NEWS
Alders re-open smoking ban, keg registration discussion
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- Smoking in workplace to be discussed (November 19, 2001)
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by Darryl Schnell
Wednesday, September 7, 2005
The City of Madison Common Council referred two contentious issues — keg registration and the smoking ban — to a later meeting date during last night’s council meeting.
Some aldermen have searched for ways to address recent criticism stirred by the smoking ban.
According to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, aldermen looking for a flat-out repeal of the ban and those looking to pass a referendum with a “hardship clause” will likely come to a compromise and negotiate an agreeable action. The clause will allow establishments with a recorded three-month, 10 percent decrease in business following July 1 to apply for a permit allowing smoking inside.
A compromise between alders supporting a referendum and those supporting a repeal would be necessary to achieve a majority vote at the next Common Council meeting Sept. 20.
The council also postponed a vote on a citywide keg-registration proposal that would limit the number of kegs to two per house or apartment. The proposal, headed by Ald. Paul Skidmore, District 9, has been a touchy subject for University of Wisconsin students since last spring and has resided on the council’s back burner during the summer following some “technical flaws,” Skidmore said.
“The first thing we’ve changed is that we’ve eliminated the affidavit that purchasers would be required to sign when buying a keg,” Skidmore said.
Under the older proposal language, selling alcohol to minors would result in a felony offense, but the refined ordinance changed the felony offense to a lesser misdemeanor crime, Skidmore added.
UW senior Ted Koehler said if there must be keg registration and a limit on the number of kegs sold, the misdemeanor charge is a better option.
“Having a felony on your record can seriously affect your life,” Koehler said. “It seems extreme to give someone a felony for something that so many other students here are doing.”
Other changes to the proposal include removing landlord responsibility for violation of the ordinance by tenants and requiring a “special-events” permit allowing purchasers to have more than two kegs. Such special occasions would include weddings or graduation parties.
Skidmore says the changes were made to make the proposed ordinance more reasonable and insists the intention is not to eliminate drinking.
“We’re looking to promote responsible drinking with this ordinance,” Skidmore said.
Police Chief Noble Wray echoed Skidmore’s hope for responsible drinking. He added that, if passed, the keg-registration ordinance would likely decrease the negative effects of binge-drinking.
Wray, however, could not disclose any definite plans for police use of the ordinance because the proposal is not yet in its final form.
Skidmore said the Alcohol License Review Committee would provide comments and suggestions to prepare the proposal for the Sept. 20 council meeting.
“I’m looking forward to meaningful dialogue and creative suggestions,” Skidmore said.
Even if the council passes the ordinance Sept. 20, Koehler doubts it will have any noticeable effects.
“I think it’s a good try,” Koehler said. “There’s just not a lot you can do to address drinking in Madison.”
