Williamsburg City Council amends alcohol ordinance

The Williamsburg City Council has approved an amendment the city’s alcohol ordinance that will expand hours of sale for a specific type of businesses.

A second reading of the amendment was presented to council members during a special-called meeting last Thursday evening via Zoom, in which all members voted unanimously to approve. The amendment only applies to businesses that hold a non-quota type 1 liquor license—or NQ1. Most city businesses, though, will not be affected.

Kentucky state statute classifies only a few specific business types that can qualify for an NQ1 license, which include the following: a convention center or convention hotel complex, a horse racetrack, an automobile racetrack, a railroad system, a commercial airlines system or charter flight system

Previously, alcohol sales were permitted at all business types between the hours of 6 a.m. and 12 p.m. daily. With the amendment, businesses holding a NQ1 license will see their hours of sale expanded to nearly 24 hours a day. Specifically, the change will now allow for sales at such businesses between the hours of 6 a.m. to 5 a.m. daily.

Currently, the amendment will only benefit the soon-to-open Cumberland Mint Gaming Hall. However, Mayor Roddy Harrison noted at the council’s special-called July 26th meeting that he has been contacted by a hotel chain that was looking into being able to sell alcohol to patrons staying at their business.

The council also unanimously agreed to deed two tracts of city-owned property to Renfro Supply Company to help facilitate the business’ planned expansion.

Harrison previously informed the council that the company was hoping to expand their operations by building an additional warehouse and needed more space to do so. He also noted that he felt it was a fair trade-off to keep the business within city limits, especially since the city will receive additional tax revenue from the new building.

The deeded property is located off Savoy-Clear Creek Road next to Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.

In other city council business:

– A resolution was approved that will allow essential city employees to receive premium pay that were employed during certain periods of the pandemic. The decision was made possible due to Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Funds.

The premium pay will be implemented retroactively. Harrison said that eligible full-time employees will receive 97 hours of premium pay, with eligible part-time employees to receive 49 hours.