City okays rules governing alcohol sales

City Hall has signed five applications for alcohol sales permits following last Tuesday’s passage of an alcohol ordinance by the Board of Aldermen.

Mayor Pro-tem Will Thompson presided in the absence of Mayor Larry Hicks as Ordinance 426 was unanimously approved by the board after questions over distances and measuring were addressed with the city attorney.

The law allows for alcohol sales along US 287 within the city, along State Hwy. 70 from US 287 to the north city limit, and in the Central Business District. Sales are prohibited within 300 feet of the main house of worship of a church, a public or private school, and licensed daycare or child care facilities. Variances may be applied for.

Most measurements will be done from front door to front door in straight lines along street fronts, but measurements from schools will be done in a straight line from property line to property line.

Discussion at the meeting centered on whether Allsup’s convenience store would be able to sell alcohol given its proximity to Clarendon ISD property, but Alderman Larry Jeffers said he had measured a straight line from the corner of Bronco Stadium to the back corner of Allsup’s property and found it to be more than 300 feet.

The ordinance also prohibits individuals from possessing or consuming alcohol on the grounds of any public park or ball field or on any property owned by Clarendon ISD.

By the Friday afternoon, the following businesses had received the city secretary’s signature to submit there applications to the state: Lowe’s Pay & Save, CEFCO for both its local convenience stores, Allsup’s, and Bar H BBQ & More. State officials have said it ordinarily takes about 40 days for an application to receive approval once submitted.

In other business last week, aldermen approved a grant application seeking 36 three-yard Dumpsters that would be made available for grass clippings and yard waste; accepted a bid to re-roof the Burton Memorial Library from Sims Roofing; updated city job descriptions; heard a report on Hotel Occupancy Fund expenditures from Economic Development & Tourism Director Chandra Eggemeyer; and discussed with sanitation department head Joe Shadle the need for purchasing a new trash truck.

Aldermen also discussed proposed street improvements, expressing their dislike for doing “rollover” curbs and their desire not to narrow streets. Board members expressed concerns about having city crews doing the base work for the project, wondering if the city really had the time or the equipment to do the job. Aldermen said they want the street improvements to be “done right the first time” with Alderman Jeffers noting, “Just to say we’ve done it is a disservice to the citizens.”