Blue Ridge Works on Alcohol Amendment, New Garbage Rules

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During its December 11th workshop this week, the Blue Ridge City Council heard first readings of two new ordinances.The two ordinances presented in the workshop pertained to amending the Alcohol Ordinance and stream-lining garbage collection services for the city.

The alcohol ordinance addresses fees for licensing for retailers wishing to sell packaged malt beverages and/or wine. According to the amendment, its purpose is to clarify the regulatory fees for package licenses, correcting an error in the original ordinance.

In the original ordinance, Section 110.45-23 contains an error regarding the regulatory fee for package licenses. The amendment clarifies this fee, stating that the fee will now be based on the total floor space of the business establishment. Previously, the fee was based on the total floor space for alcoholic beverages.

Package licenses for malt beverages OR wine range from $800 to $3,200 and the cost of a license for both beverage sales options ranges between $1,200 and $4,800.

The amendment will be effective once the city council approves it.

The other ordinance, dealing with garbage, is a detailed, 24 page document explaining the goals of the service, the application process, the means of waste disposal and other aspects of the service. According to the document, the goal of the ordinance is to provide garbage collection and disposal services within Blue Ridge City Limits in order to prevent the proliferation of rodents, vermin, and other destructive creatures and insects, as well as preventing the spread of diseases.

Garbage collection companies must apply to obtain a certificate granted by the city to provide this service and fees must be agreed upon by the two parties. Customers electing to take advantage of this service will be billed by the city. Also, customers will be able to make payments with their other city utility payments.

As with all ordinances, these must have two readings before they are adopted. The second reading of the ordinances will take place on January 8th, 2013 during the next city council meeting.

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