Council Narrowly OKs Ventura Pier Alcohol Ban

The weekend after Ventura Mayor Gregory L. Carson was arrested on a drunk-driving charge, the City Council voted narrowly Monday to ban alcohol on the Ventura Pier.

Council members said they want to promote a family atmosphere on the historic landmark, which is one of the city’s main tourist attractions.

“I think that the pier should be a place where people can take their families,” Councilwoman Cathy Bean said prior to the meeting. “They shouldn’t be fearful that something will happen to them because people have been drinking too much.”

The council voted 4 to 3 to implement the ban. Councilmen Gary R. Tuttle, Tom Buford and Carson voted against the measure, saying they did not want to over-regulate activities on the pier.

The ban extends to nearby Promenade Park and the beach area, but does not include the proposed restaurant at the base of the pier. City officials said they will allow alcohol to be served at a 5,000-square foot restaurant that is expected to be built and open for business next year.

The ban will be effective immediately, and city officials said they plan to post signs on the pier by the end of this week.

Violators would be fined $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $500 for the third offense. If a person is caught drinking on the pier more than three times in a year, it would be considered a misdemeanor and punishable by fines up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail, City Atty. Peter D. Bulens said.

Shortly before the council debated the alcohol ban, Carson gave a statement about his drunk-driving arrest early Saturday. Carson told his fellow council members that he should not have been driving because he was tired and had consumed some wine at dinner.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Carson suffered minor head injuries when he rolled his truck off the Ventura Freeway south of the West Main Street exit. He was driving home from Montecito.

Carson said he is a life-long advocate of not driving while intoxicated and regrets his decision to get behind the wheel.

“It’s not a decision I’m proud of,” Carson told the council. “It is something I will never do again.”

Nevertheless, Carson said he voted against the alcohol ban on the pier because he believes the city should explore other options to control alcohol use on the facility.

Some of the council members expressed regret that the ban would affect people on the pier who like to drink beer while fishing.

“It’s a shame to write an ordinance to affect the many just to take care of the few,” Councilman Jack Tingstrom said.

When the Ventura Pier was owned by the state Department of Parks and Recreation, drinking was allowed, state officials said. The city took over ownership of the pier earlier this year after promising to renovate and maintain the 121-year-old structure.

After being closed 13 months for repairs, the pier was reopened about a week ago after undergoing a $3.5-million renovation. City officials said they received many alcohol-related complaints at the pier before its closure, and waited until after assuming ownership to propose laws affecting the pier.

City officials said they are also considering drafting an ordinance later this month to prohibit pets, bikes, skateboards and roller blades on the pier. To prevent late-night parties, city officials are also considering closing the pier between midnight and dawn.