Council clears water-park application to sell alcohol, asks legal to confirm indemnification

The Gulfport City Council approved a routine item that authorizes the city’s water-park operator to apply for permission to sell alcoholic beverages, while directing legal staff to confirm the operator’s lease indemnifies the city for claims arising from such sales.

Council members asked whether existing insurance and the operator’s lease would cover liability from on-site alcohol sales. “If I remember their contract as a whole, it indemnifies us,” the city attorney said, and council asked legal to verify that specific coverage before the operator begins serving alcoholic drinks.

The water-park representative told the council the operator will seek a full alcohol license through the state application process but expects to focus “largely in beer and what's termed ready to serve,” meaning prepackaged cans rather than mixed drinks. The operator also described ID checks using a computerized system, certified bartenders and on-site security.

Council discussion noted the process is the city’s step one in approving the operator to apply to the state: the operator must still apply to and receive state authorization. Council members asked staff to verify proper insurance and that the general indemnification clause in the lease will cover liabilities from alcohol sales; the city attorney indicated the lease’s general indemnification likely covers claims arising from the operator’s use but legal will confirm details.

The council recorded the routine-item vote in the transcript as approved; the recorded vote was voice approval with no dissent reported. The transcript does not show a dollar amount for additional insurance or any change to lease language; legal review was requested to ensure indemnification remains in place if the operator adds alcohol sales.