City turns down Beer Board changes

McMinnville officials are backing away from a proposal that would have dissolved the city’s Beer Board after several aldermen - including one who currently serves on the board - didn't feel the need to remove citizen involvement from the process.

An ordinance which would have transferred Beer Board authority directly to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, failed unanimously Tuesday night during its first reading and will not advance any further.

While the proposal was presented as a way potentially improve efficiency and reduce costs, much of the discussion centered around whether there was actually a need to eliminate the current board structure.

Alderman Keri Morton, who currently serves on the Beer Board, became one of the key voices in the discussion.

Morton acknowledged the scheduling difficulties that occasionally come with coordinating Beer Board meetings, but said she had grown to appreciate the board’s role and did not see a compelling reason to eliminate it.

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me either way,” Morton said during discussion. “I kind of like it better when something is - it’s kind of like the planning commission and all the other ones - to where a lot of that stuff may be taken care of in those areas and then sent to us.”

Morton added that she had learned a great deal while serving on the Beer Board and emphasized that the current members were willing to continue serving.

“If all the other members that are doing it don’t mind to do it, I don’t really see a reason to change it,” Morton said.

City officials noted in the proposal it could create a more efficient process by allowing permit matters to be handled during the board’s regular twice-monthly meetings instead of through separate Beer Board meetings. Staff also cited lower advertising costs and fewer quorum concerns.

But several aldermen questioned whether the move could create the appearance of consolidating power.

“It almost gives the impression that we’re trying to bring everything in,” Alderman Steve Harvey said. “I know we’re not, but outside looking in, you kind of get that idea that it’s a control thing.”

Alderman Rachel Kirby also spoke in favor of maintaining citizen participation on the board, saying she had heard positive feedback from current members and residents involved in city committees.

Every member of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted no, effectively ending the proposal after its first reading