HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Action Form dated February 22, 1994 b CO
ITEM #:
DATE: 2/22 4
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: Under-Age Persons on Premises of Bars/Nightclubs
BACKGROUND:
The City Council has granted exceptions to the ordinance prohibiting
persons under the legal drinking age in a bar/nightclub. Council has
given the Police Chief authority to waive the ordinance when no alcohol will
be present. When liquor/beer is to be served while persons under the
legal drinking age are present, the Council has mandated that a plan be
presented to the Chief of Police outlining precautions to be taken; then
Council would decide whether or not to waive the ordinance requirements.
There are at present different requirements mandated to non-profit
organizations wanting to host a party in a bar/nightclub and for-profit
organizations wanting to host a banquet or ceremonial dinner in a
bar/nightclub. These requirements cause some confusion and give the
appearance of inconsistency. Timing the requests with City Council
meetings has resulted in problems for the organizations.
The Police Chief believes that the same set of pre-approved plans in both
situations would meet the Council's intent of controlling access to
beer/alcohol for those under the legal drinking age. Also the Council
giving authority to the Police Chief to grant such waivers would simplify
the process for both the requesting agency and the Police Department.
Attached is a copy of the Police Chief's requirements and a copy of proposed
ordinance changes prepared by the City Attorney's Office. These
ordinance changes also affect Section 17.16(2)(a) by clarifying that a
person under the legal drinking age who is employed by the license-holder
must actually be "on duty" for the exception to apply.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Set a date to consider passage of the proposed ordinance changes and
grant the Police Chief authority to waive the ordinance requirements and
allow minors in bars/nightclubs during parties sponsored by non-profit
organizations or ceremonial dinners or banquets sponsored by a
for-profit organization.
2. Take no action.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is the Manager's recommendation that the City Council adopt Alternative 1
and set a date for consideration of the attached changes to Municipal Code
Section 17.16; thereby granting authority to the Police Chief to waive the
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ordinance requirements and allow minors in bars/nightclubs during parties
sponsored by non-profit organizations or ceremonial dinners or banquets
sponsored by for-profit organizations. These changes will create
consistency within the ordinance and simplify the procedure for both the
requesting organization and the Police Department.
COUNCIL ACTION:
- 3 -
Requests for Under-Age Persons on the Premises
While Alcohol is Being Served
1. It is required that a letter from the requesting group and a letter
from the bar be received by the Chief of Police one week prior to
the date of the event. The letters must include the following:
a. Date of event.
b. Hours of event.
c. Location (name and address of bar) .
d. Statement that people over 21 will be wrist-banded.
e. Statement that different cups for alcoholic and non-alcoholic
drinks will be used.
f. Statement that no pitchers or mugs will be served.
g. Statement that there will be representatives of the bar present
at the door to check ID's and monitor the activities.
h. Statement that sufficient non-drinking adult members of the
requesting group will be patrolling in the bar to help monitor
the activities. The accepted ratio is one non-drinking adult
member for every ten expected guests.
2. The representatives of the bar and the non-drinking adult monitors
of the requesting group must distinguish themselves from the rest of
the attendants.
3. Any violations occurring during the hours of the approved event
may result in that organization being unable to receive approval of
another request for a period of one year.