Politics & Government

Lilburn Council Amends Ordinance to Allow Ads for Alcohol

City Counicl highlights: Alcohol codes get updates, 2011-12 budget approved, city outsources computer maintenance.

It is now legal for Lilburn stores to advertise for beer, wine and liquor.

Based on a recommendation by the Alcohol Review Board, the voted 3-0 to amend an ordinance that will now allow advertising of alcohol products within the city limits. Virtually no other municipality in the area had had such an ordinance.

“Now newspaper ads will be legal,” Mayor Diana Preston said after the vote.

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There will remain restrictions on some of the content allowed in ads, such as what might be considered to be in questionable taste. 

The measure was one of two approved Monday by the council regarding alcohol sales. The other added some flexibility to disciplinary actions the city can take on businesses found in violation of code. Formerly, the only course was action was license revocation. Now, the ordinance will allow some latitude and “make the punishments fit the crimes,” Councilman Eddie Price said.

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Both approvals represent an ongoing effort by the city to update its alcohol-sales code, some of which had been considered antiquated.

“We don’t want our businesses to be at a disadvantage … ,” City Manager Bill Johnsa said. “And advertising is a major component for them.”

--In other business Monday, the city officially approved its 2011-2012 fiscal budget, which it proposed last month. The budget includes $5,977.939 in the General Fund; $1,720,647 for SPLOST expenditures and $40,100 in  the Capital Projects Fund.

As has been reported by Liburn Patch previously, the budget includes a and chipper service (it had been free in the past) and changes in the occupational and alcohol license taxes to generate revenue. The budget also includes funds for filling two of three frozen positions in the Lilburn Police Department and a two-percent merit increase for city employees, the first raise in three years.

--The council agreed to purchase property from the Downtown Development Authority for $394,328.89 to be used in the Main Street realignment project. The property is located at 356 Main Street and be paid for with SPLOST funds.

--The city will enter into a contract with Centerpoint Direct (at $48,000 per year) to maintain its computer network. Lilburn PD staffer Bob Sluder, who had filled that role along with other duties with the police department, is retiring at the end of the month. Johnsa said outsourcing the job would be cheaper than hiring a replacement.

--The council voted to accept a $400 donation by that will go into a fund to purchase new raingear for police officers.

--In her Mayor’s Report, Preston said a July 4 concert is planned in City Park, beginning at 5 p.m., featuring the bands “The Surge” and “StratoGeezer.”


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