(A) Purpose and findings.
(1) The City Council intends to discourage underage possession and consumption of alcohol, even if done within the confines of a private residence, and intends to hold persons criminally responsible who host events or gatherings where persons under 21 years of age possess or consume alcohol, regardless of whether the person hosting the event or gathering supplied the alcohol.
(2) The City Council finds that:
(a) Events and gatherings held on private or public property where alcohol is possessed or consumed by persons under the age of 21 are harmful to those persons and constitute a potential threat to public health requiring prevention or abatement;
(b) Prohibiting underage consumption acts to protect underage persons, as well as the general public, from injuries related to alcohol consumption, such as alcohol overdose or alcohol-related traffic collisions;
(c) Alcohol is an addictive drug which if used irresponsibly could have drastic effects on those who use it as well as those who are affected by the actions of an irresponsible user;
(d) Often events or gatherings involving underage possession and consumption occur outside the presence of parents; however, there are times when the parent(s) is/are present and condone the activity and in some circumstances provide the alcohol;
(e) Even though giving or furnishing alcohol to an underage person is a crime, it is difficult to prove; and regulations are necessary to help further combat underage consumption; and
(f) A deterrent effect will be created by holding a person criminally responsible for hosting an event or gathering where underage possession or consumption occurs.
(B) Authority. This section is enacted pursuant to the City Charter and state statutes.
(C) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALCOHOL. Ethyl alcohol; hydrated oxide of ethyl; or spirits of wine, whiskey, rum, brandy, gin or any other distilled spirits, including dilutions and mixtures thereof from whatever source or by whatever process produced.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE. Alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine, beer and every liquid or solid containing alcohol, spirits, wine or beer and which contains 0.5% or more of alcohol by volume and which is fit for beverage purposes either alone or when diluted, mixed or combined with other substances.
EVENT or GATHERING. Any group of three or more persons who have assembled or gathered together for a social occasion or other activity.
HOST. To aid, conduct, allow, entertain, organize, supervise, control or permit a gathering or event.
PARENT. Any person having legal custody of a juvenile:
(a) As natural/adoptive parent or stepparent;
(b) As a legal guardian; or
(c) As a person to whom legal custody has been given by order of the court.
RESIDENCE or PREMISES. Any home, yard, farm, field, land, apartment, condominium, hotel or motel room, or other dwelling unit, or a hall or meeting room, park or any other place of assembly, public or private, where occupied on a temporary or permanent basis, whether occupied as a dwelling or specifically for a party or other social function, and whether owned, leased, rented or used with or without permission or compensation.
UNDERAGE PERSON. Any individual under 21 years of age.
(D) Prohibited acts.
(1) It is unlawful for any person(s) to:
(a) Host or allow an event or gathering at any residence, premises or on any other private or public property where alcohol or alcoholic beverages are present, when the person knows or reasonably should know that an underage person will or does:
1. Consume any alcohol or alcoholic beverage; or
2. Possess any alcohol or alcoholic beverage with the intent to consume it.
(b) The person fails to take reasonable steps to prevent possession or consumption by the underage person(s).
(2) A person is criminally responsible for violating division (D)(1) above if the person intentionally aids, advises, hires, counsels or conspires with or otherwise procures another to commit the prohibited act.
(3) A person who hosts an event or gathering does not have to be present at the event or gathering to be criminally responsible.
(E) Exceptions.
(1) This section does not apply to conduct solely between an underage person and his or her parents while present in the parent’s household.
(2) This section does not apply to legally-protected religious observances.
(3) This section does not apply to retail intoxicating liquor or 3.2% malt liquor licensees, municipal liquor stores or bottle club permit holders who are regulated by M.S. § 340A.503 Subd. 1(a)(1).
(4) This section does not apply to situations where underage persons are lawfully in possession of alcohol or alcoholic beverages during the course and scope of employment.
(F) Enforcement. This section can be enforced by any police officer or sheriff’s deputy in the city.
(G) Penalty. Violation of division (D) above is a misdemeanor.
(Ord. 284, passed 10-3-2011)