City of Signal Hill Policy
Prohibiting Alcohol Use at
City Property Except Under
Certain Circumstances
4.15 I. PURPOSE
DATE: December 7, 1999
REVISION NO.: 1
Community Services
To document the Resolution approved by the City Council regarding alcohol at City facilities.
II. GENERAL POLICY
Alcoholic beverages may not be served, sold, purchased, possessed, or consumed on any facility or property of the City of Signal Hill unless such use is approved by the City Council.
Ill. PROCEDURE
Application procedure is outlined in attached Resolution# 99-12-4976 IV. EXCEPTIONS
There shall be no exceptions to this policy unless authorized by the City Council.
V. EXHIBITS
Resolution 99-12-4976
City of Signal Hill Policy
Prohibiting Alcohol use at
Certain circumstances
4.15 Page 1 of 1
RESOLUTION NO. 99- 12 - 4976
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, PROHIBITING ALCOHOL USE
AT CITY PROPERTY FACILITIES EXCEPT UNDER
SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES AND WHEN APPROVED BY
THE CITY COUNCIL
WHEREAS, on October 5, 1999, the City of Signal Hill City Council authorized staff to proceed with preparation of a policy regarding alcohol use at public facilities; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to limit the consumption of alcohol in public facilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, a municipal corporation, finds, determines and declares:
Section 1. Alcoholic beverages may not be served, sold, purchased, possessed, or consumed in any facility or property of the City of Signal Hill unless such use is approved by the City Council pursuant to this Resolution.
Section 2. An application in a form approved by the Director of Community Services must be submitted to-the Cttyand approved by the City Council. The application shall be filed with the Director at least 14 days before the event.
Section 3. To grant approval of alcohol use, the City Council shall make the following findings:
a) The group submitting the application is currently registered as a nonprofit organization with the California Secretary of State or is the City itself. --,--,~~-~'<OJ·•.,,~,0,,-,N"""C~ ~de,,,,,, b) The group is considered "in good standing" with the City without prior violations of City rules or policies.
c) The event or activity proposed directly benefits a City sponsored program or project.
1 d) The group is domiciled within Signal Hill.
e) The group has a membership of at least fifty-one percent ( 51 % ) of people residing or working in Signal Hill.
f) The Chief of Police has determined the amount and type of security necessary for the event and the approximate cost to the group, and the group has agreed to comply with the requirements.
Section 5. If approval is granted by the City Council, the group will be required to obtain an Alcohol Beverage Commission ("ABC") License and an Alcohol Insurance Policy.
Section 6. The City Clerk shall certify to the lawful adoption of this Resolution.
Section 7. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council this 7tt1 day of December 1999.
AITEST:
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KA TH LEEN L. PACHECO
.---~--ctTY CLERK
MICHAEL J. NOLL \
MAYOR
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF SIGNAL HILL )
I, KATHLEEN L. PACHECO, City Clerk of the city of Signal Hill, California, hereby certify that Resolution No. 99-12-4976 was adopted by the City Council of the City of Signal Hill at a regular meeting held on the 7th day of December 1999, and that the same was adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Noll, Mayor Pro Tern Wilson, Councilrnembers Forester, Ceccia, Hansen.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None·
3 CITY OF SIGNAL HILL
2175 Cherry Avenue • Signal Hill. California 90806
October 5, 1999
AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
FROM:
MEMBERS OF T~TY COUNCIL . KA THY SORENSE
DIRECTOR OF C NITY SERVICES
SUBJECT: ALCOHOL POLICY FOR CITY FACILITIES
Summary:
The Parks and Recreation Commission has developed a City Alcohol Policy which establishes the criteria a group must meet in order to be permitted to serve or sell alcohol while utilizing a City facility. The policy is submitted for Council review and approval.
Recommendation:
Approve the Alcohol Policy for City Facilities as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission:
The City Council may issue permission to serve alcohol in public parks and facilities on an event by event basis. Upon review of the application, the Council must make the following findings in order to grant approval:
1. The group is currently registered as a non-profit organization with the California Secretary of State.
2. The group is considered "in good standing" with the City.
3. The event or activity proposed directly benefits a City sponsored program or project.
4. The group is domiciled within Signal Hill.
Alcohol Policy for City Facilities
October 5, 1999
5. The group has a membership of at least 51 % Signal Hill residents or 51 % Signal Hill business employees.
6. The Chief of Police has determined the amount and type of security necessary for the event and the approximate cost to the group.
If approval is granted, the group will be required to obtain an Alcohol Beverage Commission (ABC) License and an Alcohol Insurance Policy available through the City.
Fiscal Impact
The Chief of Police will determine the type and number of security personnel necessary for the event. The cost of security will be passed on to the group. However, depending on the event the group could request a waiver of staff fees.
Background:
Currently the City's policy states that no alcohol is to be consumed in the parks or the Community Center. However, there is a provision that a waiver can be requested from the City Council. The City Council requested at their April 20, 1999 meeting that the Commission review the City's Alcohol Policy and develop a guideline for waiver of alcohol. Three waivers have been approved within the last year.
The three waivers were:
• Friends of the Library (F.O.L.) Art Auction held on Saturday, October 3, 1998. This event occurred inside the Community Center and was limited to wine only.
Appetizers were served. An admission fee was charged which benefited the children's reading programs supported by the F.O.L. , the wine was complimentary.
An ABC license was required and one Reserve Officer provided security at no cost to the applicant. The Friends of the Library is a non-profit 501 c(3) which was created by the City to benefit the city library in obtaining grants, donations, and other support of which a non-profit status is of benefit.
• Friends of the Signal Hill Cultural Arts (F.O.S.H.C.A.) held a Wine and Art Fest as part of the City Celebration on Saturday, June 12, 1999. This event occurred outside on the basketball courts at Signal Hill Park. The event served wine only.
Appetizers and sandwiches were available. An admission fee was charged which provided script to taste the various wines. The fee covered the costs of the evening and served as a fundraiser for a City mural project. An ABC license was required and two Reserve Officers provided security at no cost to the applicant. The Friends of Signal Hill Cultural Arts is a non-profit 501 c(3) which was created by the City to benefit the City in obtaining grants, donations and other support of which a non-profit Alcohol Policy for City Facilities
October 5, 1999
status can benefit. FOSHCA raises funds for City events such :as the summer concert series and other arts and cultural events or projects in the City. • Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride held a Volunteer Thank You Party at Spud Field on Sunday, June 20, 1999. The event served beer only. Full course meals were provided. Admission was by invitation only, no fee was charged. An ABC license was required and two Off Duty Police Officers provided security at a cost of $20.00 per hour, per officer. Long Beach Pride has traditionally held their event indoors.
This year the Board thought an-outdoor venue would provide an atmosphere where the whole family (children and adults) could come and enjoy a day together, play games, enjoy entertainment and celebrate and honor the hard work provided by each of the volunteers at their annual three-day festival that was held earlier in the month. The applicant requested the ability to serve beer as part of the refreshments available.
Each of these events was well organized and the people responsible for the events insured compliance with all planning guidelines and regulations requested by City staff and ABC. No security problems occurred related to alcohol or any other type of disturbance. The alcohol service was necessary for the F.O.S.H.C.A. event, and was a nice addition to the F.O.L. and L.B. Pride events, however, these two events (F.O.L and L.B. PRIDE) could have occurred without alcohol.
Analysis:
Each city has their own policy anct ordinance on whether to permit alcohol. Most cities do not allow consumption of alcohol in any public place including rooms at community centers even if used for private parties. Some cities have allowed alcohol in certain areas for private parties but limit the use to beer and wine/champagne and require higher insurance limits and deposits plus security. However, cities that have catering companies subleasing their facilities do sell hard liquor as part of their business. Most cities do not allow consumption of alcohol outdoors unless in a controlled environment such as a stadium or as part of another activity which is totally fenced. Laws regarding public drunkenness, perceptions of the citizenry, and liability issues strongly effect the control of alcohol issues in public facilities. This is why many cities do not allow alcohol in their facilities and do not provide waivers, so the usage of alcohol is not granted on a political or personal affiliation basis.
The Parks and Recreation Commission at their July 14, 1999 meeting discussed various questions regarding the existing policy. The key question was whether alcohol should be permitted in any of our facilities. If so, are there limits which should be placed on the location, type of service and affiliation of the groups permitted to serve alcohol? Should alcohol be only available in the Community Center or can the fenced areas of the basketball court or Spud Field also be considered since ABC licensing requires that alcohol be confined in an enclosed area. Could temporary fencing be installed in front of Alcohol Policy for City Facilities
October 5, 1999
Page4
the amphitheater and a private party be held? Should only City affiliated groups be allowed to serve alcohol or can any local non-profit request the waiver {Chamber of Commerce, Historical Society, Concerned Citizens). What about non-profits that serve residents of Signal Hill but are not located in Signal Hill such as L.B. Pride, Amateur Radio Operators, etc. Since the City of Long Beach does not allow alcohol in their facilities would more groups utilize the Signal Hill Community C·enter for functions· because alcohol service is allowed? What impact would additional rentals have on parttime staff availability, police service and annual upkeep of the Community Center? Each of the groups that received a waiver this year has a certain amount of community involvement and public confidence that is at stake if things go wrong with an event.
Therefore, a group may think twice before providing alcohol at an event. But that is not true of a private party such as a reunion, reception or other independent party. Should private parties be allowed to serve alcohol and if so at what price? A higher fee, more insurance, more security?
The Commission held a very lengthy discussion on these items and felt strongly that any group requesting a waiver of alcohol is domiciled in Signal Hill with a majority of their membership residing or having a place of business in the City. It was also important that the group be a registered non-profit with the State of California and that the event for which the alcohol waiver is being requested directly benefit an established City of Signal Hill program or project. Such events would include support of the library, art and culture, police programs, recreational activities and other similar events.
The Commission concurred that the Chief of Police would determine the amount and type of security necessary for the event; that the City would require an ABC license from the County and that insurance for use of alcohol must be purchased. The City does have a policy available through a private insurer for this use and the cost for the insurance would be passed along to the applicant.
This recommendation is based on the limits of our various facilities and parks which include parking, the wear and tear that occurs to the facility or park, the impact of continual rentals on the neighborhood, and the availability of staff to supervise on an ongoing basis. By limiting the ability to grant a waiver to only groups within the City that are also supporting programs affiliated with the City, staff will have more control over activities and the group will have a higher regard for City property than outside groups not directly working for the benefit of a City project or program.
The recommended policy has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney.
Approved:
Kenneth C. Farfsing
RESOLUTION NO. 99-12-4976
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, PROHIBITING ALCOHOL USE
AT CITY PROPERTY FACILITIES EXCEPT UNDER
SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES AND WHEN APPROVED BY
THE CITY COUNCIL
WHEREAS, on October 5, 1999, the City of Signal Hill City Council authorized staff to proceed with preparation of a policy regarding alcohol use at public facilities; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to limit the consumption of alcohol in public facilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, a municipal corporation, finds, determines and declares:
Section 1. Alcoholic beverages may not be served, sold, possessed, consumed in any facility or property of the City of Signal Hill unless such use is approved by the City Council pursuant to this Resolution.
Section 2. An application in a form approved by the Director of Community Services must be submitted to the City and approved by the City Council. The application shall be filed with the Director at least 14 days before the event.
Section 3. To grant approval of alcohol use, the City Council shall make the following findings:
a) The group submitting the application is currently registered as a nonprofit organization with the California Secretary of State or is the City itself. b) The group is considered "in good standing" with the City without prior violations of City rules or policies. *
c) The event or activity proposed directly benefits a City sponsored program or project.
1 d) The group is domiciled within Signal Hill.
e) The group has a membership of at least fifty-one percent (51 %) of people residing or working in Signal Hill.
f) The Chief of Police has determined the amount and type of security necessary for the event and the approximate cost to the group, and the group has agreed to comply with the requirements.
Section 5. If approval is granted by the City Council, the group will be required to obtain an Alcohol Beverage Commission ("ABC") License and an Alcohol Insurance Policy.
Section 6. The City Clerk shall certify to the lawful adoption of this Resolution.
Section 7. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council this 7tti day of December 1999.
ATIEST:
I /.. _ .•. -/ . . \. /
KATHLEEN L. PACHECO
.. ..----c1TY CLERK
2 ~.--... -, ) . 1· / ~· \'-. \ - ,
. i ( ,:.r ~; ,• :1rr: ; ' I '--' .'
MICHAEL J. NOLL ,: I • -~
MAYO~
/
!
\
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF SIGNAL HILL )
I, KATHLEEN L. PACHECO, City Clerk of the city of Signal Hill, California, hereby certify that Resolution No. 99-12-4976 was adopted by the City Council of the City of Signal Hill at a regular meeting held on the 7th day of December 1999, and that the same was adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Noll, Mayor Pro Tern Wilson, Councilmernbers Forester, Ceccia, Hansen.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None .
ABSTAIN: None·
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