Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen tables proposed youth curfew

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen decided on Tuesday to delay a vote on a proposed curfew that would prohibit anyone younger than 18 from being on the Bagnell Dam Strip without a responsible adult during late-night hours.

During the meeting, aldermen amended the proposed ordinance, changing the proposed curfew start time from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. They also added an exemption so business owners with employees younger than 18 years old would not face penalties under the ordinance.

Those changes prompted the board to postpone the vote until its next meeting.

The proposed ordinance would apply to the city’s C-1 business district, which stretches from Lake Ozark Christian Church to the Bagnell Dam Strip. If approved, the curfew would be in effect from 11 p.m.-5 a.m.

The proposal was introduced in July after Lake Ozark Police Chief James Boren raised concerns about minors attempting to enter bars on the Strip with fake IDs.

At a previous meeting, Boren showed aldermen a stack of fake IDs officers had confiscated from minors. He said the proposed curfew would reduce the number of underage people gathering on the Strip at night.

At Tuesdays meeting, some local business owners raised concerns.

“Every employee that works for me is under 18,” said Brian Hanley, owner of Grandpa’s Ice Cream and Pies. “Probably 50% of my customers, maybe 75% of my customers are under 18 and you’re driving them away.”

While other owners of bars. including Marty Byrds and Alley Cats, sent letters of support regarding the board's proposal, along with support of other ordinances such as open container laws and minor-in-possession laws.

The proposal has also drawn opposition from former Lake Ozark Mayor Dennis Newberry, who previously said on social media that city officials should focus on enforcing existing laws.

According to city meeting minutes, the board unanimously approved the ordinance’s first reading in July after Alderman Tom Gattermeir suggested schools be notified if the proposal is approved.

The Board of Aldermen is expected to take up the ordinance again at its Aug. 11 meeting.