Alcohol ordinance effective July 17

POLSON – A new alcohol ordinance for Polson’s city parks passed its second reading at last week’s City Council meeting and is set to become official on July 17.

The measure seeks to outfit the city’s parks with a uniform code of rules and regulations governing the use of alcohol. The new ordinance will require that individuals wishing to consume alcohol in any of Polson’s parks first obtain a permit, or face a fine as a consequence. Though fees have not been finalized, permits are expected to cost $40 for one-time use and $100 for seasonal use.

Interim city manager Karen Sargent emphasized that the move is not a revenue generation ploy, but is instead intended to cut down on alcohol-related incidents, which she says have become a problem.

“We’re not out to dink people. We just want to get the alcohol out of the parks and to make them more family-friendly and family oriented.”

After the ordinance goes into effect on July 17, Sargent said that local authorities will initially focus on educating the public on the new policy before phasing in enforcement.

“The exception would be if it’s flagrantly disregarded after several warnings,” said Sargent.

Sargent does not anticipate significant enforcement difficulties with various summer events and festivals. She noted that many of those events, such as Cruisen By the Bay, will not be taking place within city parks, and thus would not be impacted by the new rule. Sargent said that street festivals will often obtain an open-container waiver for Main Street and nearby city blocks.