Title
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF A DESIGNATED OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT AREA FOR THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IN SPECIFIED PUBLIC AREAS OF DOWNTOWN HUDSON AND AMENDING THE HOURS OF OPERATION THEREFOR; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Brief Description: Authorization to renew the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) within Downtown Hudson and expanding the hours of operation.
Body
Legislative History
File No. 20-0074, Discussion on Merchant Support of DORA, 5/26/2020 Council Workshop.
Resolution No. 20-69, Creation of DORA, passed 7/7/2020.
Resolution No. 20-100, Amending Hours of Operation of DORA, passed 9/1/2020.
File No. 20-0140, Update on DORA, 10/27/2020 Council Workshop.
Purpose & Explanation
Section 4301.82 of the Ohio Revised Code authorizes municipalities to create a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA). Upon creation, an outdoor refreshment area allows restaurant patrons to legally walk around a designated outdoor area with an alcoholic beverage that has been served by a liquor-permit-holding establishment. Patrons are required to stay within a predetermined boundary, and only during locally established days/times/events.
The City of Hudson partnered with the Merchants of Hudson, the Hudson Chamber of Commerce and Destination Hudson in creating the DORA. The creation of the DORA was intended to serve as an economic tool to attract patrons to downtown Hudson and highlight the area as a destination for dining and entertainment. Council agreed to review the DORA in January 2021 to determine whether to continue the DORA under the same or modified terms and conditions or dissolve it according to statutory provisions.
The DORA has had a positive impact on the downtown by creating foot traffic and enhancing safe outdoor dining opportunities necessitated by the Coronavirus pandemic. The Hudson Police Department has not had any problems associated with the DORA. The partner organizations have requested a renewal of the DORA. Restaurants that serve weekend brunch have requested the hours of the DORA be expanded to a start time of 10:00 am on Saturday and Sunday. With that expansion, the hours of the DORA would be 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm Monday-Friday and 10:00 am to 10:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Resolution No. 20-69 states that Council shall review the requirements of the DORA, as established herein, in January 2021 to determine whether to continue the DORA under the same or modified terms and conditions or dissolve it according to statutory provisions. The City of Hudson’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area is permitted by the State of Ohio Division of Liquor Control through December 31, 2025. Council maintains the authority to revoke the DORA at any time during that period. Prior to adopting this Resolution, the City of Hudson must give notice of the proposed action by publication once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Municipal Corporation.
Legal Authority for Proposed Legislation
Pursuant to Charter Section 6.04, Contracts & Purchasing:
Competitively bid and advertised for two consecutive weeks; bid tab attached: [Yes/No/NA])
Joint or Cooperative Purchase Program
Professional Services
NA Other [provide explanation]
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted (Account #, $)
Supplemental Appropriation Required (Account #, $)
X Appropriation Not Required
Does this legislation require use of an emergency clause?
Yes
X No
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends City Council renew the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) through December 31, 2025 and expand the hours of operation to 10:00am to 10:00pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Submitted by,
Jane Howington, City Manager
Thom Sheridan, Asst City Manager
Greg Hannan, Community Development Director
Rhonda Kadish, Community Relations Manager