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Council updates alcohol rules and hears residents urge broader input on alcohol at city events
Summary
Council approved amendments to the city's alcoholic-beverage regulations (Title 9, Chapter 2). During public comment residents urged more resident input on alcohol at city events and asked that alcohol be restricted near playgrounds; councilmembers said boundaries and enforcement will be considered.
Forest Park voted to adopt amendments to Title 9, Chapter 2 (Alcoholic Beverages) that update licensing classifications, application and operational requirements, enforcement provisions, and related application forms to align local rules with state law and support public health and safety.
During public comment Michelle Copeland said she was compelled to speak after hearing a councilmember and urged that any changes allowing alcohol at city events reflect broad resident input: "If you agree that you shouldn't have alcoholic beverages at things, then let it come to a consensus of everybody." Councilmember Kimberly James clarified she was not against events but said alcohol should not be allowed where playground equipment and young children are present: "I said that there should not be any alcohol over there where the playground equipment is and the babies are and the kids are." Council members discussed enforcement versus ordinance changes; staff suggested enforcement of existing rules might address some complaints while council and the city manager committed to coordinating with departments and the city attorney on clearer boundaries and expectations.
Provenance: staff presentation of Title 9 Chapter 2 and public comments (topicintro: SEG 113; topfinish: SEG 206 and related public comments SEG 734–790).
Speakers quoted (first reference): Michelle Copeland (public commenter); Kimberly James (council member)."If you agree that you shouldn't have alcoholic beverages at things, then let it come to a consensus of everybody," Michelle Copeland said. Council member Kimberly James added, "I said that there should not be any alcohol over there where the playground equipment is and the babies are and the kids are."
Next steps: City attorney and city staff will work with council to clarify regulations and enforcement mechanisms for alcohol at city events, and staff will update application and administrative forms to reflect the ordinance changes.
