HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Authorizing the Enhanced Penalties for Nuisance Party Violations beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Augst 19 and ending at 4:00 a.m on Sunday, August 21, 2022 RESOLUTION NO. 22-456
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR NUISANCE
PARTY VIOLATIONS ($650 FOR A FIRST OFFENSE AND $855 FOR EACH REPEAT
OFFENSE) BEGINNING AT 5:00 P.M.,FRIDAY,AUGUST 19 AND ENDING AT 4:00
A.M. ON SUNDAY,AUGUST 21, 2022
FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA
WHEREAS,on July 29,2022,the City Council approved an ordinance to allow for enhanced
penalties for nuisance parties when authorized by a City Council Resolution[Section 17.30(5)of the
Municipal Code]; and,
WHEREAS, the resolution that authorizes the enhanced penalties must designate specific
dates and times subject to the enhanced penalties; and,
WHEREAS,this request is to approve a Resolution authorizing the use of enhanced penalties
for nuisance parties beginning at 5:00 p.m. Friday,August 19, and ending at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday,
August 21, 2022; and,
WHEREAS,these dates correspond with the weekend before Iowa State University classes
begin and in the past several years,the Saturday before classes begin has been associated with an
increase in alcohol consumption,illegal parking,nuisance parties,and other high-risk activities;and,
WHEREAS, this phenomenon began many years ago when alcohol was prohibited in
fraternities and sororities during the week leading up to the start of classes; and,
WHEREAS,in the late 2010s,these behaviors on the Saturday before classes began to grow
beyond a small segment of the ISU population and the date has increasingly become a destination
for people outside of Ames and is no longer limited to ISU students; and,
WHEREAS, in 2021, City leadership, ISU leadership, and both the Ames and ISU Police
Departments began discussing ways to refocus the event in a way to reduce harm, reduce noise
complaints,reduce parking complaints,etc.,and the unofficial event of 801-day is being transitioned
to an official ISU event, Cyclone Welcome Weekend; and,
WHEREAS,the Police Department has seen an increase in party sizes on this day,estimating
some parties of 400-500 people at private residences, and many of these parties include underage
drinking, fights, noise about what is allowed by the noise ordinance, public intoxication, spilling
onto neighboring property,public urination, and other inappropriate activities; and,
WHEREAS,the new Ordinance passed on July 29,2022,allows for enhanced penalties for
nuisance party violations of$650 for a first offense and $855 for each repeat offense on dates and
times approved by resolution by City Council; and,
WHEREAS,based on the issues described above, staff is requesting Council's approval to
invoke the enhanced penalties for nuisance parry violations beginning at 5:00 p.m., Friday,August
19, and ending at 4:00 a.m., Sunday, August 21, 2022.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that the authorization for enhanced penalties for nuisance party violations ($650 for a first offense
and$855 for each repeat offense)beginning at 5:00 p.m.,Friday,August 19 and ending at 4:00 a.m.
on Sunday, August 21, 2022, is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 9`' day of August, 2022.
Rene Hall, City Clerk John A. Hai la, Mayor
Introduced by: Corrieri
Seconded by: Rollins
Voting aye: Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck, Rollins
Voting nay: None Absent: Beatty-Hansen
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 9th day of August, 2022.