Lowell city officials again will discuss the option of allowing the sale of alcohol at city events at an Ordinance Committee meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
A similar ordinance was brought before the council in April but failed to get the two-thirds vote it needed to pass.
Dean Bitner, Lowell City Council member, said the alcohol issue needs another look.
"We are trying to discuss it more and probably draft an ordinance around the public's interests," Bitner said. "I want everyone's buy-in. There are going to be a few people who are opposed to any issue, but I want to make sure that everyone is informed and educated going forward."
An ordinance could allow the sale of alcohol at city-sponsored events such as Mudtown Days held every May, Bitner said. The city would not sell alcohol but would allow other vendors to open beer gardens at the events, he said.
"I think we just want to appeal to a broader variety of folks," Bitner said. "It would bring people to our city. There are a lot of people who never stop in Lowell. It is a great place to live and they are never going to know that if they don't stop."
People drinking beer or wine would be required to stay within a confined area, Bitner said. Private security also would be required, he said.
The issue was voted down in a 3-5 vote in April. Thomas Evers, Janette Lasater and Ronnie Breland voted no. Lasater and Breland are no longer on the council.
Evers said alcohol should not be sold in city parks, where city events are often held.
"I think a city park is a place for kids, retirees and families to go to enjoy family activities," Evers said. "I honestly think that having a beer garden is more of a detriment to the city than a benefit."
David Clubb, a Lowell resident, also thinks alcohol sales at community events could be a problem.
"I work in a bar and I think it would be a bad idea," Clubb said. "It wouldn't work. People get drunk and say something and things get out of control."
Lowell City Police Chief Randy Harvey said he will not oppose the ordinance as long as private security is hired.
Beer gardens new
The decision to allow alcohol sales at community events is a new one for Benton County cities. Voters approved the off-premises sale of alcohol in the county in November 2012. Prior to that, alcohol could only be sold at members-only private clubs.
Off-premises sales include sales from liquor stores.
Main Street Rogers started selling alcohol at its events held in Rogers in 2013, said Dana Mather, Main Street Rogers director. The organization holds the annual Frisco Festival, Oktoberfest and 3rd Friday events in Rogers.
"We wanted to attract newcomers to the community and to our events," Mather said. "It definitely appeals to a younger demographic."
Oktoberfest, started in 2013, was created around the idea of selling beer, Mather said.
"We couldn't really do an Oktoberfest without having a beer garden," Mather said. "The event has brought a lot of revenue for us."
Oktoberfest attracted about 1,000 people the first year it was held, Mather said. It grew to 4,000 people the second year, she said.
Mather would not release detailed information on revenue from any of the events.
"The trend line for revenue from the entertainment gardens is improving over time," Mather said. "The first year it was a little unique and unusual and people were a little bit hesitant at times."
Main Street Rogers does not make a lot of money from alcohol sales, Mather said. The cost of supplying alcohol is high, and the organization must hire private security, she said.
"We wanted to be safe," Mather said. "We hired private security to check IDs and also to be on site if there was an issue or a problem."
Mather said the organization hasn't had any problems yet.
Keith Foster, Rogers Police Department public information officer, said the department hasn't had any major problems since alcohol started being sold at community events.
"I do know that Main Street Rogers does a fantastic job of getting extra security," Foster said.
Permit required
Fayetteville has allowed the sale of alcohol at events for as long as Fayetteville Police Department Sgt. Craig Stoutcan remember, he said.
Regulations from the Alcohol Beverage Control Board require that alcohol stays within an enclosed area when sold at community events, Stout said. Vendors also first have to apply for a permit to sell alcohol through the control board, he said.
The control board asks for the opinion of the Fayetteville Police Department before approval, Stout said.
"The chief has the ability to oppose it," Stout said.
Alcohol sales at events have caused very few problems for police, he said.
"If we ever see an issue we try to solve it pretty quickly," Stout said. "We have always had cooperation with the people putting on these events."
Stout was unable to say how many events where alcohol is served are held in the city each year.
Bentonville Mayor Bob McCaslin said he is not aware of anyone requesting a permit to sell alcohol at a city event. He also said he is unaware of any city ordinances that address the issue.
McCaslin said he is unsure how he would respond to someone requesting a state permit to sell alcohol at a community event.
"We would have to see what that was," McCaslin said.
Bitner said it's possible that an ordinance could be drafted and approved by the Lowell Ordinance Committee on Tuesday. If so, the ordnance could be sent to the City Council during its next regular board meeting planned for Feb. 17.
NW News on 01/25/2015