Seward businesses will be able to sell alcohol beginning at 8 a.m., instead of 10 a.m., starting later this month. That’s after Seward’s city council on Monday enacted an ordinance increasing the number of hours in which alcohol may be sold.
The ordinance, sponsored by member Mike Calhoon, modifies the hours in which alcohol cannot be sold under Seward City Code. Existing code said that alcohol cannot be sold at a liquor establishment between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. The ordinance changes that code to say that alcohol cannot be sold between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Calhoon said during the council’s regular meeting on Monday that he brought the ordinance forward after being approached by a local business owner. The text of the ordinance says that some televised sporting events start in the morning; that some visitors might be looking for a place to relax early in the day; that some people work overnight and end their day in the morning hours; and that some people might purchase alcohol from stores early in the morning for consumption later if they’re fishing or camping.
“With us being the type of community we are … it seems to make sense,” he said.
The earliest football games, he said, start at 9 a.m.
The ordinance was passed on a 5-1 vote, with member Robert Barnwell as the lone dissenter. He said he isn’t a fan of the idea because he perceives “issues” with alcohol consumption in contemporary society. He said that he doesn’t want to encourage more drinking, even if its people’s choice whether or not to grab a drink at 8 a.m.
Per the ordinance, the change will take effect 10 days after being enacted.
Public comment on Monday centered on the expanded opportunity for both tourists — specifically those arriving on cruise ships — and late-night workers.
City Manager Kat Sorensen said that under state law, 8 a.m. is the earliest that Seward could allow alcohol to be sold.
The full recording of the meeting can be found at “City of Seward” on YouTube. The text of the resolution can be found at cityofseward.us.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
