The Pella City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance allowing minors into microbreweries with restrictions at their meeting this evening.
If adopted, anyone under the age of 21 who wants to enter the establishments would have to do so with a parent or legal guardian over the age of 21, and can only be inside microbreweries from opening until 9 p.m. — both of which were amendments added after the council expressed concerns with allowing any adult to bring a minor in.
Councilmembers Bruce Schiebout, Harold Van Stryland, and Tony Bokhoven all saw the addition of limiting time to 9 p.m. as a compromise, as the group all say they’ve received considerable feedback to not allow any minors in the establishments at all. Councilmember Larry Peterson argued the additional rule on top of the parent or legal guardian requirement would be too restrictive for minors that are legally adults (18 or older). The 9 p.m. cutoff for minors amendment passed on a 5-1 vote, with Peterson opposing, and overall ordinance allowing minors into microbreweries passed unanimously. Councilmember Lynn Branderhorst stated it was better to start with more restrictions now as the concept is new to the city, and she is open to vote on loosening regulations after microbreweries have been in business for awhile.
Owners of the Gezellig Brewing Company Mindi Vanden Bosch and Betsy Duffy said at the meeting they intend to create a family friendly environment by serving craft soda, working with local restaurants for quick delivery service, and providing a wide range of board games, live music, family activities, and special events. They expressed their desired operating hours could extend to 11 p.m. for patrons over the age of 21.
The ordinance, which was removed from the table, will have to pass two more readings before it is adopted. That vote will take place on August 7th, in which the 3rd reading could be waived. Vanden Bosch and Duffy both indicate they plan to begin the special use permit process and lock in a location by sometime in August.