HomeMy Public PortalAboutEvents With Alcohol ArrangementsTown of Oliver – Events With Alcohol Arrangements Policy Page 1
COUNCIL
POLICY
Effective Date January 23, 2012
Section: Legal Matters
Title: Events With Alcohol Arrangements Policy
PURPOSE
This policy sets out the procedures for arranging Town of Oliver events which serve alcohol and
safe transportation from such events for council members, staff and invited guests. The primary
purpose of the policy is to promote responsible behavior at such events and to prevent any injury
or property damage to attendees of such events and to the general public.
PREAMBLE
Whereas:
A. Serving alcoholic beverages is a common and expected business practice at certain social
events related to the operation of any business, including a municipal corporation;
B. The Town of Oliver does not encourage or condone irresponsible use of alcohol;
C. It is in the Town’s best interest to ensure that the serving of alcohol is conducted prudently
with the highest regard given to the safety of event attendees and the public at large.
D. Serving alcoholic beverages or hosting events where alcohol is served exposes the municipal
corporation to certain risks and these risks to the Town of Oliver can be mitigated through a
mandatory policy that requires all license requirements being met for serving alcohol and
arranging safe transportation from any Town social event where alcoholic beverages are
served.
Town of Oliver – Events With Alcohol Arrangements Policy Page 2
POLICY
Now, therefore, council of the Town of Oliver endorses the following policy:
Types of Events that May Serve Alcohol
1. Service of alcohol shall be limited to the following types of Town-hosted or Town-sponsored
events (hereinafter called “Events With Alcohol”):
(1) Receptions held for out-of-town dignitaries;
(2) Recognition events for citizens of the community of Oliver;
(3) Recognition events for retiring employees or council members;
(4) Sporting tournaments and other team-building exercises for staff and council;
(5) Seasonal or special event celebrations for staff and/or council; or
(6) Regular meetings or social events for volunteers including volunteer fire department
staff.
Management or Council Approval Required
2. All Events With Alcohol must be approved in advance by the municipal manager or by
council. If appropriate, the municipal manager or council may grant approval to regularly
recurring events without having to grant separate approval for each recurrence.
Provincial Regulations Must be Followed
3. All Events With Alcohol must meet all licensing requirements and other regulations
established by the Province of British Columbia.
No Alcohol Purchased for Council Members or Staff Members
4. Except for guests of honour (i.e. out-of-town dignitaries, citizens being recognized and
retiring employees or council members) the Town will not use tax dollars to pay for alcohol
consumed by council members or staff at any Event With Alcohol.
Safe Transportation Required
5. Prior to hosting any Event With Alcohol, the organizer(s) of the event will implement a
strategy for providing Safe Transportation following the event to all council members, staff
or invited guests in attendance. Such a process may include any one or more of the following
options:
Town of Oliver – Events With Alcohol Arrangements Policy Page 3
(1) Arrange for a supplier, contractor or other private business to sponsor the event and
provide safe transportation;
(2) Arrange with a charity or non-profit organization to provide safe transportation in
exchange for a donation;
(3) Assign council or staff volunteers to be designated drivers and to provide safe
transportation in exchange for free event admission or free supply of non-alcoholic
beverages during the event and compensation for driving others home in accordance with
travel cost reimbursement policies of the day; or
(4) Hire a private transportation company to provide safe transportation.
Safe Transportation Costs
6. Subject to section 7, funding for Safe Transportation costs shall be provided as follows:
(1) An account shall be established and maintained by the Town to pay for costs related to
safe transportation following Events with Alcohol;
(2) Funding in the Safe Transportation Account shall be accumulated in any one or more of
the following ways:
(a) Through an admission surcharge at Events With Alcohol;
(b) Through a drink price surcharge at Events With Alcohol;
(c) Through contributions from staff or council social funds, lottery funds, donations,
fundraising activities or profits arising from various Events With Alcohol;
(3) If safe transportation costs are incurred at an Event With Alcohol and exceed amounts in
the Safe Transportation Account at that time, the Town will cover any shortfall; however,
the Town would be reimbursed these funds through future contributions to the Safe
Transportation account; and
(4) The Safe Transportation Account shall be administered in a manner such that aside from
temporary shortfalls in subsection (3) above, the Town will not incur any ongoing costs
associated with providing safe transportation from Events With Alcohol.
Exemption for Visiting Dignitaries
7. Notwithstanding section 6, safe transportations costs shall be included within the Town
hosting budget for visiting dignitaries.