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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated February 24, 2026ITEM #:* DATE:02-24-26 DEPT:ADMIN SUBJECT:REQUESTS FOR AMES MAIN STREET FARMERS' MARKET COUNCIL ACTION FORM BACKGROUND: The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is planning to host the annual Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market this summer. This year, organizers are requesting to hold the event on the 200, 300, and 400 blocks of Main Street and on Burnett Avenue from Main Street to the U.S. Bank drive-through. The request to include the 200 block of Main Street is an expansion to the event boundary from previous years. The Market will operate every Saturday from May 2, 2026 to October 17, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To facilitate set-up and teardown, streets and parking spaces need to be closed from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day. To facilitate the event, organizers request a blanket Vending License for the entire Central Business District from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day of the Market, which will allow downtown businesses that file an insurance certificate with the City to display items for sale on the sidewalks. The Chamber has requested that the $50 Vending License fee be waived. Organizers have also requested the use of Tom Evans Plaza between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for vendor booths and entertainment. As in previous years, this space would be used for entertainment and educational activities for children and families. However, to prevent damaging the turf in the plaza, vendors will not be permitted to use the turf areas for their activities. The use of electricity in Tom Evans Plaza, along Main Street and on Burnett Avenue has also been requested. Organizers have requested a waiver of the $5 per day fee for use of electricity. To facilitate the Market, organizers have also requested that the two- and four-hour limits in parking in CBD Lots X and Y be waived during Market hours. Additionally, 103 metered parking spaces will be closed for 4.5 metered hours each day the Market operates (25 total days). City staff estimates that this will result in a loss of $2,897 to the Parking Fund. Market organizers have requested that the meter fees be waived because the Market is a non- profit organization, and in return the City would be included as a sponsor on all Market advertising materials. The City Council’s adopted parking fee waiver policy allows the City Council to waive parking fees on a case-by-case basis for requests that do not involve District-wide free parking. Last year, the City Council did not waive meter fees for this event. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Approve the requested street and parking space closures from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays from May 2 to October 17, use of Tom Evans Plaza for entertainers, use of City electrical outlets, a blanket Vending License, suspension of parking enforcement in 1 CBD Lots X and Y from 6:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each of the affected days, and waiver of the fees only for the Vending License and electricity use. This alternative requires reimbursement for lost parking meter revenue in the amount of $2,897. 2. Approve the requests as stated in Alternative No. 1, but do not require Farmers’ Market to reimburse the City for the Vending License, electricity use, or parking meter revenue. 3. Deny the requests. CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Main Street Farmers’ Market has successfully attracted visitors to the Downtown for the last several years. It has become a signature event in Ames, enhancing the local economy and providing a family-friendly activity that showcases the Ames community. However, due to the overall poor health of the City’s Parking Operations Fund, staff is advising that the Council require reimbursement for lost parking revenue, as was the case in previous years. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as noted above. ATTACHMENT(S): Letter to Mayor and City Council 2026.pdf Farmers' Market Application.pdf Street Map for City.pdf 2 AmesAlliance.com 304 Main Street Ames, Iowa 50010 January 12, 2026 Mayor and City Council City of Ames 515 Clark Ave Ames, IA 50010 Dear Honorable Mayor Haila and City Council, The Ames Alliance is planning to hold the 16th season of the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market this summer. We were excited to have volunteers count 8047 guests on a Saturday morning in July, and we know this was not even our busiest day. It shows the growth in the Ames Main Street Farmers' Market over the years. We would like to expand and schedule this event to be held on the 200, 300 and 400 blocks of Main Street every Saturday from May 2nd to October 17th, 8:00AM to 12:30PM (the road is scheduled to be closed from 5:30AM to 1:30PM to allow for setup, tear down, and cleanup). The event will showcase the area’s best farmers, crafters, artists, and prepared food experts as well as offering weekly live entertainment and children's activities. At this time, the Ames Alliance asks the City Council to consider four specific requests: 1.The Ames Alliance requests a Blanket Vending Permit for the entire Downtown Ames to allow businesses to sell merchandise outside their stores if they so choose. The Ames Alliance further requests the fee be waived as any businesses selling products on the sidewalk are members. 2.The Ames Alliance requests free use of electricity along the 200, 300 and 400 Blocks of Main Street and for the outlets in the Tom Evans Park. 3.The Ames Alliance requests that the fee be waived for the parking meters on the 200, 300 and 400 Blocks during the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market as the Market is a Non-Profit organization. In return the City of Ames would be considered a Sponsor of our Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market and would be included in all advertising, newsletters and on our website. For the 24-week period the Market brings 192,000 people to the Main Street Cultural District. The benefit from these visitors coming to the Market will increase income in parking, shopping, and eating in our beautiful city. 4.The Ames Alliance also requests that that any timed, 2hr or 4 hr. parking fees in the back lots of the 200, 300 and 400 Blocks of Main Street be waived from 6:00am to 1:30pm during the Market season. We also ask that vendors are allow ed to use spaces within this area without the threat of being ticketed for parking in more than one spot as this is the only area for our vendors with trailers to park. Thank you for your consideration of these requests and continued support of Downtown Ames. We look forward to seeing you at the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market throughout the 2026 season. Sincerely, Lojean Petersen Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market Manager 3 4 5 6