Council mulls alcohol, speed-limit regulations

The faces of the ward representatives may have changed since the Cape Girardeau City Council last discussed amending the city code to curb underage drinking, but many of the concerns remain the same.

In 2012, the city 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. City manager Scott Meyer said concern about underage drinking and partying was high among the council and Southeast Missouri State University officials, prompting the ordinance.

The council ultimately dropped the matter, citing issues with broad language and its ability to resolve underage alcohol consumption. Meyer said the city council decided instead to focus on stronger enforcement of existing laws and also put a nuisance party ordinance on the books to help combat the problem.

"Now we're two years down the road and we're bringing what we've learned in those two years to council to discuss it," he said.

While no official action was taken Monday, the council did consider whether it would like to amend the city code. The newest proposal would include a section restricting people younger than 21 from patronizing establishments that serve alcohol. It would exclude certain businesses such as restaurants or bowling alleys, where alcohol may be sold, but the sale of such drinks is not the primary focus.

The amendment also would require mandatory server training once every two years for those involved in the direct sale of "intoxicating liquors."

Police chief Wes Blair said existing ordinances have been successful in many ways, but officers still encounter frequent problems such as underage drinking, binge drinking and fighting at establishments that serve alcohol and allow entry to those younger than 21.

Mayor Harry Rediger said it's an issue that's been a longtime concern for the council and the university and agreed it was time to again take up the matter. He said he supported "taking it to the next level" to allow only those 21 and older into bars.

Councilwoman Loretta Schneider questioned how many establishments would be affected by the amendment and if use of fake identification would prevent its success. Blair said he did not have a number on hand for what businesses would be touched by the amendment, but said the mandatory server training might help with the issue of fake IDs. Part of the training is learning to spot frauds, he said.

Councilman Mark Lanzotti questioned how much "pushback" might be received from businesses regarding the changes. Blair said that so far the response has been positive.

"We've had a lot of establishments that have championed the server training," he said. Many already require patrons to be 21 or older to enter, he added, and would like to see the practice established citywide.

Lanzotti also asked Blair to consult other college towns about successes and lessons learned from changes to regulations regarding minors and alcoholic beverages. The councilman expressed concern that banning those younger than 21 from bars would only push them to drink in private residences or to travel to other places, possibly increasing incidents of intoxicated driving. Blair agreed it would be beneficial to research decisions made in cities similar to Cape Girardeau.

Councilman Wayne Bowen also supported the idea of more research, but said he supported the amendment. The council agreed to continue discussion at future meetings.

Other business

The council also agreed to postpone the first reading of an ordinance that would have amended speed limits along Kingshighway. After speaking with the city and concerned business owners in the area, the Missouri Department of Transportation conducted a comprehensive speed-limit review. Based on that review, it adjusted speed zones along the road, decreasing speeds along most of North Kingshighway to 45 miles per hour.

While Rediger and Schneider both agreed the decrease in speed along North Kingshighway near the Osage Centre was much needed, all members of the council were concerned about the stretch of South Kingshighway near Central High School that would have increased speeds of 55 miles per hour under MoDOT's suggested adjustments. The council decided not to vote on the matter until city staff could discuss with the transportation department the possibility of reducing speeds between the Southern Expressway and South Silver Springs Road intersections to 45 miles per hour.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO