The McGregor City Council on Aug. 22 approved Ordinance O-11-2025 to amend Chapter 4 (Alcoholic Beverages) so the city can authorize events that include alcohol at Legacy Park and expand the boundaries used for Founders Day to include the Exchange event center.

City staff described the change as narrowly tailored to allow events at Legacy Park and to mirror the traditional Founders Day footprint on the opposite side of town to include the Exchange. "Previously, the borders didn't include the full Exchange event center and surroundings, so we wanted to make sure that we amended that properly," City staff member Cassie said during the meeting.

The amendment clarifies the park perimeter — staff described Legacy Park as the area where the grass meets the concrete, with wood fencing on two sides — and adopts the same street bounds historically used for the car show and carnival (Second through Sixth streets, between Madison and the railroad right-of-way behind the Exchange). Cassie said the ordinance will allow the city to process event authorization forms that set conditions such as whether alcohol will be present, required security, barriers and event duration.

Cassie said the event-authorization form will capture TABC-related requirements and other operational needs so the city can determine staffing, security and trash service for each event. She said approvals would be made at City Hall and that department heads or designated officials — she referenced Charlie Olsen and Kevin as possible approvers — could be authorized to approve routine requests so each instance does not have to return to council.

A councilmember moved to approve O-11-2025 and a second was recorded. The council voted by voice and the mayor announced the motion carried.

What changed: The ordinance allows the city to permit alcohol at authorized events within the newly defined park and Founders Day boundaries under conditions set in an event-authorization form; it does not itself schedule any specific events or obligate the city to provide services beyond what is approved in each event permit.

Authorities and limits: During the discussion staff repeatedly referenced Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission requirements (TABC) as the source of regulatory standards for serving alcohol at events; the ordinance change adapts local code to allow the city to apply those standards when permitting events.

Next steps: With O-11-2025 adopted, event organizers can submit authorization forms to city staff for review and approval under the clarified boundaries and requirements. The council did not direct any additional study or amendments at the meeting.