The Ames City Council and city staff have been busy this semester with several projects involving the community and university.

In February, the council discussed and approved the new 2011-2012 city budget, which covers an estimated $193 million in expenditures.

In addition, the City Council voted to give $8,000 to VEISHEA for the pancake feed and supported Greek Week and VEISHEA by approving road blocks during these events.

The City Council also approved the construction contract and final plans for the Intermodal Facility, set to be operational by June 2012.

The facility will be constructed on Hayward Avenue where Lot 60 was, and will include space for transit buses, intercity buses and bicycles.

This semester, the city also hired visioning consultant company Brand Endeavor of Marina del Rey, Calif., to create a city-wide vision for Ames.

Brand Endeavor began the 19-week-long project in February by conducting interviews with various city sector representatives to learn about Ames’ current image.

The company sent out an online survey in March to get individual opinions and perceptions of the city. Almost 6,000 participants completed the survey, and the results were presented to the council April 19.

Brand Endeavor will complete the project in June with a final city vision presentation to the city.

The City Council also approved a $5,000 grant to renovate DZ Triangle, a piece of land located in the greek community that has in the past been the site of vandalism and couch burning.

The project will include a brick patio, limestone seating, pillars and shade trees. Construction will begin in late April and is set to be completed next year.

Finally, the city redesigned the city of Ames website. The new website includes a page just for students, where they can learn about relevant information such as bike registration, parking tickets and city ordinances.