Long meeting, many issues: Stacy Council adopts county policy on failed alcohol checks

Posted 4/18/01

Long meeting, many issues: Stacy Council adopts county policy on failed alcohol checks

By Jason Sileo

The Stacy City Council covered a wealth of information over the course of more than four hours of talks at its regular monthly meeting April 10.
Among the issues discussed were equipment and supply requirements for city maintenance staff, OSHA compliance status, the cityís outdoor ice rink, fire hall considerations and area animal control concerns.

The council also voted to adopt a Chisago County policy relating to failed alcohol compliance checks within the city limits.

The council decided to follow the countyís policy toward enforcement and penalties relating to the compliance checks.

Two outlets in the city had failed such checks in recent months, and the cityís new policy outlines fines and assorted disciplinary measures for first as well as repeat offenses.

The new policy does not address fines for employees of alcohol outlets directly, but rather the establishment and its management. Management would be responsible for reprimanding liquor store or tavern employees if deemed appropriate.

OSHA okay

The council also approved an internal audit of safety and equipment issues relating to confined space entry by city maintenance staff.
Stacy Mayor Kathi Lawrence said the audit was approved for Tom Archibald, head of city maintenance, in order that the cityís equipment purchases and safety procedures be brought up to speed.

The mayor said the city is back into full safety compliance with OSHA regarding the confined space entry procedures for the moment and hoped to stay there.

ìWe are up to speed with OSHA right now as we speak,î she said.

Possible land purchase

Gene Olson, Lent Township supervisor, approached the board to discuss the possibility of purchase of about 21 acres of property within city limits.

The property in question could be considered as a site for a new Stacy/Lent joint powers fire hall, Mayor Lawrence said.

Lawrence said the site of the current outdoor ice hockey rink in the city, which has fallen into disrepair, is also currently being considered as a possible location for a new fire hall. Both sites are speculative in nature at this time, she said. As no one is sure where a new fire hall might be placed at this time, the discussion about a new ice rink facility was tabled until more is known about the fire hall and its placement.

Loose dog issue

Animal control issues were also discussed by the council as loose but not necessarily stray dogs have apparently become a nuisance in portions of the city. Recently-appointed City Clerk Sharon Payne was tasked with contacting area municipalities regarding their approach to such a nuisance.

ìIt is something we clearly need to address,î Lawrence said.

She suggested an animal shelter might perhaps be introduced in the city, though there are no concrete plans of such a facility at the moment. Clerk Payne will report on her findings at the councilís May meeting.

Clerk office hours

Also discussed were hours or operation at the clerkís office. The clerkís office will be open on Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday 11-7, closed Wednesday, Thursday from 9-5 and closed Fridays. The clerk may be reached at 462-4486.
Mayor Lawrence said a two-person committee has also begun work on formulating a new ordinance which would tightly regulate pornography in the city.
Lawrence said there is nothing on the cityís books regarding pornography establishments at this time, and thus no protection from such establishments. The committee will return with appropriate recommendations on the issue in due time.