Ames Tribune The Ames City Council voted 5-1 to allow eminent domain use for a flood mitigation project — though the city will first pursue purchasing the land. Since the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted $3.7 million to fund the project, the council is required to hold a public forum on potential eminent domain use. The project, which will mitigate flooding along Squaw Creek near the South Duff Avenue bridge, will require total acquisition of two properties and will impact seven other properties. One business owner, Jim Howe of Howe Welding and his wife, Piper Wall, expressed their concerns with the project at Tuesday's City Council meeting.