Brookings Banter

Last night the Council discussed allowing alcohol to be served at outdoor street cafes downtown.  This topic has been discussed over the past 3 years.  The problem is per state law alcohol must be served on the premises of the licensed business.  The sidewalk is considered a public right a way and not the physical premises.  Sioux Falls doesn't consider their downtown sidewalks as a public right a way and serves alcohol on the side walk.  So we have two options; get the state law changed or skirt the law as Sioux Falls is doing. 

As the discussion was ending Mayor Munsterman took action and moved to have the city attorney draft a letter to the Municipal League asking for input on this issue.  The Municipal League could carry legislation forward to change the state law.  Council Member Tom Bezdichek disagreed and stated that it would be a waste of the attorneys time and we should just go ahead and do like other cities.

The Mayor offered a path to move forward, Tom disagreed with the path but would not offer a  motion to go ahead and do like other cities.  Knowing the votes were not there for his motion the Mayor withdrew it, and Tom ended up making a motion to put it on a future agenda for discussion and possible action.  The possible action was added by the Mayor, Tom's original motion was only to put it on a future agenda.

I'm for the side walk cafe's serving alcohol unless law enforcement has concerns or there is strong community opposition against it.  And I don't have a strong opinion how we get it done.  But the Mayor was leading when he offered a course of action instead we ended up with plans to talk about it again.