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47 Regular Meeting February_12,_1996___ Page 7 Mr. Moore moved for approval of the Ordinance on second reading and Mr. Mooney seconded the motion. Mayor Morris moved to amend the Ordinance in Section 2.021 to add at the end of the sentence, "during the first quarter of the fiscal year," and Mr. Moore seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The Council then voted unanimously for approval of the Ordinance on second reading. Mayor Morris introduced a discussion regarding the proposed 2:00 j a.m. bar closing ordinance. Ron Patterson reviewed with Council a report from the Neighborhood Meeting held. Mr. Patterson stated this is an emotional and volatile issue, and he does not feel there is a consensus in the report in the short period of time span they had to gather information. Macel Sullivan provided the Council with statistics for 1994 and 1995 regarding an increase in driving while intoxicated arrests brought to the law enforcement center. Pete Champion, one of two TABC agents covering four counties, including Hays, stated "if San Marcos extends hours of drinking, he thinks there will be more drinking. He would like to see drinking curtailed. In order for the hours to be extended, the Council would be required to adopt an Ordinance. Mr. Champion also advised the Council Hays County was the first rural area in Texas to qualify for grant funding known as the Cops and Shops Program, a federal grant through TDOT, because of the high percentage of accidents and fatalities involving dwi's. A petition circulated -by Rev. Ron Hicks was presented to the Council bearing 162 signatures opposed to the extension of hours. Mr. Moore stated Hays County has an alcohol abuse problem, but he does not know if the 2:00 a.m. extension would impact this. Mr. Taylor advised the on-premise sales until 2:00 a.m. would only be in bars and common areas, such as apartments and party barns. There would be no extension to corner drive-ins. Kenneth Manning from the Draft Choice Sports Bar stated he has a petition with 750 signatures for extended hours. Colonel Dishman thanked the Council for placing this item on the agenda and for taking this matter before the neighborhood associations. He stated the Staff did a good job with this matter. Col. Dishman stated the impact on Hwy. 35 traffic from Austin got Hays County the grant funding and stated he would like information from Chief Kendrick if 1:00 a.m. on Saturday makes an impact on police activity. Chief Kendrick stated in 1994 there were 112 alcohol related crashes and in 1995, there were 104. He stated he does not think extended hours will help the statistics. Between 11:00 p.m.-3:00 a.m., there were 58 alcohol related accidents in 1994 and 43 in 1995. Mr. Mooney stated there was some mention earlier that New Braunfels residents may come here to drink if we extend the hours. Johnny Finch stated San Marcos is between two large cities, and San Marcos is growing rapidly with them. He stated neighborhood parties can be shut down at what point they are out of line, and Denton recently voted for 2:00 a.m. for similar reasons we have been discussing. Mr. Moore stated he is interested in having a trial run. Mr. Hernandez has talked with someone in Comal County who is putting together some statistics for him. We have an opportunity to let our community try this on a trial basis and collect our own hard figures. Mr. Cox has talked with citizens of the community and two points of information are (1) they think it is wrong to encourage drinking alcohol in our society, and (2) do not see San Marcos Downtown as a Sixth Street. Some of these expressing opinions were not teetotalers and is prepared to say no to this issue. Mr. Guerra recommends the City try 2:00 a.m. for four months, possibly April, May, June and July. Mr. Taylor advised the Council can extend less time for beer and wine, but if mixed drinks are served, it has to be for all days of the week. Mr. Guerra stated he would like to see four months for all days. Mr. Hart stated he does not think this is in the best interest of San Marcos. Mr. Mooney stated no. Mayor Morris and Messrs. Moore and Hernandez stated they wanted to try this on a trial basis. Mr. Champion advised the Council they would be required to vote to either rescind or continue after the trial period. The Council discussed there may be a need for more police presence. Rick Travis stated the additional police can be paid for with the profits received in revenues to the City for extended hours. He requested if the City has a trial period,-not to wait until the end of that period before the Council evaluates whether or not to rescind. There was Council consensus to have a four-month trial period and for an Ordinance to be drafted for the next