HomeMy WebLinkAboutA009 - Requests from Ames Main Street for Music Walk on Thursday, September 17, 2026ITEM #:11
DATE:12-16-25
DEPT:ADMIN
SUBJECT:REQUESTS FROM AMES MAIN STREET FOR MUSIC WALK ON
SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Ames Main Street (AMS) is planning to host its annual Music Walk event on Thursday,
September 17, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. AMS staff has made the following requests
of the City Council to help facilitate the Music Walk festivities on September 17:
Blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit for the Central Business District sidewalks and
Blanket Vending License for the Central Business District from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Waiver for fee for blanket Vending License ($50 loss to City Clerk’s Office)
Use of City-owned electrical outlets and waiver of costs from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.
(approximately $5 loss to Electric Fund)
Resolution approving closure of Kellogg Avenue and Douglas Avenue from 5th Street to
Main Street.
Ames Main Street is also requesting a closure of 23 metered parking spaces in the Downtown
area from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00
p.m. to provide space for vendors, and to waive parking meter fees and enforcement (Loss of
$17.25 to Parking Fund).
The Council’s policy regarding parking waivers is to consider requests such as this one on a
case-by-case basis, as opposed to requiring reimbursement for lost parking revenue. Lost
parking revenue is only required to be reimbursed under this policy when the parking waiver is
District-wide.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the Music Walk requests as submitted by AMS.
2. Approve the Music Walk requests as submitted by AMS but require reimbursement for
the parking meter fees, Vending License, and electrical use.
3. Do not approve the requests.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
This event provides residents with another opportunity to enjoy family-oriented
outdoor activities. This type of event facilitates supporting a vibrant downtown as well.
Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative
No. 1, as noted above.
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ATTACHMENT(S):
Music Walk Application.pdf
Music Walk - Road Closure Map.pdf
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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 30, 2025
Mayor and City Council
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 Downtown Ames Music Walk event on
September 17, 2026, from 6pm-8pm.
Specific information about the event can be found on the included Special Event Application.
Additionally, we request a Temporary Obstruction Permit, a waiver of fees for the Blanket
Vendor Permit, electricity in Tom Evans Park, the 23 parking spaces in Downtown, and the
street closures of Kellogg Avenue and Douglas Avenue from Main Street to 5th Street.
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
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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
___ 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: or
___ Water:
___ Risk Management: Bill
Walton
CAA:
:
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)
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 if the event occurs in Downtown. Please contact the
appropriate office well in advance:
Downtown -: (515) 23 -
ampustown Action Association: (515)-
ISU - Events Authorization Committee: (515) 294-1437
@amesdowntown.org
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 Date Time M T W R F Sa Su
Event Starts Date Time M T W R F Sa Su
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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
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Music Walk 2025 - Street Closure
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