HomeMy WebLinkAboutA047 - Press Release issued August 6, 2018 PRESS REL EASE
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Contact: Susan Gwiasda Public Relations Officer,sewiasda(c�,city.ames.ia.us, 515.239.5204
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2018
Mayor Vetoes Rental Cap Exceptions
Ordinance
AMES, Iowa—Ames Mayor John Haila used his veto authority on Friday to strike down
the "Rental Cap Exceptions Ordinance" passed on third reading by the City Council on
July 31. While rarely used in Ames, the Iowa Code gives mayors the ability to veto a
resolution or ordinance within 14 days of its passing.
Mayor Haila provided his explanation for the veto in a letter he sent to the Ames City
Council. He wrote that language added during last Tuesday's meeting altered the ordinance
to the point it was "inconsistent" with what the Council was attempting to accomplish in
balancing neighborhoods between owner occupied and rental homes. In part, the letter
stated, "On Tuesday night, when the `definition' of a bona fide rental was added in 13.300
(10) v. stating in part that a `bona fide rental includes an owner-occupied dwelling with a
non-owner occupant who pays rent,' I believe that the spirit and principle of what Council
has worked on for months was compromised."
Mayor Haila went on to stress he was supportive of the Rental Caps Exceptions Ordinance
as originally drafted in the Council packet for the July 31 meeting.
City Attorney Mark Lambert explained the veto remains in place unless the City Council
chooses to override the action by bringing the ordinance back on a City Council agenda
within 30 days. It would require a two-thirds majority vote to be successful. "A veto by a
mayor is unusual, but it does happen,"Lambert said. "The process is clearly outlined in the
Iowa Code, and we have rules for moving forward if the Council decides to go that route."