By Anne Thom

Jerry Schroeder and Jim Duchaine of the Stacy Lions attended the Stacy City Council meeting to continue to work out the legal and fiscal details of renting out the Doyle Field building to the public. City Attorney Peter Grundhoefer advised the parties there is sufficient insurance coverage to allow outside parties to use the facilities. The Lions and the council agreed on a rental fee of $200 with a $25 damage deposit for Stacy residents and members of the Lions Club and $300 with a damage deposit of $125 for non-residents and non-members. Either the Lions or the city will be free to engage in a rental agreement with either a Lions member or city employee then being on site for supervision. The building's kitchen will be available for use if authorized in the rental agreement.

Proceeds from the city's rental agreements will go to the park and recreations fund. The grounds have seen recent improvements including hookup to city sewer and the paving of the parking lot. The building has a capacity for 300 people. Citizens should contact city hall if they are interested in renting the Doyle Field building for an event.

Smoking area

The council discussed some suggestions for an outdoor smoking area at the Stacy Bar.

Stacy Liquor Operations manager Brian Hachey had addressed the council a few weeks after the statewide smoking ban went into effect saying there had not been a noticeable change in business. Mayor John Daher told the council he has received complaints from bar patrons about the exiled smokers congregating just outside the doors of the bar creating an unpleasant cloud of smoke. The council wants to pursue construction of a patio area but held off acting at a recent meeting after hearing a $14,000 price tag may be attached. Councilor Tony Olivolo presented a plan saying that for $1400, the city could put up a carport type of structure. This suggestion elicited a response from Councilor Wilson of "I don't know how they're going to pay for it when they're $11,000 in the hole."

Later in the meeting the flames of dissention flared again among the councilors as Wilson acted to pass a motion pertaining to the job duties of the bar manager though no bar manager has been hired at this time to replace Hachey. Hachey will continue to manage the off sale until Jan.1. Councilor Barbara Avalos and Wilson argued for several minutes as Avalos objected to the council trying to pass motions regarding what she saw as decisions the new bar manager should be consulted on. The council has received 15 applications for the bar manager position and will be interviewing seven candidates.

Avalos and Mayor John Daher both felt Wilson should not be attempting to make changes until the new manager is brought on board and can give input. Wilson looked at his colleagues and shouted, "I'm asking you (Avalos and Daher) to give us (himself, Councilor Aslakson and Olivolo) a hand instead of fighting us on everything we want to do over there." In matters regarding liquor operations typically Wilson Aslakson and Olivolo have voted on the opposite side of Avalos and Daher.

Mobile home park

The owners of the Sunrise Mobile Home Park presented plans for a new storm shelter to city building and code inspector Jack Kramer last week. Kramer has reviewed and approved the plans. City Clerk Sharon Payne reported that the park's owner, Mr. Ulvin, had paid for and picked up a building permit from city hall today. The city's heightened oversight of the park due to three of the Stacy councilors being park residents has turned a bit contentious lately. Mayor Daher had reported that the Ulvins felt the city was picking on the park operations in particular. Daher has stated this is not so.

With news of the shelter moving forward out of the way, the council went back to discussion on a second issue they consider to be of importance as it impacts public safety and health: the small bridge that connects the north and south sides of the park. The council had voiced concerns that the bridge didn't appear stable enough to continue to bear the weight of vehicles such as school busses or a fire truck tanker. The park's owners had responded to the city's inquiry that the bridge has been inspected and is up to code. Grundhoefer advised the council to ask the owners to provide the city with a documented inspection checklist. Grundhoefer reiterated the city is, and should be, looking for "public health, safety or nuisance issues." City Engineer Chuck Schwartz was authorized to bring in bridge inspectors from his firm Bonestroo and Associates for follow up on the park's inspection and documentation.

In other business:

• Councilor Mel Aslakson verified that AMW Corporation, which he is part of, has received a draft of a purchase agreement for the land referred to as the Sherman Oaks Road extension. The stretch of road runs adjacent to the BP service station and Stacy Trail. This summer the road was the scene of some activity as AMW sought to close it down to thru traffic causing complaints to city hall and the Chisago County Sheriff's office. Following this, the city became serious about acquiring the road. Stacy has offered $55,000 and is awaiting a counteroffer.

• Councilor Wilson said he believes law enforcement coverage is concentrated in Rush City. Wilson said he has seen it take up to a half hour for a sheriff's deputy to respond to a call for Stacy. The council will invite Sheriff Todd Rivard to a future meeting to discuss their concerns.