Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Elections Liquor topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Berea council approves placing local-option alcohol question for Wallace Lake Grill on May primary ballot
Summary
The Berea City Council voted unanimously to suspend three readings and approve Ordinance 1-8, sending a local-option question to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to permit sale of beer and intoxicating liquor at the Wallace Lake Grill operated by Cleveland Metroparks.
The Berea City Council voted unanimously to place a local-option question on the May 6, 2025 primary ballot asking voters to permit sale of beer and intoxicating liquor at the Wallace Lake Grill, a Cleveland Metroparks facility at 240 Valley Parkway.
Council suspended the usual three-reading rule and approved Ordinance 1-8 after the city clerk told council the Metroparks and state agencies asked that the ballot language be amended to include the Metroparks’ legal name in addition to the facility name. "They assure me this is the version that they will accept," Clerk Miss Jones said, urging council to approve the revised language and send it promptly to the board of elections.
The measure is a local-option question under state law that would allow sales "on all days of the week, including Sunday," at the Wallace Lake Grill if voters approve it in May. Miss Jones said the updated ordinance text reflects a request from the Metroparks and from the agencies (including the liquor control board and the secretary of state) that review ballot and licensing language.
Council discussion was brief. Members said the facility is generally open seasonally but may operate during organized activities in colder months. Council then took two roll-call votes: first to suspend the three-reading requirement, then to adopt the ordinance for placement on the ballot. The roll-call on final adoption recorded Yes votes from Councilmembers Zacharias, Brown, Koval, Dozier, McManus, Gosin and Weaver; there were no votes against and no abstentions.
The ordinance also expressly repeals a prior ordinance on this subject (Ordinance 2025-3) and directs the mayor or clerk to file the approved ballot language with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections in time for the May 6 primary. The city clerk said Metroparks staff (identified at prior meetings as Miss Feeney and Alicia) worked with the board of elections and state agencies to finalize the required ballot wording.
No additional conditions or amendments were attached to the council’s approval. The ballot question will proceed to the county for inclusion on the May 6 primary ballot.
