Council postpones vote on alcohol sales to March 25

The decision made at Springfield City Council's Feb. 25 meeting regarding the sale of alcohol during city-wide public events was not the one the public was anticipating they now will have to wait until March 25 for an answer. Council voted to restrict the proposed bill as suggested by Mayor Tom Carlson and postponed a final vote until its next meeting.

Alcohol amendments

Carlson's amendment to limit the sale of alcohol to after-hours and fundraising events held only by the Dickerson Park Zoo passed 6-3.

Furthermore, the zoo would be responsible for providing liability insurance and extra security at the events, according to a second approved amendment made by Councilwoman Teri Hacker. It also requires 20 percent of profits to be deposited into an alcohol education fund and sets limits on the advertisers of such events.

Not all councilmembers were happy with the results. "We have made such a muddle of this," said Councilman Bob Chancellor, who thinks all or none of the five Springfield Park Board groups should be allowed to sell alcohol if council is going to be fair. Those groups in-clude Springfield Spirit hockey, softball, tennis and golf tournaments and the zoo. "I think we're dodging the issue here," he said.

Other opinions abounded.

"Allowing to have alcohol in some of our parks does not provide a good example to our young children," Councilman Ralph Manley said, adding that he would consider any revenue generated from the sale of alcohol "tainted funds" and that he strongly opposes the bill.

But Carlson thinks it is only appropriate at the zoo.

"I don't want to insert an element of doubt," Carlson said. "That's why I have come down with this." He added that maybe it would be better suited for a vote by the public.

Sidewalk cafes

Council's vote on the sidewalk cafe issue resulted in a clarified and restricted meaning of the term.

Now all city establishments serving food and beverages outside must prepare that food on-site and generate at least 50 percent of their revenue from food sales similar to the rules governing alcohol licenses for establishments within 200 feet of each other. The change passed by a 7-2 count.

JVP parking deck

A first reading special ordinance was heard that would allow City Manager Tom Finnie to accept a $1.5 million grant from the Missouri Highways and Trans-portation Commission for the purpose of constructing a parking deck in Jordan Valley Park. A vote will be taken at the next meeting.

Parking regulations

Council heard from the public on a first reading bill that would prohibit mo-tor vehicle parking in yards and allow city police officers to issue tickets on such offenses.

Finnie said it is a law that has been in the books for years, but this would better define it.

It is at the request of several neighborhood associations which have received more than 1,800 complaints and the result of Vision 20/20, he said.

Two neighborhood association presidents, Midtown's Ken Williams and Charles Norr of Woodland Heights, spoke to council in favor of the bill.

However, north-side resident Gordon Malone opposed it, expressing his concern for those that do not have driveways.

He told council that in those cases when residents must park on the street, it leaves their vehicles vulnerable to accidents, "unless the city is going to widen the streets."

It too will be voted on at the next meeting. Staff from building development services, planning and development, the police department and the city prosecutor's office all recommend ap-proval.

Public information

Council passed a resolution not to re-strict the right of citizens and the news media to obtain public information about municipally-owned public utilities. The bill stated that it is important for citizens and the news media to have access to information about institutions which are owned and operated by the public in order to foster public trust and confidence.

Cherry Street annexation

Council voted unanimously to approve the annexation of 20.35 acres of private property on the north side of the 4200 block of East Cherry and another 1.86 acres of right-of-way located in the 4050 to 4300 blocks of East Cherry.