City of Marion allows liquor-by-the-drink
Staff reporter
It's official.
Eating establishments within the city of Marion with 30 percent or more in food sales can sell liquor by-the-drink.
Marion City Commission approved an ordinance Monday that repealed alcohol-related ordinances and allowed for on-the- premises consumption of individual sale of alcoholic beverages in restaurants.
A slight increase in licensing fees was noted. The annual license fee for a retailer of cereal malt beverage is $200. The fee for packaged 3.2 beer is $50. A license fee of $250 will be charged for restaurants that serve liquor by-the-drink, drinking establishments, and Class A or Class B private clubs.
These fees are the amounts the state requires, said David Mayfield, city administrator.
The fee increase will not affect those businesses that already have obtained a license for 2005.
In other business:
— A letter of support was signed for Marion County Department for Elderly for a public transportation assistance grant application with Kansas Department of Transportation.
— A five-year capital improvement plan and policy procedures were approved. The plan is for 2005 through 2009.
The policy includes goals, objectives, and criteria for inclusion in the plan. The plan also includes the equipment reserve fund.
— Harvey Sanders, director of public utilities, said crews were continuing to remove debris from the early January ice storm.
— Appointments were approved for members of city planning commission and board of zoning appeals.
Planning commission members and terms are Dan Crumrine, Ralph Kreutziger, Roger Schwab, and Alan Kruse, three-year terms; Sally Hannaford, two-year term; and Brice Goebel and Darvin Markley, one-year terms.
Appeals board appointments were Leland Heidebrecht, Kreutziger, and Gene Winkler, three-year terms; and Brice Goebel and Darvin Markley, one-year terms.
— A resolution was approved to waive a statutory requirement to use generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for 2005 in the preparation of statements and reports.
— The commission approved the removal of cedar trees on city property east of the swimming pool.
Mayfield said the trees probably would not be removed right away and could be a spring project.
— Warrants for $6,254 were approved.
— City officials met with representatives of McInnis Group Inc., regarding health insurance for employees. Officials are looking at options other than Blue Cross/Blue Shield due to a 30 percent increase. A decision will be made before the March 1 renewal date.
— Mayfield reported the city's USDA Rural Development grant and loan application for water treatment plant improvements has not yet been approved or denied.
Officials with Rural Development were to give the city a response by Jan. 26 but Mayfield said the person who was to make the decision was called to Washington, D.C. Mayfield was told it would be next week before the city would be notified.
The next commission meeting will be at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.
