Council approves Nights in the Heights agreement, waives pavilion and amplification fees with follow-up on alcohol license

Windsor Heights City Council approved a resolution March 16 authorizing the 2026 Nights in the Heights concert series agreement with the Windsor Heights Foundation and Thirsty Pigs and waiving the pavilion and amplification fees.

Staff presented a staff‑drawn service area in which Thirsty Pigs would hold a 5‑day ABD license to sell beer and wine at the events and recommended listing both the Foundation and Thirsty Pigs as signatories on the pavilion rental to satisfy state application review. Council members questioned whether the resolution should require Thirsty Pigs to cancel any multi‑day state license after the events to avoid an extended exclusive liquor window; staff said the resolution asks that they cancel but does not currently require cancellation and that the council may add such a requirement when the state license is considered.

Council also discussed whether waiving the pavilion fee (an eight‑hour nonresident rental listed in staff materials as about $60) would create a de facto exclusivity for the event; staff noted the park ordinance allows beer and wine in the park, that the license-holder typically controls sales in the designated service area, and that the city can add lease conditions to address concerns. Staff offered to follow up with Thirsty Pigs after each event to confirm permit cancellation and to check ABD application status online.

On a unanimous roll call, council approved the concert agreement and associated fee waivers and asked staff to confirm the license details and signatories before events occur.

Next steps: staff will confirm whether Thirsty Pigs cancels its 5‑day license after events, update the pavilion rental/signatory language as needed, and return any required license approvals to council when state ABD licensing is submitted for the events.