City staff and the city attorney told the Lincoln Committee of the Whole on Oct. 14 that a draft lease for the Depot Event Center will be revised to include stricter alcohol and insurance requirements, staffing standards and a city event-check provision before the council votes on the lease.

City Attorney Hovlett proposed several additions to the draft lease: require proof of dram-shop insurance with a $1 million limit; require host bartenders to be Bassett-certified and to provide proof of certification; allow a city representative or law-enforcement officer to conduct event checks to ensure compliance with the lease’s alcohol policy; and reference the relevant city code for potential criminal or civil penalties if the lessee fails to comply.

Hovlett said the changes would align the lease with common municipal practices for event venues that serve alcohol and recommended coordination with the police department for enforcement. Chief Meister said police cooperation on event checks would not be a problem.

Councilors approved incorporating Hovlett’s recommended language into the lease draft, asking staff to include the revised document in next week’s packet so the council can vote on it at a future meeting.