HomeMy WebLinkAboutA029 - First passage of ordinance to comply with new state law regarding citizen review boards of police and repeal Ames Resident Police Advisory Committee (ARPAC)To:Mayor & City Council
From:Mark O. Lambert, CIty Attorney
Date:June 6, 2025
Subject:Ordinance to comply with new state law re: citizen review boards of
police
Item No. 32
MEMO
See attached memo and first passage of Ordinance.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Memo from Mark O. Lambert.docx
Ordinance Repeal ARPAC.PDF
City Clerk's Office 515.239.5105 main
515.239.5142 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
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515.239.5146 main
515.239.5142 fax
515 Clark Ave.
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
Legal Department
MEMO
Legal Department
To: Mayor Haila, Ames City Council
From: Mark O. Lambert, City Attorney
Date: June 6, 2025
Subject: Ordinance to comply with new state law re: citizen review boards
of police
In October 2021, the Ames City Council approved an ordinance creating the
Ames Resident Police Advisory Committee (ARPAC). ARPAC was designed to
provide a resident perspective to the Chief of Police into the resolution of
complaints against the Ames Police Department, provide thoughtful
recommendations regarding the policies and practices of the Ames Police
Department, report concerns regarding complaint investigation outcomes to the
City Manager, and increase public confidence in the professionalism and
accountability of the Ames Police Department. ARPAC is established in
sections 2.50-2.55 of the Ames Municipal Code.
On May 19, 2025, the Governor of Iowa signed into law SF 311, which
states that any city with a civil service commission established under Chapter
400 of the Iowa Code “shall not adopt, enforce, or otherwise administer an
ordinance, motion, resolution, or amendment, or use an other means, to
establish a board or other entity for the purpose of citizen review of the
conduct of officers.” This new state law, which becomes effective on
July 1, 2025, prohibits the City from having a citizen police-review board
like ARPAC.
Therefore, in order to comply with the new state law, the Council must
repeal the ARPAC ordinance. Attached is an ordinance to repeal the ARPAC
sections of the Ames Municipal Code.
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ORDINANCE NO. __________
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY
OF AMES, IOWA, BY REPEALING SECTIONS 2.50, 2.51, 2.52, 2.53, 2.54
AND 2.55, THEREOF, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELIMINATING THE
AMES RESIDENT POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ARPAC),
REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH
CONFLICT; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED, by the City Council for the City of Ames, Iowa, that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the same is hereby amended by
repealing Sections 2.50, 2.51, 2.52, 2.53, 2.54, and 2.55, as follows:
“Sec. 2.50. AMES RESIDENT POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED.(REPEALED)
Sec. 2.51. CHARGE.(REPEALED)
Sec. 2.52. MEMBERSHIP.(REPEALED)
Sec. 2.53. RESPONSIBLITIES.(REPEALED)
Sec. 2.54. COMPLAINT REVIEW PROCESS.(REPEALED)
Sec. 2.55. MEETINGS, RESOURCES, AND TRAINING.(REPEALED)”
Section Two. All ordinances, or parts of ordinances, in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent
of such conflict, if any.
Section Three. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as
required by law.
Passed this day of , 2025.
_____________________________________________________________________________
John A. Haila, Mayor
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
Passed on:
I, Renee Hall, City Clerk of the City of Ames, Iowa, hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true
copy of Ordinance No. _____________, passed by the City Council of said City at the meeting held on
____________________________, and signed by the Mayor on ____________________, and published in the
Ames Tribune on _________________.
_____________________________________________
Renee Hall, City Clerk
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