During last week’s Big Lake City Council meeting, the council swore in a new police officer, Michael Kern. Kern previously served with Meeker County Sheriff’s Office and the Clara City Police Department.

Open Forum

Gloria Vande Brake, director of the Big Lake Chamber of Commerce, spoke during open forum to let the audience know about all of the Chamber-sponsored events coming up in honor of Spud Fest. She noted that a list of all the events surrounding Spud Fest could be found at BigLakeSpudFest.com. She also noted the annual Chamber Block Party would be August 19 at McPete’s Bowling Alley. 

Greg Graton spoke next on behalf of his client, Big Lake Laundry (the old Casey’s gas station). He asked that agenda items 6Q and 7D (both relating to zoning revisions). He stated his reasons as, first, they “created exposure to the taxpayers” and enforced a parking regulation that “seemed to be in conflict with the city… and the applicant.” Graton did not explain these statements further. 

Consent Agenda

Council Members Sam Hanson and Paul Seefeld were not present at the meeting, so items 6N and 6Q were removed from the consent agenda, as they required a certain percentage of the council to approve them. With three members, both were able to be approved, however the assembled council members were not able to approve a summary publication of the new ordinances (this is when they put an announcement in the newspaper informing residents of the new code.) Both items were approved, but will not be approved for publication, and therefore will not become effective, until the next regular council meeting.

Outdoor Liquor Sales

Council approved changes to city ordinance chapters 4 and 10, which will allow outdoor sales of alcohol. This will benefit local restaurants and breweries who would like to allow patrons to consume alcoholic beverages in an outdoor space. In the original wording of the new ordinances proposed by city staff, alcohol would only be allowed to be served on impervious surfaces, such as sidewalk or pavement, but the council opted to make a change to also allow service on grassy areas. Once again, though the ordinance was approved, the summary publication cannot be approved until the next regular meeting with a 4/5 vote of the council.

Mayor Knier offered an explanation of the changes, saying that when a new business opens up and establishes a liquor license, that applies only to the establishment at that time. If they later add a deck or other outdoor space, the license does not apply to that area as well. Businesses in the city will be given until December to get proper licensing for outdoor areas. After December, there will be a $100 fee for businesses wishing to do so. 

In Other Business, the Council:

• Approved a temporary outdoor storage permit for Vision Enterprises;

• Heard department reports from the BLFD, BLPD. and the city administrator.