Northside liquor license approval tabled

Typically the Monticello City Council approves liquor licenses without much discussion during the approval of the consent agenda as a whole. However, during the Sept. 3 council meeting, the council chose to further discuss the request from Northside Bar to have its liquor license renewed. 

In a letter from Police Chief Britt Smith, it was noted that the applicant, Debbie Wells, has non-felony alcohol-related convictions, as well as prior deferred felony drug convictions. 

Smith also shared details from a July 17, 2019 incident at the bar in which the bartender “was suspected of possessing and being under the influence of a controlled substance.” Smith said when officers arrived on scene to investigate and conduct a physical examination of the bar service area, Wells denied them access to the establishment. 

“A condition of a liquor license requires license holders to permit access by law enforcement during business hours for inspection,” Smith noted. 

That incident was then reported to the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. They issued a seven-day revocation (suspension) of the liquor license, as well as a $1,000 fine to Wells. Smith and City Administrator Doug Herman said they don’t know yet when the sentence will be imposed. 

Wells can appeal the state’s sentence and fine. 

“The council has the power to decide if the incident is enough to deny the license or take other action,” Herman advised. 

Council member Dave Goedken recalled a time when the council denied the liquor license for Whiskey River, yet the state gave in and allowed them to remain in business. 

Northside Bar’s license does expire on Sept. 21. 

Herman said the council could hold off on the approval until their next meeting (Monday, Sept. 16) until more information from the state is received. He said perhaps if Wells agrees to the state’s sentence, the council could then approve the renewal of her license. 

Should Wells appeal the state’s findings, she can still remain in business during the appeal process. 

The council voted to table renewal of Northside’s liquor license. 

In other city business: 

• The Monticello Fire Department sought bids to purchase a new pumper truck and a freightliner chasis. Two prices were received for $343,600 and $333,984.71. 

The council approved Toyne, as the low bidder, for $333,984.71. 

“We’ve done business with them in the past,” noted Herman. 

Expected delivery date is 14 months from now. 

“There is money in the fire department budget to cover the costs,” Herman said. 

• The council approved a plat of survey for two parcels near the intersection of Highway 38 and 11th Street for Koobs Automotive & Towing. Steve Koob intends to sell/transfer the original shop and maintain ownership of the newer building to the west. 

• The council approved the sale of a 2007 city-owned garbage truck to Elliott Equipment for $32,101. 

Two bids were received, the other bid coming in at $23,501. 

• The council approved a building permit for Sheldon Hunter related to work on the building at 115 E. First St. The approval comes under the conditions that the city 

would hire a structural engineer for no more than $500 to inspect the property before any stabilization work is done. • The council approved a building permit for Karen and Jack Ross on Oak Street to install a fence. The Rosses have tried to get their neighbor Bill Cooper to sign the permit, as required by city code. Cooper questions the survey of the property. The council’s approval puts Cooper on notice to hire someone to conduct his own survey. • In an update on the N. Sycamore Street project, the council approved the fifth pay request from Horsfield in the amount of $189,346.28. City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath said the mainline paving has been completed from First through Fourth streets. The Second Street intersection was excluded because the crown in the street runs the opposite direction. That intersection will be hand-poured. The water and sanitary sewer installations are complete. The storm sewer in-takes on Seventh Street remain.