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Hazen City Commission approves permits, license renewals and authorizes transit grant submission
Summary
At a regular meeting the Hazen City Commission approved a local raffle permit, the second reading of an ordinance amendment, multiple liquor license renewals, a copier contract with incumbent vendor Marco, authorization to submit a transit grant application, an early-closure for Christmas Eve and routine bills. Staff flagged a roughly $67,000 special-assessment balance on the Water Point Building lot.
The Hazen City Commission approved a package of routine measures Wednesday in open session, including a local raffle permit for the Gains and School Public Health Task Force, the second reading of an ordinance amendment, several liquor license renewals, authorization to submit a transit grant application, selection of a copier contract vendor and an early closure for city employees on Christmas Eve.
The actions were taken largely on motions and roll-call votes. Paul Gertz moved to approve the local raffle permit for the Gains and School Public Health Task Force, and the commission approved it by voice vote. The commission then carried a motion to approve the ordinance amendment on its second reading; a recorded roll-call vote showed ayes from Diedrich, Stern, Volker and Shiprell.
Clerk reported that final liquor-license applications were received for existing holders Longshots, Jimmy’s, Bison, The Hub and Boxes Bar. Chair raised an enforcement concern, asking whether bars had been staying open past the city’s 1:00 a.m. closing time: “Has there been any other… stints of time where they’re having issues with the bars around town sometimes staying past the 01:00 limit?” The commission approved the license renewals by roll call.
On procurement, staff presented proposals from Marco (the incumbent) and Fireside for a copier replacement. After comparing service and per-copy costs, commissioners voted to continue with Marco as the vendor. The motion to select Marco was made, seconded and carried.
The commission also authorized staff to submit the city’s annual transit grant application and to designate an official to sign the paperwork so the application can be filed before the Dec. 31 deadline. Staff described the grant as a 50/50 operating grant with an 80/20 administrative component and said the city was not planning to request vehicles this cycle.
Commissioners approved a motion to close city offices at noon on Christmas Eve for city employees; staff confirmed the closure will be treated as holiday pay. Finally, the commission approved the bills and financial statements as presented.
Several items noted by staff will return for future action. Clerk said the Water Point Building lot carries accumulated special assessments and that the city will receive a special-assessment bill of about $67,000 at the next meeting after a prospective buyer withdrew its offer upon learning of the specials. No formal action on the Water Point Building assessments was taken at this meeting.
The commission discussed, but did not act on, a proposal from the park board to explore sharing a street/park position. The meeting closed with brief administrative remarks.
