SUBJECT: ORDINANCE ordering a special election to be held on November 8, 2016, related to the legalization of the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only in the area formerly known as the City of Houston Heights as it existed on February 19, 1918.
RECOMMENDATION: (Summary)
That the City Council adopt an ordinance ordering a local option election to be held on November 8, 2016, relating to the legalization of the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only int he area formerly known as the City of Houston Heights as it existed on February 19, 1918.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
On August 3, 2016, City Secretary Anna Russell submitted a report to Mayor Sylvester Turner and Member of City Council which verified the petition filed by Houston Heights Beverage Coalition seeking a local option election to legalize the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only in the area formerly known as the City of Houston Heights as it existed on February 19, 1918. In her report, the City Secretary determined that a sufficient number of valid signatures was submitted in the petition. Texas Election Code Section 501.032 provides that City Council must order an election to be held on the local option issue if a valid petition is timely received.
The proposed ordinance calls an election to be held on November 8, 2016, jointly with other governmental entities, for the purpose of placing before the qualified voters living in the area formerly known as the City of Houston Heights as it existed on February 19, 1918, a proposition to legalize the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption.