Bronwyn's Council Review

As usual for the review, my comments are red and italicized in the context of the latest Council Preview by David Martin. 
 

The Ames City Council meets on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom.  This agenda includes:

• 17. Baker Subdivision (321 State Avenue) Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Development Proposals. The City of Ames has owned the former middle school property at 321 State Avenue for over four years now and has been working to create affordable housing opportunities there. In February, Council voted on a layout for the site  ("Option F") including 26 single-family homes, at least 14 that will be affordable to households earning no more than 80% of average median income. The construction of infrastructure for that housing is underway.  
  
  Council also designated almost 3 acres south of Tripp St as multi-family (e.g., apartments or multiplex) LIHTC housing and issued a Request for Proposals for developers for this housing. Seven proposals were received, and Council is now being asked to decide which proposal/developer to partner with on the project. Ultimately, a proposal will be presented to the Iowa Finance Authority in application for LIHTC credits. This is a competitive process and there's no guarantee that these crucial credits will be awarded to any particular project. Therefore, it's important to focus on proposals/developers who are believed to have a good chance of submitting a very strong application.
  
  Staff has identified two of the proposals that stand out in their view: "MVAH Partners and Prairie Fire Development proposals best address the RFP overall by providing for our target objectives of family housing, diverse housing types, feasible development concepts, strong development experience, and property management experience."
  
  
  (video)  After a robust discussion of the value of more units vs more green space and neighborhood approval, the Prairie Fire Development was pursued with a vote of 4-2 (Corrieri and Gartin voting Nay)
• 18. Domani Subdivision, First Addition. In late September, Council completed rezoning of this new subdivision on the south side of 2200 Oakwood Road.  Council is now being asked to approve a Development Agreement and Final Plat for the subdivision. 
  
  ​(video) This item passed 6-0
• 19. Resolution approving Airport Master Plan. Council reviewed the draft Airport Master Plan on September 22. After a comment period, Council is being asked to approve the plan. Assuming we do, staff will then submit the final Plan to the FAA for their approval of its Aviation Forecast and Airport Layout Plan components. My understanding is that federal funding is only available for projects that are present within the Master Plan, but that a project being described in the plan doesn't obligate the City to undertake it.
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  (video) The Airport Master Plan passed with a vote of 6-0.
• 20. Hearing on proposed text amendments regarding the new flood plain maps, updated definitions, and amended terminology used in Chapter 9 of the Ames Municipal Code. Revised flood maps for Ames were completed in 2019 as part of the National Flood Insurance Program. To remain in compliance with the program, Ames has to adopt these maps and certain other changes into our ordinances as well. Staff reports that the new maps bring "a total of 70 new parcels, including 39 buildings, into the 100-year floodplain. Nine parcels are being removed. The boundaries of the floodway did not change. Of the new buildings being added, the vast majority of those are non-residential." An online viewer of the new maps is available here.
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  (video) This item passed 6-0
  
  
• 26. First passage of ordinance repealing Urban Revitalization Areas. Council agreed to eliminate several Urban Revitalization Areas (tax-abatement areas) in September. This item begins that formal process.
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  (video) The first passage of this ordinance repealing some prior URAs passed 5-0. (Council member Corrieri was not present for this vote.)

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)

• ISU Child Care Task Force Final Report. This memo presents findings and follow-up actions from Iowa State's Child Care Task Force.
• Speeding on Delaware Ave. This letter expresses concern about speeding and safety on Delaware Ave.
• Traffic at Cessna and Beach. This letter expresses concern about traffic near the intersection of Cessna and Beach.
  This was referred to staff for a memo with a vote of 5-0.
• Parking Lot Inquiry. This letter asks about the circumstances and ownership of a nearby parking lot.
• Vertex Cancellation. This memo communicates that although Council agreed to provide matching City funding for an Iowa Economic Development Authority grant to Vertex Software, the grant agreement was not completed and therefore the local funds will not be spent.
• Playground Request. This colorful letter requests a nearby mini-playground with maybe a swing set, picnic table, and climbing rack.
  This was referred to staff 5-0.

COUNCIL COMMENTS: (video)

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

P.S. All eligible voters living in Story County can vote early at these times and these satellite locations:
 

• Saturday, October 31 -- Ames Public Library, FT Brown Auditorium 9:00 am –4:00 pm 515 Douglas Ave., Ames
• The Story County Administration Building will be open for in-person voting (until 5 p.m., Monday, Nov. 2) from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday.

On election day, vote at your local poll location.

If you requested an absentee ballot or have returned a ballot, you can check your ballot's status at the Secretary of State's office.