The July 28, 2026 Ames City Council meeting combines routine municipal business with several decisions that could shape the city's long-term growth, infrastructure, housing, and utility systems. Among the most consequential topics are a proposed temporary delay on new data center development while additional policy research is completed, major investments for the Ames Municipal Energy Center, annexation of the Ames Golf and Country Club area, affordable housing funding, and approval of the annual federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Action Plan.
The meeting also includes significant transportation and public works items, including street pavement improvements, drainage projects, traffic system upgrades, subdivision approvals, and multiple actions completing construction contracts for the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center. These items continue implementation of the City's capital improvement program while transitioning several completed projects into normal operations.
Financial decisions are substantial. The council is scheduled to consider a $69.23 million contract for three engines and related equipment for the Ames Municipal Energy Center, a $2.31 million transformer purchase, several public works contracts, software renewals, water quality monitoring services, and an affordable housing grant application. These actions represent some of the largest financial commitments in the meeting packet.
Residents interested in future land use, housing availability, environmental policy, neighborhood infrastructure, utility reliability, and economic development will likely find this meeting particularly significant because multiple hearings and policy decisions establish direction beyond routine operational matters.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Data Center Development Moratorium and Research
One of the meeting's most significant policy discussions concerns data center development. Council is scheduled to provide direction to staff regarding topics that should be researched and considered before additional decisions are made. Alongside that discussion, council will consider a resolution establishing a temporary delay on allowing new data center development in Ames. This indicates the City intends to evaluate impacts before permitting additional projects rather than proceeding under existing regulations.
Ames Municipal Energy Center Investments
Council will consider two major equipment purchases for the Ames Municipal Energy Center. The first is a Generator Step-Up Transformer from Cahoon Sales, Inc. for $2,308,800. The second is a contract with Wartsila North America for three dual-fuel generating engines and auxiliary equipment totaling $69,230,520, subject to currency conversion. Together these represent the largest financial commitments on the agenda and support future electric generation capacity and utility operations.
Community Development and Affordable Housing
Housing appears in multiple agenda items. Council will conduct a hearing on the City's 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan for CDBG and HOME programs before considering approval for submission. Separately, the City proposes applying to Story County for $230,000 through the Low and Moderate Income Housing Support Program to assist construction of three affordable single-family ownership homes in the Baker Subdivision. These actions support housing affordability and continued use of federal and county housing resources.
Annexation of Ames Golf and Country Club Property
A public hearing is scheduled regarding annexation of the Ames Golf and Country Club and Irons Subdivision properties. Council will consider both the annexation itself and a three-year transition of taxes. Annexation decisions determine future municipal boundaries, utility service, governance, and taxation for affected property owners.
Capital Improvements and Transportation
Several infrastructure projects move forward during the meeting. Council will consider preliminary plans for asphalt street improvements covering Hillcrest Avenue, Ellis Street, Kentucky Avenue, Illinois Avenue, Indiana Avenue, Oklahoma Drive, and Delaware Avenue. Bid opening is scheduled for August 19, 2026, with a public hearing on August 25. Council will also consider awarding a $174,637 contract for low-point drainage improvements at various locations and accept completion of the South Duff Avenue and South 3rd Street traffic signal project.
Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center Completion
Multiple construction contracts associated with the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center are scheduled for formal completion, including masonry, carpentry, glazing, interior finishes, pool construction, fire suppression, and paving. Council will also consider a partial release of retainage for the plumbing and HVAC package while retaining $20,000 until remaining work is resolved. These actions indicate the project is transitioning from construction toward final closeout.
Planning and Development Matters
Planning actions include final plat approvals for Monte's Subdivision and Dakota Townes Subdivision, a request to initiate a Plan 2040 land use amendment for 300 Airport Road, continued zoning actions involving The Bluffs development, and adoption of amendments affecting the Northeast Gateway Overlay District standards. Together these items influence future residential and commercial development throughout Ames.
Financial Matters
Major financial actions include:
- Proposed $69,230,520 contract with Wartsila North America for three generating engines and auxiliary equipment for the Ames Municipal Energy Center, subject to currency conversion.
- Proposed $2,308,800 contract with Cahoon Sales, Inc. for a Generator Step-Up Transformer.
- Application for $230,000 from Story County to support construction of three affordable owner-occupied homes in the Baker Subdivision.
- Tyler Technologies permitting software renewal totaling $50,154.61 for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
- Prairie Rivers of Iowa water quality monitoring agreement for $59,000.
- Electric Services purchases including cable from RESCO up to $92,555, wire from WESCO up to $18,821.30, and two heavy-duty trucks from Stivers Ford Lincoln for $110,178.
- Proposed drainage improvement construction contract of $174,637.
- Acceptance of completed aquatic center construction packages ranging from approximately $85,000 to more than $4.18 million.
- Acceptance of the FY 2025/26 Fourth Quarter Financial Report and routine payment of claims.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
Council will consider a temporary policy delaying new data center development while additional research is completed.
Public hearings include annexation, Community Development and HOME funding, utility easement vacations, drainage improvements, and zoning matters.
Third readings are scheduled for Ordinance No. 4601 regarding rezoning with a master plan for The Bluffs development and Ordinance No. 4602 amending Northeast Gateway Overlay District standards.
The council will also consider amendments terminating Resource Recovery System 28E agreements for Kelley, Slater, and Zearing following those communities' requests to withdraw. Board and commission survey results will also be formally accepted.
The meeting opens with a presentation regarding a Child Care Feasibility Study.
Council will receive the City's FY 2025/26 Fourth Quarter Financial Report summarizing financial performance.
The annual City Boards and Commission Survey results are presented for acceptance, providing feedback regarding advisory bodies.
Council also receives requests for additional research topics related to future regulation of data centers, signaling further policy development beyond this meeting.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
The packet contains approval of Civil Service Commission meeting minutes but does not identify major personnel actions such as executive appointments, employment contracts, or retirements.
Council is also scheduled to receive updates regarding participation with Discover Ames, the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, Story County Emergency Management Agency, and the Ames Transit Agency Board of Trustees.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
Infrastructure and operational items include asphalt resurfacing, drainage improvements, traffic signal upgrades, utility easement actions, subdivision improvements, electric utility equipment purchases, and continued investment in municipal electric generation.
Operational contracts support permitting software, water quality monitoring, transportation equipment, electrical materials, and ongoing electric utility operations.
Completion actions for numerous Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center contracts indicate the facility is nearing final project closeout following substantial construction work.
Residents may participate during public comment and during hearings concerning:
- Annexation of the Ames Golf and Country Club and Irons Subdivision properties.
- 2026-2027 CDBG and HOME Annual Action Plan.
- 2025/26 Low Point Drainage Improvements project.
- Vacation of a public utility easement within Discovery Place 2nd Addition.
- Appeal involving a Certificate of Appropriateness for 904 Kellogg Avenue.
- Continued hearing regarding an electric utility easement relocation.
- Plan 2040 land use amendment initiation for 300 Airport Road.
The regular meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Ames City Hall.
Residents may see future changes to development policy through the proposed temporary pause on data centers.
Electric utility customers are affected by long-term investments intended to strengthen municipal power generation infrastructure.
Property owners near annexation, subdivision, zoning, and street improvement projects could experience direct regulatory or infrastructure changes.
Families seeking affordable homeownership may benefit from additional housing funded through the proposed Story County grant.
Motorists and neighborhoods are likely to experience construction activity associated with street resurfacing, drainage improvements, and utility work.
Community organizations receiving federal housing and community development funding may be affected by approval of the Annual Action Plan.
- Why is a temporary delay on data center development being proposed now?
- What research will staff complete before future data center decisions?
- How will the Ames Municipal Energy Center investments affect long-term electric reliability and rates?
- What timeline is anticipated for installing the new generating equipment?
- How were the three affordable housing units in Baker Subdivision selected for county funding?
- What neighborhoods will benefit first from the drainage improvement program?
- What remains unfinished at the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center before final closeout?
- What are the anticipated impacts of the proposed annexation on taxes and municipal services?
- How will the updated Northeast Gateway Overlay standards affect future development?
- What outcomes are expected from the Child Care Feasibility Study?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- July 28, 2026: Regular City Council meeting and scheduled public hearings.
- August 11, 2026: Proposed continuation date for the electric utility easement hearing.
- August 19, 2026: Bid due date for the 2025/26 Asphalt Street Pavement Improvements project.
- August 25, 2026: Public hearing for the asphalt pavement improvement project.
- August 31, 2026: Proposed termination date for Kelley and Zearing participation in the Resource Recovery System 28E Agreement.
- July 1, 2026: Effective withdrawal date identified for Slater from the Resource Recovery System agreement.
- September 24-27 and October 1-4, 2026: Requested temporary outdoor alcohol service dates for Sips and Paddys.
- October 17, 2026: EcoFair event with requested street closures, parking changes, and vending approvals.
Key Takeaways
- Child care feasibility is highlighted through a council presentation.
- Council will consider a temporary delay on new data center development.
- More than $71 million in energy center equipment purchases are proposed.
- Affordable housing funding includes a $230,000 county grant application.
- Multiple public hearings address annexation, housing, drainage, and easements.
- Major aquatic center construction contracts are reaching completion.
- Street resurfacing and drainage projects continue citywide infrastructure investment.
- Federal CDBG and HOME funding plans require council approval.
- Several zoning and subdivision actions influence future development.
- Electric utility equipment, vehicles, and monitoring contracts support ongoing municipal operations.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: City of Ames
- Organization type: municipality
- Government body: city-council
- Location: Ames, iowa
- County: Story
- Provider: laserfiche-weblink
Keywords
City of Ames, Ames City Council, July 28 2026, Child Care Feasibility Study, data centers, temporary development delay, Ames Municipal Energy Center, Wartsila, generator transformer, CDBG, HOME Program, affordable housing, Baker Subdivision, annexation, Ames Golf and Country Club, Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, asphalt pavement improvements, drainage improvements, Tyler Technologies, Prairie Rivers of Iowa, electric utility, traffic signals, Dakota Townes, Monte's Subdivision, Plan 2040, Northeast Gateway Overlay, EcoFair, Story County, Resource Recovery System
