City of Powell leaders held a special meeting Friday so local residents could enjoy mint juleps and other alcoholic beverages at a Saturday Kentucky Derby event.

Serving alcohol outside a licensed establishment requires a catering permit. However, Yellowstone Motors’ event was put together at the last minute, with city officials not receiving the business’ permit application until Thursday. That meant calling an extra meeting of the city council to give the business the green light.

The permit was the only item of business at the brief council meeting Friday morning. Representatives from Yellowstone Motors and the caterer, Sage Brews Wine & Spirits, didn’t attend, but Mayor John Wetzel was able to explain the gist of the event.

Responding to questions from Powell Police Chief Roy Eckerdt, Wetzel said he believed Yellowstone Motors would be showing the Kentucky Derby and offering prizes, food and alcohol.

“Do those come before or after the test drive? Is that part of the process?” Eckerdt quipped.

Wetzel said his understanding was that the event wasn’t even tied to car sales and was just intended as a social event.

Since the gathering was being held on private property, there was no requirement to limit the adult beverages to a fenced area, but at the chief’s recommendation, the council stipulated that the alcohol needed to be separated from the kids’ events, which included pony races.

“I think that’s just part of that best practice strategy,” Eckerdt said.

Catering permits typically cost only $50, but because the council was forced to call a special meeting, Yellowstone Motors was required to cover the costs associated with the meeting as well. That will include $550 to cover the pay of the councilors, who are paid per meeting — even in the case of Friday’s four-minute session. Since Councilor Floyd Young was absent, Yellowstone Motors is saving $110.