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Commission backs ordinance to allow limited outdoor open-container at permitted special events
Summary
The commission approved adding an outdoor open‑container provision to the city's special-events permitting process, limited to qualifying events and organizers and reviewed by police and the city attorney to align with Wisconsin Class B rules.
The New London Parks and Recreation Commission voted to move forward with an ordinance that would allow limited outdoor open‑container alcohol at permitted special events.
Ginger described the proposal as part of the special‑events application process and said the city, police and attorney collaborated on the draft. She said other cities adapted rules after COVID to allow controlled outdoor consumption during certain events and that the proposed local approach requires organizers to apply and meet insurance and indemnification requirements. "Only somebody that has applied for a special class B license... so they have to be a bona fide nonprofit, to do this," she said.
Staff told commissioners the police chief had reviewed the draft and that the city attorney had confirmed the language aligns with state Class B regulations in Wisconsin. Commissioners asked about event enforcement and organizer responsibilities; staff said organizers sign indemnification and insurance documents and that enforcement is handled by police when attendees leave designated event areas.
A motion to consider the ordinance was made and seconded; the commission approved the item by voice vote. At one point during roll‑call comments a commissioner recorded Gabriel as moving the motion and John as seconding it. Staff said further edits will be included in the special‑events policy update and that the item will return for ordinance editing and formal adoption as needed.
