South Charleston has taken a step toward allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday mornings.
City Council on Thursday gave preliminary approval to an ordinance authorizing the city to submit a proposed amendment to its home rule plan to the state Municipal Home Rule Board.
If approved by the state board, the amendment would allow licensed establishments in South Charleston to sell alcoholic beverages on Sunday mornings without having to take the issue to the voters.
Current state law prohibits the sale of alcohol before 1 p.m. on Sundays. Earlier this year the state Legislature approved the so-called Brunch Bill, allowing counties to vote on whether restaurants could sell alcohol after 10 a.m. on Sundays.
Instead of putting the issue on a county ballot, Shepherdstown in May successfully used its home rule powers to approve the early Sunday sale of alcohol. South Charleston is following Shepherdstown's example, as are Charleston and Nitro.
South Charleston's proposed ordinance to start the process was approved by unanimous voice vote. There still must be a public hearing and the proposal must be approved by council again before it can be submitted to the state Municipal Home Rule Board.
City Attorney Michael Moore said prior to Thursday's meeting that the intent is to hold a public hearing and final vote on the proposal at council's July 7 meeting so it can be presented to the Municipal Home Rule Board on July 11. That board meeting is currently scheduled for 10 a.m. in Morgantown.
The South Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau website lists four hotels and more than 60 restaurants. Some of them are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.
The proposed ordinance says the city's hotel and restaurant owners have indicated that there is a market for brunch service on Sundays and "current restrictions on hours of Sunday alcohol service imposed by state law stifle Sunday morning brunch attendance."
Furthermore, the proposal says "The city has determined that allowing alcohol sales at Sunday morning brunch service within the city will produce more revenue and strengthen city businesses, increase city business and occupational tax revenues and city/state sales tax revenues, and increase earnings for servers and other employees working in the hotels and restaurants in the city."
The proposal notes that "one of the city's goals and objectives is to become an entertainment and cultural destination and the active promotion of South Charleston as a city that offers a range of lifestyle choices in order to attract new residents to the city and retain its current residents; the establishment of an earlier Sunday alcohol service is another way for the city to meet these goals and strengthen its social vitality."
In other action Thursday, Ward 7 Councilman James Sibold III said the Recreation Board has developed a list of improvements for neighborhood parks. He said the board will be asking council to invest about $250,000 annually over the next few years to pay for the improvements.
Mayor Frank Mullens said all of the city's parks will eventually receive attention.
Also at the meeting, Mullens presided as two fire department lieutenants were promoted to captain and three firefighters were promoted to lieutenant.
Promoted to captain were Kevin Phillips and Troy Painter. Promoted to lieutenant were Matt Kessler, Cain Flores Jr. and Gary Parsons. Fire department personnel and family members filled the council gallery for the swearing-in and pinning ceremonies.
Council approved the appointment of Mike Fry to the Property Board and the re-appointment of Kathy Burton to the Municipal Planning Commission.
In an unanimous voice vote, council gave the Finance Committee permission to open bids and award contracts for insurance and for maintenance of the city's heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment.
The committee is expected to open bids and award the contracts at a special meeting at 11 a.m June 23 in the Municipal Building, across from City Hall.
During announcements Mullens said construction of Fire Station No. 1 is expected to be finished in a couple of weeks.
Ward 6 Councilman Bob Lilly was absent Thursday.
The public hearing on the home rule proposal and council's next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. July 7 on the second floor of City Hall on D Street.