Albany City Commission approves referendum on Sunday alcohol sales, allows drink purchases with takeout meals

ALBANY – Albany voters will get to weigh in on whether to allow Sunday package alcohol sales in the future with the Tuesday approval of a ballot referendum on the issue.

The Albany City Commission voted 5-2 to allow the referendum, with Commissioners Jon Howard and Demetrius Young voting in opposition.

Young questioned the placement of the question on the Tuesday agenda and asked that the two commissioners who made the request identify themselves.

“It was approved by two commissioners because they had been approached by business owners,” interim City Attorney Michael Custer told Young in explanation. “Lee County has passed an ordinance. It passed in the county (Dougherty). It’s now passed in Lee County and it’s hurting businesses here because they are unable to sell alcohol on Sunday.”

None of the commissioners identified themselves as being behind the request.

The measure approved by the commission authorizes requesting the Albany-Dougherty Voter Registration and Election Board to place the referendum question on a ballot for a future election.

If approved by voters, it would allow for the package sale of malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits from 12-30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Those hours are identical to the ones in effect for Dougherty County.

In another alcohol-related vote, commissioners approved allowing restaurants to sell mixed drinks with takeout food orders. The measure limits the number of drinks to two per order and requires the purchase of an entrée.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when restaurants were closed to dine-in customers, the state approved a measure to allow for such sales. Commissioners granted temporary approval of the practice.

The ordinance approved on Tuesday will put the city in compliance with the state statute.

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]