At its April 5 meeting, the South Haven city council approved giving $300 to the Initiative Foundation.
The council approved South Haven Fire Relief pull tabs at Bedrock Bar & Grill on Oak Avenue.
Kurt Seestrom of Geronimo Energy made his presentation to the council and answered questions. The council will review the contract recommended by the League of Minnesota Cities before making its decision.
Fire chief Oscar Laney reported that there were five rescue calls and four fire calls in March 2016. The council approved up to $5,000 for a poly tank for stormwater drainage by the fire hall, and landfill to help solve the drainage problem there.
Stainless steel tables have been ordered for the community hall. Cost of street work (street sweeping, crack-filling, and painting yellow stripes on Oak Ave.) were discussed; more checking will be done on the painting; up to $600 was approved for street sweeping, and up to $5,000 on crack-filling streets most in need of it.
Now that the city no longer owns and operates a liquor store, its liquor ordinance is out of date. A new ordinance was drafted by the city?Äôs attorney Matt Brown and unanimously approved. Among the changes in the new ordinance, setups are no longer allowed (previously allowed on Sundays); and restaurants may sell beer and wine on Sunday, but not intoxicating liquor (until a vote by the public allows Sunday liquor).
Mom?Äôs Place was approved for a combination of on- and off-sale intoxicating liquor. Bedrock Bar & Grill was given the same approval, with the addition of off-sale approval.
The council approved (with four in favor, and Kothe opposed) moving to mailed ballots for city elections. This move will save about $11,000 for a new tabulator and an assistive voting device that would be needed otherwise; the city would no longer need to recruit, train and pay election judges. Ballots would be mailed from and returned to the county. Now that this is approved, voters will receive more information prior to the next election. Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters; those not registered may do so online, or at the city or county offices.
James Theisen proposed a new ?ÄúSouth Haven Festival,?Äù scheduled for July 30 this year, replace what used to be ?ÄúSouth Haven Days.?Äù There is renewed interest in the festival, and new people involved in planning it. Although it is not a city-sponsored event, the council gave their approval for a July 30 community South Haven Festival.
Bids for demolition of the Municipal Liquor Store on Oak Ave. will be opened May 3 during the next regular council meeting that starts at 7 p.m.