Bar Ordinance Tabled Again; Aldermen Remove Required $75 Fee for Lyric

By Alyssa Schnugg
Staff writer
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

The Oxford Board of Aldermen tabled a vote on a controversial proposed bar ordinance to give them more time to read emails received late Tuesday afternoon.

The proposed Regulation and Safety of Patrons and Employees of Restaurants, Bars and Similar Businesses, Including Event Venues ordinance, once known as the Downtown District ordinance, was first proposed in June and requires all local restaurants serving alcohol to include additional security guards, cameras and the use of ID scanners to check for fake ID cards.

Alderman Janice Antonow said she received several emails Tuesday, some of which arrived just shortly before Tuesday’s regular meeting at 5 p.m. She made a motion to table the vote for another two weeks to give the board time to read the emails.

“Some seemed to contain some new information and ideas,” Antonow said.

OPD Chief Joey East stands before the Oxford Board of Aldermen Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018 to discuss a proposed restaurant and bar ordinance. Photo by Alyssa Schnugg

Before Antonow’s motion, Alderman Rick Addy asked to remove wording that required event venues to pay a $75 fee to register each event where more than 150 people were expected to attend. Currently, the only state-registered event venue is The Lyric Oxford on the Square.

The Lyric would still be required to submit information to the Oxford Police Department when there is going to be an event with more than 150 people attending and include the type of event planned, the security company’s name and contact information, whether security will be armed or unarmed and whether alcohol will be sold.

The ordinance has undergone several changes since it was first proposed in June.

“We hear you,” Antonow said. “We are listening.”

Several public hearings have been held to discuss the ordinance.

“Even when there was opposition, we didn’t shut those conversations down,” said Mayor Robyn Tannehill. “We just added more public hearings and made changes.”

Still included in the ordinance is the requirement for bars to use some kind of ID scanner, whether electronic scanners or cell phone apps, submit a safety and evacuation plan to the Oxford Police Department, photo ID available of each of such business’s employees, and a description of each such employees’ position and contact information, provide adequate security guards and have working security cameras in all open, public areas, excluding bathrooms and behind the bar. 

One of the late emails was sent by Oxford attorney Dee Hobbs, representing several downtown restaurants including The Lyric, The Round Table, The Levee, Southern Craft, Lenora’s, Funky’s, Proud Larry’s and The Library Sports Bar and Grill, opposing several requirements in the ordinance including requiring security cameras and ID scanners.

Another email was sent from the ACLU of Mississippi opposing the ordinance.

“While we agree that public safety is important, the proposed ordinance as written is not designed to discourage underage drinking or create a safer environment for Oxford citizens and students but would allow government surveillance of private businesses and chilling effects on First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. We, therefore, urge the Oxford Board of Aldermen to vote no,” wrote Joshua Tom, ACLU of Mississippi Legal Director.

Last week, Brandi Hephner Labanc, vice chancellor for student affairs, also issued a statement in support of the proposed ordinance.

“The current proposed ordinance implements rules and requirements for restaurants, bars and similar businesses that will augment the university’s goals related to student safety,” she wrote.