Item Coversheet
      

5919 MAIN STREET .  NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652 . 727.853.1016


TO:City of New Port Richey City Council
FROM:Debbie L. Manns
DATE:6/19/2018
RE:Discussion Regarding Amendments to the Alcohol Ordinance

REQUEST:

The request is to consider amending the alcoholic beverage ordinance to permit for the sales of alcohol in conjunction with special events hosted by special event organizers and conducted in compliance with the terms and conditions set forth by way of an alcoholic beverage special exception permit.




DISCUSSION:

At your last meeting a request was made by Mr. Richard Silz in respect to his interest in providing for liquor sales at the 2018 Cotee River Bikefest event which incidentally is scheduled for October 12-14 in Sims Park.

The purpose of this agenda item is to afford the City Council an opportunity to express their preferences as it relates to amending the ordinance to permit the sale of liquor at special events and additionally to provide staff with direction by which to go forward in regard to this matter.




RECOMMENDATION:

From my perspective I would not be in favor of allowing the sale of alcohol in conjunction with special events held in a city park. The primary reasons for my resistance on this matter are as follows:

  1. The sale of alcoholic beverages may to some extent impede the family friendly environment that the city wants to foster and advance through its special events

  2. One of the main purposes that the city permits and supports special events is due to the residual economic benefit to the local business community and quite simply put alcohol sales in the park may detour event attendees from a visit to a local business.   

  3. Lastly, if the city were to allow alcoholic beverages to be sold in the park the city's risk of liability would increase and that is not a position that I am comfortable advocating on behalf of.




BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no financial impact associated with this agenda item.


ATTACHMENTS:
DescriptionType
Chapter 3 of the City Code of OrdinancesBackup Material