The usual beginning to the City Council’s meetings was replaced on Tuesday by a more heroic fanfare.

Two Ames police officers, Lt. Jeff Brinkley and Officer Clint Hertz, were given the Award of Valor at the beginning of the meeting.

“This is the highest award the police department can give to one of its own,” said Ames Police Chief Chuck Cychosz.

The officers were given the award for a rescue they made. On the night of Dec. 27, 2007, they received a message from the Ames Police dispatcher about a moving car by North Grand Mall, 2801 Grand Ave., that was on fire. They arrived at the back parking lot of J.C. Penney to find a light pole down and a car with its back half engulfed in flames.

After smashing the passenger’s and driver’s windows to let smoke out, they noticed a person in the driver’s seat. Officer Hertz unbuckled him and both men dragged him to safety.

“That man’s doctor said, ‘Because of the officers’ quick response, my patient will be going home tonight almost completely free of injuries,'” said Ames Police Cmdr. Jim Robinson.

A camera mounted in a police squad car caught the entire scene as it happened. The video can be seen on the city of Ames Web site.

After the brief ceremony, business took on its usual pace. The next prominent item on the agenda was a public hearing for the Capital Improvements Plan. The only topic brought up by the public was the handling of Carr Pool.

“An extra pool would be beneficial to the community,” said Roy Cakerice, member of the Ames School Board. “I realize the budget is tight, but we don’t want to destroy history. I would hate to see a bulldozer clearing that pool.”

Erica Fuchs, of Ames, also spoke up in defense of Carr Pool.

“I am troubled that the city plans to close Carr Pool and replace it with a $300,000 interactive fountain,” she said. “I have seen no swell of support from the Ames population for an interactive fountain downtown.”

The final notable item on the agenda was an update on the proposed lifestyle center. The development company, Wolford Development Inc., missed a deadline to have all factors of the development agreement completed, but he has been given more time.

“We met with Wolford representatives on the 10th [of January],” said Ames City Attorney Doug Marek. “That meeting focused on scheduling.”

Marek said the representatives had promised to deliver the construction level drawings and a timetable sometime during this week.

“These are forthcoming. I do not have them as of this time,” Marek said.

Also on the agenda was the status of lease agreements for retailers to use the store, which was the main clause of the agreement Wolford defaulted on.

“They have not provided any more lease agreements, and have given no indication about when those might be forthcoming,” Marek said.

Check out two Ames police officers’ car rescue at:

http://www.cityofames.org/Police/car_fire.wmv