HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated November 26, 2024ITEM #:11
DATE:11-26-24
DEPT:ADMIN
SUBJECT:REQUESTS FROM AMES MAIN STREET FOR SUMMER SIDEWALK SALES
ON JULY 10 - JULY 13, 2025
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Ames Main Street is again hosting its annual Summer Sidewalk Sales from July 10 through July 13. At
this event, downtown businesses display merchandise on the sidewalks for pedestrians to browse.
To facilitate this event, organizers are requesting suspension of parking regulations and enforcement for
the Downtown from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 12 ($1,370.25 estimated loss to the
Parking Fund). A blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit has also been requested for Saturday, July 12.
In February 2020, the City Council adopted a new policy regarding metered parking waivers:
Metered parking fees will not be waived for special events. Any event organizers intending to
provide free parking or to close metered parking spaces must reimburse the City’s Parking Fund
for the lost revenue. The City Council may consider waivers to this policy on a case-by-case basis
for parking spaces that are obstructed by the event area (not for area-wide free parking).
City staff is preparing the FY 2025/26 budget and anticipates including $10,000 in the Hotel/Motel Tax
Fund to support parking waivers. However, the budget will not be finalized and adopted formally by the
City Council for several more months. Therefore, the approval of the transfer of funding is conditional
upon the Council adopting a budget with sufficient funding to complete the transfer. It should be noted
that the City Council has approved the waiver and reimbursement of lost meter revenue for this event in
previous years.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the requests for Sidewalk Sales as requested by Ames Main Street, including the waiver
of fees for parking and vending, and transfer $1,370.25 from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund to the
Parking Fund (on the condition that sufficient funds are allocated in the FY 2025/26 City Budget).
2. Approve the requests for Sidewalk Sales but require reimbursement for lost parking meter
revenue.
3. Deny the requests.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Sidewalk Sales is a successful event held each year in the Downtown. The event attracts people to
the Downtown and promotes shopping locally. These requests further the City Council’s goal to
strengthen Downtown. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council
adopt Alternative No. 1, as described above.
1
ATTACHMENT(S):
Summer Sidewalk Sales - Event Application.pdf
2
Travis Toliver, IOM
Executive Director
travis@amesalliance.com
304 Main Street, Ames, IA 50010 | 515.233.3472 | DowntownAmes.org
Ames Main Street advances and promotes Downtown Ames as the heart of the Ames community.
October 29, 2024
Mayor and City Councill
City of Ames
515 Clark Ave
Ames, IA 50010
Dear Mayor Haila and Members of the Ames City Council,
Ames Main Street is planning to hold the annual Summer Sidewalk Sales event from July 10
through July 13, 2025.
Specific information about the event can be found on the included Special Event Application.
Additionally, we request a Temporary Obstruction Permit and a waiver of fees for free
parking in City of Ames meters throughout the Downtown Ames District on Saturday, July 12,
2025.
By bringing residents to Downtown Ames for attractions such as this, Ames Main Street is
able to fulfill its mission as a Main Street Iowa community and create an economically vibrant
downtown with unique living, dining, and entertainment experiences.
Thank you for your consideration of this request and continued support of Ames Main Street.
We look forward to seeing you shopping in Downtown Ames!
Sincerely,
Travis Toliver
Executive Director
Ames Main Street
3
1
For Office Use Only
Documents Received
Date: ____________________
___ Completed Application
___ Fireworks Application
($25 fee)
___ Insurance Certificate
___ Public Safety & Event
Management Plan
___ Site Plan/Route Map
($25 fee) (Road Race)
___ Vendor List
($50 fee/each)
___ Parking fees
Special Events Meeting
Date ____________________
Time ____________________
Room ___________________
Documents Sent:
___ Alcohol License
ABD ________________
___ Fireworks Permit
___ Road Race Permit
___ TOP
___ Vending Permit
___ Other ________________
Departments Included
___ City Manager: Brian
Phillips and Tasheik Kerr
___ CyRide: Jenny Bethurem
or Rob Holm
___ Electric: Mark Imhoff
___ Fire: Jason Ziph or Rich
Higgins
___ Parks & Rec: Craig
Kaufman or Joshua
Thompson
___ Public Works: Brad Becker
or Dave Cole
___ Police: Tom Shelton or
Mike Arkovich
___ Water: Heidi Petersen
___ Risk Management: Bill
Walton
CAA: Sarah Dvorsky
AMS: Sarah Dvorsky
ISU: Events
Authorization Committee
City Council Meeting
Date _____________________
___ Added to Agenda with CAF
Approved Y N
Reminder Date ____________
SPECIAL EVENT APPLICATION
Applications received less than thirty (30) days before the event may not be processed by
the City in time for the event and will automatically be denied. Each application is viewed
as a new event regardless of previous occasions.
Event Name
Location/Address
Region (Select one or more)
Ames Main Street (Downtown)
Campustown District
Iowa State University Property
City Parks
Other (please explain)
Please note that events occurring in the Downtown, Campustown, in City parks, or on ISU property
require prior approvals. A letter of support will be required from CAA if the event occurs in
Campustown or from Ames Main Street if the event occurs in Downtown. Please contact the
appropriate office well in advance:
Downtown - Ames Main Street: (515) 232-2310
Campustown Action Association: (515) 232-2310
ISU - Events Authorization Committee: (515) 294-1437
director@amesdowntown.org
sarahd@ameschamber.com
eventauthorization@iastate.edu
TIMELINE
Detailed Description of Event Activities (written overview of event and what’s going to happen)
Event Ends Date Time M T W R F Sa Su
Teardown
Complete Date Time M T W R F Sa Su
Event Category
Concert/Performance
Farmer/Outdoor Market
Other (please explain)
Athletic/Recreation
Exhibits/Misc.
Festival/Celebration
Parade/Procession/March
Rain Date Rain Location
Yes No
Is this an annual event? If yes, how many years?
Setup
Event Starts
or Kevin Gries
4
2
CONTACTS
State Zip Code
Cell Phone
Cell Phone
Sponsor/Applicant Name
Address
City
Daytime Phone
E-mail
Alternate Contact Name
Daytime Phone
E-mail
ATTENDANCE
Anticipated Daily Attendance
Yes No
Is this event open to the public?
Is your event being held in conjunction with another event (e.g. Farmers' Market, 4th of July, etc.)? If yes, please list:
ORGANIZATION STATUS/PROCEEDS
For-Profit
Bona Fide Tax Exempt
Nonprofit
Yes No
Are patron admission, entry, or participant fees required? If yes, please describe and provide
amounts:
Are vendor or other fees required? If yes, please provide amounts:
Percentage of net proceeds going towards fundraising %
Percentage of net proceeds going towards for-profit entity %
SECURITY
Ames Police Department 24 hour non-emergency phone number: 515-239-5133
Please complete the course at https://www.crowdmanagers.com/training for crowd management training.
Yes No
Have you hired a professional security company to develop and manage your event’s security plan?
If yes, please fill out the following information:
Security Organization
State Zip Phone
Address
City
Email
5