Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to repeal Ordinance 1821-2020 - To require bars, nightclubs, and restaurants in the City of Columbus to limit times of operation for onsite consumption of food, beer, wine, and liquor to reduce and prevent the spread of Covid-19 through airborne and respiratory droplet transmissions as enacted on July 27, 2020. Subsequent emergency action by the Ohio Liquor Control Commission on July 31, 2020, as adopted by Governor Mike DeWine via Executive Order 2020-30D issued on July 31, 2020 has obviated the need for local legislation at this time. Emergency action is requested to allow this ordinance to be repealed in order to remove these limitations in the most expeditious manner possible.
Title
To repeal Ordinance 1821-2020 requiring bars, nightclubs, and restaurants in the City of Columbus to limit times of operation for onsite consumption of food, beer, wine, and liquor to reduce and prevent the spread of Covid-19 through airborne and respiratory droplet transmissions; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the City, pursuant to its Home Rule authority, had enacted an ordinance to require bars, nightclubs, and restaurants in the City of Columbus to limit times of operation for onsite consumption of food, beer, wine, and liquor to reduce and prevent the spread of Covid-19 through airborne and respiratory droplet transmissions which was signed into law on July 27, 2020 pursuant to Ordinance 1821-2020; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Liquor Control Commission issued emergency regulations on July 31, 2020 addressing same or similar restrictions on the hours of operation of liquor permit establishments in response to the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to RC 119.03(G), these emergency regulations were subsequently adopted by Governor Mike DeWine via Executive Order 2020-30D issued on July 31, 2020 with an immediate effective date of July 31, 2020; and
WHEREAS, there exists an emergency in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it has become immediately necessary to repeal ordinance 1821-2020 for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare, and to remove these limitations in the most expeditious manner possible. NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Ordinance 1821-2020 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 2. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.