This council meeting starts at 6:30. An update on the status of the Richmond Center will be first. The Richmond Center has been in financial difficulties. The Richmond Center a local nonprofit that supplies needed mental health services in our community. This item was a late addition to the agenda.

There is not alot on this agenda:

• Item 17 --   Coal and Coal Delivery Services.  This item is for coal delivery services to Ames from Wyoming (where the low sulfur coal is). Currently the city gets the coal delivered through Alliant Energy-Williams Bulk Transfer location. This requires the coal to be is trucked 36 miles from Williams to Ames. The staff reports includes the delivery options of Willams and a new one called Central Iowa Terminal (CIT). CIT is proposed to be built south west of Nevada (more west than south). There has been opposition to this project expressed by neighbors in the area. This proposed facility would only be 9 miles from Ames. This would likely be cheaper and more fuel efficient (transportation fuel) for Ames. See the pluses and minuses in the staff report.

 Jim Popken

City Council At Large

Disclaimer: My intent of this communication is to give you a heads up on items coming to the city council. I may state some of my impressions and leanings here. I will, however, try to avoid staking out a position on issues before the council meeting occurs. I feel that I should avoid committing to any positions until I have heard and considered all the public input at the council meeting before a vote.

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