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Council declines to allow city-run ‘pop-up’ beer gardens in parks after liability and optics concerns
Summary
An ordinance to amend Wausau code to permit city-run pop-up beer gardens in parks failed unanimously after councilors and the Park Commission raised liability, staffing and optics concerns. Members said they are open to vendor-run events but opposed city staff serving alcohol.
The Wausau Common Council rejected an ordinance amendment April 29 that would have added a provision to allow intoxicants in public parks under a new section of city code. The proposed ordinance (file 250423) would have amended Section 9.2 0.05 (personal conduct and nuisance) and created Section 9.2 0.055 (intoxicants in public policy); the motion failed on a 0-10 vote.
Alder McElhaney, one of two council members who voted against advancing the item in committee, said she opposed government employees selling alcohol in public parks and worried about the optics of staff acting as servers when parks…
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