The Ames City Council denied the renewal of Perfect Games’ liquor license during their meeting Tuesday evening after denial by the Iowa Department of Revenue.
According to the letter sent to Perfect Games, the department denied the renewal because the “majority owner of record,” Carl Markley, who was sentenced to life in prison for sex trafficking on March 26, does not have a “good moral character.”
“An applicant for a retail alcohol license or beer or wine permit—including all owners of record—must be a person of ‘good moral character,'” the letter stated.
Kelly McPartland, Perfect Games’ part owner and manager, motioned for the council not to wait. He said they have entered an appeal and claims they are not allowed to remove Carl Markley as an owner via a court order they voluntarily agreed upon.
The council ultimately unanimously denied the liquor license and advised the other owners to continue their appeal through the Iowa Department of Revenue.
“Once it’s different ownership they can reapply,” Mayor John Haila said.
Their current license is valid until May 12.
Enhanced 801 penalties
The council approved enhanced penalties for nuisance party violations on 801 Day, starting at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 22, and ending at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 24.
Penalties are against “whoever is in control of that party.” Depending on the situation, this could be the tenant, property management department, or owner. On the first violation, the tenant is cited. After each violation, the city notifies the owner/property manager, but on the third citation, the owner or property manager is fined.
The council also unanimously approved immediately towing illegally parked vehicles on 801 Day. The city will post signage and send messages to residents so they are aware of the immediate towing.
Additional measures
Haila spoke about the Ames Public Library and the importance that libraries bring as “vibrant community hubs, connecting people with knowledge, technology, and resources, while fostering civic engagement, critical thinking and lifelong learning.”
Wednesday, April 9, the Ames Public Library will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to highlight a new carpet and some other “fun new things” in the library.
Haila also discussed the importance of The Fair Housing Act, which “prohibits discrimination in housing because of race, color, and national origin, of religion and sex, including gender identity and sexual orientation, disability and familial status.”
Halia declared the month of April as Fair Housing Month. The Ames Human Relations Commission presented the “2025 Home for Everyone Award” to Kathy Pinkerton, a social worker focusing on housing efforts in the Ames and Story County communities.
The city council unanimously accepted “Downtown Ames: A Guiding Vision for the Future,” a document proposing a vision for downtown Ames and Main Street.
The owner of Dog Eared Books, Ellyn Grimm, spoke about her love for downtown Ames and why it deserves a vision for the future. She described downtown Ames as a community “where any citizen can come, not just to shop, but to be in community.”
The council also unanimously approved naming the Mini-Pitch at Lloyd Kurtz Park “The Friedrich Pitch,” after Kurt and Sindy Friedrich, who pledged $50,000 for construction.
