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AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
FEBRUARY 24, 2026

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public during discussion. The Standards of Decorum, posted at the door and available on the City website, define respectful conduct for public participation. If you wish to speak, please fill out the form on the tablet outside the door to the Council Chambers or scan the QR Code to the right to fill out the same form on a personal device. When your name is called, please step to the microphone, state your name for the record, and keep your comments brief so that others may have the opportunity to speak.

CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 p.m.

CONSENT AGENDA: All items listed under the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a request is made prior to the time the Council members vote on the motion.

1.

Motion approving payment of claims

2.

Motion approving Report of Change Orders for period of February 1-15, 2026

3.

Motion approving Summary of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on February 10, 2026

4.

Motion approving new 5-Day (February 23-27, 2026) Special Class C Retail Alcohol License - Apres Bar Co, 520 6th Street

5.

Motion approving new 5-Day (March 24-28, 2026) Special Class C Retail Alcohol License - Apres Bar Co, 2321 North Loop Drive

6.

Motion approving the renewal of the following Alcohol Licenses:

Casey's General Store #2905, 3612 Stange Road, Class E Retail Alcohol License
Coldwater Golf Links, 1400 S. Grand Avenue, Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service
Elks Lodge, 522 Douglas Avenue, Class F Retail Alcohol License, Pending Dramshop Review
Homewood Golf Course, 401 E. 20th Street, Special Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service, Pending Dramshop Review
Pizza Pit Extreme, 207 Welch Avenue Ste 201, Special Class C Retail Alcohol License
Sams Club #6568, 305 Airport Road, Class E Retail Alcohol License
Maverik #5365, 2801 E 13th Street, Class E Retail Alcohol License
Maverik #5119, 2108 Isaac Newton Drive, Class E Retail Alcohol License
Buffalo Wild Wings, 400 South Duff Avenue, Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service, Pending Dramshop Review

7.

Motion authorizing Mayor to sign the $500,000 Grant Contract with the Iowa Finance Authority for the Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment Financial Assistance Program (WTFAP) associated with the Water Pollution Control Facility Nutrient Reduction Modifications Project

8.

Motion authorizing staff to apply for and participate in the 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant program for up to $15,000

9.

Motion accepting the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center Monthly Report

10.

Requests from Ames Main Street for 515 Day on May 15, 2026:

Motion approving Blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit
Motion approving Blanket Vending License
Motion approving street closures of 5th Street from Burnett Avenue through Douglas Avenue, Kellogg Avenue from Main Street to 5th Street, and Douglas Avenue from Main Street to 5th Street
Motion approving new 5-Day (May 14-18, 2026) Special Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service for Thirsty Pigs (515 Day Ames), 215 5th Street
Resolution approving waiver of parking meter fees and enforcement for portions of 5th Street, Kellogg Avenue, and Douglas Avenue
Resolution approving waiver of Vending License fee
Resolution approving usage of electricity and waiver of fees for electricity
Resolution approving suspension of enforcement of Municipal Code Section 17.16 related to minors on premises

11.

Resolution relating to financing of a project to be undertaken by the City of Ames, Iowa; establishing compliance with reimbursement bond regulations under the Internal Revenue Code (Prairie View 161 kV Substation and Prairie View 161 kV Line Expansion)

12.

Resolution approving second amendment to the Land Purchase Option with Keystone Equity Group for Surplus Land at Harrison and Welbeck to Extend Final Plat Deadline

13.

Resolution approving third amendment to Restrictive Covenants Designating Affordable and Market Rate Housing Lots for Baker Subdivision

14.

Resolution approving the third Supplemental Agreement for Public Improvements for Kingsbury's Fifth Addition Lots 1 through 4

15.

Resolution approving an Application for Property Tax Abatement and a Minimum Assessment Agreement for Tax Abatement at 329 Southeast 5th Street (Furniture Mart)

16.

Resolution awarding contract with SVPA Architects, of West Des Moines, IA, for the Technical Services Complex Renovation Project in the amount of $157,500

17.

Resolution awarding contract to Play-Pro Recreation, of Clive, IA, for playground equipment and installation for Parkview Park, 1730 Buchanan Court, in the amount of $64,000

18.

Resolution approving Change Order No. 8 with Woodruff Construction, of Ames, IA, for the Water Pollution Control Facility Nutrient Reduction Modifications Phase 1 Project in the amount of $3,841.91

19.

Resolution accepting FY 2022/23 Story County Edge of Field Project as completed by Hands On Excavating, LLC of Radcliffe, IA, the amount of $217,527.17

PUBLIC FORUM: This is a time set aside for comments from the public on topics of City business other than those listed on this agenda. Please understand that the Council will not take any action on your comments at this meeting due to requirements of the Open Meetings Law, but may do so at a future meeting.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION:

20.

Resolution approving Historic Preservation Commission 2025 Accomplishments and 2026 Work Plan

21.

Motion directing staff on text amendments to Chapter 31 of the Ames Municipal Code Regarding Historic Preservation

PUBLIC WORKS:

22.

Residential Curbside Recycling Program:

Staff report on program outline and fees
Motion directing staff to place collection contract on March 10, 2026, agenda for consideration of final approval

23.

Resolution approving Memorandum of Understanding with Story County for Preliminary Engineering and TSIP Grant Application (G.W. Carver Avenue and Cameron School Road Intersection)

PLANNING AND HOUSING:

24.

Annual Tax Abatement Certification

Resolution certifying property tax abatement applications
Resolution authorizing staff to submit property tax abatement applications to the City Assessor for determination of abated value

25.

Urban Renewal Areas and Tax Increment Financing Projects

Motion directing staff

26.

Resolution approving a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the sale of single-family market-rate lots located in the Baker Subdivision

27.

Waiver request for a rural two-lot Minor Subdivision of less than 35 acres within two miles of Ames at 50184 180th Street

ADMINISTRATION:

28.

Staff Report on 2026 Neighborhood Connections Initiative

HEARINGS:

29.

Hearing on 2022/23 Bridge Rehabilitation Program (S. 4th Pedestrian Bridge over Ioway Creek):

Motion accepting report of bids
Resolution approving final plans and specifications and awarding a contract to Boulder Contracting, LLC, of Grundy Center, IA, in the amount of $1,577,234.95

30.

Hearing on 2023/24 Stormwater Erosion Control Program (Inis Grove):

Motion accepting report of bids
Resolution approving final plans and specifications and awarding a contract to Nagel Construction, of Allerton, IA, in the amount of $346,267.50

31.

Hearing on 2025/26 Collector Street Pavement Improvements (Bloomington Road) Project:

Motion accepting report of bids
Resolution approving final plans and specifications and awarding a contract to Manatt's, Inc., of Ames, IA, in the amount of $896,852.24

32.

Hearing on 2025/26 Concrete Street Pavement Improvements Program No. 1 (Clark Ave):

Motion accepting report of bids
Resolution approving final plans and specifications and awarding a contract to Con-Struct, Inc., of Ames, IA, in the amount of $1,114,875.50

33.

Hearing on 2025/26 Concrete Street Pavement Improvements Program No. 2 (Sunset Dr):

Motion accepting report of bids
Resolution approving final plans and specifications and awarding a contract to Con-Struct, Inc., of Ames, IA, in the amount of $1,295,903.20

34.

Hearing on 2025/26 Concrete Street Pavement Improvements Program No. 3 (Campus Ave):

Motion accepting report of bids
Resolution approving final plans and specifications and awarding a contract to Con-Struct, Inc., of Ames, IA, in the amount of $838,938

35.

Hearing on Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation (E. Lincoln Way and Nikkol Trunk Line) Project:

Motion accepting report of bids and directing staff to delay award of bid to follow SRF procedure

36.

Hearing on Sanitary Sewer and Manhole Rehabilitation (Basin 11) Project:

Motion accepting report of bids and directing staff to delay award of bid to follow SRF procedure

ORDINANCES:

37.

First reading of ordinance revising Municipal Code Chapter 28 for Water Meter setting requirements

38.

Second reading of ordinance renaming Center Avenue to Chantland Avenue

39.

Third reading and adoption of ORDINANCE NO. 4587 rezoning property West of the Intersection of Harrison Road and Welbeck Drive from Residential Low Density (RL) to Suburban Residential Low Density (FS-RL) with a Planned Unit Development

40.

Third reading and adoption of ORDINANCE NO. 4588 modifying Municipal Code Chapter 10, Garbage and Refuse

Motion to postpone third reading and adoption to the March 10, 2026, City Council meeting

DISPOSITION OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL:

REPORT OF GOVERNING BODY:

41.

Participation with agencies, boards and commissions:

Discover Ames (ACVB)
Ames Regional Economic Alliance (AREA)
Story County Emergency Management Agency (SCEMA)
Ames Transit Agency Board of Trustees

COUNCIL COMMENTS:

CLOSED SESSION:

42.

Motion to hold Closed Session as provided by Section 21.5(1)(c), Code of Iowa, to discuss matters presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent

Motion directing staff