A request for a special license to sell alcohol during Springfest was put on hold Tuesday by a Grand Forks City Council committee.
The annual music event is attended primarily by young adults, and, for the past several years, beer has been sold in a fenced area to those with wristbands indicating they are older than 21.
Rhombus Guys pizzeria plans a similar setup for this year's event, scheduled for May 4 in University Park.
But the fact that minors would mix with those of drinking age was flagged by City Attorney Howard Swanson in a memo to Service and Safety Committee members, who voted to table the pizzeria's license request for two weeks to gather more information.
Police Chief John Packett told the committee he agreed with Swanson's concern, but didn't have any minors arrested inside the fenced area last year. There were some arrests outside the area and dozens of citations issued during the event.
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Still, committee members wondered if the wrist bands were enough.
"Is there a way to keep them separate?" Council member Ken Vein asked.
No representative from Rhombus Guys was present to answer Vein's question.
Packett said his special events team can increase vigilance.
More meetings between Rhombus Guys, the Park District and the police department are scheduled for the next few weeks, according to Packett.
Thirty police officers were assigned to cover last year's Springfest, which was attended by about 4,000 from noon to 6 p.m., the length of the event. Those attending are not allowed to bring in their own alcohol or drink outside the fenced area. Those caught are cited by police.
Rhombus Guys has sponsored Springfest since 2009.
Vein and committee Chairman Terry Bjerke, the only members present, agreed to table the request until the next committee meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. April 9.
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Call Jewett at (701) 780-1108; (800) 477-6572, ext. 1108; or send email to bjewett@gfherald.com .
