Subd. 1. The City Council finds that:
a. Consumption of alcohol by persons under the age of 21 is harmful to those persons and constitutes a potential threat to public health from injuries related to alcohol consumption, such as alcohol overdose or alcohol-related traffic collisions.
b. Alcohol is also 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.
c. As a result, gatherings held on private or public property where alcohol is possessed or consumed by persons under the age of 21 should be prevented as much as possible.
d. Gatherings involving underage possession and consumption often occur outside the presence of parents or other responsible adults. However, there are times when a parent or other adult is present and condones the activity, and in some circumstances provides the alcohol.
e. Although furnishing alcohol to an underage person is a crime, it is difficult to prove, and an ordinance is necessary to help further combat underage consumption.
f. A deterrent effect will be created by holding a person criminally responsible for hosting a gathering where underage possession or consumption occurs.
Subd. 2. The purpose of this chapter is to discourage underage possession and consumption of alcohol, even if done within the confines of a private residence, and to hold persons criminally responsible who host gatherings where persons under 21 years of age possess or consume alcohol, regardless of whether the person hosting the gathering supplied the alcohol or was present.
Subd. 3. The City Council intends that this chapter should not target parents who may have alcoholic beverages on their premises, but who have issued a standing order that alcohol is not to be consumed by underage persons on those premises.
(Ord. 498, passed 8-27-2012)