HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Resolution approving immediate towing of illegally parked vehicles for Cyclone Welcome Weekend 2026RESOLUTION NO. 26-220
RESOLUTION APPROVING IMMEDIATE TOWING
OF ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLES FOR
CYCLONE WELCOME WEEKEND 2026
FOR THE CITY OF AMES
WHEREAS, on July 12, 2022, the City Council approved an ordinance to allow for
the immediate towing of vehicles parked illegally when authorized by City Council
resolution. The resolution that authorizes such towing must designate certain types of
illegal parking subject to tow, along with the specific dates, times, and geographic area
subject to immediate towing; and,
WHEREAS, Ames Police Department is requesting City Council approval
authorizing the use of the immediate towing ordinance for certain areas and times on
Saturday, August 22, 2024. This date is the Saturday before Iowa State University classes
begin; and,
WHEREAS, in the past several years, the Saturday before ISU classes has been
associated with an increase in alcohol consumption, illegal parking, nuisance parties, and
other high-risk activities; and,
WHEREAS, the current penalty for this kind of illegal parking is $10 -$15. This
amount has not been a sufficient deterrent to the illegal parking that creates a safety
hazard. In addition, a parking ticket does not relieve the safety issue until the violator
decides to move the vehicle; except in rare instances, the Police Department is not
authorized to order an illegally parked vehicle to 1 be towed immediately. The strategy of
towing illegally parked vehicles was authorized in 2022 -2025 for Cyclone Welcome
Weekend. Staff was pleased to see fewer illegally parked vehicles each of these years
with only about 30 vehicles towed each year; and,
WHEREAS, based on these issues, and the success of last several years, staff
requests Council approval to invoke the immediate towing ordinance on Saturday, August
22 from midnight to 11:59 p.m. in the following geographic area: Lincoln Way between
Beach Avenue and State Avenue State Avenue between Lincoln Way and Mortensen
Avenue Mortensen Avenue between State Avenue and Beach Avenue Beach Avenue
between Mortensen Avenue and Lincoln Way. Staff requests authorization to tow illegally
parked vehicles for the following violations: alternate side parking violations, no parking
on one side of the street violations, yellow line violations, and fire hydrant violations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames,
Iowa, that authorization for the immediate towing of vehicles on Saturday, August 22,
2026, from midnight to 11:59 p.m. in the aforementioned designated areas for the
aforementioned violations is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 14th day of April, 2026.
_______________________________ _________________________________
Renee Hall, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
Introduced by: Betcher
Seconded by: Beatty-Hansen
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Junck, Gartin, Rollins
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 14th day of April, 2026.