Pedal Pub Augusta is a rollicking party on wheels, but there’s one thing missing: Open containers of alcohol.
Owners of the 15-seat party bike asked Augusta commissioners Tuesday to allow passengers to drink as they ride, rather than merely during stops on the bike’s pub crawl.
“The main thing is that we need to be able to B.Y.O.B. on our bikes,” co-owner Charity Jones said.
“Pedal pub is a franchise. We operate in over 50 locations and all the locations have B.Y.O.B. on their bikes, except the Augusta location,” said co-owner Syderist Manuel.
Savannah has “Sip and Cycle,” Atlanta has the “Peach Roll” and variations exist in many cities, some of whom allow riders to carry an open cup of beer, wine or seltzer.
Jones said the bike’s pilot is similar to a limousine driver, transporting guests as they imbibe in the back.
Augusta Planning and Development has looked at nine cities for comparison, Director Carla DeLaney said. All limit the vehicles to a particular area, she said.
Commissioner Sean Frantom brought up the “entertainment district” he pushed for five years ago. The district, which might allow open containers of alcohol, would be the place for pedal pubs. But not, he said, without consulting with law enforcement.
“For us, we’ve got to get the sheriff on board for this,” he said.
DeLaney said the department is presenting an overhauled alcohol ordinance to the commission in October that could create an entertainment district.
The ordinance can’t allow open containers of alcohol without defining the geographic area where it is allowed, she said.
In other action:
After a closed-door session, the full commission voted to transfer 239 West Vineland Road, the neighborhood tennis court, to the Augusta Georgia Land Bank Authority. The property borders Augusta National Golf Club property.
The Administrative Services committee approved naming city landmarks for former mayor Ed McIntyre, former Utilities director Tom Wiedmeier and former commissioner Andy Cheek.
Frantom encouraged city departments to go “cashless” to end cash handling by most city staff. Augusta would be the first city in Georgia to do so and some divisions where customers routinely pay in cash would have a tough transition, Finance Director Donna Williams said.
The Finance committee recommended approval for giving the Garden City Rescue Mission $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to help the charity purchase its downtown facilities for $495,000.
Court system researcher Donna Morain outlined problems at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center where an 18-year-old woman died last week. Morain said prisoners talk of rationing food, water and basic medications.
The Public Safety committee recommended approval for a new three-year jail medical contract with Vital Core Health Strategies LLC at a one-year cost of $6.7 million. The contract includes full-time psychiatric care for inmates, healthcare consultant Frank Fletcher said.
