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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Requests from Ames Main Street for 515 Days on May 15-16, 2025RESOLUTION NO. 25-108 RESOLUTION APPROVING SUSPENSION OF ENFORCEMENT OF MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 17.16 FOR 515 DAYS FOR THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA WHEREAS, Ames Main Street (AMS) plans to host “515 Days” from Thursday, May 15, through Friday, May 16. This event was implemented by Ames Main Street in 2021 with the intention of celebrating area code 515 through a variety of activities each day, such as 515-themed specials in businesses and giveaways to attract individuals to Downtown Ames. Additionally, this event is the first of a three-part Ames Summertime Series; and, WHEREAS, the activities on Thursday, May 15 include a beer garden, live music on Douglas Avenue, and a family activity zone on Douglas Avenue. The events are free to attend. Organizers expect up to 1,000 people to participate in the activities; and, WHEREAS, event organizers have requested suspension of Municipal Code 17.16 to allow for event attendees to carry their beverages throughout the event space as the premises for the event and not be required to fence a separate beer garden area. This would allow attendees of all ages to move freely throughout the event area. The alcohol license will be presented to the City Council at a later date for local authority approval; and, WHEREAS, the City has had a long history of requiring alcohol consumption for special events to occur in a designated area without intermingling of legal age adults and minors; and, WHEREAS, staff discussed these issues with Ames Main Street and has developed a list of the specific circumstances for the proposed event that the City Council could consider to justify allowing a suspension of Section 17.16 in this instance. The circumstances related to this event that may justify the requested suspension of enforcement of Section 17.16 include: 1. The event includes entertainment and activities that are the focus of the event (alcohol consumption is incidental to the event). 2. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be offered in a meaningful variety. No distilled spirits are involved. 3. The event is non-ticketed, intended to be family-friendly, and includes promotional materials that suggest it as a family event. 4. It is organized by a locally established entity, with a track record of hosting events successfully and with an interest in continuing to do so. 5. Private security is being hired for the event, in addition to volunteers to manage the event area. 6. The event is on a weekday night and will conclude by 9:00 p.m., placing the event entirely during daylight hours. Evening civil twilight ends at 9:00 p.m. on May 15. 7. The event area is in a portion of the downtown that does not contain a significant number of other alcohol-licensed establishments, minimizing the need to manage the area between licensed premises to ensure alcohol does not travel from one premises to another; and, WHEREAS, organizers were asked to contact the businesses in the area where the Thursday event would take place to inform them specifically of the proposed change to the event regarding alcohol. The notices indicated the proposed change regarding alcohol, the proposed event date, and the date and time of the Council meeting where approval is to be considered; and, WHEREAS, Ames Main Street is a well-established local entity that has successfully hosted many events with alcohol components in Downtown. With future event approvals subject to City staff review, the organization has considerable incentive to ensure a safe, well-run event. Additionally, City staff will document any issues or concerns observed and refer to it for any future requests from the organization. Staff believes that the factors listed in the report above make a case to support a waiver of enforcement of Section 17.16 of Municipal Code. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that suspension of enforcement to Municipal Code Section 17.16 related to minors on premises for 515 Days on Thursday, May 15, 2025, is hereby approved. ADOPTED THIS 11th day of March, 2025. _________________________________ ___________________________________ Renee Hall, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor Introduced by: Rollins Seconded by: Corrieri Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck, Rollins Voting nay: None Absent: None Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 11th day of March, 2025.