Dunkirk finalizes alcohol policy

DUNKIRK — A policy allowing the sale of alcohol in Dunkirk City Park has received final approval.

Dunkirk City Council approved an ordinance that will allow vendors to sell alcohol with special permission at its second reading Monday.

Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins also discussed how the proposed U.S. Aggregates expansion in Portland would affect Dunkirk businesses.

At its March 22 meeting, council approved an ordinance on first reading that would allow vendors to sell alcohol in Dunkirk City Park if they had the proper permit and permission from both council and Dunkirk Park Board. It needed to be approved again on second reading to go into effect.

According to the ordinance, vendors who received permission from the park board and council would have to have a state permit and create a designated area for people to purchase and consume the alcohol. The vendors would need to provide security and would be responsible for not over-serving customers.

Residents who opposed the bill at last month’s meeting again asked council not to pass the ordinance.

Gloria Hamilton said she did not want children to be exposed to those who had been consuming alcohol, and that the policy might keep families from attending events at the park. She also shared her concerns that people who had been drinking could become violent.

“There could be drunk people walking around all over where there could be children,” Hamilton said. “People could choose not to come if there’s going to be alcohol, because if there’s going to be alcohol, I’m not bringing my children.”

Glass Capital Grill owner Ryan Johnson, who has plans to sell alcohol at the city’s Fourth of July celebration, told council he would follow the state rules and that his employees are trained to cut people off when necessary.

“At the end of the day, it’s not all about that ‘get drunk’ attitude,” Johnson said. “It’s that camaraderie, it’s that gathering together over a drink.”

Once again, questions of the city’s liability for drunk-driving accidents or injuries were raised. City attorney Wes Schemenaur told council that as long as the city ensured that vendors were following regulations, it should not be liable for any accidents.

Council voted to pass the ordinance 4-1, with Hamilton once again dissenting. Jessup changed his vote to join Lisa Street, Tom Johnson and Jesse Bivens in approving the ordinance.

Vendors who wish to sell alcohol must first take their request to Dunkirk Park Board, which can either reject the request or recommend approval to Dunkirk City Council. Council then has final say on whether the vendor can sell alcohol. Aside from the state regulations, both boards can require vendors to follow certain rules, such as a drink limit for customers.

Also on Monday, Robbins commented on U.S. Aggregates’ proposal to expand its operation in Portland. The company’s request for rezoning to allow the expansion has been met with opposition.

Robbins pointed out that Dunkirk’s Ardagh glass factory depends on the stone quarry for supplies to produce its products. Other businesses, such as Red Gold Tomatoes in Geneva, depend on Ardagh for their products.

“They get 11 tons a day, seven days a week, coming out of U.S. Aggregates in Portland. So this is really going to affect Ardagh if they close down,” Robbins said. “In another two or three years, will it shut down Ardagh? I don’t know, but it’s sure not going to help.”

He has sent letters of support for U.S. Aggregates’ proposed expansion to Portland City Council members, who will ultimately decide on the rezoning request.

In other business, council:

•Learned that Dunkirk Police Department’s new Dodge Durango, purchased from Fuqua Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM in Dunkirk, has arrived. There will be a public hearing on April 26 for a $40,000 additional appropriation to pay for the vehicle and accessories.

•Renewed the city’s insurance contract with Barnum Brown Insurance with an increase of 3.6% this year.

•Heard that Dunkirk City Pool is slated to open this summer, but there is currently a lack of lifeguards to staff the pool.

•Approved promoting Brock Farmer of the water department from a full-time laborer to a laboratory tech. The promotion comes with a $1.45 an hour pay increase.

•Heard a proposal from Colonial Life and Accident Insurance to provide supplemental insurance to city employees. Robbins will meet with department supervisors to gauge the need for the insurance.

•Approved sponsoring the Jay County Junior-Senior High School prom for $200.

•Paid Wilson Electric $154.30 for repairs to the park garage heater and $52.21 to Menards for park supplies.

•Gave Dunkirk Fire Department permission to host a boot drive Friday.

•Paid claims of $246,378.19.

•At the Dunkirk Board of Public Works and Safety on Monday, board members Dan Watson, Street and Robbins approved an engineering contract with Fleis & VandenBrink for $28,343 for the Highland Avenue sidewalk project.

Board members also approved a series of payments: $2,178 to Axon Enterprise for a second payment for police Tasers, $4,575.90 to Donley Safety for fire department supplies and $549.99 to Ja-Mar TV, Appliance & Bedding for a refrigerator for the sewage department.