From Agenda to Action: What Happened at the July 28 Ames City Council Meeting

The Ames City Council meeting on July 28, 2026, included significant discussions on data center regulations, traffic infrastructure improvements, and a major energy project. Council reviewed a proposed six-month timeline for staff and an advisory committee to address 12 key questions related to data centers, aiming to develop ordinance changes and design guidelines. Additionally, the Council approved resolutions to acquire easements and properties necessary for improvements at the busy 13th and Grand intersection, with planning expected to continue into 2028. The meeting also featured the approval of a large contract exceeding $2 million for purchasing a step-up transformer and three engines as part of the first phase of retiring the city's boilers and transitioning the Ames Municipal Energy Center away from waste-to-energy toward more sustainable energy sources. This project includes equipment purchase, overseas shipping, installation, and multi-year service contracts, representing a once-in-a-century infrastructure investment.