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Kenosha committee recommends temporary open-container ordinance for St. Patrick’s Day as organizers report insurance spike
Summary
The Licensing & Permits Committee on Feb. 10 recommended approval of a temporary ordinance to allow limited open-container activity downtown for a St. Patrick’s Day event, while organizers warned insurance quotes rose from an expected $2,000 to $10,000 and committee members pushed for insurance and lease clarity.
The Kenosha Licensing & Permits Committee on Feb. 10 recommended a temporary amendment to the city’s code allowing limited open-container entertainment downtown to enable a planned St. Patrick’s Day event, after organizers told the committee they were recently quoted $10,000 for insurance coverage rather than the $2,000 they expected.
Mayor (speaking as sponsor) said the ordinance is intended to make a large event lawful and manageable and described it as a short-term pilot: "This is something new ... I'm sunsetting this for the end of March" to allow the city to test the approach and revise it if problems arise. Jeanette Kelly, representing event organizers, told the committee she had just learned the insurance price had jumped and said, "we were told it would only be $2,000, and then it's now $10,000." Kevin Irvin, another organizer, said the increased cost strains the event budget and questioned whether insurers are charging more for St. Patrick’s Day gatherings.
Committee members and staff discussed three practical concerns: (1) whether the lease for specific downtown properties authorizes anything beyond beer (some said the lease allowed beer but not hard liquor or wine), (2) whether the insurance amounts written into the ordinance would be enforceable and obtained by the organizer, and (3) timing for council consideration to preserve the event date. A staff member noted the ordinance language already includes insurance requirements; one committee member said conditioning a recommendation on proof of coverage would be redundant if the ordinance itself requires the insurance.
After hearing the mayor’s proposal to proceed with a short pilot and organizers’ concerns about insurance affordability, the committee voted to give a positive recommendation on the ordinance, with the understanding that the ordinance will include insurance requirements and may be amended or pulled before final council adoption if necessary. The committee emphasized it could revisit the measure and that legal staff and the mayor’s office would continue discussions with organizers and property stakeholders.
The ordinance now moves to the common council with the committee’s recommendation; members said they expect the city attorney and event organizers to resolve insurance and lease details before final adoption.
