Review: Contamination of proposed Indoor Aquatic Center property
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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.
Council Member Betcher was not present at this meeting, so all vote totals are out of 5.
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Usually some of the agenda items will have a period where members of the public may briefly speak to Council.
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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.
- 25. Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center Property Acquisition Update (IDOT site).
This is an update for Council (and the public) about where we're at with the indoor pool, and it isn't the best news. During the environmental assessment, it was determined that there is some contamination towards the northeast corner of the DOT's property. Due to the health, environmental, and cost concerns, Council is being asked to consider 5 factors and give direction on the property acquisition at our July 26th meeting.
City staff, as well as consultants from the Iowa DNR and Impact 7g were available to answer questions about the environmental testing and results found at 122 N Oak. After reviewing all of the information presented, council moved to ask staff to investigate if there are any alternative site options in close proximity to the established Downtown Reinvestment District. The motion passed 5-0. This information will be brought back to council to consider alongside the current information and public feedback over the next 2 weeks. - 26. Fines for Nuisance Parties.
At a recent meeting, Council discussed 8:01 Day, and one of the staff suggestions was to increase fines for nuisance parties, as well as towing (next item) for illegal parking on that weekend. Fines for nuisance parties are currently $100 for a first violation and $200 for a subsequent violation, and this would increase those amounts (for this weekend or other dates determined by Council) to $750 and $1,000, respectively. As a point of interest, normally warnings to disperse parties are given as a first step before citations are issued, according to the Police Department.
First, council moved to pass the proposed ordinance, which failed 3-2, Gartin and Junck voting nay (this is because 4 affirmative votes are required to change a city ordinance). After a short discussion, a motion was made to reconsider, which passed 4-1 (Junck voting nay). Then a motion to amend the fine amounts to $650 and $855 respectively passed 4-1 (Junck voting nay). A motion to pass the ordinance on first reading passed 4-1 (Junck voting nay). A vote to suspend the rules in order to pass the motion on 2nd and 3rd readings was taken, which failed 4-1 (Junck voting nay). This ordinance will come back at the next council meeting for 2nd and 3rd readings. - 27. Towing for Illegal Parking.
Similarly to the above item regarding nuisance parties, this item proposes towing illegally parked cars in the area of greatest concern for the weekend encompassing 8:01 Day, or any other dates determined by Council.
Council moved to approve the ordinance 5-0. - 30. Hearing on Integrated Site Plan Subdivision with concurrent Final Plat and Major Site Development Plan Amendment for 1404 and 1410 Buckeye Avenue.
Council is being asked about vacating an (unused, according to the Electrical Dept.) electrical easement in order for the property owner to construct a car wash on the property.
Council voted to approve the request, 5-0.
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.
- Waiver of Sub Request - Hidden Creek Farm.
Council asked staff for a memo on this item, which passed 5-0.
Thanks for reading,
Rachel Junck
Ames City Council, Ward 4