SANDPOINT — The City Council voted unanimously to expand the city’s open container code to include special events at City Beach and other city owned properties on Wednesday.

The amendment to the code will allow for single-day events held by Bonner County nonprofits to sell or serve beer and wine in a fenced off area on the northwest corner of the interior law at City Beach. Originally, the proposed changes to the law only included the month of June, to accommodate the CHAFE 150’s after-ride party, but that was expanded by an amendment by councilor Justin Dick. 

"City Beach after Labor Day is the most underutilized piece of property that we have, year-round,” Dick said. “One of my suggestions would be to have one event per month after Labor Day, starting in September all the way to June.” 

The timeframe of expansion was approved unanimously by the attending councilors. City Attorney Fonda Jovick said she would investigate if the city had the ability to limit the events to only Bonner County nonprofits. 

The council will have the chance to further amend the open container code, when the official changed ordinance is brought before them at their next meeting.  

When the topic of allowing alcohol at City Beach was first brought to the council’s attention at the Aug. 20 meeting, the majority of the councilors expressed concern about the proposal. At Wednesday’s meeting, several councilors mentioned the overwhelming public support for CHAFE at City Beach changed their minds. 

“Sitting up here I think that’s democracy at its best, you guys are giving us your thoughts, your inputs and your ideas. For me, specifically ... it did shape my final opinion,” Councilor Rick Howarth said. “I appreciated the growing knowledge and understanding of the meaningful impact that these events can have on the city.” 

Council President Deb Ruehle said the south end of the proposed maximum one-acre area for events at City Beach cut too close to the volleyball courts. Community Development and Planning Director Jason Welker said when the full ordinance is brought, the area will be redrawn to accommodate the courts.    

"Just draw that a little bit differently so we make sure if it happens to be a beautiful sunny day, that those people aren’t shooting their volleyballs into the fenced off drinking area accidentally,” Ruehle said. 

Councilor Pam Duquette proposed adding an 8 p.m. time limit to events at City Beach, which the rest of the council agreed should be enforced. However, they said that they didn’t feel it necessary to include the time limit in the open container code, instead wanting to add it as a condition in the event permitting process, and voted down the amendment 4-1.  

Mariah Williams, ride director for the CHAFE, said the organization is pleased with the council’s decisions. She said that none of the changes that the council made at Wednesday’s meeting will interfere with CHAFE’s plans. 

“We’ve been having conversations for weeks and months now with the city,” Williams said. “We understand and appreciate the council’s concern and hesitation; they care about City Beach and what it means to the community, and so do we. I think we are all on the same side, just trying to better our region and opportunities for our residents.” 

Williams said that the planning for the June 20, 2026, ride is already well-underway and that having a solidified location allows them to begin their permitting process and attracting sponsors. 

Other city properties that were included in the code changes were the James E. Russell Sports Center and both city owned buildings in Lakeview Park, currently home to the Sandpoint Lions Club and the Bonner County Historical Society and Museum.  

"There’s been no explicit requests, but non-profits are often looking for opportunities to host fundraising events, the mayor suggested including the history museum in this ordinance as well,” Welker said. “We anticipate getting a lot of requests in the near future for events in [JER Center].” 

The City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall in the City Council Chambers.