The Ames City Council adopted a new property maintenance code during its meeting Tuesday night, making 78 changes to the original code, which was established in 1978.

Ames was in “dire need” of changing the property maintenance code, said David Brown, building official with the City of Ames inspections division.

Changes to the code include modified regulations on outdoor stairways and gutters for rental homes and single-family homes.

The basis for these changes was the International Property Maintenance Code, said Clint Petersen, Ames fire chief.

The code mostly deals with safety and aims to help reduce vagueness of landlord and tenant responsibilities.

Reducing any vagueness of the original code was a priority for the council. This would greatly help landlords and tenants who own rented property, Brown said.

In accordance with the code, the Story County Volunteer Center proposed an idea to implement a volunteer service for elderly, low-income and disabled residents.

The program would involve a recommendation from a housing inspector. The inspector will determine whether the resident needs volunteer assistance, said Shelley Orngard, executive director of the Story County Volunteer Center.

Council members raised concerns that there might be residents who abuse the system. Orngard said there was a volunteer program executed in the fall that was successful. The program consisted of weatherizing homes owned by low-income, elderly and disabled residents. A group of volunteers helped people in need put plastic over their doors and windows.

The council members said they would explore the idea of a volunteer project further at a later date.

“This seems the best mix for neighborhoods helping each other out. It’s a suggestion that seems to have wings under it,” said Bob Kindred, assistant city manager.

Also at the meeting, the Government of the Student Body was denied their request for $1,000 for support of the One Community event on April 24.

The council had concerns with funding an event that follows Veishea by only a week.

Council member Jami Larson suggested that GSB and the Campustown Student Committee consider helping the city with the Neighborhood Block Party, which will take place later in the spring.

“We hope GSB will support what we’re doing for neighborhoods,” Larson said.