An ordinance establishing regulations for alcohol sales within the city was sent back to the city attorney for fine tuning. City Council members reviewed the draft of the ordinance that began with the Planning Commission last summer before the election that approved alcohol sales in Benton County.
“I think it would be advisable to get it in place,” city attorney Howard Slinkard told council members. “I don’t think it (state permit approval) will happen before August.”
Slinkard explained to council members that state regulations govern alcohol sales, but city officials can, and should, establish regulations for where liquor stores are allowed in the city.
Council member Nadine Telgemeier asked about beer gardens, questioning whether beer could be sold at local events like the mule jump and the fair.
“I’d suggest you eat this elephant one bite at a time,” Slinkard said advising council members to consider establishing where sales are permitted, establishing a time frame for sales and adopting the state statutes.
Mayor Jackie Crabtree said he liked the ordinance Fayetteville had adopted.
Council member Steve Guthrie advised against drive-in windows for alcohol sales.
The city is permitted to collect fees on alcohol sales. Telgemeier recommended “fine tuning” those fees.
Council member Ray Easley said he would like to see private clubs allowed to operate the same hours as liquor stores - 7 a.m. to midnight.
In other business, the council:
◊Approved going to bid on sidewalk construction;
◊Heard a report that work on the new library was drastically beneath projected costs thanks to city building official Tony Townsend.
News, Pages 1 on 04/03/2013