Monticello Live

An ordinance was presented to amend Monticello City Code to amend the limitations of hours of operation of private clubs within the city limits, at Tuesday night’s meeting.

The Mayor reported that he has contacted the Arkansas Beverage Control, and the cities of Jonesboro and Fayetteville to discuss local regulation and management of private clubs. ABC officials strongly suggested that the local government should take more control, within the limits of state law, to regulate private clubs within their cities.

The Mayor submitted an amended version of the ordinnce presented last month that would add the following requirements: a private club permit, defined unlawful activity for permit holders, and establishment of steep punishment for violations through a tiered “three strikes you’re out” rule. This amendment allows for more local control and management of private club operations to better establish that these businesses do not become nuisances and damage the community. The amendment also allows an option to establish a 5% tax on alcoholic beverages.

In addition, the ordinance as presented, would allow private clubs to serve alcoholic beverages from 11:00 a.m. To 2:00 a.m.

Mayor Taylor explained that the ABC regulations and restrictions tend to be very lax. He cited an example that occurred in Monticello in the past month, when a business served liquor to minors twice in one week. The ABC’s penalty was to shut them down for 1 hour.

This ordinance would allow the City to require a City permit and to establish and enforce their own guidelines for operations, and punishment for violations.

Under the new guidelines, the first three violations would result in a $500 fine, next three violations would be $500 fine and the business would be required to close for one week. The next three violations would result in a fine of $500 and the business would be required to close for one month. Nine violations in three years would result in loss of their liquor permit, at both the city and state levels.

The Council voted to change operating hours to have last call at 12:30, with the building vacated by all personnel by 1:00 am.

The Council voted to adopt the amendment, and to table it for a third reading and discussion at the City Council meeting next month.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 2nd, 2015 at 6:45 am and is filed under City, Police /Legal, Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.