City Council had a long meeting last night. Here’s what was discussed. 

Fireworks are still illegal in Ames.

The council went through first passage on an amendment to keep the current ordinances in regards to fireworks, tweaking only the language to update the definition of fireworks in the ordinance, clarify that permits are for professional (not consumer) fireworks and establishes rules for vendors of consumer fireworks.

The ordinance was discussed at last week’s workshop, when the Council decided to wait until fireworks had been legal a year in Iowa to consider making them legal within city limits.

“Selling, purchasing, and possessing fireworks will be legal in the city…just not setting them off,” council member Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen said in her council preview.

The city has plans for a community center with healthy-living emphasis.

The center would make the life-long goal of healthy living accessible and enjoyable to people of all ages and socio-economic status.

Location matters, and the current proposed property is 10 acres owned by Iowa State University along Ontario, west of Scholl Road. It’s the likely spot, barring approval from the Board of Regents.

City Manager Steven L. Schainker presented the planning study to the council, hoping to move into the next phase to pick a consultant to evaluate the property and develop proposals. He also requested the council give input on guiding policies.

The center could include recreational and competitive water facilities, such as a lazy river, slides and lap pools, along with a therapeutic rehabilitation pool and separate cold water competitive-length pool.

Mary Greeley has also proposed to include a physical therapy facility and an area to promote senior health and services within the center.

There is also the potential for a multi-tier indoor playground, classroom space for nutrition or healthy eating lessons, weight room area, child activity room, fitness gyms and aerobics rooms, gymnastics and tumbling tots, walking tracks and a lobby café.

Council member Tim Gartin brought up indoor tennis facilities, with space planned for their addition at a later time.

Firefly Country Nights’ music festival moves out of Main Street.

The Main Street Cultural District is reassuming control of Firefly Country Nights 2017, which was going to be put on by London Underground. This year there will be two Firefly Country Nights, one in July and one in September. The events will be moved to Bandshell Park on July 14 and to Douglas Avenue on September 8 to accommodate businesses along Main Street.

Ann Campbell proclaimed May 2017 as Preeclampsia Awareness Month to bring awareness to the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia, which affects pregnant women.

Preeclampsia is a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period and affects both the mother and the unborn baby, according to preeclampsia.org. Affecting at least 5-8% of all pregnancies in the second or third trimester, it is a rapidly progressive condition. Proper prenatal care is one of the proven ways to bring proper treatment and diagnosis of preeclampsia. 

There is a walk at Ada Hayden on June 3 in support of preeclampsia awareness.

Ames is putting in an all-inclusive playground and field complex.

Schneider and Associates was contracted to do the design for the Inis Grove Park improvements. The Park will be turned into a field and playground complex at the corner of Duff Avenue and Broadmoor Avenue. 

It would include diamond fields, tennis and basketball courts, along with playground equipment for all ages. The park is aimed at inclusion for all, paying special attention to accessibility. The playgrounds will include multi-sensory equipment.

Some of the difficulty of finding equipment that provides opportunities for mobility-restricted individuals to play the same way other kids do, on the same type of equipment, is that there hasn’t been that equipment created that meets safety regulations.