By Anne Thom

The Stacy Lions were present at the Jan. 10 Stacy city council meeting to request passage of a resolution to allow them to continue their charitable gambling enterprises. The resolution passed. The group also made some requests for a bike run they plan to hold in 2006. One was for a license to sell hard liquor in the city park.

Councilmember John Daher asked if any other Lions club in Minnesota has done this. Daher asked what the cityís liability might be, what liability would go with the Lions and how the city could consider restricting access to a public park citing possible minor access to the liquor. ìIt concerns me,î he said.

City clerk Sharon Payne explained the accessing a liquor license. She said a license to sell hard liquor is issued by the state, not by the city, and to a person, not to an organization. The Lions club vowed to take on the individual responsibility. The evening would feature camping out in the park, a live band and a bonfire.

Councilmember John Walz said ìwe donít have a problem with the bikes, camping and gambling but we do have a problem with the liquorî.

City attorney Peter Grundhoefer reminded the council that it is a city park and per the city ordinance, hard liquor would not be allowed. The Lions club currently has a license to sell 3.2 beer.

Looking for a win-win solution Daher offered, ìI would be willing to look into a one day license.î

ìThe park is the big issue, we need to look into that first,î said Grundhoefer. He thought it might be possible to issue an interim permit of some kind. Mayor Michael Carlson halted the discussion saying the city needed to do its research.

Grundhoefer advised the Lions to list everything they are requesting to do in a permit application. Carlson added the permit process should include neighbors being notified of the plan. The Lions will return to the city later this month.

In other business:

ï City maintenance supervisor Tom Archibald reported he will work on the ice rinks as soon as the weather permits.

ï An offer was made to the property owner of a site near the BP service station for a new water tower for the west side of I-35. The city was proposing a land swap but the landowner has rejected the offer. The council wants a water tower this year.

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