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Council to consider ordinance permitting alcohol sales and consumption for Tonganoxie Days; staff found limited support for longer retail hours
Summary
Staff told the council a draft ordinance to allow alcohol consumption/sale inside a defined event perimeter for Tonganoxie Days will be available June 1; outreach on expanded retail hours found little interest from local businesses.
Council members were briefed on an ordinance (No. 1550) that would temporarily allow consumption and limited sale of alcohol on certain public property for Tonganoxie Days 2026. Staff said a draft ordinance and a map of the event perimeter will be available on June 1 and in time for the June 13 event.
Council staff also reported results from outreach to local retailers and restaurants about the broader state change allowing up to 23 hours of retail liquor sales. Feedback was limited and generally negative: most business owners told staff they had little or no interest in staffing or remaining open for the expanded hours. "The juice isn't worth the squeeze," staff reported was one response captured during outreach.
Staff said two alcohol vendors have been arranged with event organizers and more ordinance details (including the perimeter map) will be provided at the next packet. The council did not vote on ordinance 1550 at this meeting; staff indicated the draft would be ready for future consideration.
