Council renews downtown common consumption permit for one year

The Augusta City Council voted to renew the downtown common consumption area permit with the Kansas Department of Revenue for one year, extending the pilot that allowed patrons to carry alcohol within a designated downtown area.

Staff reported that Go Augusta surveyed downtown merchants and that the organization’s survey showed support among respondents; staff also said city public safety personnel reported no significant incidents attributable to the permit and that the city experienced no additional public safety costs. "We did not have any issues from a public safety perspective," a staff member said, and the chief of police reported no calls or prosecutions tied to the district that would indicate problems.

Council discussion included local business perspectives. One councilmember who owns a business that does not sell alcohol said he had not observed an increase in litter or disorder during events and supported renewal. The permit is authorized by state statute to be granted for one year, and the council will have another opportunity to review the arrangement after the renewed permit period.

The motion to renew the permit for one year passed by show of hands among the councilors present; two council members recused themselves earlier in the meeting from a related item but the renewal motion went forward with the remaining voting members. Staff said the renewal follows the pilot model intended to allow the council to evaluate outcomes after a year.