A new rule could let hundreds of homes near alleys withdraw from the curbside recycling program and forgo the monthly fee.
The Ames City Council approved drafting a new ordinance to implement the plan Tuesday. Under the first set of rules, only three homes would have qualified. The council asked staff to write a new, simpler rule.
The first plan had five requirements:
- A home had to border an alley
- No driveway to the street
- Get garbage or recycling pickup in the alley
- A barrier, such as a fence with no gate, between the alley and the front yard
- More than 60 feet from the nearest curb
Only three homes passed every test, which officials said was too strict.
The new plan cuts the list of requirements to three: A home must border an alley, the main driveway cannot connect to the street and the home cannot already get garbage or recycling pickup in the alley.
Dropping the other rules would avoid arguments over landscaping, hills and keeping a path shoveled in winter.
Before the August meeting, 27 homeowners near alleys complained about where their recycling was picked up. Under the new plan, 24 of them would qualify for the exemption.
No one would be removed from the program automatically. Homeowners who qualify could choose to leave and stop paying.
Staff will bring the new ordinance to a future meeting. Officials may ask the council to speed up approval to avoid more delays.
$53.9 million for new power plant
Ames is borrowing millions of dollars to make more of its own electricity. The council approved selling up to $53.9 million in bonds to build a new power plant project. The bonds will be repaid with money the city’s electric utility earns from customers.
About $50.5 million will go toward purchasing new reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE) that generate electricity and covering building costs through about February 2028. The work also includes upgrades to the site and its electrical and mechanical systems.
The city expects to need about $51.4 million. The council set a higher limit in case costs or interest rates change before the bonds are sold.
About $827,000 will pay for selling the bonds, including the company that helps sell them.
This is only the first round of borrowing. The city plans to borrow in stages so the money arrives when construction needs it. Officials say this will help the city manage its cash.
Any future borrowing would need another council vote.
Race to beat budget squeeze
Ames has less than three months to find an alternative to property tax funds to pay for services including police, fire, libraries and parks.
The council took the first step to create or expand 10 special urban renewal zones before Jan. 1. Public hearings will be held Nov. 10.
In these zones, the city can use a tool called tax increment financing (TIF).
The new law, Senate File 2472, limits how much the city’s main budget can grow from property taxes to 2% a year. It also makes TIF deals created after Jan. 1 worth about 25% less to the city.
Four zones are new, and six would grow. The biggest new zone covers about 875 acres along East Lincoln Way and could collect up to $51 million. The downtown zone’s limit would jump from $32 million to $83 million.
City Manager Steve Schainker told the council that being listed in an urban renewal plan does not guarantee project funding.
In other business
- Closer eye on Campustown: Ames inspectors will no longer wait for complaints to check Campustown businesses. Inspectors found 11 properties that broke city rules. Ten have since fixed their problems. The last one, at 108 Hayward Ave., needs structural repairs that will take more time.
- Ordinance to increase electric bills: The council approved the first reading of an ordinance to raise electric rates by 2.5% for homes and businesses.
- Closed session: The council went into closed session to discuss security-related plans or reports.
- Next meeting: The council’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be 6 p.m. Oct. 27 at Ames City Hall.
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