City is first in state to pass Social Host Ordinance

By Mollee Francisco

With little of the debate that has plagued the Carver County Board, the Chaska City Council unanimously passed the Social Host Ordinance Monday night.

The ordinance, written by the Carver County Attorney’s Office, makes it illegal to knowingly provide a venue for underage drinking.

“There is a gap in the law,” said Chaska Police Chief Scott Knight. “The law is silent on this and we need a tool to address that.”

“What this does is to clarify that it is illegal to permit consumption of alcohol on the premises,” said City Administrator David Pokorney.

There are a few exceptions to the law. It does not apply: to parents providing alcohol to their own children in their home; to protected religious observances; or to situations where the underage are lawfully in possession of alcohol for work.

Violation of the new ordinance will be a misdemeanor when it goes into effect next month.

“I don’t see this as punishment,” said Dorothy Clark-Miles, a drug and alcohol counselor at Chaska High School. “I see this as protection for our children.

“In some cases, I think they need us more now than they did on the playground,” she said. “The temptations are harder and harder.”

Clark-Miles added that she believes the law would force parents to step up to the plate and be “accountable for what happens in our homes”

“There are parents who think they are being noble by taking away car keys and allowing kids to drink,” said Knight.

Councilor Jay Rohe shook his head. “Why would anyone think it reasonable to hold an underage drinking party?” he asked.

Former Chaska City Councilor and current Carver County Board Commissioner Randy Maluchnik agreed. “The county considered this last week,” he said. “They sent it back to the County Attorney’s office to look at alternative justice.”

But Maluchnik is in favor of the ordinance as is. “I’m concerned about the message we’re sending to our youth,” he said.

“Why is everyone so afraid to touch this?” Councilor Chris Schulz asked. “What is the issue?”

“I think it’s a cultural one,” said Maluchnik. He added that both he and Commissioner Gayle Degler, who together represent all of Chaska at the county level, are in favor of the ordinance. Maluchnik said that he believed the resistance was greater in the rural portions of the county.

Knight said that his department has been working on the proposed law for a year and a half and that it can’t come at a more crucial time. “Underage drinking is a society problem,” he said. “It occurs with great frequency.”

Knight highlighted the death last winter of 19-year-old Chaska resident Sean Humphrey as an example of the need for the law. Humphrey died after allegedly consuming alcohol at party held at an apartment in Chaska. Four people have been charged by the county attorney’s office in connection with his death.

Knight said that although Chaska would be the first city in the state to adopt such an ordinance, he believed others would follow. “I think this would be joined by many and quickly,” he said.

“Maybe we should forge ahead, say this is the new way,” said Rohe. “We do a lot of things first here in Chaska.”

“I think this is a step in the right direction,” said Mayor Gary Van Eyll. “And I think we need to take this step.”

After the council voted and passed the ordinance, Van Eyll gave some direction to Maluchnik. “Take that down to the county, will you commissioner?”

If the county approves the ordinance, that would also apply in Chaska.

“This is a good day,” said Knight.

RELATED:

Ordinance targets host of underage drinking parties

Proposed Carver County Host Social Ordinance 

TELL US: What do you think of the new Social Host Ordinance?