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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW John Muir school expands ... Prosecution: Defendant said he was sorry for stabbing ... Direct hit: Storm leaves destruction in its wake ... John Muir school expands ... Prosecution: Defendant said he was sorry for stabbing ... Direct hit: Storm leaves destruction in its wake ... MEDFORD Council considers end to prohibition in city parks Change would ease alcohol rules for public events Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 2, 2014 at 12:01 AM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 2, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News Medford officials could soon toast the end of  what proved to be a bothersome prohibition on alcohol at events in Medford parks. On Thursday, the City Council will consider a code change that would allow alcohol consumption in parks and city facilities and overturn the current, but largely ignored, ban on alcohol. “It’s time to update it,” Councilor Daniel Bunn said. “It’s not really a big change from what’s been happening.” Until recently, Medford officials were unaware that a city code written in 1981 forbids the consumption of alcohol at  parks, even though many events at U.S. Cellular Community Park and other city properties did serve beer and wine. An incident at a cage fighting event at U.S. Cellular Park on Sept. 6 triggered a review of Medford’s rules, and the City Council discovered the serving of drinks at the park's Miles Field was illegal under city codes, though the city did provide a permit for the event. Under the code, weddings and events at other city-owned properties also weren’t allowed to serve booze. The prohibition on alcohol in parks became an even bigger problem, as the council was informed of the existing code just prior to the Sept. 19 Downtown Art + Sound event, for which a beer garden had been planned months in advance. The council decided with some hesitation to overrule its own code and allow the event. Municipal Code Section 5.310 is specific: “No person shall consume alcoholic liquor in or on a street, sidewalk, alley, public right-of-way, public park, other publicly owned facility, or premises open to the general public for the use of motor vehicles, whether the premises are publicly or privately owned and whether or not a fee is charged for the use of the premises.” The council was told that the only place alcohol could be served legally at an event is in a city-owned parking lot. The new code, however, would give the city manager greater latitude in granting permits to organizations or individuals that want to serve alcohol at events. The alcohol could be consumed at the following locations: parking lots owned by the city; streets, alleys or public right-of-ways within the business district; Santo Community Center; Carnegie building; Alba Park; Hawthorne Park; Bear Creek Park; Pear Blossom Parks; Vogel Plaza and U.S. Cellular Community Park. Other parks and locations owned by the city would require special approval from the City Council. An event permit would be required to serve alcohol, and the cost would increase to $50 from the current $25. Event organizers would be required to provide licensed security guards or pay for the costs of Medford police officers in sufficient numbers to maintain order. Wine and malt beverages would be sold or consumed under a canopy, shelter, tent or other enclosure. Alcoholic beverages would have to be purchased and consumed at the designated location. Bunn said the changes to the code would help organizers plan for their events and clear up the code, which conflicted with other administrative rules. Lynette O’Neal, assistant to the deputy city manager, said the main locations where events are held will be covered by the new ordinance change. She said the change will also provide a more straightforward way to deal with special events, both for the city and the organizers. “We’re just moving forward with current events,” she said. Previously, other city departments, including parks and recreation, had developed their own rules for handling special events. Then, she said, the city realized the departments' rules conflicted with the city code. “We said, ‘Hey, hold the phone, we’ve got to fix this,’” O’Neal said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @reporterdm.   By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 2, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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