Cape council likely will tighten alcohol rules

After weeks of discussion, the Cape Girardeau City Council on Monday will take the first step toward amending a section of codes regarding alcoholic beverages.

The new proposal would prohibit those younger than 21 from entering an establishment that sells "intoxicating liquor," establishes mandatory server training and prohibits the sale of alcoholic drinks at below cost.

It also would prohibit the sale or offering of an unlimited number of drinks containing alcohol during a set period of time for a fixed price and prohibit any game or contest that involves drinking or awarding drinks containing alcohol.

The ordinance comes from recommendations made to the council by city staff. Police chief Wes Blair said at previous council meetings the police department has noticed a rise in underage drinking at establishments that allow entry to minors. It's difficult to discern minors from the older-than-21 crowd and too easy for adults to buy drinks for those underage, he told the council.

The prohibition of minors from establishments that sell alcohol comes with some exceptions. According to the new ordinance, minors may enter such establishments if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

The ordinance also states certain facilities are exempt, including most golf courses and bowling alleys and restaurants that generate more than 60 percent of sales from food prepared on the premises.

At the Sept. 8 council meeting, Blair told the council he estimated the younger-than-21 prohibition would affect five to seven establishments. He also said most of them indicated they supported the measure.

The mandatory server training also has not been perceived as an issue, according to previous communications between Blair and the council. The training could be completed online at no cost. Additional training could help offset the problem of minors buying alcohol with fake identification because part of the training includes learning to spot frauds.

The section of the ordinance regarding the server training also requires proof of certification to be maintained at the licensee's premises.

Prohibiting the sale of alcohol at less than its cost was a suggestion Blair picked up from a Springfield, Missouri, ordinance. There, bars are not allowed to sell alcohol below cost -- a measure designed to help cut down binge drinking. When Blair introduced the idea at a previous city council meeting, several members expressed their support, including Mayor Harry Rediger.

Since the council first began discussing the ordinance in August, Rediger has said he supported "taking it to the next level" to allow only those 21 and older into bars.

Should the council approve the ordinance, the changes would be set to coincide with the renewal of liquor licenses in June.

This isn't the first time the city has looked at amending ordinances about alcoholic beverages to curb underage drinking. In 2012, the council considered an ordinance that would have prohibited patrons younger than 21 from being in bars or restaurants that derive more than 35 percent of their proceeds from alcohol after 10 p.m. without a parent or legal guardian.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.