Approves ordinance to allow alcohol in city auditorium

By SUSAN BERG

Managing editor

Marion City Council made two significant decisions Monday evening.

The first was exploring the possibility of purchasing the Marion County Special Education Cooperative building and leasing it back to the co-op.

Cooperative director Chris Cezar explained to the council that the cooperative was running out of options to improve its financial situation. The state had cut back funding to the cooperative, as it had to school districts, leaving a significant budget shortfall.

USD 408 was asked to consider purchasing the building but had declined. The Marion-Florence school district is the only district eligible to purchase the building since the facility is located in that school district. School districts may only own property within district boundaries.

The City of Marion had sold the building to the cooperative for $100,000 Jan. 15, 2009. Renovations were made to the facility to accommodate administrative offices, a behavioral program, and schooling for the severely handicapped.

Cezar said the cooperative board would want a loan for $300,000 or $350,000.

The council approved the city administrator seeking bids from banks but the council will make no final decision until all information is reviewed.

Alcohol ordinance

With Marion Advancement Campaign willing to supply a major portion of funds needed to renovate the city’s auditorium, MAC representative Todd Heitschmidt told the council that there was one issue that had to be resolved before moving any further — whether or not to allow alcohol to be consumed in the renovated auditorium.

“I’m not going to vote for it right now,” Mayor Mary Olson said.

Heitschmidt said he understood but didn’t want to see this decision “dragged out.”

“I don’t see any reason not to pass it,” City Attorney Dan Baldwin said, “because you can rescind it or restrict how it’s used. The council would maintain control over it.”

“Can we limit this just to champagne and cereal malt beverages?” Councilman Steven Smith asked.

“I hate to do that because it limits use of the building,” Heitschmidt said.

City insurance provider Case and Son Insurance had been contacted, Heitschmidt said, and there were no concerns since it’s not the sale of alcohol.

“There are people who have had wedding parties out of town because there is no place in Marion large enough to accommodate wedding parties that will allow alcohol,” he said.

City Economic Development Director Doug Kjellin said regional meetings, trade shows, and other events could be held in Marion, bringing visitors to the city.

“We quit having our sales meetings in Marion because there’s no place to host them,” Dave Crofoot of Western Associates said. “It’s typical to have a social hour at these events.”

Councilman Bill Holdeman suggested a larger deposit be required for events that serve alcohol.

Research will be conducted to determine appropriate deposits and fees for use of the building. It was clarified that smoking is not allowed on public property.

The council then passed the motion to allow alcohol in the auditorium.

MAC plans to apply for tax credits as a means to pay for the $250,000 project.