HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Memo dated February 5, 2021 from City Attorney CITY of MEMO
Ames Legal Department
Caring People•Qxality Arogramr• Exreptionol Sen rre
To: Mayor Haila and Ames City Council J
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From: Mark O. Lambert, City Attorney Cl -f-
Date: February 5, 2021
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Subject: Drafting error in ordinance
In 2015. the City's Attorneys office drafted, and the Council adopted. a revision to the
Section 17.25 of the Ames Municipal Code, ' Pawnbrokers, Itinerant Dealers, and
Secondhand Dealers.'
Part of the purpose of revising this ordinance six years ago was to expand the
requirements the City had on pawnbrokers (keeping records of items received, who
they were purchased from. serial numbers. etc.) by applying those same requirements
to 'secondhand goods dealers' as well.
Recently, because of questions from a potential applicant, it was discovered that
an omission was made in the drafting of the ordinance. Although the ordinance
requires secondhand dealers to keep records of transactions, similar to what
pawnbrokers are required to do. the ordinance failed to require that the
secondhand dealers obtain a permit from the City Clerk. The ordinance only
requires pawnbrokers and itinerant dealers to obtain a permit.
The City Attorney's office is asking the Council to direct the City Attorney to draft an
ordinance that makes clear that secondhand dealers are required to obtain a permit
from the City.
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Legal Department 515.239.5146 nwin 515 Clark Ave,
515.239.5142 fur Ames,IA 50010
www.GtyofAmes org