Riverside director asks for one more year of data on liquor license as bookings rise

Britney Nelson, Riverside Director, reported a marked increase in facility bookings — from 25 events in 2025 to 40 events to date in 2026 — and said revenue and Google/Facebook feedback are trending up. She argued that many of the higher‑value events (weddings, quinceañeras, graduations) require bar service and asked the council to retain the Riverside liquor license for another year so the city can collect a fuller year of operational data before making a policy change.

Some council members expressed skepticism about keeping the license, citing low current bar revenue on events and concerns over insurance and liability if renters brought in their own alcohol. Others urged adjustments to pricing and rental rates if the facility is to be used more fully; one member suggested revising rental fees upward to better reflect event‑center usage. The Riverside director said bartenders were certified and that she was tracking bookings and customer satisfaction metrics and would provide monthly reports. Council did not take final action but directed staff to gather additional financials and insurance comparisons and to revisit the question with a full year of data.