321 State, Downtown Parking, Budget Guidelines
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Bronwyn's Council Preview |
The Ames City Council meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. this Tuesday at city hall. The agenda includes (but is not limited to):
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26. Staff Report on 321 State Avenue Affordable Housing Project.
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At our November 26th meeting, Council directed staff to put a discussion of this item on a future agenda so we could discuss whether our current course is still the best one, or if we should consider alternatives. The current direction, established in June, is for the City to act as the developer, and develop approximately 37 homes on the site.
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Alternatives that Council will be considering include moving Franklin Park to the north lot at 321 State, and building medium density affordable rental housing on what is now Franklin Park. The park would then relocate to the north end of 321 State, and affordable single-family housing would still be developed on the south end. (Though fewer units total.) Staff were also asked to provide information on using this site for an indoor aquatic center.
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Staff do not recommend an indoor aquatic facility at this location for two reasons, a lack of future expansion opportunity and the requirement to reimburse HUD for the market value of the land.
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27. Staff Report on Amending Campustown Mid-Block Setback.
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This request came to Council because of interest in redeveloping the property at 2516 Lincoln Way, which would be subject to a requirement for a 20 foot opening between buildings because they are on the middle of the block. This opening is required in the zoning of the CSC district (spanning from 2400 to 2700 Lincoln Way), in an effort to provide access to the interior of these blocks for vehicles. (For this particular block, interior access is provided through alleys/driveways from Welch and Hayward.)
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Staff provide three options; getting rid of the mid-block setback standard along Lincoln Way, giving Planning Staff authority to determine this on a case-by-case basis, or do a more in-depth study of utility needs in the CSC area. Options 1 or 2 are preferred by staff, as both would be minor changes requiring less staff time.
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28. Presentation of 2019 Downtown Parking Study.
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In October, Council initiated a study of parking in the Downtown central business district (CBD), with the intent of studying our rate structure, parking supply, best practices, and more. This study involved public outreach and a steering committee comprised of area business owners and representatives. The consultant's recommendations are included, along with responses from the steering committee.
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29. East Industrial Area Utility Extension Project:
a. Resolution approving Professional Services Agreement Amendment No. 2 .
b. Resolution approving Plat of Survey for lift station and future elevated water tank site .
c. Resolution approving Purchase Agreement from Janice S. Schroer Revocable Trust UTA October 30, 1997, for lift station site in the amount of $73,450 .
d. Motion directing staff to initiate the process of rezoning the site from Agricultural to Government Airport .-
Several years ago, Council initiated the installation of Sewer and Water utilities spanning the entire length of the East Industrial Area. Because of the need for a sanitary sewer lift station, Council is now being asked to approve an increase in consultant fees of $60,200 and rezone the required land for the lift station and water tank to S-GA (Governmental/Airport).
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30. South Grand Avenue Extension Project.
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This request is for an additional $147,900 for the consultant to provide some additional design services. These additional consulting services would include changes such as Worle Creek stabilization, widening of the underpass to 16 feet, adding maintenance access to Coldwater Golf Course, an additional lane and median on S 16th, and more.
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36. Budget Issues/Guidelines. Council is scheduled to receive more information on budget issues and guidelines on Monday afternoon (Link updated when document is available).
Non-Agenda Packet: The following items are requests and communications to the council that are not on the agenda. This includes staff reports and communications/request from constituents/developers. By tradition the council can ask city staff for more information (a report), put the item on a future agenda for discussion or just accept the communication (taking no further action). This usually takes place at the end of the meeting during council comments.
- Human Services Capital Funding.
- Inspection Staff Response to the AEDC Chamber Focus Group Findings.
- Request for Traffic Control Improvements at Hunizker Drive and Roosevelt Ave.
Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
At-Large Council Member