Review: Public Input on Capital Improvements Plan (CIP)
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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.
https://www.youtube.com/ameschannel12
https://www.cityofames.org/channel12
or watch the meeting live on Mediacom Channel 12
Usually some of the agenda items will have a period where members of the public may briefly speak to Council.
TO REACH THE MAYOR AND ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL:
Send email to MayorCouncil@AmesCityCouncil.org
(Note that emails to elected officials are generally subject to Iowa Open Records requests)
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.
- 1. Headwaters of the South Skunk River Watershed Management Plan (presentation sides and executive summery).
This will be an informational presentation by the Story County Watershed Coordinator. (As mentioned in the staff report, both the Water and Pollution Control and Public Works Departments have been involved in the Watershed Management Authority.)
No action was requested from the City Council at this time.
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34. Resolution approving 2022 accomplishments of the Historic Preservation Commission and the Work Plan for 2023 as described in the 2022 Certified Local Government (CLG) Report.
Each year, the City and our Historic Preservation Commission present a report to the State Historic Preservation Office. This Work Plan summarizes work completed in 2022, and describes projects for 2023.
Council approved the Historic Preservation Commission 2023 Work Plan, 6-0.
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35. 2023-2028 Capital Improvements Plan public input (City Manager's CIP summery).
As I mentioned in the last preview, the time for public input on our CIP will be this Tuesday. Council received a summary last week, so this time will be set aside for public comment only.
Council received input on the CIP in-person at the meeting and also via email from several citizens. Input can still be submitted ahead of council's decision on the CIP at the February 14th budget wrap-up city council meeting. -
36. Resolution approving HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP) Proposed Allocation Projects.
Council approved the HOME-ARP proposed allocation projects, 6-0.
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37. Resolution setting February 14, 2023, as the date of public hearing for the sale of Lots 2-8 in the Baker Subdivision to Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa.
The motion passed 6-0.
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38. Staff report relating to minimum floor area ratios for Downtown Non-Conforming Structures.
This staff report was in a response to assist in the development of property at 412 Burnett Ave. Staff are recommending some minor changes to zoning requirements for Floor Area Ratio standards in the Downtown Service Center, but only in limited circumstances, such as when two properties are adjacent and owned by the same entity.
Council discussed the request and moved to add an exception to Section 29.303(2) – Lots that exclude conformity with minimum FAR for boundary line adjustments and lot mergers. The motion passed 6-0. -
39. Staff report on Downtown Urban Revitalization Amendments.
This one is about our Downtown URA (Urban Revitalization Area). Currently, if a property owner follows certain standards for development, they can receive a tax abatement on value added to their property. The changes suggested by staff in response to a request by the Ames Economic Development Commission would be to change the number of years a property might stretch out their tax abatement, and would allow for internal improvements to qualify for tax abatement if they are for certain uses (residential, retail, restaurant, or entertainment). -
This item was pulled from the agenda and not discussed at this meeting.
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41. Hearing on rezoning Planned Unit Development (PUD) with Master Plan for 3216 Tripp Street – Baker Subdivision, Lot 27 from Residential Low Density (RL) to Residential Medium Density (RM) with PUD Overlay and Master Plan.
This rezoning will (hopefully) facilitate a partnership to create affordable multi-family rental housing at 3216 Tripp St. The land is currently RL, and the proposal would rezone it to RM (medium density) with a Planned Urban Development (PUD) Overlay.
Council moved to approve the rezoning PUD ordinance for 3216 Tripp Street on first passage, 6-0. -
42. Hearing on Amendment to Contract Rezoning Agreement for 798 N. 500th Avenue (North Sunset Ridge).
Council moved to table the resolution approving the revised master plan, which passed 6-0. Council also moved to approve a change to allow for acceptance of a Letter of Credit in the amount of $604,725, in lieu of cash security, until March 31, 2023, which 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.r
None this time.
Thanks for reading,
Rachel Junck
Ames City Council, Ward 4