Rachel's Council Review

As usual for the review, my comments are in red and italicized in the context of the latest Council Preview by Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen. Councilmember Corrieri was not present for the first item, so that vote is out of 5, but all other vote totals are out of 6. 

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

• 19. Discussion on Naming the Downtown Plaza.
  The Mayor has a proposition for the naming of the future Downtown plaza that he will present at our meeting on Tuesday.
  The Mayor proposed that the future Downtown plaza be named after longtime city of Ames employee and current city manager, Steven L. Schainker. Council moved to waive the Parks & Recreation Naming Policy Procedures Section 5a and 5b, and to direct staff to present a resolution for Council consideration at the November 8, 2022 meeting. The motion passed 5-0.
• 20. Motion directing staff on how to proceed regarding The Linc Development Project
  After last meeting's presentation, Council is being asked how to proceed with regard to the Linc project at Lincoln Way between Clark and Kellogg Avenues. (The presentation was given two weeks ago to allow time for public input before Council gave direction.) This is a large development both in terms of area, but also financially. The developers are asking for $42 million over the course of 20 years, after which time the property tax generated by this property would return to the taxing entities. Additionally, you may recall that this project has the potential to fund $10 million toward the indoor aquatic center through a State sales tax rebate program. Phase 1 of the project would include a hotel, restaurant, a mixed-use commercial/residential building, and a plaza. The second phase would include two additional buildings containing apartments and offices. During phase 2, it is the goal that the City would construct a parking ramp over north of the railroad tracks that would be connected via pedestrian bridge to the development. (That part isn't for sure, there are many future approvals that would need to happen, and Council today can't commit Councils of the future to all the needed approvals.) In addition to the timing and financing of this project, Council will give direction on a few extra issues that we asked be addressed, housing affordability and sustainability.
  
  Council moved to direct staff to prepare a final developer agreement to be brought back for formal council approval. This motion passed 6-0. A second motion to have the developer identify how many electric charging stations would be included in Phase 1 of the project and work that into the developers agreement also passed 6-0.
• 21. Staff Report on Urban Fringe Plan.
  The Urban Fringe Plan and corresponding 28E agreement with Gilbert and Story County is due to expire in November, so the City has been in talks with Gilbert and Story County about a renewal. Council is being asked to consider the changes proposed by the two other entities. Alternatively, the 28E agreement could expire and not be renewed, in which case the City maintains its subdivision and annexation authority within the two miles surrounding Ames. 
  Council moved Option 2, which is to update the Urban Fringe Plan draft with City specific edits to the proposal by the Story County Board of Supervisors. This motion passed 4-2 (Corrieri and Gartin voting nay). Council then moved to extend the current 28E agreement with Story County and Gilbert to January 1, 2023, which passed 6-0.
• 23. Presentation of Findings of Grand Avenue Intersections Improvement Study.
  There is a lot in this report, as it deals with 5 intersections along Grand, including some pretty significant ones (13th and Grand, for example). Some examples of suggested improvements include pursuing a left-turn arrow at 13th and Grand, and a shared use path is recommended along the west side of Grand north from 6th Street. 
  
  Council reviewed the findings of the Grand Avenue Corridor study, and accepted the study findings as summarized in the report and implementation plan (6-0). The public will have many more opportunities to offer input for each of the five intersection projects before they are brought to City Council for approval of plans and specifications. 
• 24. Staff Report on Stange Road Pedestrian Improvements.
  Over the years, Council has received a lot of feedback about this area not being pedestrian friendly. Staff are proposing the addition of two four-way stop signs, as well as a change in parking (from parallel to back-in angled parking) and an area for buses to pull in for passenger pickup/drop off. 
  
  Council moved to accept the report and direct staff to proceed with the proposed crossing improvements process. This process will include stakeholder meetings, further discussions with Cyride, as well as refining the final design and programming the funding needed into a future year in the CIP. The motion passed 6-0.

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.
 

• City Attorney memo about MCC.
  Council moved to direct the City Attorney to draft changes to the ordinance, 6-0.
• LWV request Climate Action Office.
  Council took no action on this request at this time. 
• Pending severing agreement between Green Hills pool and Ames Park and Rec.
  Council moved to refer this item to City Parks and Rec staff, 6-0.
• Mediacom price adjustment.
  This item was informational only.
• Voting memo.
  Council took no action on this request at this time. 
• Public comment on draft Ames Urban Fringe Plan combined.
  Council considered these public comment items under item 21 on the agenda.

Thanks for reading,

Rachel Junck

Ames City Council, Ward 4