Council suspends open-container rules for Rally for the Valley, sets contingencies

Council President Crotty moved resolution R3026 to suspend parts of the city code (Title 11, chapter 5) that prohibit consumption of alcohol in public areas within the Rally for the Valley event area on Oct. 3, 2026. Clerk Janet explained the suspension would allow attendees to leave licensed premises carrying drinks and to consume alcohol in the designated downtown street area; the resolution includes contingencies: council approval of a street-use permit, AB-105 approval for the applicant, Department of Revenue approval, and the event actually taking place.

Clerk Janet said, "So what this does, for this event is it would allow attendees of the event to go into our downtown businesses that have liquor licenses and allow them to purchase beer, cocktails, any sort of alcoholic beverage, and then, consume it in the street." Council members pressed operational details: Council President Crotty and others asked whether cups would have to be plastic and how wristbanding and ID checks would be handled. Adrienne, identified as the event organizer, told the council Stone Arch would manage beer sales and "historically, they have always utilized wristbands, and I would anticipate that this will be no different."

The council discussed whether the resolution should add a plastic-cup requirement as a contingency; the mayor suggested the event organizers or the resolution could address that. Clerk Janet recorded the roll; the motion carried 8-0.