TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Mayor Chuck Bennett
SUBJECT:
title
Alcohol in Parks During Permitted Events
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
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MOTION:
I move that staff review Salem Revised Code Section 94.195 (Possession of alcoholic beverages in parks) and return to Council with a recommendation regarding whether to allow beverages with over 14 percent alcohol in Salem’s parks during permitted events.
DISCUSSION:
Salem Revised Code Section 94.195 prohibits alcoholic beverage in any park, sports field, city-owned facility, or during any event on property controlled by the City unless specific requirements have been met. Among the requirements are a permit must have been issued by the City and, if the beverage is purchased, the vendor must be licensed by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. SRC 94.195 further limits the alcohol content of any beverage sold to less than 14 percent by volume.
Last week Mayor Bennett received a written request from Carroll and Jason Unruh, owners of Oregon Beverage Services, that the City consider allowing the sale of drinks with over 14 percent alcohol in city parks for permitted events.
In their letter, Carroll and Jason Unruh note that the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) defines a drink as 12 ounces of beer or five ounces of wine or one and 1/4 ounces of hard liquor. The OLCC allows sale of beer, wine, and hard liquor, or all of the three types of alcohol. OLCC regulations require licensed vendors or concessionaires to prevent overconsumption and underage drinking, regardless of what type of alcohol is sold. The Unruhs reaffirm the responsibility of all alcohol concessionaires to never serve minors and to never serve visibly intoxicated individuals. They believe that broadening alcohol selections at an event will add to the fans’ positive experience and increase opportunities for sponsorships.
Oregon Beverage Services is based out of Salem and has been in the alcohol management business for over 40 years. They have served hard liquor at many large events without any issues, including the Oregon State Fair, Washington County Fair, Clackamas County Fair, Linn County Fair, Lane County Fair, Umatilla County Fair, Jefferson County Fair, Lake County Fair, Klamath County Fair, and Portland Rose Festival.
Prior to returning to Council with a recommendation, staff will compare Salem regulations to those of other jurisdictions and receive input from the Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. If staff proposes amending SRC 94.195, Council will consider the recommendation following a public hearing.
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Attachments:
1. Letter to the Mayor