The Pella City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to update the definition of “Adult Cabaret” in the Pella Zoning Code at their meeting Tuesday evening. The City Attorney recommended that the City of Pella update the definition within the Adult Entertainment section of the Zoning Code for clarification. The ACLU sent a letter to the City of Pella and other Iowa communities in June claiming the current ordinance is unconstitutional and is asking Pella to join others who have changed those laws.

The proposed definition now states:
e. “Adult cabaret” means any commercial establishment that as a substantial or significant portion of its business provides any of the following:
1. Persons who appear nude; or
2. Live performances that are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on the exposure, depiction, or description of “specified anatomical areas” or the performance or simulation of “specified sexual activities.”

The distinction was made in a memo to the council from City Administraton:
“It is important to note that this recommendation is intended to rectify concerns about the constitutionality of the current definition. Specifically, the concern is that the current language identifies certain individuals rather than specific prohibited conduct. Furthermore, this ordinance simply updates the zoning definition and does not modify the allowable zoning districts for the definition.”

The council also approved special event permits for Kerstmarkt and the Tour of Homes, PACE Alliance Christmas activities, and for a special public safety training exercise this Thursday. Resolutions on the agenda were also moved ahead related to Monroe Street improvements and contract change orders for Bos Landen renovations.

During policy and planning, the council discussed an updated layout plan for the Pella Municipal Airport.