Ruston council makes reduced liquor-sale hours permanent, repeals sunset clause

The Ruston City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1593 on Nov. 4, 2025, repealing the sunset clause in Ordinance No. 1585 and making the city's reduced liquor-sale hours permanent. The final vote to pass the ordinance was 4–1 (Aye: Councilmembers Hedrick, Jensen, Huson and Holland; Nay: Councilmember Syler). The Council previously voted to waive first reading so the ordinance would not lapse; that waiver passed 4–1 on a different roll call (Aye: Hedrick, Syler, Huson, Holland; Nay: Jensen).

Mayor Protene Bruce Hopkins opened the discussion and noted the sunset clause in ORD 1585 would expire Nov. 16; he told the Council that the waiver and adoption were separate votes and asked the body to consider immediate action so the code would not revert. "The request to waive first reading and adoption of the Ordinance are two separate voting items," Mayor Hopkins said during the discussion. The administration recommended making the reduced hours permanent after a staff review of receipts and neighborhood reports showing a reduction in later-night complaints.

Councilmember Jennifer Jensen expressed concern about public notice and resident engagement before repealing the sunset. She said Council members were elected to use judgment but that the public needed sufficient opportunity to weigh in; Jensen voted against waiving first reading but supported final passage. Councilmembers Hedrick, Huson and Holland said they had heard from neighbors who reported improved quality of life since ORD 1585 took effect and supported making the change permanent.

Public testimony at the meeting reflected a split in the community. Supporters such as Patti Turner said the ordinance had led to "an extra hour of sleep, on most nights," and credited it with fewer neighborhood disturbances. Opponents, including Naomi Wilson and business owners who have expressed concerns in prior meetings, urged more data-driven review and suggested alternatives such as targeted enforcement by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board instead of a permanent ordinance.

The Council's action distinguishes between formal decision and continuing review: the City adopted ORD 1593 to remove the sunset and leave the revised hours in the municipal code; the administration and several councilmembers noted they will continue monitoring impacts and enforcement options. No immediate changes to liquor licenses were recorded in the meeting minutes; the transcript records community concerns about economic impacts on small-business employees and possible alternative approaches such as special permits for holidays.