Regional Bike Trails, Outdoor Service Areas, and Mobile Food Vendors
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Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen's Council Preview |
The Ames City Council begins at 6:00 PM for a special meeting/workshop. The agenda includes:
- 2. Presentation by Story County representatives regarding plans to connect bike/trail systems with the City of Ames.
One of the current Council goals is to pursue regional bike trail connections. To that end, Council will meet with Story Co Supervisor Rick Sanders and Story Co Conservation board director Mike Cox, to talk about interest and plans to connect Ames. - 3. Review proposed changes to the Vendor Ordinance and Outdoor Cafe Ordinance.
For the second workshop item, Council will be looking at two food-related programs and suggested changes. The first relates to outdoor seating areas in public spaces (sidewalks, for example), the second pertains to mobile vendors and food trucks.
Outdoor Service Areas - These proposed revisions would allow attached or offset cafes in sidewalks or parking spaces. The proposal also allows for table service to the café area, provided that the area be kept clean and not interfere with pedestrian passage. Staff recommends barriers (42” tall) to define the outdoor seating “premise”. In the proposal, alcohol service would be allowed, but would be subject to several controls (Prohibiting alcohol sales after 10 p.m., staff supervision of areas required, etc.). These cafes would be seasonal, running from April 1st through October 31st. Next step is for Council to review a code revision.
Vending – Several changes were made to the vending code last year, and staff report a number of resulting challenges. There are many types of application documents, which can be confusing and sometimes conflicting. It is currently unclear who enforces this code, and staff suggest that it could be handled similarly to our system for approving liquor license renewals. Under current rules, food trucks are not allowed, but council could change the code to allow food trucks at special events when streets are closed. Next steps involve staff reaching out to vendors, then reporting back to Council with a list of issues and proposed solutions.
Special Note: The City of Ames budget process kicks off in the fall with the annual Town Budget Meeting. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4, in the City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 515 Clark Ave. There will be time for citizens to give input and ask questions regarding the coming year’s budget. The meeting is broadcast live on City Channel 12, and views may call in questions to 515.239.5214.
Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
City Council At-Large
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