HyVee Store Manager, Brad McNally, discusses the new city ordinance requiring anyone serving or selling alcohol in St. Joseph will be required to possess an individual city license.

At Monday nights city council meeting, over an hour and thirty minutes was spent discussing a single ordinance that became emotional and controversial at times. That subject was alcohol and kids.

The discussion with city council members came from bar owners, grocery store managers and a man who had two relatives die as the result of a drunk driver 2o years ago.

The proposal was to require anyone who serves or sells alcohol in the city to complete a training session and possess a city license costing $15.00. Most bar owners appeared to be for it. Larger retail stores were not, due to the high cost and constant training of hundreds of employees that would be required.

In the end, the measure passes 6 to 3 with the three councilmen voting against it making it clear that they wanted the stepped up enforcement, but weren't sure an individual license for checkout personell and serving staffs was the solution.

St. Joseph Police Sgt. Larry Stobbs Jr. estimates that as many as 4,000 individuals will have to undergo training. That includes anyone who checks out or serves any kind of alcohol within city limits.