Tuesday, April 30, 2013
In the next few weeks, 1,200 Ankeny households will be picked to fill out the city's citizen survey.
From a City of Ankeny news release: Within the next couple of weeks, 1,200 Ankeny households will be randomly selected to participate in Ankeny's biennial Citizen Survey. The survey is designed to assess public opinion about city services, programs, communication methods and to obtain critical input on the community's expectations. A prenotification postcard will be mailed to selected Ankeny households on May 3, with the survey arriving one week later. The second wave of surveys will be mailed May 17. It will poll citizens on information ranging from quality of life, public safety, development, parks and recreation, economic development, infrastructure and leadership. This year's survey includes a web option limited to only the households …
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
A consultant will help the city develop a candidate profile in the next few weeks.
The Ankeny City Council will use the services of Colin Baenziger & Associates of Wellington, Florida; in its search for a new city manager. The former longtime Ankeny City Manager Carl Metzger took early retirement in June. City Council reviewed a number of proposals from consultants last week and unanimously approved an agreement with Colin Baenziger & Associates during a special meeting Monday. The firm charges fees per service and could charge the city up to $19,500, depending on the services provided. Any work done outside the scope of the proposal would cost $125 an hour, according to the application Colin Baenziger & Associates submitted. Colin Baenziger plans to be in Ankeny Thursday and Friday to interview the mayor, city council …
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
The council also established a Cultural Arts Board and reviewed proposals from consultants who would recruit a new Ankeny City manager.
The Ankeny City Council approved the lowest bid for the second phase of the SW Irvinedale Drive reconstruction project Monday. No one commented at the public hearing and the project was awarded to Manatts, Inc. the low bidder. The company submitted a bid of $3.8 million for the project. The plan is to expand the road to four lanes south of the roundabout to SW Oralabor Road. Work is expected to begin this spring. In addition to the roadway, the city will also add lights, permanent traffic signals at Woodbury and a pedestrian underpass so that children can cross the street to reach a future elementary school and the Cascade Falls Aquatic Center. The road is being improved ahead of an expansion at the John Deere Des Moines Works that would …
Monday, April 15, 2013
Second phase of reconstruction to cost $3.8 million.
Residents can expect disruptions on SW Irvinedale Drive soon. Ankeny City Council will hold a public hearing Monday to award bids on the second phase of the SW Irvinedale Drive reconstruction project. The plan is to expand the road to four lanes south of the roundabout to SW Oralabor Road. Work is expected to begin this spring. City staff recommended that the council award the reconstruction project to Manatts, Inc. which offered a low bid of $3.8 million. In addition to the roadway, the city will also add lights, permanent traffic signals at Woodbury and a pedestrian underpass so that children can cross the street to reach a future elementary school and the Cascade Falls Aquatic Center. The road is being improved ahead of an expansion at …
Thursday, April 11, 2013
The Council expects to review consulting firms Monday.
Ankeny City Council expects on Monday to move forward on replacing the former longtime Ankeny City Manager Carl Metzger who took early retirement in June. The council expects to review consulting firms who would recruit a new city manager at a work session following the regular city council meeting that begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Metzger worked for the city for 27 years and served as the city manager since 1985. City management has been unstable since he left. Paul Moritz is the city's third assistant manager since the beginning of 2013. The two others before him were hired away by other cities, according to the Des Moines Register. SEE MORE ON PATCH Ankeny Newsletter. Ankeny Patch Facebook page. Twitter: @AnkenyPatch
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The Ankeny City Council approved the 2013 contract at its meeting Monday night.
The southeast side of Ankeny will likely see some street improvements this year after the Ankeny City Council approved the 2013 street patching program contract at its Monday night meeting. The council unanimously approved a contract with Concrete Contracting Company of Grimes, the Des Moines Register reported. The company had the lowest bid at $327,722.50. The program will include road patching in the southeast quadrant of Ankeny and in the Country Club neighborhoods, the article said. It will also include $60,000 of work at the regional airport, to be paid for by the airport authority.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The five-year contracts will provide budget certainty and stability for the city of Ankeny, according to a news release issued Monday night.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Tuesday, February 5
The Ankeny City Council on Monday night unanimously approved an agreement between the city and the Ankeny police union, completing union negotiations with the city’s three bargaining units. The city council previously approved AFSCME and fire union contracts at a meeting last month. All three contracts are for a term of five years and include employee contributions to the city’s health plan and a restructuring of union employee pay matrices. “Achieving five year contracts with the City’s labor unions is good for taxpayers,” said Ankeny City Manager Jim Spradling. “It provides budget certainty and stability and because of the restructuring of the pay matrices, the City is more comparable with other cities in the Des Moines Metropolitan area…
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Scheduling your day tomorrow? Check out these events and other tidbits going on in for Friday, Jan. 18.
Looking for something to do tomorrow, Ankeny? We've got you covered and are giving you a little extra time to plan. Make sure to mark these activities down on your calendar for Friday, Jan. 18. Ankeny City Council Budget Workshop The Ankeny City Council will hold a budget workshop Friday to start discussions on the city's Fiscal Year 2014 budget. This workshop will include presentations from city department heads. The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pinnacle Club at Otter Creek Golf Course. It is open to the public. Plan even farther ahead by checking out our events calendar and picking out a fun and interesting class offered by Ankeny Community Education. Have your own event you want to publicize? Add it!
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
The Ankeny Council voted Monday night to appoint Gary Lorenz as Ankeny mayor, closing out the term of former Mayor Steve Van Oort.
Following his swearing in Monday night, new Ankeny Mayor Gary Lorenz spoke to council members before taking an opportunity to say a few words to community members in attendance. While he acknowledged conversation among community residents regarding whether or not appointment was the best idea, Lorenz said he encourages Ankeny citizens to have faith in the city council and what they were elected to do. “The sole purpose of this body is to do the work of the citizens of Ankeny,” Lorenz said at the conclusion of Monday night’s meeting. “I know you didn’t vote for me; however, you did vote for these people to represent you and I think they practiced common sense in their decision to go with an appointment over a special election.” In a 5-0 …
Monday, December 10, 2012
The Ankeny City Council voted 5-0 to appoint one of seven applicants to fill the position of former Mayor Steven Van Oort.
The Ankeny City Council has appointed a new mayor to fill the seat vacated by Steven Van Oort last week. The council voted 5-0 to appoint Gary Lorenz to the seat. Lorenz was one of seven applicants vying for the position. "I was looking at someone who could jump right in, someone who was well respected and someone who could easily make those connections across the community," said council member Bobbi Bentz. "I believe Gary Lorenz can do that." The other six candidates were Andrew Boscaljon, Dennis Richard Ellars, Peter Hong, Michael Sibert, James Stordahl and Jeff Wright. Lorenz is a former council member who served for two terms, including one year as Mayor Pro Tem. He has also served on the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce Board of …
Jim Zupan
6:23 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
It was a done deal, right from the start. Jack and I both said it before. That is why I do not like the idea of an appointed Mayor. The council picked him before they asked for applications. I would like to see a Mayor put in place by the people of Ankeny, Not the 5 on the council. It shouldn't be a surprise that the council feels they are the best ones to pick the Mayor. They have time and again… more ›