GLASGOW – The Glasgow City Council voted unanimously Monday to tighten its laws regarding alcohol use among minors.

The council approved an ordinance that holds adult property owners responsible for alcohol consumption by minors on a second and final reading. City attorney Rich Alexander said the ordinance creates a legal obligation for a person in control of a premises to take “reasonable steps” – such as verifying the age of anyone drinking alcohol and supervising the event – to prevent minors from consuming alcohol at a gathering on their property.

“This is a more narrowly tailored situation than unlawful transaction with a minor,” Alexander said.

According to Alexander, the first offense carries a fine of no more than $250 and all subsequent offenses carry a fine of no more than $500.

Glasgow Police Department Chief Guy Howie said that previously, the lack of an ordinance holding adults responsible made it difficult to enforce existing laws regarding underage drinking.

“If you get an adult to buy alcoholic beverages for a juvenile, we can prove that’s an unlawful transaction,” he said. “There is no transaction taking place at a party where alcohol is present. This holds the property owner accountable for those actions.”

The new ordinance is intended to deter people from allowing minors access to alcoholic beverages, Howie said.

“I hope it sends a message to adults and parents that we have a tool in our toolbox that holds them accountable for providing them a place to use alcohol for underage kids,” he said.

Council member Brad Groce said he voted for the ordinance because he feels any property owner “should be liable for what they’re letting young people consume on (their) property.”

Mayor Dick Doty said the ordinance will be good for the community.

“It was one of those things that kind of could fall through the cracks if we’re not careful,” he said.

Barren County voted in September to allow countywide alcohol sales.

Meanwhile, the council also approved a resolution calling for city grant writer April Russell to apply for a Kentucky Pride Fund composting grant that, if received, would be used to purchase a new compost grinder.

A court document said the grant is $360,000 and requires the city to contribute an additional $90,000 of its own.

According to Doty, the city’s composting program involves employees of the Glasgow Regional Landfill grinding lawn waste into compost that can then be sold to the community.

Doty said the city’s current grinder was purchased decades ago and requires expensive annual repairs.