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He stated that the City has not had a problem historically issuing the permits for concerts in the <br />park and smaller special events, such as family parties, which allow alcohol. <br />Councilmember Kuzma asked if there is a cost for the smaller special event permits. <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that there is no cost to the <br />applicant. He stated that some communities choose to look the other way, using the example of <br />someone that brings a cooler to the fishing pier. <br />Police Chief Katers stated that option also comes with the perception that it is selectively <br />enforced. <br />Mayor Strommen asked if rather than disallowing or limiting the amount of alcohol, the City <br />could instead enforce the disruptive behavior. <br />Police Chief Katers agreed that the City would have other tools of enforcement, such as being in <br />the parks after hours or having disruptive behavior. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated that he would be in favor of leaving the policy as is. He asked if <br />people are aware that a permit is needed. <br />Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated that staff makes people aware of the permit when <br />they call to rent a shelter or building, but otherwise people would probably not be aware of the <br />permit. It was confirmed that the parks do not have signs banning alcohol at this time. <br />Councilmember Williams stated that she does not have a problem with alcohol not being allowed <br />in the parks. She noted the current system with permits issued administratively seems to be <br />working fine. She stated that currently ordinance enforcement within the City is done on a <br />complaint -based system and noted that this item could be enforced in the same manner <br />Police Chief Katers agreed that would be correct, noting that it would be an ordinance violation <br />and reviewed the current penalties for an ordinance violation. <br />Mayor Strommen stated that she does not have a problem allowing alcohol in the parks and if an <br />issue arises, that can be enforced through other measures. She noted that if alcohol is going to be <br />banned in the parks, the City should then be posting signs. <br />Police Chief Katers stated that the issue can easily become out of hand with people gathering and <br />drinking in the park. He noted that there are other uses of the parks and noted that entertainment <br />involving alcohol is not the main purpose of the parks. <br />Mayor Strommen asked if alcohol use could be limited to the picnic shelters rather than allowed <br />throughout the park. <br />Police Chief Katers stated perhaps the language in the ordinance could be amended to state that <br />alcohol is allowed by permit or by authority of Parks Superintendent. <br />City Council Work Session / May 10, 2016 <br />Page 2 of 6 <br />