Ames City Council Discusses Drugs, Drinking and Payday Lenders

Drug giveaways, payday lending and tasting alcoholic beverages in more places are all on the Ames City Council agenda tonight.

Story County Prevention Policy Board asked Council to allow them to use City Hall as a drop off site where community members could dispose of expired prescription drugs. The suggested date is Oct. 29. Council will decide whether to approve the request during its meeting which begins at 7 p.m.

Council members will also talk about using zoning ordinances to reduce the potential number of payday lenders. Under current codes, more than 1,600 Ames commercial units could house the lenders. Today there are seven such lenders in town. No action is expected but council may advise staff on the next steps to take.

And city leaders will also discuss increasing the types of places where people can taste alcoholic beverages like wine, alcohol and liquor so that businesses like beauty salons can have wine tastings without being saloons. No action is expected, but council may advise staff on the next steps to take.

The 34-item agenda also includes a block of time dedicated to discussions on curbing energy consumption and the city's carbon footprint.