03-28-85 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• MEMO TO: Mounds View Parks and Recrea io'l Commission FROM: Bruce K. Anderson , Di e 4� Parks, Recreation an.�.�. - I DATE: March 27 , 1985 �i RE: Consumption of alcoholic beverages in the city parks As you are aware , staff forwarded a memo from Jan Quick, Chair- person of the Mounds View Festivities Commission at our last meeting requesting that the Parks and Recreation Commission review ordinance 52 .03 regarding the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the City park system. The current City ordinance bans all consumption , sale and possession of alcoholic beverages within the City park system. The reason for the request is that the Festivities Commission is considering some type of beer con- cession as an activity during the "Festival in the Park" . The Parks and Recreation Commission initially recommended to the City Council that consumption of alcohol be made available on a permit basis which would be approved by the Parks and Recreation Director and ultimately by the City Council at City Hall and Sil- ver View Parks. The Mounds View City Council did not approve that recommendation • and the current ordinance banning alcoholic consumption in the parks is the official position of the City. Since the ordinance has been put into effect, no permits have been allowed by the City for consumption of alcohol , but beer is still consummed fol- lowing softball games at City Hall and Silver View Parks as well as during weekend picnics. To date , we have not experienced any problems with the beer that is consummed. Staff ' s position on the issue is that consumption of beer by individuals of legal age has not been a problem in the past and that difficulties occur when kegs and large groups of people gather for parties. The Police Department supports staff ' s posi- tion that drinking has not been a problem and that there are a number of ordinances which can be used to "break up" unruly crowds, i .e . loitering , disorderly conduct, etc. Secondly, by establishing a permit process, we would have better control over who is selling beer and be able to regulate the insurance and accountability issues. Staff would recommend that the existing ordinance 52.03 be elim- inated and that we not directly address the issue either way and that a permit system be established for sale of alcohol similar to the Richfield ordinance that was distributed at the last meet- ing .This is a difficult issue for staff to address and I would encourage each of the Commissioners to personally review this 1111 issue so that we can have a discussion of how you would like to see the ordinance enforced and established. BKA/sll