Jefferson City officials are voicing their support of a bill in the Missouri Senate that would allow events held at the Capitol or at the old Missouri State Penitentiary to serve alcohol.
At the City Council meeting Monday, council members unanimously approved a last-minute resolution in support of Senate Bill 674, sponsored by Sen. Mike Kehoe. According to the city's resolution summary, "if this bill were passed, it would benefit Jefferson City by potentially allowing the (Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau) to host events at MSP at which alcohol is served and thus widening the types of events which could be held at MSP."
"Obviously having alcohol at MSP would bring events we wouldn't otherwise have," said Interim City Administrator Drew Hilpert.
Late last year, the city agreed to split with the state the estimated $2 million cost of repairs and mold remediation at MSP, in exchange for a long-term contract with the CVB for use of the facility.
At the end of September, the CVB temporarily suspended all tours of the historic prison site, only to later announce the cancellation of all 2013 tours because of mold found at the site. Officials have stated the goal is to reopen the prison by April, in time for the 2014 tour season.
In other business, Capt. Doug Shoemaker announced the city received the William W. Quigg award from the United Way last week for fundraising in the 2013 campaign. Shoemaker said the city's goal was to raise $15,000, or roughly double what was raised in 2012, and that expectation was exceeded by about $600.
"I was pleasantly surprised," Shoemaker said. "Everybody really came together."
He said the city also had hoped to raise employee participation in the United Way fundraising campaign from 11 percent in 2012 to 33 percent. Shoemaker said the city's participation for 2013 again exceeded expectations by reaching 41 percent.