Heather Slifka

The council meeting addressed several critical items, including a public hearing and first reading for a request to rezone property from Highway Commercial to Multi-Family Residential with a Planned Unit Development Overlay for the North Arrow Senior Living Project. The council approved several ordinances and resolutions, including Ordinance No. 371 (rezoning map change), Ordinance No. 372 (amendment to public hearing requirements), Resolution No. 26-10 (amendment to the Land Use Plan), and multiple resolutions (26-11, 26-12, Resolution of Necessity, 26-13) pertaining to the Broad Street Reconstruction Project -- Phase IV. Additionally, the council approved a resolution (26-14) for an agreement with the City of Ames concerning solid waste management, approved a construction pay application for the North Park Restroom Building Project, accepted the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025 audit, and approved a liquor permit for Dolgencorp, LLC.

The council meeting agenda was approved. A key administrative item involved a presentation by students from Iowa State University regarding their sign inventory and condition assessment report. The mayor and council engaged in discussion about this sign study. The approval of the minutes from the November 17, 2025, regular meeting was deferred.

The meeting involved several legal resolutions, including designating official depositories, setting the schedule for regular council meetings, designating official newspapers, and appointing key city officials such as the City Attorney, City Clerk and Treasurer, Building Inspectors, and representatives to the Story County Economic Development Group. The council also approved a minimum assessment agreement with Blama Properties, LLC. A public hearing was set for January 19, 2026, regarding a request to rezone Voga's Subdivision from C-1 to R-3 with a PUD Overlay. Administrative actions included approving pay applications and change orders for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade and the 2024 Water Main Project. The council also approved a residential tax abatement, appointed the City Administrator to CIRTPA committees, allocated additional funding for the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, discussed the proposed contract with the City of Ames regarding solid waste management, and approved the Mayor Council committee and board liaison assignments.

The meeting included an amendment to the agenda to add a pay application for the North Park Restroom Project. Key discussions centered on a public hearing regarding the proposed amendment to the Revitalization Plan for the Story City Industrial Urban Revitalization Area, which subsequently led to the approval of Resolution No. 25-65 and Ordinance No. 370, both pertaining to this area. The Council also accepted work on the Broad Street Watermain Replacement Project (Resolution No. 25-66), approved an amendment to an Economic Development Agreement with B&L Properties, LLC (Resolution No. 25-67), and approved a revised management agreement for the River Bend Golf Course (Resolution No. 25-68). Furthermore, Resolution No. 25-69 establishing a Length of Service Award Program was approved. Administrative items included the approval of several construction pay applications for various projects and an engineering services agreement. The Council approved a liquor permit, granted a request to have chickens at a specified address, awarded a Downtown Building Grant, and provided a final extension for a residency requirement matter. Finally, the Mayor presented a plaque to Council Member Dave Sporleder recognizing his 28 years of service, and the Oath of Office was administered to new and returning members.

The special work session included the approval of the agenda and a deferral of the approval for the regular meeting minutes from December 15, 2025. The primary discussion item involved proposed housing developments, where Tyler Frederickson explained the proposals and John Gady, the Engineer for Strand Associates, identified city considerations and concerns.