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City to consider lowering liquor license fee
Monday, April 01, 2013 - Posted 7:30:41 PM
The Minonk City Council approved a motion to develop a new ordinance that would lower the current liquor license fee from $500 to $250 annually. Alderman Justin Faulk made the motion to lower the rate citing the need for the City to be competitive with other communities. City Administrator Gary Brennan gave a list of liquor fees for nearby communities as follows: El Paso - $600; Roanoke - $275; Wenona - $300.
Mayor Bil Koos said if the council is going to create a new liquor license ordinance, it might want to consider removing the restriction on the number of liquor licenses which is currently five. In the new business portion of the council meeting, the council decided to add additional amendments to the proposed ordinance. The first amendment was to eliminate the restriction on the number of licenses. Alderwoman Julie Redenius said she was asked by a bar owner if bars could be allowed to stay open on Christmas Eve. The council then agreed to add the amendment which would allow liquor establishments to be open after 6:00 pm on Christmas Eve.
Jeff Gehringer, representing some of the bar owners, said he had no problem with eliminating the restriction on the number of licenses. He said that would make the bar owners strive to improve their service. Bar owner Jim Brown agreed with Gehringer and added that he is certain that business would be good on Christmas eve.
The council will vote on the new liquor ordinance at the next council meeting. Mayor Koos said bar owners can pay for the current liquor license with 2 checks for $250. If the new liquor ordinance is passed by the council, the second check will be returned to the bar owner.
In other business, the council heard a first reading on the ordinance that would authorize the sale of unnecessary or unsuitable City property. City Administrator Brennan said the city has a chipper worth around $16,000 that is no longer used and also has two dump trucks, office equipment, an army surplus generator and other equipment that the City can dispose of.
Brennan said the city's new web site is in beta testing and should be ready in a week.
Alderman Nick Fiorini said one member has resigned from the Parks and Recreation committee but that vacancy is being filled by someone else. Fiorini said there is still one vacancy open for the Parks and Recreation committee.
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