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Madeira Beach prohibits drinking at beach pavilions
By WAYNE AYERS
Article published on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 |
MADEIRA BEACH – The Board of Commissioners reversed a decision made three years ago to allow alcohol consumption in the city’s beach pavilions by reinstating a drinking ban in and around the structures. They are located in Archibald, Kitty Stewart and South Beach parks.
The ordinance, which prohibits open containers and consumption of alcoholic beverages within 20 feet of the pavilions, had been requested by community policing officer Casey Hunter. Hunter said transients drinking up to the point of intoxication were discouraging families and tourists from using the pavilions.
The vote for passage was close, reflecting divisions within the city which has long taken a lenient approach toward alcohol use in public. Madeira Beach and Treasure Island are the only local beach communities that permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages on their beaches. That right is not affected by the new rules.
Mayor Pat Shontz was joined by Vice Mayor Steve Kochick and Commissioner Terry Lister in voting to approve the restrictions. Commissioners Sarah Nichols and Nancy Oakley were opposed.
Nichols said the city’s crime statistics offered no basis for Hunter’s assertion that there have been numerous complaints and daily disturbances at the pavilions.
“When I look at the deputy’s report, I find one instance of battery and no indication of complaints. There is no supporting data for what you are asking us to do,” Nichols told Hunter.
“Are you insinuating I lied?” Hunter responded. Nichols said she was questioning whether the listing was correct.
“You can spin it any way you want. There is a problem with people drinking until they are intoxicated and I can’t do anything about it without your help,” Hunter said.
City Attorney Michael Connolly said it was appropriate for the commission “to give the officer this tool and see if it can be of some use.”
Resident Jon Oakley came down strongly against the new restrictions. He said the police officers “should get out of their air-conditioned cruisers and check out these people. Maybe they will go away and we won’t have to pass an ordinance.”
Oakley recommended the commission “pass an ordinance against passing ordinances meant to satisfy every nit-picking crackpot who phones City Hall with a complaint.” Oakley is the husband of Commissioner Nancy Oakley.
In the end, the police concerns swayed the commission majority.
“The Sheriff’s department came to us asking for our help because there wasn’t anything they could do about the situation,” Shontz said. She added that, in her view, the drinking prohibition is necessary to protect families and children visiting the pavilions.
Following the meeting, Commissioner Oakley voted against the ordinance because she favored adopting it on a six-month trial basis. The trial run idea had been discussed but not adopted.
Hunter said in a later comment that the ordinance will let the police take a more proactive stance in ridding the pavilions of problem drinkers. The ordinance will be up for a second and final vote at the next commission meeting on July 22.
Free resident parking expanded
An ordinance that would open three more public parking areas to free resident parking won unanimous approval from the commission.
Under the new law, city residents who display a parking permit on their vehicle will now be able to park at no charge in metered lots at Archibald Park, County Park and John’s Pass Park-South Beach. The additions mean that parking in all public lots and beach accesses is free to residents.
Parking permits are available at no charge from City Hall.
Though opening more metered lots to free resident parking will reduce city income somewhat, the ordinance drew little opposition. Former Commissioner Martha Boos questioned whether the action would discriminate against non-city residents, and thus affect future county or state grants for the parks. Connolly said it would not, in his view.
Resident John Hendrix applauded the free parking expansion.
“We usually say, ‘Aw heck, what new rule do we have now?’ This one is a positive step forward,” he said.
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Article published on Tuesday, July 15, 2008
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