In a 5-0 vote Tuesday evening the Chipley City Council approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 952, providing for an amendment to Part II, Chapter 3 of the City Code, entitled “Alcoholic Beverages”.
by Kathy Foster
City Council members had been provided with a draft copy of the proposed changes and when faced with questions from the public, decided to delete a portion of Section 3/11 – Prohibitions; and all of Section 3-12 – Seizure and Forfeiture.
Deleted was the following from Sec. 3-11 – “No vendor, bottle club, or private club shall sell, furnish or deliver, or permit any person in his/her employ to sell, furnish or deliver, or allow the consumption on the premises of, any alcoholic beverages in any quantity to or by any person who is intoxicated or an habitual drunkard known to him/her, or whose intemperate habits such vendor, bottle club, or private club has been notified in writing against the selling, furnishing or allowing consumption of such alcoholic beverages, by the husband, wife, child, father, mother, brother or sister of such habitual drunkard.”
Also deleted was Section 3-12- Seizure and Forfeiture which laid out how vehicles, vessels, aircraft, or other equipment used in the transportation or removal of, or for the deposit or concealment of, any illicit liquor still or stilling apparatus could be seized by the City.
In addressing the sale of alcoholic beverages within the Chipley City limits, Council members said they recognize the condition of the economic challenges local businesses need to see new and better ways to serve the needs of their patrons and that continued success of businesses focused on food services and sale is an important component for the success. They stressed that the City is attempting to balance the goals of growth and job creation with the historical deference provided to churches, private residences, and other individual and community-based needs.
The proposed ordinance will receive its second reading at the Chipley City Council’s Aug. 14th meeting.
Dealing with other agenda items at Tuesday’s meeting, council members took the following actions:
- Receiving no comments from the public, council members approved the Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 951 (Amendments to Chapter 19 – Utilities) which reduce water/wastewater impact fees.
- Approved Resolution No. 18-14 – the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Budget Amendment.
- Approved a Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement with the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
- Approved a variance for the Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc. for side setback requirements at 730 1st Street.
- Approved CDI Services for 5th Street Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements.
- Approved for Holland Kent to serve as a board member with the City’s Planning & Zoning Board and David Ridley to serve as an alternate.