(A) Designation of DORA Areas: Open containers of alcohol and public consumption of alcohol by individuals 21 years of age and older shall be permitted upon public streets, sidewalks and other public places owned, controlled or operated by the City which are identified as Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas (“DORA”). The DORA boundaries designated herein are generally described as follows:
(1) Description of the boundary of the Downtown Mt. Vernon DORA: Beginning at the intersection of N. 11th Street and Harrison Street; thence proceeding Southerly along the N. 11th Street, which turns into S. 11th Street, to the intersection of S. 11th Street and Jordan Street, thence Westerly along Jordan Street to the intersection of Jordan Street and S. 12th Street, thence Southerly along S. 12th Street to the intersection of S. 12th Street and Casey Avenue, thence Easterly along Casey Avenue to the intersection of Casey Avenue and S. 8th Street, thence Northerly along S. 8th Street, which turns into N. 8th Street, to the intersection of N. 8th Street and Harrison Street, thence Westerly along Harrison Street to the intersection of Harrison Street and N. 11th Street, which is the point of beginning. DORA shall include the Right of Way of each street included in the interior limits of the DORA boundary. The exterior boundary shall be only the south side of Harrison Street, both sides of 11th Street, both sides of Jordan Street, east side of S. 12th Street, north side of Casey Avenue, and the west side of 8th Street. The DORA shall not include the property on which the Jefferson County Courthouse resides. (See Map of DORA attached to Ord. No. 2024-36 as Exhibit A).
(2) Such other areas as may be designated by the City Council by ordinance duly adopted.
(B) Businesses located within the DORA holding a current liquor license allowing for the sale of alcoholic liquors for on-premises consumption and which are registered with the City in accordance with this paragraph, (each a “Registered Business”) may sell alcoholic beverages permitted by such liquor license to patrons for consumption within a designated DORA location. In order to register, a business must: (i) Submit a written application to the City to register for the DORA program, which application shall be in the form prescribed by the City; (ii) Hold a current, valid City of Mt. Vernon liquor license that authorizes retail sales of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption at the Registered Business premises; and (iii) Execute a DORA program participation agreement in a form prescribed by the City, which shall, at a minimum, provide that the Registered Business agrees to:
(1) Only serve beverages in DORA branded cups, which can be obtained from Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc.
(2) Distribute the DORA branded cups, without charge, to individuals 21 years of age and older who wish to purchase alcoholic beverages from the Registered Business for the purpose of consuming such alcoholic beverages within a designated DORA location, but only after the purchaser’s age is verified by an employee of the Registered Business who is qualified to sell, serve, and dispense alcoholic beverages in accordance with Chapter 111 of this Code.
(3) At all times while participating in the DORA program, maintain all insurance required for liquor licenses under Chapter 111 of this Code and name the City as an additional insured on the Registered Business’s dram shop liability and general commercial liability insurance policies.
(4) Indemnify and hold harmless the City for all claims or damages relating to the Registered Business’s participation in the DORA program;
(5) Strictly comply with this chapter, all DORA program rules and regulations established by the City and all other applicable local, State, and federal statutes, ordinances, regulations, and permit requirements, including all requirements and conditions of the registered business’s State liquor license.
(C) Public possession of open containers and consumption of alcoholic beverages within DORA shall be limited to individuals consuming beverages in the required DORA branded cups, provided that such beverages were purchased from a Registered Business Premises. Open containers of alcohol may not be carried into or out of the DORA boundaries. No outside alcohol shall be allowed within the DORA boundaries.
(D) No DORA shall be available for possession of open containers of alcoholic beverages or for the consumption of alcoholic beverages before 11:00 a.m. or past 11:00 p.m. each evening and shall remain closed for such purposes until such time on the following day that authorized sales of alcoholic liquor may begin pursuant to liquor licenses held by any Registered Business.
(Ord. 2024-36, passed 10-21-2024)