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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - RAGBRAI - waiver of alcohol consumption in parks for Tom Evans Plaza RESOLUTION NO. 18-241 RESOLUTION APPROVING WAIVER OF ENFORCEMENT OF MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION RELATED TO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN TOM EVANS PLAZA 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, MSCD's proposed premises will also include Tom Evans Plaza; and, WHEREAS, consumption of alcohol in City parks is only allowed in certain designated parks, according to Section 17.17 of Municipal Code; and, WHEREAS, Tom Evans Plaza is not one of those designated areas, and therefore, MSCD is requesting a waiver of this section of the Municipal Code to allow the area to be used as a component of the alcohol service area; 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,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 17.17 of the Municipal Code related to alcohol consumption in parks with respect only to Tom Evans Plaza for RAGBRAI on Main on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, is hereby approved. ADOPTED THIS 24`'' day of April, 2018. 1-W Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John A. 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 24t'day of April, 2018.