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Votes at a glance: Ames City Council approves climate-action grants, AmeriCorps host-site application, Energy Ready participation and downtown facade changes
Summary
The Ames City Council on Jan. 28 approved multiple staff-recommended programs and routine agenda items, including a $70,000 pilot Climate Action Grant program, an application to host two Green Iowa AmeriCorps members and participation in the Energy Ready suite (SolSmart and ChargingSmart).
What the council approved (Jan. 28): The Ames City Council voted by roll call to approve multiple staff recommendations and routine measures.
Votes at a glance
- Climate Action Grant pilot program: Council approved staff lternative 1 to establish a one-year pilot Climate Action Grant program and allocate $70,000 from the council sustainability priorities fund to run two grant cycles and a youth mini-grant stream. Staff said awards would be competitive, include cost-match requirements and be reimbursed on a receipts basis. Motion moved and approved by roll call.
- Green Iowa AmeriCorps host-site application: Council authorized staff to apply to be a Green Iowa AmeriCorps host site for two AmeriCorps members in 2025–26. Staff said the program fee is $10,000 per year and members would perform energy-audit and weatherization services aimed at about 70 homes per year; utility staff indicated $10,000 is available in the electric utility budget for weatherization supplies. Motion moved and approved by roll call.
- Energy Ready programs (SolSmart and ChargingSmart): Council approved staff to participate in the Energy Ready suite of programs, restarting engagement with SolSmart (solar) and joining ChargingSmart (EV charging) at no cost. Staff said the city previously held a SolSmart silver designation and could now pursue gold. Motion moved and approved by roll call.
- Downtown facade grant program changes: Council approved amendments to the downtown facade grant program to expand eligibility to facades not adjacent to public right-of-way (for example alley-facing facades and those facing municipal parking) and to add a maintenance grant stream for contributing resources within the downtown National Register Historic District. Staff described a two-round schedule (spring and fall) and updated scoring priorities. Motion moved and approved by roll call.
- Campus Town Showdown special-event permit (Campus Town / Grand Drives LLC): Council approved the special-event permit for the Campus Town Showdown, a beef-cattle market show and accompanying live music and vendor activities planned for April 26. The applicant, Christian Callahan of Grand Drives LLC, described staging on Welch Avenue and a free public event. Motion moved and approved by roll call.
Other procedural items approved: First readings, continuances and noncontroversial consent items were approved during the meeting as part of routine business; the council pulled and discussed a few consent items prior to voting.
What council did not decide tonight: The council did not adopt the final Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) at the Jan. 28 meeting; staff and the public discussed CIP priorities and council will vote on the CIP and the budget at a February wrap-up session.
Attribution and vote records: The meeting recorded roll-call votes for the listed approvals. Where the transcript lists the roll-call aloud ("Aye" for named members), those roll-call statements are the basis for the outcome statements above. The meeting minutes and the official roll-call record maintained by the city clerk are the authoritative source for formal tallies.
