Council clears venue for alcohol service, asks staff to set vendor vetting and insurance requirements

The East Ridge City Council on Oct. 9 approved on first reading an ordinance to allow sale, service and consumption of alcoholic beverages at Venue 1921, a newly developed municipal event space.

Parks and recreation staff explained that Venue 1921 will host public and private gatherings and that adopting the ordinance for the site is a prerequisite to allowing on-site alcohol. "This is specific solely to Venue 1921... All you're voting on tonight is kind of step 1 — approving this site for the sale, service, and consumption of alcohol and beer," City Attorney Litchford told the council.

Staff said a second action will follow: a resolution and administrative packet that list approved vendors, staffing and insurance requirements. Parks staff described an open RFQ for bartending/staffing that returned only four respondents so far; they said they will re-advertise to broaden the pool. City staff emphasized that event organizers must provide proof of liability insurance (certificate of insurance naming the city) and that bartenders/caterers must meet state licensing and insurance rules.

Council members asked whether private bartenders could be used. Staff responded that the city anticipates preferring vetted caterers or staffing agencies with sufficient liability coverage; independent individual bartenders will likely not meet insurance requirements unless they are under an umbrella agency or meet the same paperwork standards. "When cities get involved with selling... it's called vetting," a city staff member said, explaining the programmatic rationale for an approved list.

The ordinance passed first reading on a unanimous roll call. Staff will return with a resolution and the vendor/staffing packet that will set operational and insurance details.