HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Approving suspension of enforcement of Municipal Code Section 17.16 related to minors on premises on June 18, 2025, for Ames Summertime Series - CampustownRESOLUTION NO. 25-303
RESOLUTION APPROVING SUSPENSION OF ENFORCEMENT
OF MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 17.16 FOR
AMES SUMMERTIME SERIES – CAMPUSTOWN
FOR THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA
WHEREAS, Ames Main Street plans to host Ames Summertime Series –
Campustown on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The event is free to attend and includes a
beer garden; 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 .
This request follows a similar waiver being granted for 515 Days, which was held
Downtown in May. City staff noted that there no reported issues with the alcohol service
at that event; 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 take place entirely during daylight hours.
Additionally, the event is being held when Iowa State University classes are out of
session, reducing the potential for larger crowds that can be challenging to
manage.
7. The event area is in a parking lot that contains permanent fencing and walls,
making for a well-defined space that is simpler to manage than an open event
area.
WHEREAS, Ames Main Street is a well-established local entity that has
successfully hosted many events with alcohol components. 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 Sectio n
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 Ames Summertime Series – Campustown on Wednesday, June 18,
2025, is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 10th day of June, 2025.
_______________________________ _________________________________
Renee Hall, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
Introduced by: Gartin
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 10th day of June, 2025.