Businesses in Pottsville that advertise BYOB will have to get a permit to continue offering that amenity before the end of the first quarter of this year, City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Monday.
Frank Spleen, health officer for the city, will be talking to local businesses about that very soon, Palamar said after the council’s January meeting at city hall.
In October, the council held the second and final reading of Ordinance 846, the Bring-Your-Own-Bottle ordinance. It set rules for such businesses. In particular, they will have to apply for yearly permits to continue offering that amenity.
On Monday, the council agreed that the fee for a BYOB permit will be set at $20 annually.
“Frank, as he’s getting started in the new year and doing his inspections, will reach out to them to see who in fact needs to get one, and the police may actually help out,” Palamar said.
During the meeting, the council approved motions that included the following:
• Hired Northeast Industrial Services to demolish 413 Adams St. at a cost of $23,440.
• Authorized city Clerk Lisa M. Kral to execute documents necessary for the city to lease a 2016 police vehicle with Santander Bank. It will cost about $30,000 and the city will buy the vehicle from Kovatch Ford, Nesquehoning, Kral said.
“It was in the budget. It’s a Ford Interceptor,” Palamar said.
• Appointed Shelby Hostetter, Pottsville, to serve on the Lasting Legacy Board to fill the unexpired term of Kim Murphy, who resigned in December. Murphy’s term was slated to expire Dec. 31, 2018.
In other matters, city Fire Chief Todd March submitted his 2015 Fire Chief’s Annual Alarm Report.
It stated there were 503 alarms in 2015 and a total of $1,260,975 in fire loss. That included $5,000 in fire loss involving vehicles.
“The total of 503 alarms in 2015 was 10 less than there were in 2014,” the chief said in his report.
In 2014, there were 513 alarms with a fire loss of $722,950, the chief said.
“The highest loss fires in 2015 were on March 1 at 1541 Howard Avenue and on April 4 at six buildings in the 700 block of West Market Street. These two fires had $1,188,000 in damages which accounted for 94 percent of the year’s fire loss,” the chief said in his report.