First reading took place last Jan. 5, with multiple updates to the proposed ordinance since then.

A controversial piece of the ordinance had been temporary alcohol permits for special events. City staff held a focus group with license holders and the public on May 8 on the topic, and an internal meeting followed with the police chief to solidify the changes incorporated into the ordinance draft.

“We’re trying to make it clear in the ordinance what’s intended – that they not be more than 72 hours, that they be a special event, the way all of us would think of that,” said council member Mike Blessum. “It also says explicitly, this is not a method to have a second premise. That’s the intent.”

City Attorney Stefanie Stalheim confirmed the police chief or his designee would determine whether a special permit request met the criteria with a complete and compliant application. Applicants can appeal that decision to the city manager, and if still dissatisfied, could seek resolution in district court. Previously, special event appeals went to the city council.

Mike Blessum

“The reason for the change to the city manager is that sometimes these special event permits come up at the last minute,” Stalheim said. “We wanted something where we could have a quick response without necessarily having to convene a quorum of the council to make a decision on it.”

Deputy Chief Dale Plessas said no special event permit requests have been denied during his time with the process, but the stronger definition of a special event is a new element in the consideration of applications. However, he added the ordinance gives the department what it needs to make decisions, with an appeals process that provides applicants with quick answers.

City Manager Tom Joyce also added he is comfortable with the ordinance.

“Like all things, you can’t anticipate everything that comes in front of you, so there’s some generalness to this, but as Deputy Chief Plessas has said, we’ll be having those discussions. If they come to appeal to me, my goal will be to get to ‘yes’ and try to support that,” he said.

Separate from the ordinance are license-related fees, which the council will determine as part of its 2027 budget process.