Politics & Government

Ames City Council Approves First Step in Raising Utility Bills and More

Council approved first readings of ordinances to increase water/sewer rates and illegal parking fines Tuesday and more.

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The Ames City Council approved first readings of ordinances that would increase water and sewer rates and illegal parking fines Tuesday without discussion.

The proposed water and sewer rate increase is expected to raise the average user's bill by less than $3 a month. Illegal parking fines would increase to $20. If people paid tickets within 7 days, the fine would be $15. Overtime parking would remain $10 and $5 if paid within seven days. Read more about the rates

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The council also:

  • Approved a $477,000 contract to pay for a global positioning system that will track CyRide buses in real time allowing riders to use a computer, smart phone or telephone to learn the exact time when the bus will show up. The Government of Student Body plans to cover the full cost using its trust fund for the first three years.
  • The Council rejected a request that would have placed the cost of developing sidewalks and bike trails along park ground at Harrison and Stange roads in the Northridge Heights subdivision on the city. The developer gave the city $80,000 to create a park on the ground. The paths and sidewalks are expected to cost $35,000. The developer is responsible for sidewalk and bike trails throughout the subdivision but it is usually carried out when lots are sold and the obligation transfers to purchaser of the lot. The city didn't agree to take on the cost so it will be left to the developer.
  • Β Ames City Councilman Jeremy Davis announced that discussion on a tax abatement for a car dealership might resurface. Davis told the council that he received an email from Fred Rose, of Cedar Falls, on behalf of the Deery Group requesting a new proposal regarding their lots on S.E. 16th street near U.S. Highway 30 and wanted to refer it for examination. Deery Group had planned to develop a car dealership on one of three lots in a flood prone area and wanted a tax abatement to help fund some of the cost. The Deery's last request for a tax abatement failed on a 3-3 vote April 10. Mayor Ann Campbell wasn't present to break the tie. The council asked for feedback on the new proposal.

Find out what's happening in Ameswith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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