Parking increases, Estes naming request go to regents next week

A request to name Music Hall for opera vocalist and music and theatre department artist-in-residence Simon Estes is on the agenda when the state Board of Regents meets Wednesday, Feb. 5, at its Urbandale office. The board also will take a first look at proposed parking increases for the year that begins July 1, and receive five annual reports from the universities -- covering graduation and retention, distance education, student financial aid, human resources and residence systems.

The agenda is on the board's website. A live videostream of all public portions of the meeting also will be available Feb. 5.

An adjunct professor at Iowa State since 2000, Estes, 81, has helped attract world-class students to the department and mentored many of them for admission to prestigious music schools following their undergraduate years. Estes also is a renown humanitarian and philanthropist, using his platform to serve less fortunate populations and bring awareness to worldwide issues. Despite a full performing schedule of his own, he has made it a priority to sing at Iowa State's spring and fall commencement ceremonies.

Naming the building Simon Estes Music Hall will require the board to waive its policy that mandates a two-year wait following retirement before a building may be named for a regent university employee.

FY21 parking rates

Iowa State leaders will ask the board to consider increases of 3% to 3.3% on employee parking permits in fiscal year 2021 -- a $6 increase for general staff permits, $17 for reserved permits and $30 for 24-hour reserved spots. Employee motorcycle permits would go up $2 next year. Permits for the Memorial Union ramp would go up about 2.5%, as proposed. The MU changes would vary from a $5 increase for a summer permit to a $15 increase for an annual permit.

ISU parking services uses the revenue to maintain or upgrade parking lots and equipment.

Hourly parking in the MU ramp would go up 25 cents per hour, as proposed, with the daily maximum rising from $13 to $15. The price of the first hour would rise to $2.25, additional hours 2-5 would rise to $1.75 per hour, and hours 6-8 would rise to $1.50 per hour. Special fees, for example illegal exit or lost ticket charges, will remain at current rates.

MU leaders use ramp parking revenue to maintain the structure and replace aging equipment. Revenue also will be set aside for an assessment of the structure's condition.

Final approval on proposed increases to parking rates will come at the board's April meeting.

July 1: Proposed parking increases

*Includes lots designated for residence department and Ames Lab

Stadium gateway bridge

Athletics department officials will present to the board's property and facilities committee a request to begin planning a pedestrian bridge over University Boulevard east of Jack Trice Stadium. The project would include an elevated walkway all the way to the stadium's east concourse to create a safer pedestrian route between the stadium and parking, and enhance the south entry to campus. Its estimated cost, $8-12 million, would be funded with athletics department operating funds and private gifts.

FY21 student housing, dining rates

The residence department proposes no increases to residence hall or apartment rates for summer 2020 and the 2020-21 academic year. It is asking for a 2% increase to hall and apartment rates for summer 2021. If approved, increases would range from $24 to $35 for summer residence hall rates and from $21 to $39 for summer apartment rates.

ISU Dining will ask for 1% increases to its semester student meal plan options and academic year flex meal plans. It is seeking a 10-cent increase to its breakfast "door" rate in the dining centers (to $10.60), and a 15-cent increase to the lunch and dinner door rate (to $13.65)

Final approval will come at the board's April meeting.

Other Iowa State items on the agenda include:

• A 10 a.m. bid opening for an estimated $63.8 million in athletic facilities revenue bonds to construct and equip a four-story sports performance center east of the Bergstrom football facility and a one-story addition on its west side, and to construct a plaza and other improvements north of the football stadium. The actual estimated project cost is $60 million.
• Project description and budget ($3.8 million) for improvements to four parking lots: 54 and 66 in the Richardson Court residence neighborhood, 18 along Morrill Road on central campus and 74 on Union Drive north of Lake LaVerne. The project also replaces select underground utilities. The work is scheduled for summers 2020-21. Funding sources are ISU parking, $2.1 million; ISU utilities, $1.4 million; Institutional Roads Fund (Iowa DOT), $200,000; and university funds, $150,000.
• Project description and budget ($16 million) to replace the ISU power plant's central control system. It will occur in 12 phases over eight years in order to maintain steam, chilled water and electricity service to campus throughout the transition. The university's utility repair and utility infrastructure funds will cover the cost.

Report presentations

The regent universities' joint reports on distance education and student financial aid will be presented to the board's academic and student affairs committee, which meets at 9:15 a.m. The residence system and graduation/retention reports are scheduled near the end of the full board meeting, which begins at 1 p.m. The annual human resources report is included in the board's consent agenda, with no oral presentation scheduled.