Hard Liquor at Endeavor Hall Approved in Rare 3-2 Vote

Disagreement among the council has been rare in 2011, but members split 3-2 on the issue of allowing hard liquor to be served at Endeavor Hall during private parties.

The motion was approved Tuesday night with Mayor David Shuey and council members Joe Medrano and Hank Stratford voting in favor. Council members Julie Pierce and Howard Geller voted against the motion.

Medrano brought the issue to the council, saying a respected member of the Clayton community wanted to serve hard liquor at a party at Endeavor Hall, along with the beer and wine that is allowed.

"Personally, I don't like beer and I prefer only high-end wines, so if those aren't available I get a cocktail," Medrano said. "People have to be responsible for themselves."

Pierce said she had asked members of the community if they thought it was necessary for hard liquor to be served at Endeavor Hall. She said the feedback she received was against the idea.

"I think it says something about the community if you change this," Pierce said. "What's the goal? To get people drunk faster and get them on the road? I don't think that's necessary."

Geller said he wanted conditions added to the motion before he would consider approving it. He recommend using a professional bartender, a bouncer and not allowing youths at the event if hard liquor were served.

Shuey said beer and wine already is served at Endeavor Hall without a professional bartender and if people want to get drunk, they will do so no matter what alcohol is served. He said he thought the city was over-regulating by not allowing hard liquor.

Stratford was mostly quiet during the debate but cast the deciding vote. The deposit for events at Endeavor Hall was increased if hard alcohol is being served, going from $500 to $1,000.

Endeavor Hall, on Center Street downtown, averages two events a month and is usually used for weddings, anniversaries and funerals.

State Budget Deadlock Could Cost Clayton a Police Officer

The state budget dispute could cost Clayton one of its police officers, City Manager Gary Napper told the council.

Each California city is given a police-related grant from the state. Clayton receives $100,000 annually.

The city uses the money to employ its 10th police officer, but in recent years state legislators have tied the grant to increases in the vehicle license fee and the vehicle license increase expires June 30, Napper said.

With Gov. Jerry Brown unable to negotiate a deal with Republicans to allow voters to decide on an extension of taxes in June, Napper said there is a risk the police grant will be lost.

If Clayton loses the money from the state for the police officer, the council could decide to dip into its reserve fund to keep the officer's position.

Shuey said the city will have to pay more money whether it drops the officer or not, because Clayton would have to pay officers overtime to make up for having a smaller force.

"We will have to do an analysis to see if the increased overtime we would have to pay would cost as much as it would to dip into the reserve fund and to keep that officer," Shuey said. "Either way, if the cops grant doesn't come through we're going to be in trouble."

City Takes a Wait and See Approach on Banning Polystyrene

The council was briefed by city staff on the advantages and disadvantages of requiring local businesses to ban the use of polystyrene, which is usually used in takeout containers.

The state Senate is considering banning polystyrene statewide and the council decided to see what the state does before taking any action.

The council said it would reach out to local businesses to see how they feel about the ban. Pierce and Shuey acknowledged that polystyrene is terrible for the environment, but added that staff estimated a replacement material would cost about 30 cents more per container. They said the cost might mean too much of an economic hardship on local businesses.