Mountain Lake council limits Pow Wow beer garden to 21+, approves annexations and land exchange

The Mountain Lake City Council on Monday approved a set of actions that regulate a Pow Wow beer garden, expand city boundaries by annexing several city-owned parcels, and authorize a land exchange, while declining a proposed Active Living demonstration at a local intersection.

Mayor Mike Nelson called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m. After adding two items to the agenda — the Active Living Demonstration Project and Resolution #10-26 (land exchange) — the council approved the amended agenda and consent agenda, which included bills, payroll and several board and commission minutes and reports.

Councilmembers moved to restrict entry to the Pow Wow beer garden to individuals 21 years of age and older and to require a minimum 4-foot fenced buffer zone surrounding the beer garden. The motion, made by Councilmember Bryan Bargen and seconded by Councilmember Jeff Jack, carried 4–0. The council action followed the City Attorney’s recommendation that no underage individuals be permitted inside the beer garden because the area’s sole purpose is to contain alcohol; the City Attorney noted an exception would be possible only if food service justified minors’ presence, which was not the case for this event.

The council also approved annexation of several parcels owned by the City of Mountain Lake that were located outside the municipal boundaries. City Administrator Michael Mueller identified the parcels by parcel number, and Councilmember Andrew Ysker moved to approve annexation; Councilmember Jeff Jack seconded the motion, which carried 4–0. The annexation was presented as approval of the specific parcels listed in the meeting record; the record does not specify proposed next steps for development or changes in land use.

Council considered an Active Living demonstration project that would have created bump-outs at the Third Avenue and 12th Street North intersection. Councilmembers expressed a lack of support for installing the proposed bump-outs as presented and asked staff to propose alternative demonstration ideas.

Councilmember Bargen moved, and Councilmember Ysker seconded, to approve Resolution #10-26, a land exchange; that motion carried 4–0.

The meeting closed after a roundtable update on boards and commissions. Mayor Nelson adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Add Active Living Demonstration Project and Resolution #10-26 to agenda: Mover Bryan Bargen; seconder Jeff Jack; outcome: approved 4–0. - Approve agenda and consent agenda (includes approvals of bills, payroll and multiple minutes/reports): Mover Andrew Ysker; seconder Bryan Bargen; outcome: approved 4–0. - Pow Wow beer garden restriction (21+ only) and 4-foot fenced buffer: Mover Bryan Bargen; seconder Jeff Jack; outcome: approved 4–0. - Annexation of listed city-owned parcels (parcel numbers provided in record): Mover Andrew Ysker; seconder Jeff Jack; outcome: approved 4–0. - Resolution #10-26 (land exchange): Mover Bryan Bargen; seconder Andrew Ysker; outcome: approved 4–0.

The council did not adopt the Active Living bump-out demonstration as proposed and requested alternative demonstration concepts from staff.