LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
2 MAY 2025
Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour asked that the minutes of 3 February 2025 be considered with a motion. A motion by Commissioner Gayle Jones, seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, was made to approve the 3 February 2025 minutes and were then approved unanimously. No prayer or pledge were offered due to being provided in same day meetings. Handout Resolution No. 2025- was provided. Handout describes a modification to the current county beer sale distance rule, changing it to 200’.
Motion to approve draft modification resolution was made by Commissioner Erin Curry, seconded by Commissioner Shelly Goolsby. The Chair noted the draft resolution was initiated by Commissioner Brad Butler for Elgin Lirette of Lirettes Cajun Seafood Café and Kitchen, although the draft Resolution does not address restaurants, it only addresses “qualified businesses.” Some concerns were: how are distances measured, i.e., property line to property line, edge of building to edge of any church, school or other place of public gathering, or door to door; already have state issued license to sell hard liquor, should be able to sell beer (with less alcohol content); keep lowering the distance requirement could be to zero (state has an upper limit of 1’K); what has been public support/concern, e.g., how many calls/conversations; lowering beer distance requirement could lead to something else; this resolution to sell beer is no longer requiring food and requirements associated with serving food and beer; requirement to be a “qualified” business; making county requirement equal to city requirement. Commissioner Gayle Jones noted that future businesses make decisions based on location and to have the uncertainty of revoking a change by future commissioners places businesses in jeopardy. Commissioner Erin Curry withdrew her motion until the county can determine the approved way to measure the distance between church, school or other place of public gathering and the sale of beer. Commissioner Terry Jones asked that the county attorney be consulted for his clarification on how to measure and emphasizing the resolution is not addressing restaurants, and is for selling beer only.
New Business – Commissioner David Wamble asked the committee to re-look at the full commission meeting time. He recommended the time be changed to 9:00 a.m. consistently. A motion by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Annelle Guthrie, to change all full commission meetings to 9:00 a.m. was made and was approved after discussion 4-3 with Commissioners Erin Curry, Shelly Goolsby, and Matt Rubelsky voting no. Discussion included was time of meeting originally changed to some night meetings to increase public interest and attendance, which was noted as not happening; motion to change to 4:00 p.m. was made and failed; several want just one time consistently; bring to the next full commission, per Commissioner Terry Jones with Commissioner Wamble noting that such a rule change needs a 2/3 majority.
Additional New Business – Commissioner David Wamble brought up the recent international trip and asked that a resolution be considered to address international travel. In addition to that conversation Commissioner Terry Jones addressed all grants should be approved at full commission level. Commissioner Wamble said how important optics are to being transparent with the public.
Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Gayle Jones, seconded by Commissioner Annelle Guthrie, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Committee – Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour, Other Commissioners – Gayle Jones, Annelle Guthrie, Terry Jones, Shelly Goolsby Erin Curry, and Matthew Hopkins (for Caleb Savage absent); Other Commissioners in attendance: Roger Reedy, Matt Rubelsky, David Adams, Joyce Woodard, Tracy Wilburn, David Wamble, Joseph Sutton, Tim Risner, Carman Brown / Other in attendance: public