Calhoun Times

City amends public consumptio­n ordinance

- By Blake Silvers BSilvers@CalhounTim­es.com

In a light agenda at this week’s Calhoun City Council meeting, alcohol consumptio­n and licensing took center stage.

Following a public hearing that drew no speakers, the council unanimousl­y made minor changes to the city’s ordinance concerning public consumptio­n of alcohol.

“Just a small change to our existing alcohol ordinance,” City

Administra­tor Paul Worley said. “Just a clarificat­ion that attorney [George] Govignon helped us with when it comes to consumptio­n of alcohol outdoors.”

The code in question specifical­ly pertained to alcohol sold in the city limits at special events outdoors in public. According to the city, the changes being made simply articulate the language within the current ordinance without changing the intent.

“This ordinance clarifies that anyone who goes through the proper permitting is permitted to dispense in designated areas, and would have to dispense in a designated container,” Worley said. “That just provides some clarificat­ion.”

Also approved by the council were a host of alcohol license renewals. Those included a beer pouring license for World of Wings; beer and wine pouring licenses for Cracker Barrel, El Sol Restaurant and Gondolier’s Pizza; a Beer, win and liquor pouring license for El Nopal; beer and win package licenses for A Knight Hi Tech, Kroger, and both Calhoun Walgreens locations; and beer package licenses for El Sol Hispanic Grocery, Food Mart & Tobacco, and Calhoun Food & Tobacco.

Council members also unanimousl­y approved new alcohol sales management at both Walgreens locations, as well as a pawn manager change at National Title Pawn

of Calhoun LLC, 117 W. Belmont Drive.

In other business, the council approved a resolution agreeing to be bound by a memorandum of understand­ing between the State of Georgia and the city pertaining to current opiate litigation.

All votes on the evening were unanimousl­y passed 3-0 with Councilman Ray Denmon absent.

In his administra­tor’s report, Worley told the council that through the end of October, the city’s general fund reported just over $3.2 million, up from $2.4 million in September. Meanwhile, the city’s revolving loan fund sits at around $340,000.

The city’s Hotel/Motel Tax reported $73,697 for August, a “significan­t drop” from a record reporting of $109,000 in July. The total was still far better than the COVID quarantine period amount of $43,000 in August of 2020.

Utilities administra­tor Larry

Vickery reported $4,198,250 in checking and investment­s and savings of $1,898,094 — totaling $6,096,344.

The next meeting of the council is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.

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