Anniston City Council members discussed how a recent state authorization for curbside alcohol sales intersects with local licensing and the city's entertainment-district rules, and whether the city can impose limits beyond state law.

Council members reviewed item No. 7 on the agenda, described as a discussion regarding the State of Alabama allowing curbside alcohol sales. Council members and staff noted that holders of appropriate state alcohol licenses retain rights under state law to sell sealed containers for off-premises consumption or to provide curbside delivery under the current licensing structure, and that a local ordinance cannot conflict with state authorization.

City staff said the local entertainment-district regulations had been adopted to define how open-container or to-go beverage allowances work in practice; those local rules were not intended to conflict with state law. Council members noted the city previously chose not to charge businesses an additional fee for entertainment-district participation because that created renewal compliance issues.

Several council members asked practical questions about how curbside sales would be implemented, including whether additional separation or barriers should be required for restaurant curbside pickup and whether the city's licensing or administrative policy could place conditions on participation. Staff cautioned that a local prohibition that would directly conflict with state licensing could create a legal problem.

Council members asked for guidance on limits the city can impose (for example, requiring sealed containers for off-premises sales or specifying where curbside deliveries may be made) and whether any local hours or location restrictions are permissible under state law.

The discussion did not include a formal vote on changes to the city's regulations. Council members requested clearer direction and legal review so that staff can return with recommended language or administrative steps to implement any local conditions that are legally allowable.