The Emporia City Commission received an update Wednesday on requirements necessary for alcohol licensing.
Commissioners visited for about 30 minutes with Terry Bragoon with the Kansas Alcohol Beverage Control office. Many questions were raised, particularly in the area of how businesses would be impacted from extended licenses and common consumption areas. City Commissioner Bobbi Mlynar says she was provided with more clarity.
One item in particular that was discussed was policing common consumption areas. In March, the city approved a catering license permit for the Dirty Kanza block party giving the Granada Theater sole operating authority of alcohol sales. Whether that changes in the future is still a question mark. Common consumption areas could be established in the future, but may not be popular as it would create penalties for every operating entity if an alcohol violation occurred within that area.
After the meeting, commissioners were also taken on a brief tour of renovations to the municipal courtroom where carpeting and the walls downstairs have been completely gutted. Mlynar says progress is noticeable.
The renovations should be completed by the end of summer and will bring the courtroom up to date with ADA compliance and provide a larger and more secure facility.
Mlynar also says she’s learned of a petition circulating on the city’s Sunday alcohol sales ordinance which was passed in April, something she says has been anticipated.
No petition has officially been filed with the Lyon County Elections office.
The City Commission is off until a 1:30 p.m. action meeting scheduled June 6.
Courtroom renovation. Photos by Brandon Peoples/KVOE News.
