City of Ames’ Podcasts

In this episode of From Agenda to Action, host Bill Gebhart is joined by Assistant City Manager Pa Vang Goldbeck to preview key items scheduled for discussion at the upcoming Ames City Council meeting.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. in the Ames City Hall Council Chambers, located at 515 Clark Ave. Residents can attend in person or watch the meeting live on the City's YouTube and Facebook pages.

We start with the Consent Agenda, where several upcoming community events are represented. Bill and Pa highlight the Sip and Stroll District, Ames High School Homecoming, Iowa State University Homecoming, and the Ames Regional Economic Alliance Fall Classic before moving into some of the larger discussion items on the agenda.

This episode highlights several agenda items that may be of interest to residents and the community. While it does not cover every topic, it offers a closer look at a few of the discussions Council will be considering and what they could mean for Ames. Think of it as your meeting preview, without having to read through hundreds of pages of agenda materials.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Upcoming community events included in the Consent Agenda, including the Sip and Stroll District, Ames High School Homecoming, ISU Homecoming, and the Ames Regional Economic Alliance Fall Classic
• Proposed Urban Renewal Plan amendments and changes involving Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in response to Senate File 2472
• Ordinances related to the City's Building and Fire Codes
• An ordinance related to the Ames Human Relations Commission

From Agenda to Action is designed to give listeners a clearer understanding of what is on the agenda, what decisions Council will be asked to make, and how those decisions may impact daily life in Ames.

Regular Ames City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, and all meetings are open to the public.

Are there agenda items or City Council topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode? Send us an email at eric.gebhart@CityofAmes.org.

Watch City Council meetings live or on demand on the City's YouTube page.

View agendas and meeting materials at www.CityofAmes.org/CityCouncil.

City Council agendas may change up to 24 hours before the meeting time. This podcast reflects the agenda as it exists at the time of recording.

From Agenda to Action is part of the City of Ames Podcasts network, offering residents a clear and approachable way to stay informed about local government and community decisions.

Wellness is about more than exercise. It is about finding activities you enjoy, building healthy habits, connecting with others, and discovering what helps you feel your best.

In this episode of Live Well. Be Well., host Kacie Schumann sits down with Claire Eagan, the new Public Wellness Manager with Ames Parks and Recreation. Claire shares what brought her to the world of fitness and wellness, what interested her in joining the City of Ames, and what excites her about helping people throughout the community live healthier lives.

Claire also talks about stepping into a role previously held by longtime Public Wellness Manager Nancy Shaw, what she has learned during her first few months on the job, and the ideas and perspectives she hopes to bring to the position.

Episode Highlights
Meet Claire Eagan
Get to know Claire, her previous experiences, and what inspired her to pursue a career focused on fitness and wellness.

Finding Your Own Version of Wellness
Wellness looks different for everyone. Claire discusses the areas she is passionate about and how she incorporates wellness into her own everyday life.

Building a Healthier Ames
Claire shares what excites her about working with the Ames community and some of the qualities that make Ames a great place to pursue a healthy lifestyle.

More Than Exercise
Recreation programs can support physical health, mental well-being, social connections, and much more. The conversation explores the broader role recreation can play in our lives.

Taking the First Step
Want to improve your well-being but aren't sure where to begin? Claire offers advice for starting small and for anyone who might feel a little nervous about trying a new Parks and Recreation class or activity.

Stepping Into a New Role
Claire reflects on following longtime Public Wellness Manager Nancy Shaw, what she has learned during the transition, and what she hopes to bring to the role.

Looking to the Future of Wellness
What could community wellness look like in the years and decades ahead? Claire shares some of the changes she would like to see as the field continues to evolve.

Ready to find an activity that's right for you? Explore the full lineup of Ames Parks and Recreation classes, programs, and activities at AmesParkRec.org

Have a question, topic idea, or someone you would like to hear on the podcast? Send suggestions to Kacie.Schumann@CityofAmes.org

Summer may be winding down, but swimming in Ames certainly isn’t.

In this episode of Ames in Focus, Bill Gebhart sits down with Ames Parks and Recreation's Recreation Superintendent Courtney Kort to talk about the changing of the seasons for Ames aquatics. Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, marks the final day of the season at Furman Aquatic Center, followed immediately by the start of regular seasonal operations at the new Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Courtney takes us on a tour of the new facility and the many ways it was designed to serve swimmers of different ages, interests, and abilities. From the six-lane lap pool and wellness pool to the current channel, zero-depth entry splash pool, body slide, walking area, and community spaces, there’s much more to Fitch than just a place to swim.

They also discuss what residents should know about admission, passes, schedules and programming, along with the community support that helped make the approximately $28 million facility possible and plans to celebrate with an upcoming ribbon cutting and grand opening.

In this episode:

Getting to know Recreation Superintendent Courtney Kort

Wrapping up the 2026 season at Furman Aquatic Center

What changes when Fitch begins its regular indoor season Sept. 8

Exploring the pools, current channel, body slide and other amenities at Fitch

Opportunities for lap swimming, water walking, lessons and fitness

The free indoor walking area

Admission options and aquatics passes

How public and private support helped make Fitch possible

The upcoming ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration

What residents should know before their first visit

What Fitch makes possible for the future of aquatics in Ames

Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, is the final day of the season at Furman Aquatic Center. The regular indoor season at Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, 115 N. Elm Ave., begins Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Find schedules, admission information, aquatics programs, and more at CityofAmes.org/Aquatics

In this episode of From Agenda to Action, Communications and Outreach Manager Susan Gwiasda sits down with Mayor John Haila to recap key discussions and decisions from the Tuesday, Aug. 25 Ames City Council meeting.

They begin with a proclamation recognizing Water and Wastewater Workers Week and the important work City employees do every day to provide safe, reliable water and wastewater services to the Ames community.

Susan and Mayor Haila also discuss the next steps for the City's data center study committee, including the committee's purpose and how Ames residents can apply to participate.

The conversation then turns to City finances. They look at how new state legislation is affecting the City's financial planning and discuss potential funding options for new Ames Power infrastructure.

Finally, they provide an update on curbside recycling and discuss an issue that has emerged for a select group of residents since the program began.

From Agenda to Action is designed to give residents a clearer understanding of how City Council discussions translate into real-world impacts across Ames.

Regular Ames City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, and all meetings are open to the public.

Get involved:

• Watch meetings live or on demand on the City's YouTube page
• View agendas and meeting materials at www.CityofAmes.org/CityCouncil

Have a topic you would like us to cover in a future episode? Email Eric.Gebhart@CityofAmes.org.

From Agenda to Action is part of the City of Ames Podcasts network, offering residents a clear and approachable way to stay informed about local government and community decisions.

Crime prevention doesn't always involve flashing lights or an investigation. Sometimes, it can be as simple as locking your car, recognizing the warning signs of a scam, or speaking up when something doesn't seem right.

In this episode of Ames in Focus, Bill Gebhart sits down with Ames Police Community Resource Officer Nate Rivera to talk about preventable crimes and the everyday steps residents can take to protect themselves, their property, and those around them.

They start with scams, including impersonation calls, romance and grandparent scams, and fake job offers. Nate shares what to do when you suspect someone is trying to scam you, including staying calm, protecting your personal information, ending the conversation, and reporting the incident.

The conversation also looks at theft from vehicles and how simple habits can make your car a less appealing target. Nate explains why locking your doors, removing valuables, parking in well-lit areas, and even locking your vehicle while it's parked in your own driveway can make a difference.

Finally, Bill and Nate discuss the more complex issue of workplace violence, including potential warning signs, the importance of reporting concerns, and how a workplace culture built around awareness, support, and communication can contribute to prevention.

In this episode:

What makes some crimes preventable

Common scams and how to recognize them

What to do if you think you're being targeted by a scam

Simple ways to help prevent theft from vehicles

Everyday habits that can make you and your property less vulnerable

Warning signs of potential workplace violence

Why reporting concerns and speaking up matters

How awareness and small actions can help prevent crime

The goal isn't to live in fear. It's to stay alert, trust your instincts, and take simple steps that can reduce opportunities for crime.

Learn more about the Ames Police Department and crime prevention resources at www.CityofAmes.org.