Minneapolis on Friday joined the growing list of Minnesota locales that are cracking down criminally on those who host gatherings where underage people are drinking or intend to.

The City Council approved the proposal by Council Member Cam Gordon on a 12-0 vote without debate. That's the same tally by which it slashed the number of artist-designed drinking fountains that the city will finance from 10 to four.

The city joined at least 39 other cities and counties that are enacting restrictions that go beyond the traditional penalties for supplying alcohol to teens.

The Minneapolis ordinance takes effect this month. It makes it a misdemeanor to host a gathering if the host knows or should know that a person under 21 is using alcohol, or has it and intends to drink it. Misdemeanors are punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail.

The proposal was opposed in committee last week by a smattering of University of Minnesota students who argued that it wouldn't be effective at deterring underage drinking and would only drive it further underground. But Gordon said that out-of-control parties have posed a growing livability problem for the University of Minnesota area since St. Paul adopted a similar ordinance last year.

Only hosts are liable under the law, meaning non-participating roommates wouldn't be, according to Gordon. But parents or landlords present at a party in a place they own or where they live would be considered a host, as would minors hosting a gathering with underage consumption.

Meanwhile, the council reined-in Mayor R.T. Rybak's proposed artist-designed drinking fountains. Rybak proposed and the council approved in 2007 spending $500,000 to finance the design, construction and installation of 10 fountains.

Half of the money was to come from water-bill payments and half from property-tax-financed city borrowing dedicated to the city's traditional public art installations. But support for the fountains ebbed with the economy and tightening city finances.

One fountain was installed at 1311 E. Franklin Av., while a second is partially installed at the Midtown YWCA on E. Lake Street. Two more are planned: One on SE Main Street and one downtown on 2nd Av. S.

Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438