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EAST PALESTINE -- East Palestine Council held the third reading for an ordinance making alcohol consumption in the park under "special circumstances" permissible during Monday's regular meeting at the village's municipal building.
Council unanimously approved modifications to the codified ordinance 1060.01 that states "no person shall bring into or consume on park property any intoxicating liquor, beer or controlled substances." The changes to the ordinance do not extend to bringing alcoholic beverages into the park.
"This does not mean you can bring a cooler into the park. This is not an opportunity for open containers or an opportunity to bring alcohol into the park at your own will," Council member Dr. Jessica Rocco said. "This is an opportunity to have fun events and bring people into the park."
Rocco went on to explain that the organizers of any event that includes alcohol consumption will be required to fill out an application with the village, meet with village manager Chad Edwards and receive a permit from the village to do so, adding "that not every event will be approved."
The state of Ohio has very stringent regulations when it comes to the consumption of alcohol on public property. According to Brandon Klein, Public Information Officer for Ohio Department of Commerce which the Ohio Division of Liquor Control (DOLC) is a part of, exemption from those laws typically requires a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) from the state -- the local legislative authority (i.e. city, town or village) creates the DORA as set forth in Ohio Revised Code. 4301.82 and sends the Division of Liquor Control certain needed information for processing.
"The creating local legislative authority has the ability by state law to set certain parameters regarding DORA like boundaries and hours. Once the Division receives the needed information from the local legislative body, the Division then confirms that the DORA meets the requirements under Ohio law," he said via an email. "Open containers of alcoholic beverages are not permitted unless certain exceptions are met, one of which is a DORA."
A public notice that a DORA application has been submitted is also required as is a public hearing regarding the application.
Some events can be held without a DORA but that requires a temporary permit from the DOLC. DOLC guidelines state that "any organization that does not already have a liquor permit that intends to provide beer, wine, mixed beverages or spirituous liquor, either as individually sold drinks or through the use of an entrance fee or cover charge" must obtain a temporary F permit from the division. Temporary permits are given only to charitable organizations. To qualify, an event must have "a social, recreational, benevolent, charitable, fraternal, political, patriotic, or athletic purpose." Proceeds cannot be for the profit or gain of any person. No more than two of these permits will be issued to the same organization in a 30-day period.
The ordinance modification is the first step needed for East Palestine to hold events similar to New Waterford's annual Beer and Music Festival.
In other legislation news, the council also held third readings of ordinances setting the pool rates for 2024 (making admission free for veterans or active military) and approving a wage bonus for temporary summer help.
Council also introduced legislation to approve a grant from the village to the newly formed East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation (CIC). The CIC - quasi-governmental non-profit corporation that is permitted to borrow money, provide loans to individuals for businesses, buy, lease and sell property, apply for and administer grants and enter into contracts with federal, state, and local governments - appointed its board last week (council members Tom Povenski, Jessica Rocco and Linda May, Tom Brittain, owner of Brittain Motors, and Threshold Residential Services CEO Chris Page). The sole purpose of the CIC is to promote economic prosperity. Edwards explained the grant would be used as seed money for the CIC. The introduced ordinance describes the grant "as refundable" if Norfolk Southern chooses to fully fund the CIC.
Legislation to accept bids and enter into a contract with the lowest bidder for the village's 2024 street surfacing project was also read and approved.
In announcements, May encouraged the community to attend a follow-up event to the Think Tank's Envision East Palestine workshop that was held last November. The follow-up event is set for May 28 (4-8 p.m.) and May 29 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) at the Way Station located on Rebecca St., and is a way for the Think Tank to prioritize certain projects through public feedback.
Rocco encouraged residents to participate in the village's upcoming "Dog Days" -- a day of volunteerism in East Palestine that will take place on May 18. Interested volunteers are asked to register online through the village's website or in-person at the municipal building.
"Any help is appreciated," Rocco said. "The more help we have, the more of an impact we can make."
Edwards announced the rates for residents who opted in to the village's natural gas/electric aggregation program at .6608 a kilowatt for electric and .412 MCF for natural gas.
Edwards also wanted to make residents aware that a court order is not required for the village to raze condemned structures within its limits, and that the Dying Breeds Family Reunion - a classic semi truck show - will not be held downtown but likely near the school after organizers cited safety concerns. Details for the truck show have not yet been finalized.