Madison City Council members Tuesday night approved by a voice vote the Alcohol Licensing and Review Committee's decision to regulate alcohol delivery and keg purchases, but members later voiced concerns over the city's increased role in regulating the industry.
Ald. Todd Jarrell, District 8, who voted against the proposal, said he was disappointed the Council did not debate the measure.
\It unfortunately has become a [rubber-stamp] at times,"" he said.
Ald. Ken Golden, District 10, said the council has looked toward the ALRC to guide it on issues relating to alcohol.
""Generally the council has given the ALRC a very wide berth on managing alcohol policy,"" he said. ""They're a bit more conservative, but they're very responsible.""
The new law mandates that liquor store customers be present while purchasing more than one bottle of alcohol, provide two forms of identification and sign a receipt when they buy kegs of beer or have alcohol delivered. The purchaser then would need to sign another receipt upon delivery of the alcohol.
Ald. Tim Bruer, District 14, the proposal's biggest backer, said the measure should help provide a safer environment in which to drink.
""It was the least intrusive and most rational piece of legislation to provide for basic common sense,"" he said.
Some Council members said they were worried over the growing number of alcohol use restrictions being discussed in city committees.
""This is just another attack from those no-fun alders on Council,"" said Ald. Brenda Konkel, District 2. ""It is just another thing in a long list of proposals to curb alcohol use in the downtown.""
A broader look at downtown Madison's problems is necessary, according to Jarrell, who said he wants to help create more alternatives to drinking and hopes to provide a form of amnesty to people who call the police when house parties get out of control.
""I don't think relying on police or more restriction is the right way to deal with the problem,"" he said.
Despite these concerns, city dwellers will likely see an increase in alcohol regulations in the upcoming years, according to Ald. Kent Palmer, District 15, chair of the ALRC's Subcommittee on Comprehensive Alcohol Issues.
""There will be some change in alcohol policy, but it's important that we not be prohibitionist,"" he said. ""We're just starting to address some of these concerns like public safety.""
Golden said the main problem with the downtown bar area is the high density of bar patrons. He predicts that until the issue is solved Madison will continue to see an increase in regulation.
""I think because of the density problem we allready have, solutions will come to it,"" he said.
Konkel said creating new ordinances restricting private drinking would only make things worse.
""I think what they're doing is restricting alcohol to a point that they're causing the capacity problem in the bars downtown,"" she said.
