 The recurring event license was created when the owners of Lincoln
Speedway said that they would like to sell their own beer at the
races, but none of the current licenses fit their circumstance. The
racetrack owners began selling beer last year through an arrangement
with the Veterans of Foreign Wars.The council does not administer
the liquor licenses. The city's liquor commission issues licenses
and oversees compliance.
Mayor Beth Davis-Kavelman, who serves as chief liquor
commissioner, said that there have been other similar requests in
the past, but there was not a license that fit the need.
Four Class G licenses would allow the sale of beer at as many as
50 events, from May 1 through April 30. Hours to serve at an event
on any Monday through Saturday would be 1 p.m. to midnight. Sunday
hours would be 1-11 p.m.
The fee would be:
As with other licenses, patrons must be off the premises a
half-hour after service ends.
The license holder is also subject to the same standards and
responsibilities as with other licenses. For example, the manager or
owner must be a citizen of Lincoln
Just as with other special events that are held outdoors, like
the Elks fundraiser and Heritage Days, the license holder would be
responsible for checking IDs for legal age, security, and
identifying and limiting the area of service and consumption. No
other alcohol can be on the premises.
The decision put to the council was an ordinance addition
creating four Class G liquor licenses as described above.
Prior to the vote several aldermen stated reasons for their
position.
Alderman Wanda Lee Rohlfs was the only person in opposition. She
had a list of reasons.
She said that she
is opposed to the racetrack close to residences and a nursing home
with an Alzheimer's unit close by.
She did not think
it in the best interest of the citizens of Lincoln. She has had
people stop her and call her to say so.
Noise nuisance and
dust is imposed on tax-paying property owners. Those taxpayers were
calling to say they were opposed to giving them a liquor license.
She was concerned
about what happened to the agreement between the track owners and
the VFW. She said that the VFW was counting on the sales and that
when the racetrack took over security last year, sales dropped off,
making it not desirable for the VFW to do it again this year. She
cited a report from a news source that said people were bringing
their own alcohol.
She said the liquor
commission stated that they were not in favor of giving the track a
liquor license.
Liquor commissioner
Les Plotner later clarified that it was not giving a license to the
track that the commission opposed. It was that there wasn't a
suitable class license available for them, he said.
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Other aldermen presented their reasons that they would vote
favorably.
Alderman Marty Neitzel --
In response to a
comment that the council has been giving the track everything they
ask for: The fairgrounds contracted the speedway. As far as the city
council, we were not the ones who brought the racetrack to Lincoln.
There is liquor at
other events in Lincoln -- everything except ballgames.
We have a lot of
people in Lincoln who love the races. A lot of people tell me this
is good for us.
She recognized that
the noise is a problem.
They've asked to be
responsible for the whole thing: the food, the races and liquor.
"That's a lot of
responsibility. We want you to do a good job," she said, addressing
the owners.
Alderman Melody Anderson --
She reminded the
council that the issue for discussion was the liquor license.
"They've been
serving liquor out there. It's just a change in how it's done," she
said. The ordinance provides more control. If they are not in
compliance, they're going to get fined.
Kathy Horn --
The ball is in
their court. It is in their best interest to show that they can
handle having liquor out there. If they can't, then we can take
action against them.
Benny Huskins --
This ordinance does
not pertain only to the racetrack. It is four licenses. They will be
the first to apply for it.
The ordinance was
well-written by Bill Bates.
Joni Tibbs --
They (the track
owners) provide something that the whole family can go to and enjoy
themselves.
She empathized with
the track owners for the trouble they have gone through each year
when they've come before the council. She's heard complaining, "He's
back up here for one more thing."
"Well, he's
growing," she said.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman recalled for Rohlfs that there were many
steps to getting the liquor approved for downtown events.
She also pointed out that the ordinance provides more regulation
and control measures for the track owners.
She asked the owners, Don Hammer and Norm Horn, who were present,
to supply diagrams of the service area and cordoned areas for
consumption. With the license they would be asked to post signs
establishing areas for drinking and signs that would state that
there is no other alcohol allowed on the premises.
Hammer said that there would still be a sectioned-off area in the
stands that would not allow alcohol.
[By JAN YOUNGQUIST] |
