TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

New Port Richey OKs alcohol sales

ADVERTISEMENT

By ERIC HORCHY

The Suncoast News

Published: November 7, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - City Council unanimously voted this week to continue the sale of beer and wine at Sims Park, Orange Lake and Cavalaire Square during downtown events, keeping alive an ordinance passed in 2008.

The hearing marked the final reading of the ordinance, which includes these changes:

•Organizers must submit a report outlining alcohol sales revenue within four weeks after an event.

•Approved permits must be given to the city manager before an event.

• The number of annual permits increased from six to eight.

•Optional alcohol-free zones are to be shown on a site map.

•The ordinance's sunset provision was eliminated.

•The application submittal time was changed to no less than 45 days before to an event (up from 30), and no more than 180.

Among the rules that would be left in place are:

•Only beer or wine could be sold.

•Alcohol can only be sold and consumed within a designated area. Hours for serving alcohol are noon to 10 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays, and 1 to 7 p.m. Sundays.

•Event organizers may be required to pay for the services of an off-duty police officer to be stationed near the Sims Park playground during events at which alcohol is sold and to pay other police expenses related to the sale of alcohol at the event.

Tuesday's roughly hour-long hearing, though civil, included slightly more opposition than was present at the issue's first reading on Oct. 20. Five residents, including the owners of two downtown establishments, The Karl Reef and Vincenzo's Ristorante, were against the ordinance, up from two opposing voices heard last month.

Another downtown business owner, Juan de Sosa of Juan's Black Bean Cafe, voiced his support for continuing alcohol sales.

The business owners in opposition argued that selling beer and wine in the parks during events reduces their alcohol sales.

Joe Karl, owner of The Karl Reef, said that beyond taking away potential customers, the ordinance's requirement of hiring an off-duty police officer is an overly expensive burden.

If a business wishes to apply for an application to extend their premises beyond typical capacity, City Council requires the officer to be hired.

That cost The Karl Reef about $500 from Saturday to Sunday, according to Karl.

Recurring sentiments among council were not only the amount of money generated during events with alcohol sales but also the ability to market the city as a destination.

During the first hearing, Dan Sullivan, membership director of the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, said October's Cotee River Bike Fest saw alcohol sales totaling $22,751, compared with $10,350 last year. The chamber's cut of the Bike Fest proceeds this year was $4,200, compared with $1,900 in 2008, while the three nonprofit group's that benefitted from the festival each received $2,100, up from $1,384.

In addition, Sullivan said, alcohol sales means more people attending events in the parks, which, in turn, makes sponsors more willing to help offset costs.

The area's Budweiser distributor, for example, increased its Bike Fest sponsorship dollars to $5,000 from $3,000 last year.

Eric Horchy can be reached at (727) 815-1071 or ehorchy@ suncoastnews.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT