Ames’ City Council will begin the process to evaluate Campustown and Downtown parking at this week’s council meeting. They will also be discussing the recent law allowing the sale of fireworks in Iowa and the city ordinance already in place prohibiting fireworks. 

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, at the Ames City Council Chambers, City Hall, 515 Clark Ave.

The council will review and discuss the current Downtown and Campustown business district parking systems, including the impact of parking on surrounding neighborhoods. With extensive redevelopment happening in Campustown and interest in redevelopment Downtown, Council members have requested a comprehensive review of parking issues, according to a release.

Identified issues for discussion include:

· inventory of public parking spaces

· parking fee and fine structures

· enforcement/violation trends

· estimated utilization of the public parking system

· off-street parking requirements in the business districts

· on-street parking regulations in the neighborhoods surrounding the business districts

This is a workshop meant to understand more about parking in Ames before any policies are made. Future workshops and policy meetings will include parking as an issue.

Fireworks

Recent legislation legalizing fireworks allows municipalities to opt out by creating local ordinances within city limits. The City of Ames enacted an ordinance in 1987 banning the use of fireworks within city limits, which means local restrictions are already in place, according to a release from the city.

“Section 17.6 of the Ames Municipal Code bans shooting off or exploding fireworks without a permit,” said Assistant City Attorney Mark Lambert.

That means although some Ames businesses may begin selling fireworks from June 1 to July 8, and from December 10 through January 3, Ames residents will not be able to set them off within city limits. 

Previously, as a municipal infraction, the fine was $50 for a first offense and $100 for each repeat violation, with the option to be a simple misdemeanor, according to the Ames Municipal Code section 17.6. Now, state law says those who are caught exploding fireworks within the city limits could face a simple misdemeanor charge with a minimum fine of $250.

In the bill (SF 489) signed by Branstad May 9, a city council of a city or a county board of supervisors may grant a permit for the display of fireworks by municipalities, fair associations, amusement parks and other organizations or groups when the display fireworks will be handled by a competent operator.

The Iowa Code now also states:

A person who uses or explodes consumer fireworks or novelties while the use of such devices is prohibited or limited by an ordinance or resolution adopted by the county or city in which the firework is used commits a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars. 

Residents are encouraged to attend Tuesday’s meeting to workshop these ideas.