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What: Fairborn City Council meeting
When: 6 p.m. May 18
Where: Government Center, 44 W. Hebble Avenue
Public community events in Fairborn city parks could soon include alcohol sales and consumption if city officials decide to move forward with a proposed new ordinance.
City leaders believe implementing the new ordinance — which could happen as soon as next month — will lead to an increase in community events and stimulate more economic activity in the area.
In the past, Fairborn has received multiple requests each summer to allow special events with alcohol, mostly food festivals, which are the types of events expected to apply for the new permit, according to Alicia Eckhart, the city’s parks and recreation superintendent.
Existing events — car shows, the Jazz Festival and possibly the Sweet Corn Festival — could apply as well, she said.
Eckhart said the new ordinance has nothing to do with the law that Gov. John Kasich recently signed allowing outdoor designated drinking districts. It has to do, she said, with "more of a groundswell and more public interest" than in previous years.
“People are looking for things to do, and people will travel to do something, whether it’s five miles within your own community or 25 miles,” Eckhart said. “If you have people come to your community and spend money, when they otherwise would not have come, then it’s a direct correlation to that event.”
The new ordinance would waive two existing city ordinances only during an approved special event: prohibiting alcohol possession in parks and the governing of the city’s open container law.
Interested parties must fill out a “special event with alcohol” application and meet specific criteria to sell beer and wine only. Guidelines include a $2 million liability insurance policy, safety and security plans, a site plan development, and an Ohio Division of Liquor Control permit.
The penalties for not following the guidelines could include fining the applicant for damages, closing the event down if police deem it necessary and stripping the group of the ability to apply in the future, Eckhart said.
City officials have met with police and fire personnel, as well as local church leaders, including the Fairborn Christian Alliance.
“Anytime alcohol is introduced into an activity, there is always the potential for things to occur,” Fairborn Police Chief Terry Barlow said. “I do feel that the checks and balances of this legislation allows the police department to take care of any situation that might occur very quickly and completely.”
Aaron Chivington, senior pastor at Fairborn United Methodist Church, said he is not for or against the ordinance because “it doesn’t directly affect our church operations.”
He said it comes down to a matter of trusting that the city will be able to control the event and continue to keep the parks safe.
“We have faith in the city,” Chivington said. “We’re big fans of the city and what they’re doing right now. They’re telling us this is good for the city, and hopefully this is a way for the city to help monitor (the drinking).”
The first reading of the ordinance took place at the May 4 City Council meeting. The second reading, public hearing and presentation are scheduled for May 18, and council could choose to waive the third reading and pass the ordinance that same night.
The ordinance would take effect 30 days after it is approved by council — as early as mid-June, Eckhart said. She said the city has modeled its application process after three other municipalities in the state: Lebanon, North Olmsted and Hilliard.
“It’s not wide open. It’s a pretty controlled ordinance,” Fairborn Mayor Dan Kirkpatrick said. “My only concern is that people could get out of control, but with the way we’ve written it, I don’t think it’ll be an issue. It’s something new for the city, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Due to the parks and shelters primarily booked this summer for events, Eckhart said there likely will be no more than one special event with alcohol this year. But she anticipates an increase in alcohol applications in 2016.
The city averages more than 30 events per year in the parks from May to October, Eckhart said.
The Parks and Recreation Division maintains 20 parks and a total of more than 700 acres, but Eckhart said Central Park and Community Park are the two most likely to hold special events with alcohol.
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