Ames City Council To Hold Special Meeting Regarding Face Coverings On September 1

Press release from the City of Ames:

August 28, 2020

Ames Mayor John Haila has requested a special meeting of the Ames City Council to be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, regarding a proposed face covering ordinance. The meeting will be held via Zoom teleconference, and information on how to participate is available at: www.cityofames.org/government/departments-divisions-a-h/city-clerk/city-council-meetings-agendas-and-minutes

Although the face covering ordinance was originally scheduled for consideration on Tuesday, Sept. 8, recent COVID-19 positive test data for Story County from the Iowa Department of Public Health and continued urging from local healthcare professionals suggest action be taken sooner.

“On Wednesday and Thursday, our positive case numbers in Story County were 2.5 times higher than the highest reported numbers since testing began in March,” said Mayor Haila. “Our 14-day average for positive tests is 14.4 percent, which is a significant increase over what it has been reported in the past month and a half. I believe this information warrants moving as quickly as the process allows.”

Additionally, since Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has acted to temporarily close bars in Story County, there is concern that socializing could transition to large off-campus gatherings that don’t accommodate social distancing.

As is the case with all first readings of a new ordinance, the public will be allowed to provide public input at this meeting. Because of the urgency of the issue, the City Council could vote to suspend the rules and pass the proposed ordinance by waiving the second and third readings. This action would require five affirmative votes.

This press release was produced by the City of Ames. The views expressed here are the author’s own.