Barnesville council adopts sidewalk café ordinance after revisions

Barnesville's City Council approved Ordinance No. 547, the Sidewalk Café ordinance, on May 11 after a prior meeting on April 6 in which the item was tabled to allow further consideration of business concerns.

The ordinance would allow limited sidewalk café service by licensed downtown food-service establishments and includes rules for placement, insurance, and acceptable containers. On April 6 Debbie Adamson of DB Pizzeria addressed the council to object to several proposed requirements, including a daily removal requirement for tables and chairs, the insurance requirement, limits on table placement on the public sidewalk, and a prohibition on use of beer bottles in sidewalk service. After hearing the concerns the council tabled the second reading to the May meeting.

On May 11 the council returned the ordinance to the agenda and recorded approval on second reading. The minutes do not include the full text of any final amendments but record that the council approved Ordinance No. 547.

Council also approved a memorial plaque request from Pinta Lodge 88 and related park memorials at the May meeting.

Because the transcript records only the comments and the tabling and eventual adoption, the article reports debate and outcome as recorded in meeting minutes; the full ordinance language and any revised provisions were attached to the official record but are not quoted in the minutes excerpt.