HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2.C 03/06/20062.0
CITY OFPETALUMA,CALMORNIA March 6, 2006
AGENDA BILL
Agenda Title: Meeting Date March 6. 2006
Resolution Approving a Proposed Alcohol Use Policy for Public
Facilities
Meeting Time: ® 3:00 PM
❑ 7:00 PM
Category (check one): ® Consent Calendar ❑ Public Hearing ❑ New Business
❑ Unfinished Business ❑ Presentation
Denartment: Director: Contact Person: Phone Number:
Jim CFIA - J' Carr (707) 778-4380
Parks and Recreation
Cost of Proposal: N/A �/ Account Number: N/A00000
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Name of Fund:
Attachments to Agenda Packet Item:
A. Listing of Events Requiring Police Assistance
B. Proposed Alcohol Use Policy
C. Letters of Support Regarding Approval of the Proposed Alcohol Use Policy
D. Resolution Approving the Proposed Alcohol Use Policy
Summary Statement:
The Petaluma Community Center has had a number of events which included the use of alcohol as part of
the event, and have resulted in violations of the law and City policy. Events have become out of control,
resulting in unacceptable behavior by event participants that have resulted in private security and / or city
staff from being accosted. Police have been called, often facing an unruly crowd. A proposed Alcohol Use
Policy is designed to control the use of alcohol in events using City facilities, and prevent out of control
situations from developing that places event organizers, the City of Petaluma and the general public at risk.
Recommended Citv Council Action/Suggested Motion:
The Recreation, Music and Parks Commission recommends approval of the proposed alcohol use policy.
Reviewed by Finance Director:
OVLDate: -)--2
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Todav's Date:
Reviewed by City Attornev:
Date:
Revision # and Date Revised:
ADoroved Lite Manager:
Yode
Date:
File
3 CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA
4
5 March 6, 2006
6 AGENDA REPORT
7 FOR
8 Approvable of Proposed Alcohol Use Policy
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10 1. ExECOTrvE SUMMARY:
11
12 The Petaluma Community Center is a primary meeting facility for a variety of public assembly
13 events involving large numbers of the public. One common denominator for events which have
14 problems involves the use of alcohol. Problems include minors drinking, event organizers
15 bringing in excessive amounts of alcohol in violation of the buildings use agreement, parties
16 becoming out of control despite the use of private security, inebriated individuals fighting or
17 causing problems in adjoining events, or events becoming so out of control that police are called,
18 often arriving to face an out of control and unruly crowd. .
19 The proposed Alcohol Use Policy is a compilation of the best points taken from policies
20 reviewed from other public agencies. The recommended policy is meant to prevent out of control
21 situations from developing that places event organizers, the City and the general public at risk.
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24 2. BACKGROUND:
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26 The Petaluma Community Center has several thousand events each year, with many events using
27 alcohol as part of the activity. Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the number
28 of events that allow minors to use alcoholic beverages, often due to the culture of the
29 participants. Also, despite the use of private security, numerous problems related to uncontrolled
30 alcohol consumption continue to occur. Problems include fighting within the sponsoring event or
31 different events in adjoining rooms, bringing in additional amounts of alcohol in violation of the
32 event contract, attacking building staff and / or security forces, and making it difficult when
33 police are called and try to control the situation. (See attachment `A')
34 The majority of the events where problems occur are weddings, Quinceanera's (15'" Birthday
35 Parties), anniversary parties and graduation parties.
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37 Staff has reviewed a number of Alcohol Use Policies from other public facilities, all of whom
38 have been faced with these problems. Agencies have used a number of different strategies, with
39 the most common including the use of large numbers of security, use of licensed caterers only,
40 no alcohol for events in which youth are in attendance, cordoned off "beverage gardens," and
41 bartenders required to take a Responsible Beverage Server (RBS) training program.
42 In a number of these facilities a zero tolerance stance is used. If a minor is caught consuming
43 alcohol, the event organizer is given one warning, with the next infraction closing the event, with
44 all fees forfeited.
45
46 The proposed Alcohol Use Policy is comprised of components from a number of policies
47 reviewed. The intent is to allow events that desire to have alcohol as a part of their event to do
48 so, without making the activity so expensive or onerous that it becomes prohibitive to hold the
49 event. Requiring large amounts of security can be extremely expensive and there are other ways
50 to help control the situation. Above all, groups using public facilities must comply with state law
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by prohibiting minors from drinking, controlling guests so that they do not become so unruly that
they become a danger to themselves, other guests, the general public, and public safety officers
who may be called to quell a disturbance.
5 Main points of the proposed policy include:
6 a. Prohibition of alcohol for any youth events, specifically targeting bar mitzvahs, bat
7 mitzvahs, quinceneras, sweet 16 parties, 18a' birthday parties and graduation parties.
8 In other words, all events involving groups under 21 years of age. This policy is taken
9 from the City of Oakland.
10 b. Restricts the use of alcohol to five hours for any event with alcohol service ending
11 one hour before the end of an event. This is a current city policy as recommended by
12 the Department of Health Services, County of Sonoma.
13 c. Description of forms of identification which are acceptable.
14 d. Description of what a standard drink is, the type and size of container it is to be
15 served in, and that non-alcoholic beverages must be offered.
16 e. All alcohol must be brought into the facility prior to the event and must be
17 inventoried by building staff and security.
18 f. Either a licensed caterer must be used for the serving of alcoholic beverages or a
19 person from the event must attend a Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training,
20 and will then be responsible to ensure that all alcohol related policies are enforced.
21 (Training for the RBS program will be available in the City and possibly by city staff
22 and usually requires up to a 2 hour training).
23 g. There must be a person identified to assist with arrangements for alternative
24 transportation for alcohol impaired individuals.
25 h. The City reserves the right to close an event which violates the Alcohol Management
26 Policy.
27 i. A clearly identified security person will be posted at the alcohol serving area.
28 j. Alcohol beverage servers are to be identified by the use of badges, vests, etc., and are
29 not allowed to consume alcohol while working the event.
30 k. Every applicant will be liable for costs associated with call outs of Public Safety
31 Officials as a result of activities associated with their event.
32 If the policy is approved, it would go into effect immediately. Those events that have already
33 booked an activity would be allowed to operate under the current policy. But since events are
34 typically booked 6-9 months in advance, immediate implementation of the policy allows future
35 potential facility users to plan accordingly. The proposed policy would apply to all City facilities.
36
37 3. ALTERNATIVES:
38
39 a. Approve the Alcohol Use Policy as proposed.
40 b. Recommend changes to the proposed Alcohol Use Policy
41 c. Not recommend the proposed Alcohol Use Policy at this time.
42
43 4. FINANCIAL IMPACTS
44
45 With the enforcement of the proposed Alcohol Use Policy, there may be an initial decline in
46 some events using the Petaluma Community Center, but this trend will be reversed in a short
47 period of time. The two biggest areas of financial impact will be a reduction of call outs for
48 police services to events. Typically when police are called, the event in question may be close to
49 being out of control, which brings police officers into a potentially emotionally charged
50 atmosphere.
51 Secondly, with the large number of minors allowed to drink, which is against state law, the
52 potential liability for not only the host of the event but the property owner, in this case the city is
I staggering. Often intoxicated minors will become involved in physical altercations with people
2 in their own event or with people from an adjoining event. Or they go out into the parking lot
3 where they continue to consume alcohol and become involved in altercations.
4 A third area of financial impact and hazard to the general public is the likelihood of an inebriated
5 person leaving the premises behind the wheel of a car.
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8 5. CONCLUSION:
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In the past there have been several events which have bad minors consuming alcohol, with
minimal if any restrictions. In addition, event promoters would continue to bring in alcohol after
an event had started, often in violation of their use permit. Events would become out of control,
with city staff and security personal intimidated and harassed for performing their roles in trying
to enforce city policy and state law. By the time police had to be called, they would often be
faced with an unruly crowd which would often force them to take action rather than act as a
deterrent in quieting the crowd.
6. OUTCOMES OR PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS THAT WILL IDENTIFY SUCCESS OR
COMPLETION:
With the implementation of the proposed policy, measurements of successful performance would
include a decrease in public safety callouts, a reduction of problems at events, and a reduction of
negative reports issue by licensed security agencies.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Recreation, Music and Parks Commission recommends approval of the proposed Alcohol
Use Policy.
S: alcohol policy commission
ATTACHMENT "A"
PETALUMA COMMUNITY CENTER PROBLEM EVENTS REQUIRING OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE
Date Type of event Call out to Petaluma Police
1 person escorted out,underaged
4/2/2005 Quinceanera drinking
1 person escorted out,underaged
4/16/2005 Wedding drinking
4/23/2005
Quinceanera
Exceeded # of quests allowed by 150.
private security; minors drinking
Extra keg/Alcohol smuggled into party
5/28/2005
Baptism
against city policy; minors drinking.
exceeded allowable amount by 100;
11/19/2005 Quincenera
Party shut down by police; smuggling in
6/4/2005
Quincenera
beer; minors drinking.
19/3/2005
Baptismal
Uninvited guests, hard alcohol
19/17/2005
Quincenera
smuggled in, did not clean facility.
Attendees uncooperative and out of
6/11/2005
Wedding
control.
Chair / dolly thrown at security; arrested
one person; minors drinking; facility left
6/25/2005
Quincenera
unclean.
Security removed 2 people, under aged
Extra key / alcohol smuggled into party
against policy; Keg escorted to car by
drinking, Exceeded number of guests,
private security; minors drinking
breaking into facility. Fight broke out
8/6/2005
Quincenera
between private security and quests.
exceeded allowable amount by 100;
11/19/2005 Quincenera
Security removed a person not with
8/9/2005
Wedding
party from event.
19/3/2005
Baptismal
Underage drinking
19/17/2005
Quincenera
Under aged drinking.
Extra key / alcohol smuggled into party
S`
against policy; Keg escorted to car by
10/1/2005 Quincenera
private security; minors drinking
Private security called in more security
to assist 4 already working; Guests
exceeded allowable amount by 100;
11/19/2005 Quincenera
minors drinking.
Security unable to handle event; staff
threatened; minors drinking; facility left
12/3/2005 Quincenera
a mess
ls;pcc police response
S`
ATTACHMENT "B"
reation Department
(707) 7784380'FAX (707) 77&4473'"
Alcoholic beverages may be served inside City facilities for adult events only. Please note: Alcohol is
strictly prohibited at any youth event Youth events include but are not limited to bar mitzvahs, bat
mitzvahs, quinceneras, Sweet 16 parties, 18th birthday parties, graduation parties and all events involving
groups less than 21 years of age. If Applicant requests to sell liquor, approval must be obtained from the
Director of Parks and Recreation or authorized representative and the Petaluma Police Chief or authorized
representative, in order to obtain an ABC license which is required.
USE OF ALCOHOL:
• It is illegal to give, serve, or sell alcoholic beverages to any person under age 21.
• The use of alcohol is restricted to five hours per event.
• All alcoholic beverage services must be terminated one hour before the scheduled end of the event
unless the event is 4 hours or less in duration.
• Beverage servers/sellers have the right to refuse service/sale to anyone who appears to be intoxicated or
under age 21.
• Proof of age will be required for anyone appearing to be 30 years of age or younger. Acceptable forms
of identification are Military I.D., Passport, or Driver's License and must include date of birth, physical
description, and photograph. Servers will confirm that the I.D. is that of the presenter.
• All beverages will be served in plastic cups. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be served in
distinctly different containers. Glassware may be used only with permission of the facility manager.
• Beer- Only one keg per 100 adults is permitted. 200 adults= 2 kegs, 300 adults += 3 kegs.
• A standard drink is a 12 -ounce beer, a 4 -ounce glass of wine or a 1'/4 -ounce of distilled spirits.
Serving practices will reflect this equivalency. (Beer cup size will not exceed 14 ounces.)
• Alcoholic beverage sale/service will be limited to 2 drinks per person at each visit to the point of
service.
• Non-alcoholic beers and wines will not be sold or served to minors.
• No alcoholic beverages may be brought into or taken out of the event by guests or participants.
• Minors who are in possession of alcohol may result in the event being canceled and closed immediately.
• The license holder/person(s) serving alcohol to minors during events held at the Petaluma Community
Center are solely responsible for any criminal or civil penalties imposed.
NON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES:
Non-alcoholic beverages (sodas, juices, waters, etc.) will be promoted and made available for the
duration of any event where alcoholic beverages are sold or served.
S:\Alcohol-newWcohol Policy06.doc L
FACILITY:
• All alcohol must be brought in and inventoried by building staff and private security prior to the event.
Once alcohol is inventoried no further alcohol will be permitted to enter the premises for consumption.
• No alcohol shall be served or sold prior to the arrival of security.
• No alcohol shall be allowed outside the areas designated by the contract between the City of Petaluma
and permittee/leasee including outside the building.
• Alcohol is prohibited in the parking lot.
STAFFING/SERVERS:
• It is recommended that all events with 100 or more guests distributing alcohol, utilize services of a
caterer who is licensed and insured to serve alcohol at their client's event. Otherwise at least one person
trained in Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) must be present for the duration of the event to assist
servers and monitor the event. Depending on the type and size of event, all servers may be required to
participate in RBS training. The RBS trained personnel will assume responsibility for insuring that
alcohol related policies are enforced. The names (s) of the designated (RBS) person (s) will be
submitted to facility management before the event.
Contacts for RBS training can be obtained through the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Volunteers or event staff are not allowed to drink alcohol while working at the event.
TRANSPORTATION:
• At least one person present for the duration of the event will be designated to assist with arrangements
for alternative transportation for alcohol impaired individuals, if requested by staff or event participants.
The name of this person will be submitted to facility management before the event.
ENFORCEMENT:
• Facility management reserves the right to close any event which violates the Alcohol Management
Policy or poses an unidentified health or safety risk.
• A security guard is required to stand next to the bar and monitor all sales and distribution of beverages
and alcohol.
• Clearly identified security personnel will be posted at the alcohol serving area.
• Alcoholic beverage servers will be identified as such through the use of badges, buttons, pins, vests, etc.
• Conditions of sale including the ABC Permit if required will be posted in a conspicuous place visible to
the public and available upon request by any peace officer.
• Every applicant shall be liable for costs associated with call outs of Public Safety Officials as a result of
activities associated with their event.
S:Wcohol-new\Alcohol Policy06.doc 7
ATTACHMENT "C-1"
Petaluma Coalition to Prevent Binge Drinking
2/13/06
Petaluma Recreation, Music & Parks Commission
11 English Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
Dear Commissioners:
On behalf of The Petaluma Coalition of Prevent Binge Drinking, I wish to express
support for the Parks and Recreation Departments proposed policy changes to insure
events occurring in City of Petaluma operated facilities are family friendly and low risk
for alcohol related problems.
The proposed policies are the result of a careful deliberative process on the part of the
Parks and Recreation staff in collaboration with the Coalition to Prevent Binge Drinking.
Jim Carr, the Parks and Recreation Director has been a member of this group since its
inception 12 months ago.
In our opinion the proposed policies are a no-nonsense way to reduce the increasing
alcohol-related problems occurring at events on city property where alcohol is served and
consumed. Problems including fights, public intoxication, property damage, and drinking
and driving are increasingly common at these events and take a tremendous toll on our
community. Fortunately they are all preventable. Prohibiting the consumption of alcohol
at "youth" events just makes good sense. It assures that children will be able to celebrate
in an environment free of the above mentioned problems and reinforces a community
norm that it is acceptable to enjoy a party without alcohol present.
For those events in which alcohol will be allowed, the proposed regulations will reduce
the likelihood that problems will occur. There is ample evidence supporting the fact that
simple measures including requiring servers of alcohol to receive Responsible Beverage
Service Training, insuring standard drink sizes, requiring identification to prevent sales to
minors, requiring security at the event among others will prevent and reduce the sorts of
problems prompting the development of these policies.
By adopting these policies the Commission can send a message recognizing that alcohol
has a place at some public events while simultaneously acknowledging and seeking to
reduce the risks associated with its use.
Our Coalition urges your support of the Alcohol Policies for City Facilities to improve
the health, safety, and quality of life in Petaluma. We look forward to your vote in the
affirmative.
Sincerely,
H; 5t4�
Michael Sparks
Petaluma Coalition of Prevent Binge Drinking
ATTACHMENT "C-2"
February 11, 2006
Petaluma Recreation, Music & Parks Commission
11 English Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
Dear Commissioners:
My name is Jessica Petrucci; I am 17 years old and a concerned senior at Casa
Grande High School_ The reason that I am writing this letter is to support the
changes in policies that address alcohol at city facilities.
1 have read the new guidelines and I feel that they are the answer to many
problems in our community such as: driving while intoxicated, property damage,
and unnecessary fights.
As a teenager, I see and hear about minors and youth consuming too much
alcohol illegally. Some of this is and can occur in city buildings like Luchessi. I
feel that limiting the numbers of drinks per person, color coding cups, and having
all servers being trained by the Responsible Beverage Service will significantly
cut down on binge drinking of youth at events held in city buildings.
I hope that by adopting this new plan of action, people will see that there is zero -
tolerance for alcohol abuse.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read my letter.
Sincerely,
Jessica Petrucci
RECEIVED
. 0 2006
PARKS & RECREATION
DEPARTMENT
ATTACHMENT"C-3"
Pamela Granger
57 Oxford Court
Petaluma, CA 94952
February 18, 2006
Petaluma Recreation, Music & Parks Commission
11 English Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
Dear Commissioners:
I wish to express support for the Parks and Recreation Department's proposed policy changes to
address alcohol related problems occurring in City of Petaluma operated facilities.
Twelve years ago, as a mother of a then 7a' grader at Petaluma Junior High, I was astounded to
learn that the average age that a teen tries a first drink is 12 '/z years old. Since that time I have
been involved in efforts to reduce the negative effects of teen drinking.
As a member of the Clean and Sober CAPS group, I worked to facilitate the creation of a Clean
and Sober classroom in South County to serve those high school students who have made a
commitment to be drug and alcohol free. A companion piece to helping the youth make good
life choices is encouraging the community to support those good choices — not to have the
community be part of the student's problem by facilitating youth drinking.
The proposed policies are the result of a careful deliberative process by the Petaluma Parks and
Recreation staff in collaboration with the Petaluma Regional Work Group, of which I am a
member, designed to prevent binge drinking. As a member of the Regional Work Group from the
beginning, Jim Carr, the Parks and Recreation Director has been a valuable source of information
about issues surrounding celebration events taking place at the Community Center.
By adopting these policies the Commission can send a message recognizing that alcohol has a
place in public life while simultaneously acknowledging and seeking to reduce the risks
associated with its use.
My family urges your support of the proposed changes to the Alcohol Policies for City Facilities
to make the city of Petaluma part of the solution to control the negative effects of under aged
drinking. Vote "yes" to partner in our efforts to improve the health, safety, and quality of life in
Petaluma.
Sincerely,
`R EIV
Pamela ranger IT
FEB 2 i zeas
PARKS & RECREATION
�o PlIPARTMEAT
2
rd
RESOLUTION APPROVING AN ALCOHOL USE POLICY FOR CITY OF
PETALUMA FACILITIES
10 Whereas, an alcohol use policy for City facilities has been developed to
11 control the use of alcohol by events using City facilities, and to prevent out of control
12 situations form developing that places organizers, the City of Petaluma and the
13 general public at risk; and
14
15 Whereas, the Recreation, Music and Parks Commission has reviewed the
16 proposed alcohol use policy and recommends its approval.
17
18 Now, 'Therefore, Let It Be Resolved that the City Council of the City of Petaluma does
19 hereby approve the proposed alcohol use policy for City of Petaluma Facilities.
20
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