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Resident raises questions about permits and liquor rules after city employees appreciation event
Summary
A resident who organized the city employees appreciation event asked why city staff told her that liquor and licensed bartenders were required and later said a Farmers Market site had code violations; the city manager advised follow-up and said state law distinguishes sale from free distribution of alcohol.
At the Benton Harbor Legislative Committee meeting a resident who organizes the annual city employees appreciation event pressed city officials for clarity after changes were made to where the event could be held.
The organizer — identified in the transcript as Miss Phillip — told the committee she has run the city employees appreciation event for five years, previously holding it at the Hogs Nest at 165 Main Street on the outdoor patio at no cost to the city. She said the property was donated and "there was no money exchange." She described being told informally that the Hogs Nest could not host the event because it lacked a liquor license and later hearing that a professional bartender with a license was required. When she proposed using the Farmers Market location, she said she was later told the market site had code violations and therefore could not be used, and the event was moved to the township.
"I still don't know the reason to this day," Miss Phillip said, describing the information she received as secondhand and asking whether she should have been contacted directly. She said she had three professional bartenders available for the event.
City Manager Mister Little told the committee the legal requirement "would depend on whether at the private party, whether they're selling liquor or giving it away. Makes a difference under the state law." He invited the organizer to follow up with him after the meeting to discuss the details.
The committee did not make any formal policy change during the public-comment period. The transcript shows the organizer sought clarity on whether private, donation-funded events on donated property require licensed bartenders or other permits; city staff advised follow-up and noted compliance with state law on alcohol sales vs. distribution would be the determining factor.
Key points from public comment: - Event history: Organizer has run the employees appreciation event for five years; previously held at Hogs Nest (165 Main Street) on an outdoor patio; property donated and no city funds exchanged. - Conflicting guidance: Organizer reported being told the Hogs Nest lacked a liquor license and later being told a licensed bartender was required; then told Farmers Market site had code violations and could not be used. - City manager guidance: Whether a licensed bartender or license is required depends on whether alcohol is sold or given away under state law; staff encouraged the organizer to follow up for specifics.
No enforcement action or permit denial appears in the committee transcript; the inquiry was recorded during the public-comment portion and the committee referred the organizer to city staff for follow-up.
