Published: February 16, 2008 10:50 pm      

Dalton to look at relaxing alcohol sales ordinance

Last December, the Dalton Public Safety Commission recommended a $1,000 fine and a 60-day license suspension for Chili’s restaurant after a second offense of serving alcohol to minors. After Monday’s City Council meeting, the restaurant may be looking at only a $1,000 fine.

The council is set to hold a second reading of a revised alcoholic beverage ordinance. The new ordinance gives the Public Safety Commission the power to revoke an alcoholic beverage license for up to 14 days if the license holder is found to have committed three violations in three years or if the PSC finds the license holder to have “willfully violated” the law. The proposed ordinance says a finding by the PSC of a violation or pattern of violations that “shows the licensee lacks operational control regarding the responsible sale of alcohol or that the licensee’s operations are contrary to the public safety or welfare of the community,” or that the licensee knowingly violated the law or that the licensee made false statements to city officials, creates a presumption of a willful violation.

“This ordinance basically just puts us on an equal footing with everybody else in Georgia. Ours was much harsher than anybody else in Georgia,” said Mayor David Pennington.

Current law allows the City Council to revoke a license for 60 days after two offenses in five years. City officials allowed Chili’s and others facing penalties to have their cases re-adjudicated under the new ordinance, if passed by the council, if they waived their right to have their cases judged by the City Council within 60 days. City administrator Butch Sanders said two weeks ago, when the council held the first reading of the ordinance, that Chili’s had accepted that offer. A manager at Chili’s, citing company policy, declined to comment Friday.

The council is also slated to designate several fire lanes at, among others, Hamilton Medical Center, Hamilton Diagnostic Center, the Bradley Wellness Center and Whitfield Place.

The council meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall.