Alcohol consumption in carriages on hold

Historic City News readers, commissioners and city staff will have until their October 28th meeting to further consider the wisdom of allowing passengers on horse-drawn carriages to consume alcoholic beverages from open containers.

A prohibition included in the City Code has been challenged by a carriage operator who was stopped recently by police for a violation of the open container ordinance. A motion to allow alcohol beverages on horse-drawn carriages was continued during the regular business meeting of the St Augustine City Commission Monday night.

The city has decided that, before taking such action, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles needs to have input. City Attorney Ronald W. Brown believes the city can allow consumption by carriage passengers and still comply with state laws prohibiting open containers of alcoholic beverages.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has been asked for her legal opinion on the matter. The city has not yet received her response.