Rachel's Council Review

As usual for the review, my comments are red and italicized in the context of the latest Council Preview by Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen.
 

The Ames City Council meets on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.  The agenda includes the following. Note that you can generally click on individual agenda items below to get the full staff report or other explanation.

• 29. Project Update regarding Indoor Aquatic Center.
  This is the first update on the Indoor Aquatic Center since fall of 2021. Staff outline 5 areas of interest in the report.

1. Project cost increase update ($30.1 million to $32.6)
2. RDG Contract update (to be potentially presented to Council at the May 24th meeting)
3. Construction Manager Contract (also to be presented at the May 24th meeting)
4. Land aquisition from IDOT update (most recent independent appraisal was $2.9 million for the parcel)
5. Environmental Assessment update (due to some initial findings on the northeast quarter of the site, staff are recommending more research be done before proceeding)
   
   The council received several updates on the Indoor Aquatic Center, and moved to direct staff on three different areas. The first vote was what strategy to pursue regarding the project budget. Council voted to bid the east addition as an add alternate and focus on building a quality indoor aquatic center, 6-0. The second vote was to finalize a contract with the construction manager for the aquatic center project. Staff recommended moving forward with Story Construction and council approved this, 6-0. The third vote was about the DOT site. Staff recommended waiting to submit an Offer to Buy until environmental experts can be consulted to clarify the report findings and determine whether further testing or mitigation efforts will be required to ensure the safety of patrons and staff occupying the future facility. Council agreed with this approach, 6-0. 

• 30. Downtown Plaza plans and specifications.
  Because of project cost increases (a common refrain this year), staff are recommending proceeding with a set of change orders to the project that would help keep it in line with available funding, though Council will likely need to use some Council Contingency funds ($740k) to cover the remaining shortfall. 
  Council voted to proceed with the staff recommended change orders for the project, 6-0. Council also voted to have staff explore having conduit underneath the plaza that could support additional lighting for the project in the future, 6-0. 
• 31. Resolution approving Neighborhood Improvement Program grant to Roosevelt Neighborhood Association for Pollinator Pocket Garden at 10th & Roosevelt.
  The Neighborhood Improvement Program provides funding to neighborhoods for a variety of improvement ideas. This grant, for $1616.30, will go towards the installation of a pollinator garden on the northeast corner of Roosevelt Park.
  Council voted to approve the Neighborhood Improvement Program grant for the Pollinator Pocket Garden project, 6-0.
• 32. Resolution approving Downtown Facade Grant.
  One eligible grant application was received, asking for $10k for the Pantorium building to renovate the 2nd story windows.
  Council approved the Downtown Facade Grant application for the Pantorium building, 6-0.
• 33. Resolution approving Preliminary Plat for 5571 Hyde Avenue (Hayden’s Preserve), subject to conditions.
  This Preliminary Plat details the build-out of the first 56 acres of Hayden's Preserve. This area is in a conservation overlay, meaning special environmental precautions need to take place, including at least 25% of land area being dedicated to open space. In addition, for this project the developer met with the Friends of Ada Hayden to discuss stormwater retention systems, and they were supportive of the approach adopted in this development. 
  This item was pulled by the site developer and will be discussed at a future council meeting. 
  
  
   
• 34. 2516 Lincoln Way Development Project.
  It is exciting to finally see this vacant lot get some action! A two-story bar/restaurant is planned for the space, and the developer is asking to modify the clay-brick requirement on one hidden facade of the building.
  Council discussed the current clay-brick facade requirements and how this will affect the project at 2516 Lincoln Way, as well as possible effects of changing this policy for the Campustown Service Center Zone as a whole. Overall, council voted to direct staff to initiate a zoning text amendment that allows flexibility on the 50% clay brick requirement in cases with zero lot line conditions and considering visibility issues and other design aesthetics. The motion passed 6-0, and the draft text amendment will come back to council in the future.
  
  

Communications to Council: The following items are requests and communications to Council that aren't published on the agenda, so we won't deliberate them substantially.  This includes staff reports and communications or requests from constituents and developers. Typically, Council will ask city staff for more information, put the item on a future agenda for deliberation and possible action, or just accept the communication, taking no further action.
 

• Anthony Brock Boone County.
  Council asked staff for a memo on this item, which passed 5-1 (Gartin abstained for Conflict of Interest).

Additional Note:

 I wanted to end this council review with a mention of the Mayor-Council Bike ride this weekend in celebration of National Bike to Work Week! This is a family-friendly bike ride around Ames, starting and ending at City Hall. The 7.5-mile ride will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 21, in the west parking lot at Ames City Hall, 515 Clark Ave. Bicyclists of all ages and experience levels are welcome to join the ride. There is no pre-registration necessary or cost to participate. Bike helmets are strongly encouraged!

Thanks for reading,
Rachel Junck
Ames City Council, Ward 4