Lowell to consider alcohol bid

3rd proposal on sales allows for case-by-case approval

LOWELL -- The City Council in Lowell again will review a proposal to allow the sale of alcohol at events held in city parks.

A proposal to sell alcohol during the city's Mudtown Days festival, held annually in May, failed with a tie vote in February. A similar proposal also failed in April.

The newest ordinance, to be considered Tuesday, proposes allowing the City Council to approve the sale of alcohol at events on a case-by-case basis.

Council member Dean Bitner said the issue was taken up before a recent ordinance committee meeting by a couple of board members.

"They couldn't believe this failed, and they wanted to bring it back," Bitner said.

Kendell Stucki is the council member leading the campaign in favor of the ordinance this time, said Bitner, who spearheaded the previous alcohol ordinances. Stucki wasn't available for comment Friday.

Bitner said he has continued to discuss alcohol sales with residents.

"I was parking cars at Mudtown Days, and when people got out of their vehicles I would ask them their thoughts," Bitner said. "Not one single person said they would not come to the event if alcohol was sold."

Council member Thomas Evers said he plans to vote against the latest ordinance.

"It is basically the same ordinance," Evers said. "I think parks are for kids."

City Attorney Thomas Kieklak said the ordinance will need a majority to pass.

The February ordinance failed on a 4-4 vote with Evers, Lonnie Jones, Eric Schein and Conner Jones voting against it. Stucki, Bitner, Keith Williams and David Adams voted in favor of the ordinance.

Conner Jones and Williams have since resigned from the board after moving out of the city.

Delia Ingle replaced Conner Jones, and Linda Vannoy took Williams' position. Ingle and Vannoy both said they hadn't had time to review the newest ordinance and were unable to comment.

Vannoy spoke in favor of the February ordinance, which included a clause to allow it to sunset after 2015. She said at the time the sunset clause was a good compromise.

Cities in Benton County are newly facing the decision to allow alcohol sales at community events. Benton County voters approved off-premises sale of alcohol in November 2012. Alcohol could only be sold at members-only private clubs before that.

Rogers started allowing alcohol sales at community events in 2013. Main Street Rogers started its Oktoberfest the same year.

It attracted 1,000 people its first year and 4,000 its second, said Dana Mather, the organization's director at the time.

Bentonville events continue to be alcohol-free.

Metro on 07/20/2015

Upcoming Events