Council revises Sunday alcohol sale hours
Hattiesburg City Council voted Tuesday to extend the hours restaurants can serve alcohol on Sunday mornings.
The original request made by Hattiesburg restaurant owner Stuart Gates sought to move the time to 10 a.m., but City Council President Kim Bradley felt 10 a.m. on a Sunday was too early to begin alcohol sales. Restaurants in the city currently can begin serving alcohol at noon.
“When I was growing up, you didn’t have alcohol sales on Sunday, and you didn’t even see stores open on Sundays,” Bradley said. “However, I understand this is a resort community and we do see the attraction of conventions, but I hope this council could consider meeting halfway so let us amend it to 11 a.m.”
Ward 4 Councilwoman Mary Dryden reminded the council of the impact this change would have on the citizens and not just on the restaurants.
“The other concern people have voiced is that sometimes when people drink they also drive and you have to address alcoholism,” Dryden said. “I do not want to minimize these issues because they are real issues. Most restaurants do not open until 11 a.m. so I don’t believe it should be pushed back any earlier.”
Ward 3 Councilman Carter Carroll referred to the change from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. as a compromise and win-win for both sides on this issue.
The request now has to go before the Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control before the time change can be made official.
In other business Tuesday, council voted to:
Adopt a modified Memorandum of Understanding with Stion Corp. to lower the company's expected contributions to $250 million in capital investment by December 2019 and 500 jobs created by December 2022.
Adopt a resolution to set a public hearing for 4 p.m. Dec. 7 to determine any properties that present a menace to public health and safety.
Authorize Mayor Johnny DuPree to execute an agreement with Neel-Schaffer Inc. to provide services under the Comprehensive Sewer and Water Investment Project for south lagoon wastewater treatment plant sampling and testing services.
Designate Sacred Heart Catholic School’s Neon Knights 5K on Dec. 5 as a city-approved event.
Authorize the mayor to execute a duplicate lease agreement of the Old Federal Building by Hattiesburg Municipal Court.