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Airport presents revised alcohol plan; board presses for clear monitoring and liability review
Summary
Airport and concession operator representatives presented a revised map proposing alcohol service in limited yellow zones, possession-only green zones, and alcohol-free blue family areas; the board asked for clear assignment of monitoring responsibilities and asked the city attorney to review insurance and liability issues.
Airport representatives presented a revised alcohol-beverage plan for the municipal airport and fielded extensive questions about monitoring, family zones and liability.
Stacy Bossert introduced the airport's updated map, and Sean Doberstein, executive director for the Minnesota Airport Authority, explained the color-coded proposal: dark blue areas and blue family seating are alcohol-free; green areas permit possession only; yellow areas are where alcohol service would be permitted. Doberstein said the airport would sign and identify family zones and noted roughly "30 to 40 seats" available in each family area.
Austin Shenaho, executive vice president of Skydine (the airport's current food and beverage vendor), participating remotely, described operational monitoring: roving private security and concession managers would watch for travelers carrying the special cups used for served alcohol. "If you leave the premises where the alcohol is served... you'll have a cup that will be easily identifiable," he said, describing a process to help identify patrons who might be taking alcohol outside service zones.
Board members pressed who would hold the liquor license and who would be responsible for monitoring and liability. Doberstein said the license is assigned to the vendor under airport ordinance and that current concession holder Skydine would hold the license while contracts are in place. One board member asked the city attorney to review liability and insurance because of the possibility of shared or cascading liability when alcohol is served in areas that interface with other venues and public travel.
The board did not take a final vote on an ordinance change but asked staff to continue working with the airport, Skydine and the city attorney and indicated the airport will return in July with further information.
