Loud parties and a potential street luge competition were among the topics discussed at Athens City Council Committee meetings last night.
The definition of the nuisance party ordinance was a point of in-depth debate. The definition originally stood that one or more violations, such as disorderly conduct, illegal open container and outdoor urination, would be defined as a nuisance party. The new definition of the ordinance is that four or more of the preceding violations must exist in order for the gathering to be considered a nuisance party, said Councilwoman Nancy Bain, D-3rd Ward.
A second amendment to the ordinance would require a certified letter to be sent to the property owner or landlord and the Code Enforcement Office. If a resident violated the ordinance a second time, a copy of his or her lease would be sent to Athens Police Department, said Councilwoman Deborah Phillips, D-4th Ward.
The Clean Indoor Air Ordinance also was discussed. Bars are considered one establishment that is exempt from the proposed ordinance, Bain said.
Council members discussed how to determine if restaurants that serve alcohol should be exempt from the ordinance in certain cases. One suggestion was that smoking could be permitted in restaurants that primarily become bars after 9 p.m., Bain said.
Another possibility would be to change how an establishment would be defined as either a restaurant or a bar. The definition would enable an establishment to be considered a bar if less than 40 percent of the establishment's gross income was food sales. Council members discussed changing the threshold to 30 percent, making it harder for restaurants that serve alcohol to be considered a bar, Bain said.
In other council news, a street luge competition in Athens in April or early May was proposed. If approved, the tentative date is April 17, said David Dean, race organizer and competitor.
Red Bull, the energy drink company, would sponsor the event if it is approved. The race would attract both professional and amateur racers, Dean said.
Both Athens Mayor Ric Abel and council members had reservations about the event because of the length of time city streets would be closed and the disruption of traffic. With the racecourse that Dean suggested, parts of West Washington, Congress and Union streets, and Richland Avenue would be closed. Another major concern is the effects on Uptown businesses not being able to sell food, Abel said.
The Ohio Revised Code raised the fine for a minor misdemeanor from $100 to $150. Council members proposed an ordinance to raise the fine within the city of Athens to remain uniform with the rest of Ohio, said Dale Tampke, D-at-large.
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Janet Nester
