Council discusses underage drinking
Friday, Apr 18th, 2008

In the City Council meeting on Tuesday, council members and the Mayor expressed strong feelings about and voted unanimously against a limited malt beverage permit, making clear their positions on underage drinking. The request was made by Twilight, LLC, which plans a hip hop event in May, and is targeting an audience ranging in age from 15 to 25.

There has been a buzz about this topic of late, and this permit request on the consent agenda gave platform for discussion and explanation regarding the concern city leaders have, and efforts for fighting underage drinking.
Nearly all members expressed opposition to having alcohol sold at an event where half the audience is expected to be high school age. Council member Joy Bell reminded those in attendance that the city has invested heavily to combat underage drinking (half a million dollars since 2001). “The intention is always good to not sell to minors. I really believe there is an extremely small percentage who will willingly sell to minors. However, everyone has failed a compliance check,” said councilor Joy Bell.

Rameen Amirkhizi, with Twilight LLC, assured council members that well-trained security guards would be present and that wristbands would be used to distinguish minors from legal-aged event attendees. “Our security guards are well-trained. They don’t allow minors to drink,” Amirkhizi said. “We are also targeting an older crowd, and if there’s no alcohol, we’ll lose that older crowd.” He said he has every intention of preventing minors from obtaining alcohol.

Despite these assurances, the council voted unanimously to deny the request, feeling that where the target audience is so young, if alcohol is allowed, there is too great a chance for consumption by minors. The request for the limited malt beverage permit was considered separately from the remainder of the consent agenda.