SCOTT CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERING STRICTER LIQUOR LICENSE ORDINANCE

SCOTT CITY -- The Scott City Council is considering adoption of a stricter liquor license law for the city, in an effort to cut down on "disorderly conduct" in bars.

"We've had major problems in the past with disorderly conduct in bars," said Sgt. Jim Oldham of the Scott City Police Department. Oldham said the current city law regarding such disturbances is vague.

"It doesn't define what exactly a disorderly house is," Oldham said, adding that the proposed ordinance is stricter and is designed to give police and prosecutors more power to arrest and prosecute violators.

Oldham said the new law will hopefully curb "fights and barroom brawls."

He said citizen complaints about such brawls prompted police to urge the council to draw up the stricter law. Oldham added that in some cases, police weren't being notified of disturbances, but instead heard of them "through the grapevine."

He said the proposed law is modeled after a state law concerning disorderly conduct.

The new ordinance is currently being studied by council members. It may be adopted in January.

According to the ordinance, liquor licenses would cost $150. It also requires applicants to appear before the council at a public hearing in order to obtain a license.

The ordinance also allows the council to grant a "90-day conditional license" instead of a one-year license to applicants to allow for a trial period. Council members must present reasons for issuing a conditional license, according to the proposed ordinance.

A one-year license can be granted after the 90-day period if the applicant follows the ordinance and no major disturbances are reported at the establishment.

Oldham said the proposed liquor license law would make bar owners more responsible than they are now for such disturbances. It also outlines the responsibilities of bar owners when dealing with disturbances.

Currently there are two businesses licensed to sell liquor by the drink in Scott City, he said.

In other business Monday night, the Scott City Council discussed forming a committee to oversee the installation of an Enhanced 911 telephone system in the city. The measure was approved by voters in November.

Funds to pay for installation of the system will begin to be collected in January, and will be collected for two years before the system will be operational.

Councilman Jay Cassout said he'd like to see a committee appointed to oversee the 911 system and monitor its progress.

Mayor Shirley Young said she'd likely appoint such a committee in January.