VERO BEACH — The Vero Beach City Council approved a change to the city code allowing bars and restaurants in the city limits to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. for a trial period set to end on June 15, 2015.
Numerous concerns were expressed by Council members about the prudence of extending “last call,” among them drunk driving and people getting disorderly after partying until the wee hours.
The measure first came before the Council in early April after a letter was sent to City Hall, signed by 25 local business owners or managers requesting the change as a way to drive revenue into their coffers from tourists and other customers who leave Vero bars to drink at other establishments outside the county until 2 a.m.
“The staff has reviewed this through the planning department, the police department and we have no problem with this,” City Manager Jim O’Connor said.
Police Chief David Currey said his officers do not encounter many major problems with bar patrons with the current 1 a.m. closing time and that most places handle their own issues. He added that the Vero Beach Police are there to help if called upon.
“We have no problem with this,” Chief Currey said of the proposed change.
But Chief Currey did remind the public that police are out there 24 hours a day watching for people driving when they are over the legal limit for blood alcohol.
Councilwoman Amelia Graves said she saw the issue as a benefit to the businesses financially, putting Vero “in a unique position,” but for those who choose to imbibe, it’s a matter of personal responsibility.
“I think if you’re going to make a poor choice, you’re going to make it at 1 (a.m.) or you’re going to make it at 2 (a.m.),” she said.
The Council directed Currey to report back to them next year prior to the sunset date of the new 2 a.m. closing time as to whether or not it had been a detriment to the city.
Michael Jones, who wrote the letter on behalf of the bars, restaurants and hotels, rose to the podium during public comment urging the Council to pass the change.
He said the business owners he surveyed reported that 20 to 25 percent of their annual revenues are generated between Midnight and 1 a.m.
“Many of the businesses here struggle in the off-season to keep their doors open,” he said.
With regard to how much business is being lost when customers move on to a bar with a later closing time, Jones said, “We don’t have quantifiable data of how many people leave.”
Mayor Dick Winger made arguments both for and against the change.
“I’m a proponent of keeping Vero Vero and keeping our way of life,” he said. “But I don’t like laws where we don’t need them. I also saw that Prohibition, it didn’t work.”
He added, on a personal note, “I’m in bed pretty early, I don’t want to tell you how early. This doesn’t make any difference to me either way,” and told some students from the Indian River Charter High School who were in chambers observing for a class assignment that he wished he could sit out the vote on this one, but that Florida requires elected officials to vote.
Councilman Craig Fletcher, who originally said he could not support the 2 a.m. closing time, stated, “I still think this is just going to enable somebody to get drunker than they already are; I can’t support this at all.”
In the end, Fletcher voted for the temporary measure, under the condition that Chief Currey report back any problems.
The limited time and requirement that the Vero Beach Police Department report back also satisfied the concerns of Vice Mayor Jay Kramer, who said, “I’ve had some people talk to me pretty strongly about this.”
Councilwoman Pilar Turner issued a warning to bar owners, reminding them of their own burden of liability.
“It does certainly put an additional responsibility on our bars and restaurants, to watch your bartenders and not let people leave your establishments inebriated,” she said.
Potentially, a different City Council will vote on whether or not to extend the 2 a.m. closing time as there are three seats up for election in November and two of the incumbents, Turner and Fletcher, have said that they’re not inclined to run for re-election should quality candidates emerge to take their place.