Umatilla delays vote on parks-code changes after heated public hearing over alcohol rules and emergency clause

City councilors in Umatilla opened a public hearing on an ordinance to amend Title 7, Chapter 6 of the Umatilla Municipal Code — including explicit allowances for alcohol sales and consumption at Big River Golf Course, alcohol service at the Umatilla Marina during community events, use of golf carts on the course, and limited tobacco exceptions — but postponed final action and directed staff to re-notice the measure for a later meeting.

The proposed ordinance would bring the municipal code into alignment with the facility’s historic operations, staff said, but opponents said the council was rushing and should instead follow broader public-notice and planning steps.

David, city manager, told the council staff found that the parks code did not match “historical and operational use” at the golf course and marina and that the proposal was intended to “bring the city into compliance with its historic use and operations.” He said the changes would also allow the city to properly issue OLCC (Oregon Liquor Control Commission) licenses and to formalize how alcohol sales are administered at leased and city-owned areas of the facilities.

Maureen McGee, the city’s contract city attorney, explained how emergency clauses work in local legislation and said the language included in the draft ordinance is standard wording allowed under…