HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Enhanced Penalties for Nuisance Party Violations for Cyclone Welcome Weekend RESOLUTION NO. 23-241
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR NUISANCE PARTY
VIOLATIONS FOR CYCLONE WELCOME WEEKEND
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 City Council resolution as stated by
Section 17.30(5) of Municipal Code. 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 18, 2023, and ending at 4:00
a.m. Sunday, August 20, 2023. These dates correspond with the weekend before Iowa State
University(ISU) classes begin; and,
WHEREAS,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. This phenomenon began many years ago when alcohol was prohibited in fraternities and
sororities during the week leading up to the start of classes. The prohibition ended at 8:00 a.m. on
the Saturday before classes began. At 8:01 a.m. (801-day) some students chose to begin drinking;
and,
WHEREAS, in 2021, City leadership, ISU leadership, and both the Ames and ISU Police
Departments began to discuss ways to refocus the event in a way to reduce harm, reduce noise
complaints, reduce parking complaints, etc. The unofficial event of 801-day is being transitioned
to an official ISU event, Cyclone Welcome Weekend. The University has created several activities
to take the focus off alcohol use and overuse and steer activities towards community events and
safer alternatives; and,
WHEREAS, an additional strategy resulting from these discussions was a focus on
nuisance party enforcement. The Police Department has seen an increase in party sizes on this day,
estimating some parties of 400-500 people at private residences. Many of these parties include
underage drinking, fights,noise above what is allowed by the noise ordinance,public intoxication,
spilling onto neighboring property, public urination, and other inappropriate activities. These
behaviors are grounds for citation under the City's nuisance party ordinance, which may be cited
as either a municipal infraction or a simple misdemeanor; and,
WHEREAS, currently, the fine for a first violation of the ordinance is $100, and $200 for
second and subsequent violations. It is believed this fine structure is an insufficient deterrent to
nuisance parties on the Saturday before classes begin. 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, the enhanced fine structure for nuisance party violations was utilized for
Cyclone Welcome Weekend last year and staff noticed some reduction in large parties. Only three
citations were written in 2022 for the enhanced penalty Nuisance Party Violation. Cyclone
Welcome Weekend is several months away, which provides ample time to notify the community
of the enhanced penalties for nuisance party violations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that resolution authorizing enhanced penalties for nuisance party violations for Cyclone Welcome
Weekend is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 251h day of April, 2023.
e4 W- � e em
Renee kall, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
Introduced by: Betcher
Seconded by: Beatty-Hansen
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck, Rollins
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 25th day of April, 2023.