Bronwyn's Council Review

As usual for the review, my comments will be in red and italicized. 
 

• 22. Hearing on 2019/20 Asphalt Street Pavement Improvements (14th and 15th Street) [Continued from March 24, 2020]. Portions of these streets are being repaved between Clark and Duff. During the February 25 meeting, Council directed the project to achieve pedestrian connectivity on at least one side of 14th Street and one side of 15th Street (which do not currently have sidewalk continuity). However, many property owners immediately adjacent to the project area are strongly opposed to the construction of sidewalks. Council will deliberate whether to proceed with the project with or without the added sidewalks.
  
  This item had some public feedback, with three residents from the area speaking up in opposition to the installation of sidewalks. Their concerns included low pedestrian volume on the street, cost, loss of mature trees, and the increased burden of maintenance and snow removal. After some discussion about the value of connected pedestrian networks city-wide, a motion to proceed with the earlier directive to staff of installing sidewalks on one side of 14th and 15th Streets passed 6-0.
  (video)

• 29. Kingbury’s Subdivision, Third Addition (315 SE 3rd Street). This item was to have been discussed during the previous Council meeting, but got postponed. This action creates lots north and south of SE 3rd. St near Target. Staff is recommending approval with conditions ensuring that SE 3rd St. will connect with Cherry Ave. off the East end of this map when Cherry is extended south of East Lincoln Way.
  
  This item passed 6-0.
  (video)
• 30. Second Substantial Amendment to CDBG 2019/20 Annual Action Plan. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) notified the City of Ames that it will receive a special allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds in the amount of $354,515 to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. Council is being asked to approve staff's recommendation that these funds be used to provide relief in rent, mortgage payments, and/or utilities to those who are impacted by COVID-19. If Council approves, then staff will work on developing details (including substantial eligibility requirements) and we will revisit the topic on June 9. 
  
  With a great need looming, these funds will be valuable indeed to help with rent, mortgage, and utility payments for those affected by COVID-19. This item passed 6-0.
  (video)
• 31. Resolution approving revisions to Smart Energy Rebate Program. As stated in the report, "The City’s Smart Energy program is an energy efficiency program, designed to reduce electric demand and consumption, keep electric rates low, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Programs like Smart Energy should be periodically adjusted as the available technology and markets for energy efficient technology change. City staff has reviewed the current incentives and has developed proposed changes." Highlights include rebates for electric vehicles (particularly involving time-delay chargers, which charge vehicles overnight when electric rates are lower), rebates for new technology water heaters, drain water heat recovery systems, and eliminating the LED rebate program.
  
  The resolution approving these changes to the City's Smart Energy Rebate Program passed 6-0.
  (video)
• 32. Resolution approving alternative bike routes for 2019/20 Arterial Street Pavement Improvements (13th Street from Wilson Avenue to Duff Avenue). As part of a planned pavement replacement of 13th St. from Wilson Ave. to Duff Ave., staff proposes establishing long-term bicycle routes on 16th St. and 9th St. with appropriate signage directing cyclists to these routes. Unfortunately, on-street bike facilities are incompatible with the vehicle volumes and speeds on 13th St in this area. A video explaining the street replacement project is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji12Va77rB4. Skip to 9:05 for the section about the bike routes in particular.
  
  This item passed 6-0, designating 16th and 9th Streets as alternate east-west routes to 13th St.
  (video)
  
  
• 33. Events, facilities, and service closures related to COVID-19. While the City cannot control whether private businesses re-open, we can decide what may take place on City-owned property such as Parks and Recreational facilities, the Public Library, City Hall, and third-party events on City property (such as the Downtown Farmers' Market). Council is being asked to provide direction as to which facilities and events we might consider allowing, and how — but with the understanding that many such usages are currently still prohibited under State rules no matter what Council does. There are many different types of events, facilities, and considerations to stitch together in making these decisions.
  
  Several motions were made regarding the reopening of city events and facilities:
  • First, Council voted 6-0 to keep City facilities closed through July 1st. (The Library is planning on curbside service starting before July, though.)
  • Council also voted 6-0 to allow Parks & Rec staff to evaluate their programs and determine which, if any, might be held safely this year, including under what circumstances the Ice Arena might be allowed to reopen. 
  • Council voted 4-2 (Corrieri and Betcher voting 'nay') to reevaluate the reopening of Furman Aquatic Center at our next regular Council meeting.
  • Finally, Council voted 6-0 to allow the Farmers Market to reopen, though without food prepared on-site, entertainment, and common seating areas. Strict social distancing measures have been promised by the Farmers Market organizers, and Council reserves the right to rescind this permission if safety measures are deemed insufficient.
    (video)

Non-Agenda Packet: The following items are requests and communications to the council that are not on the agenda for full discussion.  This includes staff reports and communications or requests from constituents and developers. Typically the council will ask city staff for more information (a memo), put the item on a future agenda for deliberation and possible action, or just accept the communication, taking no further action. Council generally processes these requests and communications during the agenda portion called "Disposition of Communications to Council."

(video)

• MetroNet abandoning pump station purchase. Having relocated their network hut elsewhere, MetroNet is no longer interested in purchasing the City-owned pump station at 1420 Lincoln Way.
• Cinemark letter. In early April, Cinemark set the City a courtesy letter explaining their temporary COVID-19 related closure.
• City Attorney letter. The City Attorney proposes updating our Municipal Code to reflect the proper name of the Iowa State University Student Government.
  Council voted to direct staff to make this change, 6-0
• Sierra Club letter. The representative asks the City Council to support their campaign to increase federal support for the clean energy sector.
  Council voted to take no action on this item, 6-0
• Socially Responsible Investing. The City Treasurer and Finance Director explain their conclusion that participation in "socially responsible investing" is not feasible for the City of Ames, due to a combination of limited investment options available under Iowa law and very limited ability to differentiate eligible investments based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.
• WinField Solutions Internet. WinField Solutions, a Land O'Lakes company, is making their WiFi available to the public for free at their 224 S. Bell location in Ames due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council Comments: (video)
 

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