Council reviews update to municipal alcohol code to align with state law

Council reviewed a proposed ordinance (Ordinance 2025-O9-22-O2) updating city rules on the sale and consumption of alcohol to reflect changes in state law. Brad and staff said the update preserves existing local procedures for temporary beer permits and will bring the municipal code into compliance with changed state requirements.

Why it matters: aligning the municipal code with state law reduces legal conflict and keeps local permitting procedures consistent.

Brad explained the ordinance updates and said community groups such as the Elks Lodge had previously raised questions; the city addressed those concerns and the proposed ordinance does not change the process for temporary beer permits. "It updates it and brings it into compliance with state code that have changed several times since the last ordinance was adopted," Brad said. He added that temporary beer permits will continue to require the same local consent process as before.

No formal vote occurred in the work meeting; the council intends to consider adoption at the next regular meeting. Staff recommended no further substantive changes based on prior community feedback.