The Kalispell City Council is expected to bypass its ordinances to allow a hockey and beer festival the Flathead Valley Hockey Association wants to hold at its ice rink in Woodland Park.

At a work session on Monday, council members agreed to make a fast-track special exception for this event but held back on opening the tap for other events with alcohol in city parks.

Instead, council members signaled they will review and possibly amend the municipal code that bans alcohol in parks but offers temporary permits for events with beer or wine sales at some public properties such as Conrad Mansion, Hockaday Museum of Art and the Museum at Central School.

The council could simply amend that code to allow events with alcohol in other areas, such as at the ice rink.

“We can come back with some options and get a one-time approval for this event to get that under way and keep it moving forward,” Kalispell City Manager Doug Russell told the council.

The exception comes up for approval at the next regular City Council meeting on Monday, Feb. 4. If approved, it would allow the Flathead Valley Hockey Association and Montana Brewers Association to apply for a permit to hold their festival the weekend of March 1-2.

Securing that permit through the city manager’s office means buying adequate insurance coverage to protect the city from any liability and working out a plan to ensure the event is adequately controlled and contained and keeps alcohol out of the hands of minors. That’s required for any such event the city allows involving beer or wine sales.

City Attorney Charlie Harball told council members that they simply don’t have enough time to amend ordinances as needed for this particular event. But they could on a one-time basis say this is a special event Kalispell wants to allow.

“Council has to be careful about doing that, but if it’s done selectively, it could be legal,” Harball said. “Just be aware that other people will come forward, too. You’re probably better off leaving it as much as possible to policy.”

Other groups have expressed interest in holding events with beer or wine at Depot Park and there is some confusion about where such events are allowed or not allowed by the city, Russell told the council. ThursdayFest was briefly mentioned. Alcohol sales and consumption are supposed to remain on private property, but it becomes an enforcement issue.

“So alcohol is sold private on property and the expectation is you won’t stand in the street and drink it,” Mayor Tammi Fisher said at one point on Monday. “I have violated that ordinance — I think every Thursday.”

Council members briefly discussed their individual willingness and unwillingness to allow other events with beer or wine in at least some city parks under some conditions and at some times of the year. Several said they would like to see such event requests come before the City Council for consideration on a case-by-case basis.

“There’s a time and place for everything,” council member Bob Hafferman said.

Council member Kari Gabriel agreed. She supports this hockey and beer festival because it would be contained in a fenced-off area. But allowing events with alcohol in parks carte blanche would not be a good idea, she said.

Kalispell resident Joe Apple spoke against the waiver for this event in Woodland Park. He pointed to the deaths, lost productivity and illness alcohol causes in Montana.

“I really wish you would think about the larger picture, the precedent we’re setting, especially in a family park. I just want to voice my disapproval of this,” he said.

KIM MORISAKI, president of the hockey association, said on Tuesday that her group and the Montana Brewers Association are moving forward with plans for their hockey and beer festival.

The two-day event will include a hockey tournament, skills competition and Saturday beer festival involving craft brewers. It will also feature hall of fame hockey player Lanny McDonald, who will play for the team that raises the most money. Proceeds will pay down the nonprofit hockey association’s mortgage on its outdoor ice rink at Woodland Park.

More details about the festival will be released soon, but the event will be open to the public, Morisaki said. “We want anyone even slightly interested in hockey to come down and watch.”

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.