East Ridge council discusses alcohol rules, vendor vetting for Venue 1921

The East Ridge City Council discussed a draft ordinance Sept. 25 to allow the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at Venue 1921, the city-owned event space named for the municipality’s founding year, and asked staff to refine enforcement, licensing and vendor-vetting details ahead of a potential first reading Oct. 9.

Councilmembers said the ability to allow alcohol under a controlled framework is important to attract weddings, reunions and fundraisers; staff said the city will require licensed servers, proof of Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission compliance and a preferred-vendor list of bartending services to be approved by the city.

City staff presented a draft ordinance that would add a new section to City Code Title 8 to authorize alcohol at Venue 1921 with written approval of the city manager or designee and with conditions set by council resolution. City Manager Miller and other staff said they had consulted the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and plan to require that any vendor hold the TABC special-event or server permits, carry a certificate of insurance, and meet other conditions the council may impose.

Staff described an RFQ process already launched for bartenders and event servers; staff said five or six applicants had responded (exact count not specified) and that the city intends to create a preferred-vendor list renters must use. Staff and council members said the city would not itself serve alcohol but would require licensed third-party vendors and that each event must include verification of TABC permits and server training certificates.

Council members pressed for clear enforcement language. Vice Mayor Tyler and others asked that the ordinance spell out consequences for vendors who serve intoxicated or underage patrons or otherwise violate rules; staff and the city attorney said violations could lead to removal from the preferred-vendor list, referral to the beer board or other enforcement actions as allowed by state law. Staff confirmed that the venue contract will require security or a police officer for events where beer or alcohol is served.

Staff also said they would present the preferred-vendor list and the revised ordinance language to council before final approval to ensure transparency. Council directed staff and the city attorney to incorporate the changes and bring a working draft for first reading at the Oct. 9 meeting or earlier if possible.

Planning and vendor vetting are under way; no final ordinance vote was taken Sept. 25.