Council refines alcohol-in-parks proposal

Kalispell may soon allow special public events with beer or wine at a few select locations such as Depot and Woodland parks and Lakers Field and on nonresidential city streets.

City officials may even decide to let people having wedding celebrations or events with alcohol at Conrad Mansion have or buy a drink outside — something not presently allowed.

During a work session on Monday, members of the Kalispell City Council wrestled with a number of details as they look to draft legislation to relax some restrictions on where, when and how events with beer or wine can be held on city property.

“I have no problem with us being fairly stringent at this point,” council member Tim Kluesner said. “Maybe we should pick and choose some [locations] from the get-go and leave it at that to see how it goes.”

Other council members also supported a test-the-waters approach.

Kalispell Municipal Code allows events with beer or wine consumption at the Conrad Mansion, Museum at Central School, Hockaday Museum of Art, Kalispell City Airport and the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce building.

Events with beer or wine sales are allowed only at the Hockaday Museum of Art, Conrad Mansion and Museum at Central School and require a temporary sales permit.

Events with beer or wine are not allowed in any parks or on streets. Council members chose to revisit that blanket prohibition after making a special exception for the Flathead Valley Hockey Association to host a hockey tournament and craft beer festival at the ice rink in Woodland Park.

That event in March went off without any problems and raised more than $10,000 for the nonprofit group.

“I see where that’s a real easy and profitable way for not-for-profits to raise funds, and think that’s why we turned over and thought this was a good idea,” council member Jim Atkinson said. “I waffle back and forth. But if it’s controlled, I think it can be fun for the people who come and worthwhile for the not-for-profit. I’m just having a hard time letting loose of our abstinence in the parks.”

Council members seemed unwilling to allow special public events with beer or wine in Lawrence Park or in any of the city’s smaller neighborhood parks. They also favored provisions requiring events to be fenced to keep participants in designated areas and away from other park users and things like playgrounds.

Under draft changes unveiled on Monday, organizers would have to apply for a special public event permit at least three weeks before an event. The city manager and department heads would review applications and make a recommendation to the Kalispell City Council, which would have final say on whether or not an event is allowed.

Organizers would have to plan events with beer or wine sales or consumption with input from the police and fire chiefs, provide adequate security and buy insurance coverage to protect the city from any liability.

Council member Bob Hafferman suggested charging a fee for city crews to install and remove barricades for events, calling that an important city function. Hafferman also suggested the city collect a refundable deposit for cleanup. That deposit could be returned if organizers clean up after their event or kept “if the city has to clean up their mess afterward,” he said.

Permits for special public events with beer or wine on nonresidential streets would likely be offered only for events that are organized by nonprofit groups. Those permits could be subject to traffic reviews and considerations.

That would continue to allow popular events such as ThursdayFest, a summer event on Third Street East where people are supposed to drink only on private property but are believed to commonly venture out into other areas with alcohol. But it would not open the door for things like neighborhood block parties with beer or wine.

“We get many requests for block parties. We say no, but there are many requests,” City Attorney Charlie Harball told council members on Monday.

Final legislation could be prepared and introduced at the City Council’s next regular meeting May 20. It would have to go through two readings before it could be adopted.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.