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Ames council approves bond authorizations, ITS contract and zoning updates; schedules URA hearing for SE Fifth
Summary
Council approved two loan-authorizing resolutions to permit the city to issue general obligation bonds for capital projects in 2025–26, awarded an ITS construction contract, advanced a downtown urban revitalization plan to public hearing, and adopted multiple land-use code updates and rezonings.
The council took several routine but consequential actions at the meeting, advancing the city’s capital and transportation programs and adopting zoning and labor agreements.
Bonds and debt authorization: Council held the statutorily required public hearings and adopted resolutions authorizing two general obligation loan agreements — one for general corporate purposes (multiple capital projects) and one for an essential corporate purpose project (a fire station alerting system, $235,000 total with issuance costs). Those actions permit the city to use the debt-service levy and proceed with bond issuance as budgeted in the draft fiscal 2025–26 capital program.
Intelligent Transportation System award: Council accepted bids and awarded a construction contract for the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Phase 4 project to Von Monde Electric Inc. of Newton, Iowa, in the amount of $2,200,000. The contract will proceed after standard contract processing.
Urban revitalization area: The council accepted a draft urban revitalization area plan for Southeast Fifth Street (focused on attracting a large furniture retailer) and directed staff to publish notice and schedule a public hearing on May 13, 2025, to consider adopting an urban rebate area that would provide a five-year sliding abatement schedule for qualifying new construction.
Zoning, code and labor: Council moved several code and zoning items forward, including second reading adoption of townhome building-type standards (chapter amendment), adoption of a rezoning agreement and ordinance related to property along Lincoln Way, and approval of a three-year collective bargaining agreement for power-plant employees with Local 234 (International Union of Operating Engineers), effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.
Vote-at-a-glance (selected items): - General and essential corporate purpose loan authorizations: adopted at public hearing (voice/roll-call votes as recorded). - ITS Phase 4 contract award: Von Monde Electric Inc. — $2,200,000 (approved, roll call). - Urban revitalization area (SE Fifth): draft accepted; public hearing set for May 13, 2025. - Zoning amendments (townhome standards) and Lincoln Way rezoning: second/third reading motions advanced and ordinances adopted as recorded. - Collective bargaining agreement with IUOE Local 234 (power plant): approved on resolution vote.
What’s next: The ITS contractor will proceed to mobilization and scheduling under contract; staff will publish the urban revitalization hearing notice and continue bond-closing preparations in coordination with the finance office.
