Healthy Life Center, it is now time to prepare a request for proposals for a planning study. Staff are asking Council for feedback on elements of the RFP, including what components/amenities to include, other user groups to include in discussions, and evaluation criteria for the potential consultants.
  
  Another lengthy discussion on issues that have been talked about before on this project things seems to be moving closer to defining the funding sources, the location, and the type of facilities.  One person did come forward to again request that the City make one more attempt at including a 50M competition pool and/or work with the Ames School District.  It will still be awhile before we see how this new project unfolds.
  
  Motion providing guidance to staff passed 6-0.

• 39. Staff Report pertaining to request for amendment to Depot Development Agreement. (Video)
  In 1994, the current owner of the Depot purchased the building for $10, in exchange for criteria including keeping the existing building, developing commercial space, and allowing public parking on the site for 50 years. The site currently has just under 200 public parking spots. The potential purchaser is asking the development agreement be amended to instead include 98 public spots, the difference of which would be used for employee and client parking of current and future companies.
  
  Motion approving option #2, Grant the Developer 71 Private Parking Spaces And Retain 127 Public Spaces, passed 4-2 (Gartin and Orazem NO)
  
  
  

• 43. Hearing on Zoning Text Amendments to revise site landscape requirements for all uses (first passage of ordinance). (Video)
  At an April meeting, Council heard a report regarding landscaping requirement changes, and directed staff to prepare an ordinance. Staff is back w/ the ordinance, but wants feedback on several items. First, how to handle existing sites when they want to modify their property. Second, the city currently issues an occupancy permit only when all site improvements have been made...staff are suggesting that upon request, certain planting extensions be automatic, and that developers submit additional documents regarding project completion. Finally, staff are recommending a change to the appeal process.
  
  Passed 6-0

• 44. Hearing on Final Amendments to Fiscal Year 2016/17 Budget. (Video)
  Several times annually, the budget is amended to reflect actual city spending. The bad news? Revenues are down by $98k. The good news? Expenditures are down by $849k.
  
  Passed 6-0

• 50. First passage of Storm Water Utility Rates Ordinance.  (Video)
  In February, Council directed staff to increase storm water rates. The increase is relative to the amount of impervious surface on a lot. The smallest category, from 150-10,000 square feet, would increase from $4.70 to $4.95 monthly. The largest category (those over 90,000 square feet of impervious surface) would see an increase from $42.25 to $44.55 monthly.
  
  Passed 6-0

• 51. First passage of Electric Rate Ordinance. (Video)
  As proposed in this year's budget (back in February), this ordinance will increase electric rates by 4% for all classes of customers, beginning July 1, 2017. 
  
  Passed 6-0

• 52. First passage of revised Fireworks Ordinance under Municipal Code Chapter 17.6. (Video)
  Ames has had an ordinance since 1987 prohibiting the use of fireworks within city limits. The ordinance was discussed at last week's workshop, and there wasn't sufficient will from Council to repeal it. The changes to this ordinance update the definition of fireworks in the ordinance, clarify that permits are for professional (not consumer) fireworks, and establishes some rules for vendors of consumer fireworks. (Selling, purchasing, and possessing fireworks will be legal in the city...just not setting them off.
  
  Passed 6-0

• Council comments (Video)