The Columbus City Council will resume consideration of an amendment to the city’s open container ordinance during its meeting today.
At the council’s Aug. 4 meeting, City Attorney Jeff Turnage said Columbus already has a law on the books to deal with open containers in public places. However, it does not have a provision for open containers in vehicles.
The amendment, if approved, would outlaw open or previously-opened alcohol containers vehicle passenger cabins on public right of way. Turnage told councilmen that includes privately-owned parking lots where the public is generally welcome.
Violations could carry a punishment of up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
The law would penalize any open container in the passenger cabin, including those passengers are carrying or those that might be on the floor or the back seat. Turnage told councilmen the ordinate would not apply to containers carried in a car trunk or truck bed.
The board voted last week to table the matter until today’s meeting, which will begin at 5 p.m. at the Municipal Complex.
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