Committee asks staff to draft ordinance for City Deck outdoor refreshment area; Downtown Green Bay to supply containers

A communication from Alder Prophet and Alder Johnson asking staff to draft a designated outdoor refreshment-area ordinance for the City Deck moved forward after committee discussion on Jan. 6.

Alder Prophet explained the request came from Downtown Green Bay Inc. and described the proposed DORA as limited to the City Deck (and the bridge to Bridal) from May through September, Thursdays through Sundays from 4 to 10 p.m. He said Downtown Green Bay Inc. had offered to purchase and distribute the special containers the ordinance would authorize so police could easily identify valid open containers.

City legal staff cautioned that if the DORA were limited strictly to the City Deck it would be one of the smallest in the state and asked whether the intent was to include adjacent blocks so businesses with alley access could be part of the area. Staff and members discussed several drafting details—how to define the contiguous area, which parcel boundaries to include, and how liquor-license amendments would be handled for affected establishments.

Members and police weighed enforcement practicality and public-safety concerns. One committee member said limiting the area and setting hours "decreases the amount of people that are going to be heavily impaired by alcohol because of this." Police and members said clear container identification and a limited area would help enforcement. Hagemeister and Creamery were cited as the two establishments that directly abut City Deck; Downtown Green Bay Inc. would manage container distribution and identification.

The committee voted to refer the communication to staff with instructions to draft an ordinance, seek input from the Tavern League and the Police Department, and return to the committee on Feb. 23. The motion passed by voice vote.