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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL RETREAT

AMES, IOWA

JANUARY 20, 2018

The Ames City Council was called to order by Mayor John Haila at 8:42 a.m. on the 20

day of

January, 2018, in Parks and Recreation Office, 1500 Gateway Hills Park Drive. City Council
Members present were Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen, Gloria Betcher, Amber Corrieri, Tim Gartin,
David Martin, and Chris Nelson. Ex officio Council Member Robert Bingham was also present.
City Manager Steven Schainker, City Attorney Mark Lambert, Assistant City Manager Brian
Phillips, and Management Analyst Tasheik Kerr were also present.

TEAM-BUILDING AND GOAL-SETTING SESSION: Facilitator Donna Gilligan reviewed
the previous week’s meeting and led the group through a team-building exercise. She then turned
to the question of ground rules for the group. Ground rules contributed by the City Council
included: honesty, sometimes you have to say “no,” accept being told “no,” agree to disagree, be
respectful, trust that everyone has good intentions, focus on the issue and not the person raising
the issue, be direct, be open, listen – really listen, commit to working together as a Council, think
the best of one another, avoid sidebar conversations, do not interrupt others, support the
decisions that are made, maintain a non-partisan stance and represent all, and seek clarification.

The meeting recessed at 10:09 a.m. and resumed at 10:18 a.m.

Ms. Gilligan reviewed the list prepared four years ago regarding What Makes an Effective
Decision-Making Body. Mayor Haila suggested adding “no surprises” and “sharing information
with the rest of the Council” to the list.

Mr. Schainker reviewed the status of the existing goals, objectives, and tasks. The consensus of
the group was that the overall goals did not need to be revised. The Council then began to
discuss revisions to the objectives and tasks.

The meeting recessed at 12:24 p.m. and resumed at 12:45 p.m.

The meeting recessed at 2:55 p.m. and resumed at 3:03 p.m.

Council Member Nelson left the meeting at 3:03 p.m.

The Council finalized its preliminary list of Goals and Objectives, which were as follows:

STRENGTHEN DOWNTOWN & CAMPUSTOWN



Identify strategies to encourage investment in Downtown



Encourage vibrancy in Campustown



Standardize and simplify the parking regulations in the neighborhoods surrounding

Campustown



Evaluate safety for pedestrians crossing Lincoln Way between Campustown and the ISU

campus

PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT



Analyze current planning and building code approval processes to help decision making

be more predictable, more strategic, and more timely



Explore possible improvements in internet options for residents and businesses related to

availability, reliability, cost, speed, customer service, and policy (e.g., net neutrality,
broadband privacy)

EXPAND SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS



Implement the community solar project



Define the City’s role (e.g., codes, incentives) in maintaining existing buildings



Explore ways to meet Nutrient Reduction Strategy requirements through participation in

projects in the Squaw Creek Watershed



Encourage all users to divert from the waste stream (e.g., glass, food waste, medical

waste)



Assess the use and effectiveness of the City’s electric charging stations

ADDRESS HOUSING NEEDS



Determine how to proceed with the development of a low and moderate income

affordable housing project at 321 State Avenue (Old Middle School site).



Learn about the concept of inclusionary zoning



Consider ways to incentivize conversion of rental units back into single-family units

PROMOTE A SENSE OF ONE COMMUNITY



Ensure boards and commissions are addressing important community issues (including,

but not limited to: diversity and inclusion) and Council goals and objectives



Improve connections between town and gown

STRENGTHEN HUMAN SERVICES



Engage vulnerable groups in the community



Partner with ASSET agencies to achieve the City Council’s priorities

ENCOURAGE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES



Explore partnering with Mary Greeley Medical Center, Iowa State University, Ames

Community School District, and Heartland Senior Center to create an intergenerational
Healthy Life Center Complex



Adopt a Complete Streets Program

Staff will make adjustments and suggestions for tasks, then return this list to the Council for
approval.

Ms. Gilligan reviewed a personal change model with the City Council. She then led the Council
Members in a plus/delta exercise, which resulted in the following:

Plus:
Good conversations; some difficult