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:

• 29. Request for City to Purchase Rose Prairie Property. In October, the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park asked Council to consider purchasing the "Rose Prairie" property west of the park in order to increase parkland, improve biodiversity, and protect the lakes. In response, Council agreed to put the idea on an agenda in order to learn more about the concerns behind the request and decide what level of further exploration is appropriate—if any. Actually pursuing this purchase would be a significant course change for planning in this part of town, and following through on it would probably require public approval through a bond referendum.
  
  A motion to pursue purchasing this land for a park failed with vote of 3-3 (Corrieri, Gartin, and Martin voting Nay). Open space and protecting the watershed were the main arguments for this purchase, though staff maintained that through their modeling, the current constructed wetlands should be sufficient to protect the water quality once this land is developed into housing. (Keep in mind that it is agricultural land now, and even developing it into housing is an improvement over the nitrate levels produced by ag use.) Another argument for keeping it on track for housing is that it is the largest piece of land already zoned for residential use and annexed into the City, meaning that it if were converted to park, more land would need to be annexed for future housing needs. It was suggested that after a year's time, if no housing development has been proposed, we might reconsider.​
  
  
• 30. Staff Report regarding East Industrial Zoning. The Prairie View Industrial Center has to be rezoned to allow for actual industrial uses. In this item, staff observes that the City's existing industrial zones are not a perfect match for expectations here and they recommend creation of a new "Manufacturing Industrial" designation that would be better suited for this area. 
  
  This item passed 6-0, directing staff to create a new category of Industrial zoning to bring back to Council for approval.
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• 32. Staff Report regarding Splash Pad Water System and Location. During last budget season, Council allocated funding for a splash pad in Ames. Compared to the existing wading pool at Brookside park, splash pads don't have standing water, don't require a staff person to be present, can be open longer hours, have a longer season, and don't require an admission fee. Staff is asking Council for direction on the type of water system used: either a recirculating/filtered system or a flow-throw system with higher water consumption. There are tradeoffs including price, whether on-site restrooms or showers are required, and maximum flow rate. The type of water system also affects possible park locations that are suitable.
  
  After hearing the pros and cons of the three types of water systems, Council voted 6-0 to direct staff to pursue the recirculation system. Potential future locations of this amenity might include Daley Park or Emma McCarthy Park.
• 33. Discussion of Downtown Plaza Vision. One of the Council goals approved in February is to begin construction on a downtown community space by 2021. Staff is now asking council to make some initial decisions regarding our goals for the project, vision for a plaza, activities we'd like to attract, and desired site. 
  
  No votes were taken on this item, instead Council brainstormed our vision and wishlist for what such a plaza might include, as well as discussing potential locations. Staff will use this input to help determine what type of consultant would be most appropriate to assist in planning a Downtown plaza.
• 37. First Passage of Face-Covering Ordinance Extending Sunset Clause to June 30, 2021. Unless extended, the City's face covering ordinance is set to expire on December 31. The proposed ordinance would extend it until June 30, 2021, though Council could of course vote to alter or terminate the ordinance prior to then if we determine that conditions call for it. At Council's request, city staff contacted the Story County Board of Health, Mary Greeley Medical Center, McFarland Clinic, and Iowa State University Department of Public Safety to ask for their opinions on extending the ordinance prior to taking the first vote on it.  All four organizations expressed their support for an extension.
  
  This item passed 5-1 (Gartin voting Nay).

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."
 

• Farmhouse Fraternity Request . This fraternity states that they missed a few years of tax abatements that they qualified for and asks Council for approval to complete the remaining seven years of the abatement schedule. 
  A motion to place this request on a future agenda passed 6-0.
• Historic Preservation Plan Amendments. The Historic Preservation Commission asks Council to initiate the process of amending the existing plan.
  A motion to accept the recommendation of the HPC and move forward with amendments to the Historic Preservation Plan passed 6-0.
• Request for Flag Disposal Site. The letter writer discusses the possibility of a new drop-off location for retired American flags.
  Council voted 5-1 (Corrieri voting Nay) to get a memo from staff on this topic.
• Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau Request for Funding. The City imposes a 7% tax on hotel/motel guests; the City sends more than half of these proceeds to the independent Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau for "the promotion and encouragement of tourist and convention business in the city" and for "improvements to and construction of recreation, convention, cultural and entertainment facilities".  But as you might guess, this business sector has been hard-hit by the pandemic, and that is having a significant impact on ACVB's funding. The ACVB is requesting both a loan and a one-time reallocation of economic development funds to help get through this period. 
  With a vote of 6-0, Council moved to discuss this item at budget time (which is fast approaching).

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