Evansville council suspends Pete’s Inn after finding violation of state statute

The City of Evansville Common Council on Jan. 13, 2025, found Pete’s Inn, Inc. in violation of Section 125.12(2)(ag)(2) of the Wisconsin Statutes and announced a temporary suspension of the establishment’s privileges from Jan. 14, 2025, through May 7, 2025. Mayor Dianne C. Duggan read the Council’s decision after members met in closed session to deliberate.

The Council convened at 4:35 p.m. at City Hall. During roll call the minutes record that Alderpersons Jim Brooks, Cory Neeley, Ben Corridon, Joe Geoffrion, Abbey Barnes, Gene Lewis, Lita Droster and Erika Stuart were present, along with city staff and members of the public. The agenda included a hearing on a complaint against Pete’s Inn, Inc.

A motion to convene in closed session "pursuant to section 19.85(1)(a) of the Wisconsin statutes to deliberate regarding the hearing applicable to Pete’s Inn, Inc." was made, with Alderperson Cory Neeley announcing the Council’s decision and Alderperson Jim Brooks seconding. The minutes state the motion to enter closed session was carried by roll call vote, 6–0, at 8:11 p.m. The Council reconvened in open session at 8:51 p.m., at which time Mayor Duggan read the decision.

The minutes cite the specific statutory authority for the finding as Section 125.12(2)(ag)(2) of the Wisconsin Statutes (described in the minutes as prohibiting keeping or maintaining "a disorderly or riotous, indecent or improper house"). The Council’s written minutes record the suspension period as Jan. 14, 2025 to May 7, 2025. The minutes additionally state that "after such date the establishment shall return to Public Safety in order to rectify Monday, April 14, 2025." That clause, as recorded in the minutes, is internally inconsistent with the stated suspension end date (April 14 falls before May 7) and is presented here exactly as written in the minutes; the minutes do not clarify whether April 14 or another date is intended for the required return to Public Safety. The minutes do not record a separate roll-call vote tally for the final finding and suspension in open session.

The minutes list City Administrator Jason Sergeant, City Clerk Leah Hurtley and City Attorney Mark Kopp among attendees; attorney Matthew Roethe is also noted as present. The minutes do not include verbatim testimony, supporting exhibits, or a recorded vote count for the Council’s final finding in open session. The record in the minutes indicates that further administrative steps — specifically returning to the Public Safety Department for rectification — are required before the establishment’s status changes.

The Council listed a special Pete’s Inn hearing follow-up as N/A and reminded attendees of the regular Common Council meeting scheduled for Jan. 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.

Next steps: the minutes show the suspension period and a return-to-Public-Safety requirement; the City Clerk or Council office should be contacted for clarification about the April 14 reference and for any administrative or appeal procedures available to Pete’s Inn, Inc.