Skip to main content

Sunday liquor issue goes to voters

By Sara StrongLuverne voters will decide in November whether they want the option of ordering a drink with their Sunday dinner.The request to put the issue on the ballot was brought to the city by Howling Dog owners Mark Zimmer and Dan Wedin."For us it’s purely an economic issue," Zimmer said. "The overall hospitality business has gone to seven days a week, even with later hours, and this is a part of it."Councilman Bob Kaczrowski said he’d rather put it on the ballot for all voters to choose rather than have the council decide what’s best for residents.The Howling Dog owners said many people leave town to eat Sunday meals or watch sporting events in a bar or restaurant because of the alcohol issue.People can order alcoholic beverages on Sundays in Hardwick and at the Luverne Country Club, because Rock County and the city of Hardwick allow it.Zimmer said, "We know the city is big on economic development, and it would help keep people in Luverne."If the ordinance passes the ballot in November, bars and restaurants could opt to serve on Sundays. It isn’t just for the business that brought it to the council, and they wouldn’t be required to serve.Missouri River electric contractThe Luverne City Council signed a contract for Missouri River Energy Services to take over management of the city electric crew.The city will have to pay Missouri River a management fee of 8 percent of the labor costs. That will amount to about $35,000 to $40,000 annually.Three employees, Gary Mann, Mike Gangestad and Brian Remme, would no longer be with the city. They would report to Missouri River and still do their work, or most of it, in Luverne.Missouri River could have employees do some electric work for other Missouri River projects out of the city, if there wasn’t enough local work to keep them busy.The city can also get extra help from other Missouri River utilities for bigger projects.The city wouldn’t necessarily save money as the result of farming out current employees. The savings would come from not hiring a new Utility Director to replace Red Arndt.Benefits and pay for employees will be similar or better with MRES.Last year, lineman salaries, including overtime and on-call pay, averaged $43,635 each. The city wage range is from $14.87 to $19.32 per hour for linemen.In other business Tuesday, the council: oIntroduced an administrative citation ordinance that could be adopted next week. The civil fines cannot exceed the state maximum allowed.Violations subject to administrative citations are building codes, parking violations, garbage mishandling, burning violations and similar regulations. oApproved a zoning change for the parcel of land that will hold the new north city water tower. It is currently zoned residential-institutional, but was changed to a public district.There were no comments from citizens at the rezoning hearing.oApproved a recall process that will involve previously laid-off employees being offered seasonal work with the city.The city has a need for additional staff for the Oakley Street project, to operate the tree dump, to provide for sewer cleaning and to replace permanent employees during summer vacations and holidays.These positions will be first offered to David Van Batavia and Marv Gonnerman.oOffered congratulations again to city staff Dan Statema, Greg LaFond and Barb Berghorst for their efforts in getting Total Card Inc. to expand in Luverne.LaFond also publicly thanked the Rock County Board of Commissioners and Luverne School Board for giving their approval for the Job Opportunity Building Zone tax breaks.oReluctantly voted to fund up to $2,000 for a Water Utility Vulnerability Assessment and Emergency Response Plan. The federal mandate isn’t funded.

You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.