Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Alcohol Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee recommends council direct city attorney to draft ordinance to change off-sale alcohol hours
Summary
Alderman Bieberdorf asked the committee to have the city attorney prepare a 2020 draft ordinance to change off-sale alcohol hours from 7 a.m.–midnight to 10 a.m.–midnight; the committee voted to send the request to the full City Council for consideration.
Alderman Bieberdorf asked the Legal and Finance Committee to recommend that the full City Council direct the city attorney to draft a previously tabled 2020 ordinance to change hours for off-sale alcohol from 7 a.m.–midnight to 10 a.m.–midnight.
Bieberdorf said the request came after meetings with residents concerned about public intoxication and first-responder burdens, arguing a later start to off-sale alcohol sales could provide a window for sobriety and allow treatment providers and first responders more operational breathing room. "The real concerns are people getting out of detox at 6 a.m., alcohol sales starting at 7 a.m., and the cycle just keeps going," Bieberdorf said.
City Attorney Joel explained the process and cautioned that individual council members cannot unilaterally direct drafting; instead the full council must approve directing the city attorney to prepare an ordinance. Committee members then voted to recommend the full council direct the city attorney to draft and later present the ordinance; Joel noted that a first reading would not likely occur Monday but at a subsequent meeting after staff updates and required public notice.
The committee's recommendation will place the drafting request on the full council agenda for initial consideration.
