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Running Aces gets liquor license |
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Wednesday, 02 April 2008 |
Mary Bailey
Columbus Reporter
The Columbus City Council approved the liquor license request by North Metro Harness Initiative at the March 26 meeting.
Thomas Snook, general counsel for Southwest Casino Corporation, presented the plan.
The on-sale license allows the serving of alcoholic beverages until 2 a.m., including Sundays. The bar, restaurant, card room and indoor race viewing area are covered.
Outdoors, liquor can be served in the area immediately outside the restaurant and also other areas. The city required that a fence and gates be installed for the outdoor areas.
No alcohol can be carried into the facility, even the picnic area. All entrances and exits will be monitored.
Snook promised a large security staff and surveillance system. All staff will be trained to watch alcohol consumption, recognize over-consumption, and deal with problems. The valets will not deliver cars to those too intoxicated to drive.
At the public hearing only one person spoke, Columbus Planning Commission Chairman John Mastel, who urged the council to grant the license.
Mayor Mel Mettler praised the planning commission for its methodical work on the city’s alcoholic beverage licensing ordinance, which was completed several weeks before the license application. This is the first liquor license granted since Columbus became a city.
City Attorney Bill Griffith, Jr., also recommended granting the license. Griffith said the application was unusual because the restaurant is defined as most of the facility. Since Running Aces agreed to add fences and gates, he said, this issue was adequately addressed.
Harness racing is scheduled to begin April 11. The liquor license must be renewed annually.
The council also approved minor changes to the alcoholic beverage licensing ordinance to clarify the mechanics of background checks and payment.
DNR land
With mixed feelings, the council approved the sale to the Department of Natural Resources of the Yost tract, located at the intersection of Camp Three Road and Zodiac Street. This 15-acre tract had been identified by the council as “moderately developable,” as it has road access and one area with well-drained soil.
In addition, the council considered it less beneficial to the DNR than other parcels because it has been farmed and, while it is adjacent to Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area, it falls outside the boundary.
Mr. Yost explained that he had tried to sell part of the acreage but couldn’t provide a buildable lot. Because of beavers, damaged culverts, and road building in the past, he said, the area where he once grew blueberries no longer drains. “I feel now that it is so wet, it is best to be part of the refuge,” he said.
The DNR’s Dan Rhode said the past acquisition of 90 acres from Yost, located north of this parcel, includes 80 acres on which he holds a life estate.
Council member Denny Peterson opposed the sale. “I’ve been on the property. There is a road. I think it is buildable. We’re losing tax base. I’d hate to see the DNR acquire this.”
Council member Renae Fry agreed it is developable, but said perhaps the benefits to the DNR outweigh this. Mettler said because the development value is minimal, this was not worth fighting. Council member Mark Walsh said it was in the best interest of the city to agree.
Ordinance change
The council approved a set of changes to Chapter 7A of the city code changing the regulation of residential zoned businesses. Now business owners must own the home, live there, and have a stake in the business.
While old rules allowed the use of only one accessory building, now several can be used, as long as the business is totally contained within the buildings. “In a residential zone, the primary use is residential. If they want to run a business, fine—as long as it’s invisible,” Walsh said.
Mettler expressed concern that the new regulations may create hardship for existing business. “I think you have the potential to put people out of business. If nobody’s complained all these years, but someone did now, we’d be obligated to bring them up to date.”
City Administrator Elizabeth Mursko said if the city receives complaints about a business that does not already have a permit, the business would have to comply with the new rules and get a permit.
The new code also clarifies the definition of driveway, private street, and public street. A driveway is now called a private access, explained Mursko, and shared driveways are allowed.
Other approvals
The council awarded the 2008 seal coating bid to Allied Blacktop for $318,350.65.
A map showing where Columbus would like future bike paths and regional trails will be incorporated into the city’s master plan. A new park plan will show where playground equipment will be installed.
For the Arbor Day celebration, the city will provide treats to go along with the raffles, kids’ activities, and public works open house. In the past the Lions supplied treats for this event, but a large crowd is expected this year because of the new public works building. The Lions will donate a tree this year as usual.
Arbor Day will be celebrated 10 to noon on Saturday, May 3, with the open house beginning at 9 a.m.
The city passed a resolution allowing the tree board to remove four trees suffering from oak wilt that are located on private property. If the property owner does not have the trees removed before April 1, the city would remove them at a cost of $800 to $1500. This amount, plus an administrative fee, would be charged to the property owner.
Recycling
Deputy Clerk Emmy Robinson announced that Waste Management, in partnership with Sony and Best Buy, will offer free electronics recycling on April 11-12. One of the five locations is the National Sports Center in Blaine. More information is available from the city website.
Building needs
Repairs to city hall were authorized to decrease blower noise, reorient furnace return vents that were installed backwards, replace a rotting door frame, and fix the plumbing vent so sewer gas is not trapped in the attic. The total bill will be $1200 to $1500.
Mursko also requested $20,610 for the new public works building to buy more concrete sidewalks, a computer, office furniture, shower lockers, work benches, additional electrical outlets, and signage.
The council approved these purchases but rejected a request for a steam cleaner to wash equipment. Council member Peterson said that the money should instead be put towards a salt shed, and equipment should be cleaned with the existing pressure washer.
The council authorized purchase of firewall hardware for the computers.
The copier contract approved last meeting was modified to omit automatic renewal and will be sent to the vendor to accept or reject.
Other news
A volunteer recognition ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on April 23.
Mayor Mettler said several residents noticed that the Running Aces story on Channel 11 news on March 25 labeled Columbus a township, not a city. He noted that the official map for Minnesota also has Columbus listed as a township.
In spite of much advance publicity, people still called to discuss the overnight lighting of the race track on March 24 and 25. This time someone called to complain about the waste of electricity.
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