Following recent problems associated with alcohol being served during some celebrations at the Benton Civic Center, members of the Authority Board met in special session Tuesday night.
“We ran into problems with alcohol being served during some of the wedding receptions,” Rick Knight said. “Things have gotten out of hand a couple of times, and security is a big issue. We need to get this under control and make some changes to the alcohol policy.
“We have to be accountable for what is brought into the Benton Civic Center. We have had reports of underage drinking during some of the wedding receptions,” Knight said.
Benton Police Chief Mike O’Neill said he wants to know what is being brought into the center.
“I don’t know the age level of those who are drinking or even what they are drinking,” O’Neill said. “As the Authority Board, you have an obligation to control the consumption of alcohol on the premises.
“A board member called the police department and officers were sent to enforce the state law about underage drinking,” he said. “That is our limitation.”
Knight said an “unlimited supply of alcohol was brought in during one wedding reception.”
“There were four kegs of beer and another four on standby,” he said. “Each keg holds 16 gallons of beer. That’s a lot of alcohol for one celebration.”
He said he had contacted a prospective vendor who was willing to oversee the amount of alcohol brought to the civic center and who is consuming alcoholic beverages.
“As owners of the building, we need to revise the policy,” Knight said. “The old way is not working, or we would not be here today to discuss it. We can enter into a concessionaire contract with a vendor to provide these services.
“I have talked to someone who is willing to provide this service. The civic center would collect 12 percent of alcohol sales from the vendor.”
Knight said the prospective vendor would have to obtain a license from the city liquor commissioner, Mayor Gary Kraft, and be certified by the Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department.
“There is not an ordinance prohibiting the authority board from entering into a contract with a concessionaire,” he said.
Member Lonnie Hart argued that the vendor should already have a license to sell alcohol.
“There are vendors out there who carry dram shop insurance and can sell alcohol by the drink at events,” he said. “The board needs someone in place who already has a license. It can take months to obtain a license to sell alcohol and we need one in place immediately.”
Knight said the authority board carries liability insurance.
“The concessionaire would have to show proof that he or she has $1 million dollars in liability insurance,” he said. “That amount is consistent with the level of insurance coverage other establishments carry.”
He said a time limit should be imposed for serving alcohol.
“Rend Lake Resort and other places have a time limit,” Knight said. “We should set 9:30 p.m. as a last call for alcohol if an event ends at 11 p.m. The concessionaire will have to enforce the policy established by the authority board.”
Treasurer Danny Stewart said Benton Community Park Board members had voted against the sale of alcohol when they were overseeing the civic center. Knight said insurance is paid through March to enable the civic center authority board to permit alcohol being served during some events, adding that the decision of the authority board would override the decision of the park board members.
O’Neill advised board members to iron out the details with the city.
“The vendor selected will have to get a city liquor license,” he said. “There are a limited number of Class A liquor licenses. Under that type of license, alcohol can be served. The vendor would have to make sure that type of license is available. It is up to the liquor commissioner to interpret the state law. There are licenses for beer and wine, one for full service that includes mixed drinks and another license for private clubs.
“I want the civic center to be part of the community but it is essential to be reliable and have a limited sale of alcohol,” O’Neill said. “This is not just to protect the civic center authority board but also residents after the celebrations when those who have been drinking get on the roads. We do not need a bunch of drunk drivers on the streets.”
Knight said he would feel more comfortable if auxiliary police officers could patrol the civic center.
O’Neill said auxiliary police officers serve on a voluntary basis but are paid by the city for their service.
“Our officers can control underage drinking if people are drinking outside the civic center,” he said. “Alcohol is prohibited from being outside. The officer can detain someone until a police officer arrives if he or she believes a crime has been committed.”
He said contributions are accepted to offset costs associated with services provided by auxiliary police officers.
Knight said he is working on a future concert that could permit the sale of alcohol.
“I have been working with the Kentucky Headhunters to perform in the civic center,” he said.
“Since they are part of the Du Quoin State Fair entertainment lineup, it will probably be March before they can be booked. I will volunteer to be here during events that serve alcohol to serve as security, but I hope we can rely on the Benton Police Department and other civic center authority board members to offer their services.”
Members Loma Baxter, Bill Raby, Danny Stewart, Rick Knight, Jim Page and Vickee Cockrum voted in favor of obtaining a concessionaire to sell alcohol by the drink and to monitor the age of those consuming alcoholic beverages.
Lonnie Hart cast a “no” vote, saying the vendor should be someone who already has a license to sell alcohol by the drink.
“This should have been two motions — one to obtain a vendor, and another vote about which concessionaire or vendor should be obtained,” he said. “Rick has someone in mind, but no one knows if the vendor has a liquor license. We need someone with a license immediately.”
Knight said board members would seek bids for a concessionaire with a liquor license in Jan. 2010.
“The authority board will seek bids beginning Jan. 2, 2010, for a concessionaire,” he said. “We have to be accountable and in control of the situation as members of the authority board. We want what is best for the citizens who use the civic center.”
Baxter said the majority of people who use the facility are not area residents.
“There are a number of bookings from people who are not from Benton or West City,” she said. “Residents still believe the city owns the civic center. The authority board owns the civic center, not the city.”
Knight said passage of the change to the alcohol policy means those wishing to rent the civic center must obtain alcohol from the concessionaire. “Alcohol sales must go through the concessionaire,” he said. “No outside alcohol will be brought in once the concessionaire is in place.”
In other business, Knight said he would assume responsibility for booking the civic center. Call the Benton Civic Center at 435-5700 for more information.
Members also set rental rates after a lengthy discussion. Rate for Sunday though Thursday was set at $400 per day, with a $400 deposit that will be refunded provided the center is left in the same condition as it is found. Stewart said when people rent the center with the tables and chairs already set up, they should leave it the way it is found.
“Those who rent the civic center will be responsible for removing everything from the tables and taking the trash out to the dumpster,” he said. “We have people who clean the facility and if it is found in proper order, the deposit should be refunded to the person who rents the civic center.”
The Friday and Saturday combined rate was set at $1,000 for the two days, plus a $200 refundable deposit.
Members also discussed a discounted rate for not for profit organizations. Raby suggested a $300 rental for non-profit groups and organizations. The reduced rate is in effect Sunday through Thursday, and $800 for Friday and Saturday for organizations with a 501-C-3 status.
Cockrum said outside food and drink would not be permitted.
“We have circumstances, particularly when the civic center is rented to high schools, where they bring in their own food and drink,” she said. “If we are going to have a concessionaire, groups and organizations should be buying their food and beverages from the vendor. I will put up signs reminding those who use the civic center not to bring in outside food and beverages.”
Knight said he is also in favor of changing the name of the civic center.
“I have talked with some people about an idea I have and will report back to the board at a later date,” he said. “The civic center is used by more people from out of town and should be named to reflect that. The board has the authority to change the name.”
He also reported that David Sneed, Danny Stewart and he had spoken with Rep. John Bradley about changing the civic center ordinance.
“We have asked Rep. Bradley to redefine the metropolitan area identified in the ordinance,” Knight said. “We are seeking to become self sufficient and are asking for legislative help.”
Members also continued plans for the three-day musical event to benefit the civic center. Local talent will perform on Sept. 18 through 20, including gospel, rock and roll and blues, and jazz.
Andrew Hart, Warren Batts, Marty Shadowen and Tom Herman are among those who have confirmed they would perform rock and roll music on Sept. 18. Gospel music by the McDaniels and Lester White and others yet to be confirmed will be performed on Sept. 19 and jazz from Courtney Cox will be performed on Sept. 20. Tickets are $6 per day or $15 for all three days and will be available at Vickee’s Card Shop, 204 E. Main St., Benton. Call 435-2449 to order tickets by credit card. Concerts begin at 7 p.m.
Benton, Ill. —
