Though closing the more than $2 million budget gap was a pressing issue at recent meetings of Saratoga Springs City Council, the Tuesday, April 20, meeting was abuzz with an even more contentious issue recently brought to light: changing last call hours for city bars.
Commissioner of Finance Ken Ivins postponed the first two items on his agenda that would have amended department budgets and the council devoted nearly an hour to explaining the last call proposal and getting public commentary on the matter.
In an effort to address both cost saving and recent incidents related to late-night alcohol consumption, Commissioner of Accounts John Franck laid out a detailed yet preliminary proposal that would change last call from 4 a.m. to 2 a.m. starting after Labor Day weekend. The way it stands now, the change in hours wouldn’t apply during the summer months when the city sees high tourist traffic between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Franck said the new proposal, in its infant stages was drawn up to achieve two objectives: safety of city residents and cutting costs.
`First and foremost is city residents’ safety. Money is important but in this instance, we’ve had numerous altercations`fights, the recent tragedy on St. Patrick’s Day, potential and partial abductions, I can go on and on`but from an account side, I believe we will substantially cut costs in overtime, worker’s comp claims, insurance claims and lawsuits,` said Franck.
Franck said he talked to numerous attorneys and has gotten mixed messages; however, from what he can tell, the default last call for New York State is 4 a.m. but local governments are allowed to change the time within a county that liquor can be sold by adopting a local law.
`What I could get from my conversations was, either we can do this as a local law at the city level or we could put a resolution together and send it to the county different things have been said to me and this idea is murky at best,` said Franck, who said there are a lot of legal steps to still be taken and he hopes to have a plan drawn up within a few weeks.
Franck gave an overview of statistics, saying he was working closely with Commissioner of Public Safety Richard Wirth to have those numbers made public. From the New York State Liquor Authority, Franck said there are 57 counties in New York State and of those, 12 close at 1 a.m., 21 close at 2 a.m., three close at 3 a.m. and 21 close at 4 a.m. He also noted three college towns`Elmira, Geneva and Ithaca`that have some of the earliest closing times in the state at 1 a.m. to prove earlier last calls do exist and work.
Franck also noted a cost benefit analysis that revealed between 2007-09, there were 80 workers compensation injuries resulting in claims to police, 18 of which occurred between 2 and 4 a.m. around Caroline Street area. While Franck said there are also numerous injuries during other early morning hours, the high incidence of injuries between that two-hour time slot is telling.
He also said citizen complaints and insurance claims are higher in the early morning hours.
`We have complaints from citizens near the downtown area of people passed out on their floor who didn’t live there, public urination and vomiting in yards complaints about excessive noise, drunk people yelling, screaming or fighting outside houses, all around 4 or 5 in the morning. Nothing good starts after 2 a.m.,` said Franck. `I know people aren’t going to stop drinking and I’m not trying to kill the tourist trade, so that’s why my proposal is outside the track and summer season.`
Franck said he is flexible and more than willing to sit down with bar owners to discuss their end of the deal. There will be a public hearing before the City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 4 meeting, to take a closer look at the proposal.
Maureen Casey of the Prevention Council said during the public comment period that from an agency point of view, she `would like to see further investigation into how it would impact the downtown area and reduce the number of underage drinking incidents and alcohol related assaults,` adding that it’s a `worthwhile measure` if it benefits the city and its residents.
But John Baker of Gaffney’s Restaurant, said the proposal could potentially harm his business.
`That is a very busy time, 2 to 4, in town and it’s a big part of our business, a big part of what Saratoga is all about`entertainment and excitement. I’m concerned about people leaving town at 2 and driving to other places to continue their entertainment,` said Baker. `As far as the city budget, I don’t know if we’d be saving any money by closing early. I think it would be a deterrent.`
The Council passed other minor agenda items related to Camp Saradac operations, a Price Chopper grant to purchase a safety traffic kit and filling vacancies in the Public Safety department.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, May 4, at 7 p.m. The public hearing regarding last call proposal will be at 6:45 p.m.
“