HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - RAGBRAI - waiver of minors prohibited on premises regulations for proposed downtown area RESOLUTION NO. 18-240
RESOLUTION APPROVING WAIVER OF ENFORCEMENT OF MUNICIPAL CODE
SECTION RELATED TO MINORS PROHIBITED ON CERTAIN PREMISES
DURING RAGBRAI ON MAIN
FOR THE CITY OF AMES
WHEREAS, on Tuesday, July 24, the City will host the Register's Annual Great Bicycle
Ride Across Iowa(RAGBRAI)as an overnight stop,and approximately 15,000-20,000 bicycle riders
and support individuals will be in Ames for the event; and,
WHEREAS, in conjunction with the ride, the Main Street Cultural District (MSCD) is
coordinating the downtown entertainment component of the event consisting of musicians
performing on two stages,beer service, food vendors, and carnival-type acts; and,
WHEREAS, the entertainment will begin at approximately 3:00 p.m. and continue until
midnight; and,
WHEREAS, organizers plan to have a variety of vendors and entertainment on the closed
in the Downtown area; and,
WHEREAS, providing an entertainment area for RAGBRAI participants is an expectation
of any community serving as a RAGBRAI overnight stop, and centralizing that entertainment area
provides advantages in managing the entertainment and the crowds that will participate; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed event provides an opportunity to showcase the Main Street
Cultural District area of Ames for RAGBRAI participants; and,
WHEREAS,this event is unique in that MSCD has requested allowing alcohol consumption
anywhere on the streets and sidewalks within the event area; and,
WHEREAS,this event area would be open to the public,including to anyone under the age
of 21, and according to Municipal Code Section 17.16 —Minors Prohibited on Certain Premises,
there are limited circumstances in which persons under 21 years of age can be on the premises of an
alcohol-dispensing establishment; and,
WHEREAS, Section 17.16 of the Municipal Code is an important tool to ensure safe and
responsible consumption of alcohol in establishments and at events across the City; and,
WHEREAS,allowing minors in licensed premises increases the chances that a person under
21 will be able to access alcohol to consume, either by purchasing it directly or obtaining it from a
person who is of legal age; and,
WHEREAS, City staff recognizes that the RAGBRAI entertainment events are a unique
occurrence in our community; staff has met with the MSCD and Ames Convention and Visitors
Bureau on a number of occasions to discuss the planning for this aspect of RAGBRAI and to identify
how to make it as safe and successful as possible; and,
WHEREAS, staff is extremely cautious about recommending any waiver of enforcement of
Section 17.16 of the Municipal Code; and,
WHEREAS, however, MSCD has taken extraordinary steps to evaluate risks, implement
practices that will reduce or minimize those risks, and provide a significant staff, volunteer, and
professional security staff presence to manage this event, and it is clear that these measures exceed
the typical safety measures that would be expected for an event.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that the waiver of enforcement of Section 17.16 of the Municipal Code related to minors on certain
premises with respect only to the proposed Downtown entertainment area for RAGBRAI on Main
on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 24th day of April, 2018.
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Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John . Haila, Mayor
Introduced by: Beatty-Hansen
Seconded by: Corrieri
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Martin,Nelson
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 24'day of April, 2018.