City Council revisited Ordinance 2016-31 during its June 14 meeting. It was an amended version to a previous piece of legislation considered earlier in the year, which modifies Section 529 of the Codified Ordinances to create two exceptions to allow the sale and consumption of alcohol on public property.

The two exceptions are:
1. The owner of a dining establishment who maintains an outdoor dining area located in the Uptowne zoning district, who wishes to serve alcohol, may apply for a permit from the City. The establishment must have a valid permit from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control.

2. Community event organizers for activities held on city-owned property located only within the Uptowne zoning district. With this exception, the applicant would also need to apply for a Class F permit through the Ohio Division of Liquor Control. The applying organization must be recognized as a nonprofit corporation or limited liability company.

Several other regulations are included: All sales are limited to 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., a minimum of one special duty police officer or sheriff deputy must be hired during the event, the applicant shall comply with all state and local liquor laws, and the applicant must obtain a liability policy of at least $1 million.

Law Director Thomas Palmer explained that the only change from the previous version was limiting the permitting to the Uptowne zoning district. The district consists of Harding Way from South Boston Street to North Washington Street, and one block on either side of Harding Way.

The change results in all city parks being ineligible for the permit. Alcohol sales in the parks was a point of concern raised during past discussions.

“We’ve had a lot of discussions on this and satisfied some concerns,” Council member Tom Fellner said. He then motioned to suspend the rules to pass the item as an emergency, which passed.

The emergency reading of the ordinance then passed 6-1, with Council member Susan Bean dissenting.