City of Ames’ Podcasts

Ames in Focus: Give Ames a Clean Sweep with Mark Peebler

In this episode of Ames in Focus, host Bill Gebhart sits down with Mark Peebler, Resource Recovery Superintendent for the City of Ames, and Matt Bradner of Iowa Home Consulting to talk about Stash the Trash, a community-wide cleanup event that empowers residents to make a visible difference.
More than just picking up litter, Stash the Trash is about building community pride, strengthening partnerships, and supporting long-term sustainability efforts in Ames. With participation from individuals, families, and organizations, this annual event shows how simple actions can lead to meaningful impact.
Episode Highlights
What Stash the Trash is and how it got started
How the event encourages community stewardship and pride
The partnership between the City of Ames and Iowa Home Consulting
Event details, April 24–26, and how to participate
How volunteers can choose cleanup locations across the city
Supplies, support, and guidance available for participants
The environmental and community impact of the initiative
How efforts like this connect to broader waste management and sustainability goals
Opportunities for individuals, groups, and organizations to get involved
Event Details
Stash the Trash🗓️ April 24–26🌎 Locations throughout Ames
Participants can select a park, green space, or neighborhood area to clean, then bring collected materials to designated drop-off sites.
Learn more and sign up: www.stashthetrash.com
Why It Matters
Stash the Trash demonstrates how local action contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable community. By bringing together residents, businesses, and city resources, the event highlights the power of collaboration and reinforces the importance of responsible waste management.

From Agenda to Action: What Happened at the Ames City Council April 14 Meeting

In this episode of From Agenda to Action, Communications and Outreach Manager Susan Gwiasda sits down with Ames City Councilmember Anita Rollins, who is stepping in for Mayor John Haila, to recap key discussions and decisions from the Tuesday, April 14 Ames City Council meeting.
Their conversation highlights several important topics that impact infrastructure, long range planning, and utility services across the community. Susan and Councilmember Rollins break down what was discussed, why it matters, and how these decisions connect to the day to day lives of Ames residents.
In this episode, we discuss:
• Paving improvements planned for Freel Drive and what that means for the upcoming Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus• The Planning and Housing Department workplan and how it will guide future growth and development in Ames• Water and sewer rate adjustments
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 YouTubeView 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.

Live Well, Be Well: Benefits 101 with Krista Hammer

Employee benefits can sometimes feel complicated or easy to overlook, but they play an important role in overall well being. In this episode of Live Well. Be Well., hosts Kacie Schumann and Bailey Dingfield are joined by Krista Hammer, HR Officer for the City of Ames, to talk about understanding and making the most of employee benefits.
 
Episode Highlights
Krista’s Path into Human ResourcesKrista shares how she began her career in HR and what led her to work with employee benefits at the City of Ames.
Managing Benefits for City EmployeesA look at how benefits programs are managed and how HR supports employees in understanding their options.
Navigating Your BenefitsTips for employees on how to better understand and use the benefits available to them.
Lesser Known BenefitsA discussion about benefits that employees sometimes overlook but could be taking advantage of.
Common MisconceptionsThe hosts talk about misunderstandings people often have about employee benefits and how to approach them with better information.
Benefits and Well BeingHow employee benefits contribute to overall health, stability, and well being for employees and their families.
Have a question, topic idea, or someone you would like to hear on the podcast?Send suggestions to Kacie.Schumann@CityofAmes.org.

Ames in Focus: Fair Housing in Focus with Vanessa Baker-Latimer

April is Fair Housing Month, and this episode of Ames in Focus explores what that means for the Ames community. Host Bill Gebhart is joined by Vanessa Baker-Latimer, Housing Coordinator for the City of Ames, along with Beth Skluzacek from the Iowa Board of Realtors. Together, they discuss why fair housing still matters, how to recognize housing discrimination, and the role local partnerships play in creating more equitable opportunities for residents.
They also highlight how Ames is bringing awareness to the community this month, including a City Council proclamation on Tuesday, April 14, a social media trivia campaign with prizes, and an upcoming panel discussion on April 22 at 9 a.m. at the Iowa Board of Realtors education center. The panel will bring together experts to share insights, answer questions, and connect residents with resources.
For more information on Fair Housing Month and upcoming events, visit CityofAmes.org.

From Agenda to Action: Preview of the Ames City Council Meeting for Tuesday, April 14

In this episode of From Agenda to Action, host Bill Gebhart sits down with Mayor John Haila to preview key items scheduled for discussion at the upcoming Ames City Council meeting.
The Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 14, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Ames City Hall Council Chambers, located at 515 Clark Ave.
A meeting of the Ames Conference Board will be held earlier that evening at 5:30 p.m. in the same location.
This agenda includes a number of items for Council consideration, and while this episode does not cover every topic, it highlights several discussions that may be of particular interest to residents and the community.
This podcast is designed to help listeners better understand what is on the agenda, what decisions Council will be asked to consider, and how those discussions may impact Ames.
In this episode, we discuss:
Key highlights from the April 14 City Council agenda
Proclamations
The Planning department's workplan presentation
Temporary changes to the nuisance and towing ordinances
Regular Ames City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, and all meetings are open to the public.
Have a question or topic you would like covered?
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
Important note
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.

Ames in Focus: Shelf Help Wanted with Jehan Faisal and Dana Eaton

In this episode of Ames in Focus, host Bill Gebhart sits down with Jehan Faisal, Volunteer Coordinator at the Ames Public Library, and dedicated library volunteer Dana Eaton. Together, they explore how volunteers help bring the library to life, from organizing book sales to supporting daily operations and community programs.
Jehan shares how she found her way into library work and what it takes to coordinate a diverse and passionate volunteer base. Dana offers a firsthand perspective on what it’s like to give back through service, along with a few memorable moments from her time at the library.
Whether you're a lifelong reader or just looking for a way to get involved in the community, this conversation highlights the meaningful impact of volunteering and why the library remains such a vital part of Ames.
✨ Episode Highlights
How Jehan Faisal became Volunteer Coordinator at the Ames Public Library
The wide range of volunteer opportunities available, from shelving to events
Who volunteers at the library and why it’s open to everyone
Dana Eaton’s personal experience and favorite moments as a volunteer
The real impact volunteers have on staff, patrons, and the broader community
Behind the scenes of the upcoming Library Book Sale
How to get started as a volunteer, including training and onboarding
Quick rapid fire book and library favorites from both guests
📖 Get Involved
Interested in volunteering or checking out the upcoming book sale?Visit AmesPublicLibrary.org to learn more about opportunities, events, and ways to support your local library.
Volunteering at the library isn’t just about books. It’s about building connections, supporting learning, and strengthening the community one story at a time.

Live Well, Be Well: The Caffeine Conversation

Coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, and chocolate all contain caffeine, but how much do we really know about it? In this episode of Live Well. Be Well., hosts Kacie Schumann and Bailey Dingfield explore the ins and outs of caffeine.
The bottom line: enjoy your caffeine fix (because Kacie and Bailey definitely will), but stay informed about how it affects your body.
Episode Highlights
What Is Caffeine?A look at caffeine as a natural stimulant produced by plants that affects the brain, nervous system, muscles, and heart.
Where Caffeine Comes FromPlants such as coffee beans, tea leaves, cacao, and others naturally produce caffeine. The episode explores how these sources end up in everyday foods and drinks.
How Much Caffeine Is in Common Foods and DrinksA comparison of caffeine levels in coffee, soda, energy drinks, tea, and chocolate, and why the amounts can vary.
The Benefits and DownsidesThe hosts discuss both the potential positives of caffeine, such as alertness and focus, and the possible negative side effects including sleep disruption, anxiety, and overconsumption.
Research on Caffeine and HealthKacie and Bailey explore recent studies that examine how caffeine interacts with the body and what research suggests about long term health outcomes.
How to Check Your Caffeine IntakeListeners can look up caffeine content in common foods and drinks through resources available at CSPI.
Resources
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772417424000104
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2844764
https://www.delish.com/food-news/a70300713/caffeinated-coffee-tea-lower-dementia-risk-study/
https://CSPI.org
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10459237/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/caffeine-side-effects
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-979/caffeine
Have a question, topic idea, or someone you would like to hear on the podcast?Send suggestions to Kacie.Schumann@CityofAmes.org

One More Time Down the Slide with Keith Abraham

The City of Ames is getting ready to open the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, and it is safe to say this is the kind of place kids will never want to leave. In this episode, Parks and Recreation Director Keith Abraham joins host Bill Gebhart to share what residents can expect, from pools and programs to year-round recreation opportunities. With an anticipated opening in April 2026, the facility is designed to serve swimmers of all ages, from early morning lap swimmers to kids who keep asking for just one more trip down the slide.
What You’ll Learn
What the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center is and how it fits into Ames’ parks and recreation system
Key features of the facility, including lap, recreation, and wellness pools, plus a water slide
Additional amenities like multipurpose spaces, walking areas, and classrooms
Programming options for all ages, including open swim, lap swim, aqua fitness, and adaptive programs
Fitness offerings such as group classes and specialty programs
Admission options, including daily rates and membership passes
How the new indoor center will complement the seasonal Furman Aquatic Center
Accessibility features designed to welcome all users
Opportunities for rentals, parties, and special events
Key Highlights
Opening timeline: Anticipated April 2026
Year-round access to aquatic recreation and fitness
Flexible programming for families, individuals, and groups
Designed to complement the Furman Aquatic Center during summer months
Memorable Moments
Keith shares his path into parks and recreation and what brought him to Ames
A preview of the facility’s features and how they will serve the community
Reflections on what he is most excited for residents to experience
Rapid-fire answers on favorite swim times and unexpected aquatic favorites
Learn More
For updates on amenities, programming, and passes, visit:www.CityofAmes.org/Aquatics
Closing Thought
The Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center is built for everyday moments, whether that is a quick swim, a fitness class, or a kid asking for one more turn down the slide. It is a space designed to bring people together all year long.