While a toast may be premature, it appears likely Savannah's proposed new alcohol ordinance will be approved this summer after years of development.

The proposed ordinance presented to the City Council on Thursday includes the creation of a live entertainment venue license that would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to attend live musical performances at bars.

Karaoke and DJs would be excluded from performances that underage patrons could attend.

The city's intent is to allow young people to be exposed to artistic performances and not "drunken fun," said Assistant City Attorney Jennifer Herman.

Bars that acquire the license would be required to use scanners to detect fake IDs. The basic model of the device is estimated to cost businesses about $500, said Savannah-Chatham Police Chief Joseph Lumpkin.

"We're not suggesting they go to the Cadillac," Lumpkin said.

In addition, a category would be established for "event venues" such as theaters that serve alcohol to allow underage attendance. The establishments that would fall under the category could not be open for daily performances or have a permanent bar.

The proposed ordinance would also require all alcohol servers, including waiters and doormen, to obtain bar cards certifying they have been properly trained. A contractor hired by the city would be responsible for the training and issuing of the cards.

Plans to expand the to-go cup zone to Forsyth Park have been dropped. Instead, alcohol consumption at the park would only be allowed during special events.

The ordinance also provides catering businesses with the opportunity to serve alcohol. Businesses such as hair salons would also be able to serve complimentary glasses of wine and beer.

Working toward a June vote

After the staff's briefing, council members decided that they will now have two weeks to submit comments or any further recommendations with the goal of putting the ordinance up for a vote in June.

They agreed on the two-week comment period after Alderman Van Johnson raised concerns that the city needed to determine a vision for what type of city they want Savannah to be before establishing new alcohol regulations. Alderman Tony Thomas also said the proposed ordinance would be difficult to enforce.

Savannah Mayor Eddie DeLoach said the ordinance has been "worked to death" and that they could not keep talking about nuances. While he did not want Savannah to be known as the "drinking establishment of the Southeast," DeLoach said, they needed to move forward with adopting a modern ordinance.

"You've got to make a decision, put it down on paper and then react to it," he said.

The proposed changes were developed after issues with the current ordinance were identified in 2013. The previous City Council first presented the ordinance to the public in September and offered the most recent feedback last July after community meetings and input.

If approved in June, a preparation period of no less than 60 days would probably be put in place to implement the new rules, said City Manager Stephanie Cutter.

In other actions, the council:

• Authorized the use of eminent domain to acquire property along the eastern boundary of the Savannah River Landing site to widen the Bilbo Canal. The city has made offers based on appraisals, but the property owner, MMA/PSC Savannah River Landing, has not accepted the offers, according to staff.

• Approved the closure of the 400 block of West 34th Street between Montgomery Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard for the construction of the new central Savannah-Chatham police precinct.

• Approved a $24,250 contract with Fla.-based Colin Baenziger & Associates to conduct a search for candidates to replace outgoing City Manager Stephanie Cutter.

• Approved a $109,500 contract with Berkshire Advisors to conduct an assessment of Savannah-Chatham police operations to help determine each government's share of the department's costs. The city will split the contract's cost with Chatham County.

• Approved an employment agreement with City Attorney Brooks Stillwell, who will receive an annual salary of $245,000.

•Approved appointment of local attorney Parker Morgan to the Savannah Zoning Board of Appeals.