Steve Wilson sat along an interstate exit ramp near East High School in Des Moines last week with a cardboard sign in hand.

Panhandling is illegal in Des Moines without a permit.

Wilson, who said he served two tours with the U.S. Army in Iraq, has heard he could face a fine, but it's worth the risk.

“It’s better than going hungry,” he said.

For Wilson and others who panhandle along Des Moines roadways, the risk of being arrested or ticketed could soon be gone.

On Monday, the Des Moines City Council will decide whether to repeal the city's panhandling ordinance.

The move comes after the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa in August asked Des Moines and two other Iowa cities to strike down panhandling rules that it said violated free speech rights.

Previous:ACLU: Panhandling ordinances in three Iowa cities are unconstitutional

"We are very pleased to hear that the Des Moines City Council will be proceeding with a planned repeal of the anti-panhandling ordinance we brought to their attention,” Rita Bettis Austen, ACLU of Iowa legal director, said in a statement.

In the Aug. 27 letters to Des Moines, Council Bluffs and Grimes, the ACLU argued the cities' "anti-begging" ordinances put them at risk for potential litigation.

The rules criminalized poverty, banning "speech based on its content (begging, or asking for help) without first registering in writing with the city," the ACLU said.

All three cities required anyone soliciting money to first obtain a permit.

The ACLU pointed to a 2015 Supreme Court decision, Reed v. Town of Gilbert, which ruled that governments can’t restrict speech based on content.

Des Moines' legal counsel is recommending the repeal, saying the “solicitation of funds” ordinance is vulnerable to court challenge and could be found unconstitutional. However, Deputy City Attorney Larry McDowell said the decision wasn’t a reaction to the ACLU letter.

Meanwhile, Council Bluffs voted to repeal its panhandling ordinance last week and the Grimes city attorney has informed officials that portions of its ordinance need to change in the wake of the ACLU letter.

Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said officers were told to suspend enforcement of the panhandling ordinance about a week ago as the city's legal team reviewed the language.

Even when it was enforced, police encounters with panhandlers rarely resulted in a fine, he said. Violators faced a simple misdemeanor and a fine of up to $625.

Andrew Grenko, 48, said he's been told by police to leave an area while panhandling on on several occasions.

He said he was happy to hear about the possible change while soliciting money last week near a downtown exit ramp.

Grenko, like Wilson, follows some basic rules: Stand with your sign near a stoplight. Only approach a vehicle if one of the occupants motions you over.

Parizek cautioned that even if the ordinance is revoked Monday, it doesn't give free rein to panhandlers.

“We’re still going to be obligated to investigate crimes other than panhandling that panhandlers are committing,” he said.

Panhandlers cannot trespass on private property, harass passersby or block traffic, for example.

McDowell said the city also will look at crafting a measure that would ban panhandling in certain areas deemed unsafe. The city will first have to spend months gathering evidence to prove that certain intersections, medians or traffic islands are dangerous, he said.

Members of the City Council have specifically mentioned the medians near the intersection of Merle Hay Road and Douglas Avenue — a regular spot for panhandlers — as a potentially dangerous spot.

Council Bluffs has a similar rule. Police tell panhandlers and sometimes church or school fundraisers to leave a location if they’re on a median or impeding or delaying traffic, Wade said.

Last week, near East High, Wilson said he was happy to hear the city may drop the license requirement.

But, even if it doesn't, he will be back at one of his corners asking for money from commuters.

“If I’m hungry, I’m still going to do it either way,” he said. “Not to be rude or nothing … I’m going to make some money to eat.”