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Carbondale Liquor Advisory Board split on smoke-free decision

Mayor Brad Cole's proposed incentive to waive the liquor license fee for bars and restaurants that would voluntarily go smoke-free resulted in a divided recommendation from the Liquor Advisory Board Thursday night.

The Liquor Advisory Board listened to 16 proposals for changes to the city's alcohol laws, which Cole first announced at the State of the City Address, and will now make recommendations to the City Council.

One member was excused Thursday night prompting the tie vote regarding Cole's incentive. However, the eight present voters added a friendly recommendation for the council to take the idea a step further and ban smoking in all Carbondale bars and restaurants, regardless if the establishment holds a liquor license or not.

Sally Carter, owner of Hangar 9, said she attended the board meeting to question Cole's incentive and find how it would effect her establishment. Carter asked the board, City Manager Jeff Doherty and City Attorney Deborah Nelson if Cole's incentive for bars to go smoke-free would apply to the outdoor beer garden she is planning to add to her bar.

Doherty and Nelson said they had not thought of that aspect because under city law, the beer garden would be included in the establishment's liquor license. Carter also questioned the incentive because bars located on the Strip already have their licenses waived because they are closed by the city for Halloween. However, Doherty said no rebate would be given to her or business owners in similar situations.

Cole said he decided to propose the incentive mainly for health reasons, but did not want to force establishments to go smoke-free. He said the incentive could provide a significant financial break, allowing some bars relief of up to $1,250 and $2,500, depending on the size of the establishment, while creating a healthier lifestyle for the community.

"The way that I see it is that it is worth the investment in the health of the community if we have more smoke-free establishments than it is for us to collect a few thousands dollars from a bar or restaurant," Cole said.

Similar to the questions about the University's new smoking policy, the issue of enforcement was brought up and discussed as well.

"Maybe we should just say they can't smoke within 25 feet of the building," board member Rob Taylor said.

Board member John Benshoff said Cole's incentive is "virtually unenforceable" and said it would be easier to ban smoking altogether.

Carter said she probably would not try the incentive because the effects are hard to predict, but said if she did, advertising the change would help enforce the policy.

Tim Leslie, assistant manager of Applebee's restaurant, said he was aware of Cole's incentive and had brought up the issue to the store's general manager. He said the restaurant recently cut down the smoking section to only four tables and does not think going completely smoke-free would hurt business.

One local restaurant owner who refused to release his name said there is no way he would accept Cole's incentive because he estimated he would loose between $20,000 and $40,000 if his restaurant was the only one of its kind to go smoke-free.

However, the business owner said he would love to see the entire city go smoke-free to give all establishments a "fair playing field."

The split recommendation from the Liquor Advisory Board will go to the City Council for further discussion on the issue. Cole said the issue would not be discussed in next week's meeting, but shortly after.

The board also discussed Cole's proposal to consolidate the authority of the Local Liquor Control Commission to the chairman, which is the mayor. This change would allow Cole the ability to issue a fine, issue a letter of reprimand or dismiss charges without the review of the entire commission.

Chairman Larry Juhlin's first question to Doherty and Nelson was "why" and was told this change would be a movement toward streamlining, in accordance with state law.

After much discussion about the rights of the Commission, the Liquor Advisory Board voted 5-3 to reject the proposal.

The board also unanimously approved reducing its board from nine members to seven, removing the two city employees. Police Chief Steve Odum and Assistant City Manager Don Monty will continue to attend meeting to provide information and support, but will no longer be Liquor Advisory Board members.

 

 

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