The Vermillion City Council on Nov. 3 adopted Ordinance 15-43 on second reading to change how special-event alcohol licenses are issued.

Under the amended code, current city liquor-license holders may apply to use their existing licenses to serve alcohol at off-premise special events. The ordinance also permits on-sale liquor to be sold under special-event licenses only when the applicant already holds an on-sale liquor license in the city, administration staff said.

"This ordinance change brought forward, at this meeting allows for current license holders in the city of Vermillion to hold special daily licenses for special events," a staff member explaining the ordinance told the council. Administration recommended approval of Ordinance 15-43.

With no public comment offered, Councilor Lieber moved approval and Councilor Price seconded. The council approved the ordinance on a roll call vote, 9 yeas and 0 nays.

The change is aimed at clarifying who may use special-event licenses and to ensure only existing on-sale licensees may sell on-premises alcohol at covered events, city staff said. There was no amendment to fee schedules during the second reading. The ordinance will be reflected in the city code and enforced by licensing staff and the police department going forward.

The council moved immediately to the next item after the roll call vote.