The Ames City Council on Aug. 26 repealed an incorrect version of the city’s Chapter 23 conservation‑subdivision ordinance and adopted the correct, intended ordinance after staff said a prior draft was inadvertently uploaded for second and third readings.

City Attorney Mark told council the correct ordinance had been provided for the first reading, but a prior version—an earlier draft—was mistakenly placed in the packet for the second and third readings and then signed. To fix the error, staff presented a single ordinance that both repeals the prior (incorrect) ordinance and adopts the correct version that staff intended for the record.

Council took up the ordinance on first reading, then—after suspending the rules—moved on second and third reading and adoption by roll call. Councilmember Gloria asked whether the attorney’s office and the clerk’s office would revise procedures to prevent a recurrence. A motion directing the city attorney and clerk to develop policies and processes to avoid similar mistakes was made and seconded, but one councilor opposed and the motion failed.

Staff emphasized the event was a procedural fluke tied to multiple document versions and said they had already discussed steps with the clerk’s office to reduce the chance of recurrence. Council adopted the corrected Chapter 23 ordinance and the repeal simultaneously to restore the intended Code language.