High Springs City Commission moves forward with Sunday alcohol sales by special permit
BY DAVID LIGHTMAN
HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – At their April 11 Regular Meeting, the High Springs City Commission discussed an ordinance that would reduce the restrictions on alcohol sales on Sundays by local businesses but postponed a decision to a future meeting.
Second reading of golf cart ordinance
Mayor Katherine Weitz began the meeting with the first item of unfinished business: a second reading of an ordinance amending the local laws regulating golf carts and bringing them into compliance with new State standards adopted in 2023. The new standards require any driver under age 18 to have either a driver’s license or learner’s permit. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Tristan Grunder made a motion to pass the ordinance, and Commissioner Andrew Miller seconded the motion. It passed unanimously by roll call vote.
Restrictions on alcohol sales on Sundays
Weitz introduce the second item of unfinished business: an ordinance lifting restrictions on on-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages on Sundays for businesses deriving less than 51% of their revenue from the sale of food and non-alcoholic beverages. At their previous Regular Meeting, Commissioners had voted to table the item until all five Commissioners were present (Weitz was absent) and the new City Manager was hired.
Acting City Attorney Clay Martin spoke for a few minutes, first trying to bring levity to the controversial issue and then giving a warning for speakers to follow the rules for public comments, including not threatening anyone or disrupting the meeting.
Commissioner Wayne Bloodsworth asked what the Commission’s options were, and Weitz explained that they could pass the ordinance as-is, deny the ordinance (or simply not vote on it), or make any modifications they wanted and then vote on it.
Weitz opened the floor for public comments. A man named David shared his past: “I would ask: have any of you ever been raised in the home of an alcoholic? Because I have. At 11 years old, my mother married one, and the abuse that took place in that home because of it was tragic. Many times we had to call the police in to protect us…. When he did drink, which was often, he got abusive. He beat my mother. He beat me. He beat my younger brothers. And at 11 years old, there was fear in our house every day…
“At the age of 16, I was working at a garage, and I came home one evening, 10:00 at night… He immediately began to verbally assault me, so I backed up… I was a football player, a weightlifter… That night, I almost killed him… There is no good thing as far as I’m concerned about drinking. We have a law right now that can help protect, even if it’s just for one day on a Sunday, to protect the families that live in abuse through alcoholism. That’s what’s before you this evening.”
Robin Todd of Victory Springs Independent Baptist Church said her church actively works to bring people to the area every Sunday. She mentioned the restaurants and other things to do. Pointing to her left, she said, “Your sign up there says ‘Enjoy Our Good Nature.’ Well, I want our good nature to be because of all those things and not because people are sitting at a bar, drinking. I don’t think this is a good thing to extend the days of alcohol. I just don’t think it’s a good thing. I want High Springs to be the place that people and families want to come – want to come to church, want to shop, want to do things that are productive for families.”
Pastor Patrick Gimenez of Victory Springs Church spoke. Citing an article, he said, “The United States Supreme Court has ruled in multiple cases that laws restricting activities on Sundays are not automatically unconstitutional, even if they rise from religious underpinnings. They quote a case… where the Supreme Court upheld the restriction on sales on Sundays… The Supreme Court stated that the purpose behind the law that they upheld was the health, safety, recreation, and general well-being of all people regardless of religious affiliation. So the Supreme Court supported it.”
Gimenez mentioned the findings of a task force: “When they looked at communities that took away the blue laws, studies showed a correlation between… limiting days when alcohol is sold and a decrease in alcohol-rated crimes. They said that is proven: you keep a blue law in place, it is going to reduce alcohol-related crimes. They go on to say that their study showed… a noteworthy change in the number of police activity with intoxicated persons.” Gimenez’s wife spoke later, giving her perspective.
A man named Courtney said the High Springs Brewery is the only place that will be affected by changing the law. He said breweries are community-driven and attract families (unlike traditional bars). He supported removing the restrictions.
Gene White said, “High Springs really should want to be different than the rest of Alachua County. I mean, you go to Gainesville, it’s just liberal. It’s disgusting there… Go downtown. See how the alcohol is there, tell me how you like it. And High Springs used to be a small conservative town with family values. Nothing about lifting alcohol restrictions is going to help a family atmosphere… I don’t drop my standards to make a few extra bucks. I don’t think High Springs should, either. I think they should be different. Thank you.”
Joshua Menez said he had been present the previous year when the same topic was discussed. He encouraged the Commissioners to review the statistics. He said children who attend alcohol-serving establishments regularly (such as the brewery) are four times more likely to become alcoholics as adults. Menez said the CDC found that alcohol has a negative impact on economies, not positive.
Steve Williams pointed out the increased effects when alcohol is consumed on an empty stomach. He said it would be a major mistake to change the law.
Jana Evans pointed out that the ordinance was brought up for review two years ago, and the community resoundingly said “No.” She thought it was too soon to bring up the topic again.
Brent Emerson said, “I’ve grown up here since birth, 1971, and this has been a surrounding church family atmosphere and environment, community holding Sunday as reverent… Lifting the restriction is not prosperous and well-being for the spirit and soul, individually and the community.”
Ronnie Munson said he dealt with the families of many victims of alcoholism during his time in the military. He encouraged the Commission to “do the wise thing and vote ‘No’ against this change.”
Christy Swilley said alcohol is still being sold on Sunday at the four restaurants, and she encouraged the Commission to lift all restrictions.
An unidentified man said he agreed with Christy Swilley and thought businesses should all be treated the same.
Cheryl Munson shared some of her negative experiences with alcoholics, including her grandfather who became abusive when he drank. She said her great-niece was permanently injured by a drunk driver. She urged the Commission to “find some other way to get income into the city.”
Weitz mentioned that they had received two letters, both against changing the restrictions.
Commission discussion on alcohol sales on Sundays
Weitz said she appreciated the way the brewery has been involved with the community. She said she is fairly neutral on the issue, and she recognizes the concerns of both sides.
Miller suggested leaving the permit system in place; this allows permits to be issued by the City Manager for occasional special events on Sundays. Weitz pointed out that although the City has been issuing special permits, that is not technically correct under the current ordinance.
Grunder said, “I hear what people saying, and I know people don’t want bars. They don’t want just standalone bars. I get that. We’re not that type of town… The brewery has normally acted in a light of having food there, just like the other establishments. So I thought, well, if we get rid of the 51% and maybe open it up that you have to have food sold on the premises, then you’re basically doing the exact same thing as allowing the Pink Flamingo, The Watershed, Great Outdoors, and restaurants like that. That would also leave in place that you wouldn’t have a standalone bar open up in the middle of High Springs…
“There is another mechanism for this, and that is to kick the vote out to the citizens and put it on the ballot. You would have a huge turnout in November, and it would be the citizen voice and that’s the ultimate we really want to hear.”
Attorney Martin explained the various ways the question could be put on the ballot, including as an amendment to the City Charter, which is more binding, or as an ordinance, which could be more easily changed by a Commission vote.
Miller said he thought people would prefer the more permanent option, considering the cost of putting the item on the ballot.
After some discussion about conducting an electronic survey, Weitz said she preferred the more reliable and secure method of putting the item on the ballot as a referendum and limiting it to High Springs residents, since anyone can answer surveys or even answer more than one time.
Weitz asked which direction everyone wanted to go in.
Grunder said, “I think we go to the ballot. Let the citizens pick. And then we close it down, and we don’t bring it back up.”
Commissioner Byran Williams said he supported the system of issuing special permits on certain occasions, but not every Sunday.
Weitz asked City Manager Jeremy Marshall whether he thought that would be acceptable, and Marshall said he would be selective and issue permits only for holidays and truly special events.
Commissioner Byran Williams asked Martin about the wording for a motion for special permits, and Martin explained that there was no need to make any motion. He said he would bring something back for them to vote on that would clarify the special permit system.
Martin recommended continuing with the status quo system of issuing special permits even though it is not technically correct under the existing ordinance.
Bloodsworth said, “We’ve been going against our ordinance by doing it in the past. None of that makes sense, meaning that we’re going to agree to continue doing wrong.”
Weitz answered, “That’s true. You’re right.”
Motions fail to receive seconds
Miller made a motion to direct the City Attorney to revise the ordinance to allow for special use permit applications that will be evaluated by the City Manager for approval.
After some discussion, Grunder made a motion to put the issue on the ballot.
Neither motion received a second. Martin said he would bring back an item at a future meeting that codifies the special permit application process.
Two members of the public spoke and expressed concerns about setting negative precedents and possible exposure to liability as a result of continuing to issue special permits before it is codified into law.
In light of those comments, Williams and Weitz said that the Pioneer Days permit for the brewery will not be able to be issued and the selling of alcohol will not be permitted that Sunday.