Despite the controversy surrounding Dangerous Curves’ planned expansion to Welch Avenue, Ames City Council granted a six-month liquor license to the establishment during Tuesday night’s meeting.

“There is no evidence that he had violated the law, so what basis do we have to deny his license?” said City Attorney John Klaus. “I recommend that council grant the license because of lack of evidence.”

After performing compliance checks in response to the Aug. 22 council meeting, Ames police found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Dangerous Curves. Undercover officers asked for a private dance, and although a dancer obliged, she refused to strip after police requested she do so, Klaus said.

“We don’t have any information of any illegal activity at Dangerous Curves,” said Ames Police Cmdr. Randy Kessel.

Council members declined to grant owner Jeremy Boekelman a one-year liquor license, because they wanted to monitor the establishment and tighten the adult entertainment ordinance. If the ordinance is changed before Boekelman’s license is up for renewal, he will have to comply to the new ordinance if he wants to keep the liquor license, Klaus said.

“It’s not surprising, but I’m not happy about it,” said Boekelman about the six-month license.

“We’ll have a later discussion about investigating other legal avenues.”

None of the council members were happy about approving the liquor license, but said they felt their hands were tied.

“I don’t think this is a positive thing for Campustown and I don’t want to see it there,” said council member Sharon Wirth. “We really don’t have any legal grounds here, though.”

Council member Matthew Goodman said he agreed with Wirth, but didn’t think denying the liquor license was the right way to handle the issue.

“I think it is completely inappropriate to use the liquor license as a lever against this business,” Goodman said. “We need to do the right thing at the risk of having the wrong thing.”

Revising the adult entertainment ordinance to include evocative dancing also came up during the council discussion. Councilman Riad Mahayni said he questioned the validity of the ordinance and wanted “suggestive or erotic dancing included in the ordinance.”

Klaus said incorporating dancing into the ordinance could be construed as crossing a line dealing with fundamental freedoms.

“Dance has been recognized as a form of expression and is protected by the First Amendment and is a fundamental freedom,” he said. “This is not something that can be easily done.”

Goodman said if dancing is restricted, other nightclubs and bars in Campustown could be regulated based on that ordinance, an action that could alienate the market.

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