Ila beer and wine motion dies, again

At the October meeting, John Davis approached the council to revisit the issue of selling beer and wine inside the city limits, a request he brought to the council in June.

While the council’s position didn’t change, the issue can be brought back before the council next month or anytime in the future until an action is taken.

During the Oct. 4 meeting, Davis requested that the council reconsider the ordinance based primarily on the economic benefits it would bring to the city. He also said it would provide him with a way to compete with other stores close to the city limits.

The main cause for concern for the council seemed to be the financial burden upon the city if the city had to maintain the records necessary for each applicant who wished to sell packaged beer or wine. Currently, the only applicant who has approached the council is Davis. Another concern was an increase in possible crime related to the availability of alcohol.

At the October meeting, Davis presented a petition of names of people in favor of the sale inside the city. The council accepted the petition and during a work session prior to the Nov. 1 meeting, went through the list to identify Ila residents. Fewer than 10 names on the petition were from city residents.

Council member Troy Butler made the motion to approve the ordinance to allow the sale of beer and wine by the package. The motion died for lack of a second.

Butler said he was in favor of the ordinance just to provide the best chance for business growth in Ila and to bring in whatever revenue is available. Butler had also made the motion to approve the ordinance during the June meeting.

In other business, the council had a first reading of the state mandated ordinance regarding outdoor watering. The ordinance, required by the state General Assembly, will begin Jan. 1 to limit outdoor watering of landscape between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m., with certain exceptions.

Exceptions include commercial agricultural operations, capture and release of cooling system condensation or storm water, reuse of gray water, reclaimed wastewater, irrigation of personal food plots, irrigation of new and replanted landscapes for 30 days after installation, drip or soaker hose irrigation, hand watering by container, privet wells or surface water owned by property owner, irrigation of athletic or recreational areas, installation or maintenance of irrigation systems, and hydroseeding.

Penalties for breaking from the ordinance start with a written warning and progress to a $50 fine and then fines not to exceed $500 per day of offense.

The council will have the second reading and vote on the ordinance during the December meeting.