Cape Girardeau city officials are tweaking a proposed ordinance that will prohibit those under 21 years of age from being inside bars after 10:00 p.m.
The revised ordinance now makes an exception for workers who are under 21 years old.
City Manager Scott Meyer says says they are considering exceptions for special events.
“The spirit of the law is to really say once it’s ten o’clock, it your main function is alcohol, then you ought to be restricting people less than 21 from being there,” Meyers said.
The ordinance only affects businesses who make more than 35 percent of their revenue from alcohol sales. Currently businesses do not have to report what percent of revenue comes from alcohol. Meyer says officials are working on ways to establish a reporting system.
“They should know that. They all keep books and are subject to audit. They will keep that,” Meyer said. “It’s just a matter of having them report it and then determine which ones are over the 35 percent and which ones aren’t.”
Meyer is also considering a special event permit exception.
The alcohol ordinance was proposed by Southeast Missouri State University. Cape Girardeau City Council gave it first reading approval on October 15. Council will vote on final approval at its November 5 meeting.