The establishment of an entertainment district in Camden took another step forward last night as the Camden Board of Aldermen heard a first reading of a revised proposal to allow open beverages containing alcohol downtown.
Alderman James Bell introduced Ordinance 13-21, and immediately moved to amend it.
"We've discussed this many times. I have thought about quite a few of the things said at workshops and the public hearing. One of the things that I wanted to address: currently, as written, it would be every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It was discussed that -- several people made the comment -- it would be a good idea for events, but an every weekend thing... maybe not so much," he said.
Bell's amendment changed the open container ordinance to only apply to city-sanctioned events, relating to a previous ordinance which established a permit process for groups larger than 20 people.
"We need to make sure if an event wants to happen they can choose whether this can be implemented," he said.
Bell also said he would like to change the time open containers would be allowed. The original ordinance draft called for a period from 7 p.m. to midnight; Bell moved to amend the ordinance to allow open containers from 7 to 10 p.m.
In November of 2019, Bell withdrew a similar proposal when it was up for a third and final reading, stating that the ordinance would be worked on and brought back at a later date.
Mayor Julian Lott commented on the new ordinance proposal stating, "Today my office has received numerous calls -- my personal phone and my cell phone. ... Of those calls, 20 said no; 17 said yes; and 23, pray. This is just today. That's not counting my phone. You'd be surprised at the mixed emotions."
Lott noted that events such as First Friday's Beer Garden and a Chilli Cookoff already had allowed allowed open beverages downtown and that those events were largely positive.
"We use discretion, and we haven't had the issues that have been projected on it," Lott said.
Alderman Marvin Moore stated, "I've been in entertainment districts and everybody and their mamma is packing a gun. Alcohol and guns don't mix, and I just want to know how you're going to curtail this thing. I don't want something to happened and we say 'Well we should have done this."
Alderman Cecil McDonald noted that restaurants have a legal responsibility to not over-serve customers..
"The operators in this particular area are very responsible when it comes to this. I've had discussions with them," Bell said.
The vote to amend the ordinance passed. Lott and council members L. E. Lindsey, Chris Aregood, Bell and McDonald voted yes; William McCoy, Moore, Terrie Smith voted no. Joe Askew abstained.
A motion to suspend the rules and put up the ordinance for a third and final reading failed due to a tie vote. Moore, Askew, McCoy and Smith voted no. Bell, Aregood, Lindsey and McDonald voted yes.
The amended ordinance will appear on the December agenda for the city council.