Carl’s alcohol ordinance nearing completion

Talk is still under way concerning implementing an alcohol ordinance in Carl that the small town hopes will bring in some added revenue during the consistently slumping economy.

Everyone on the council has been in agreement since talk about the ordinance first began that Carl is no place for a sports bar or a bar that only serves alcohol.

The town is looking to only allow establishments where 50 percent of the revenue will come from the sale of food.

The ordinance is very similar to Barrow County’s alcohol ordinance. Keeping its ordinance consistent with others’ in the area will help make Carl an appealing location for future businesses.

The town has also been in agreement that it prefers having no distance requirement from establishes like churches or schools due to its already limited land mass. However, due to state statutes, a distance requirement must be in place, but Carl will implement a minimum distance requirement.

“We’re so small, 100 yards is a long ways,” council member Charles Wagner said. “I mean, there may be only one piece of property where we can even put in a restaurant and have a drink (in Carl). That’s my concern – are we limiting?”

The town almost has a draft ready for approval, however no action was required at Thursday’s meeting.

Other Business

In other business at the Carl City Council meeting Thursday night:

•it was announced that the current SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) roads balance for Carl is $8,508 and the current SPLOST recreation balance is $10,346.

•final approval on the town’s contract with WastePro was tabled until next month’s meeting. Changes will be made to the contract during that time to reflect what the town agreed to with the company. Carl has tentatively agreed to the contract and there should be no interruptions in services.

•letters were sent out to banks in the area asking for bids to be submitted to the town no later than March 1 regarding the town’s Georgia Fund. Banks will bid on the Georgia Fund monies and the council said it should have offers to discuss at its March meeting.

•it was announced that the town’s clerk, Danielle Chatham, will be resigning at the end of the month. The town is currently accepting applications and said that it has already received several. Carl will hold a called meeting to discuss submitted resumes and hopes to choose a new town clerk at its March meeting. Feb. 25 is the last day to submit an application for the position.