1990-08-14 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I I I Council Meeting Minutes August 14, 1990 Page 4 Special Order of Business Council thanked Stockyard Days, Inc. for their efforts in making the annua 1 Stockyards Days ce 1 ebrat i on an outstanding success. The commi ttee presented the Counci 1 wi th a si gned Stockyard Days poster. Counci 1 Busi ness David Childs, City Manager, noted that in previous discussions, the Council chose to defer the final decision to close the Powerhouse Bar until the downtown redevelopment plan was received. The downtown plan was adopted by Council at the July 24th meeting. The plan proposed that the area which the Powerhouse occupies would be developed into a medium to high density housing development. Because of an ongoing negative financial picture, uncertainty for employees, completion of the downtown plan, and serious risk management concerns; it is recommended that the Powerhouse be closed with in 90 days. The current staff includes: 2 full time bartenders, 1 full time manager and several part time employees. Pete Varhol, Powerhouse employee, said the employees have tried very hard to cut down costs in order to achieve the policy statement's objectives. He noted the difficulties in maintaining and repairing a deteriorating facility when funds are not available. He feels the building would need major remodeling to house the Headstart program. Benke said that research found that a retail center in downtown is not a viable option, but multi-family residential would be. Benke noted that the Brandywine will continue to consideration for a similar sale, but recent offers unacceptab 1 e. The focus has been on a restaurant/bar because of limiting guidelines for off-sale operations. be under have been operation LeFevere confirmed that according to State Statute, a City which owns a municipal on/off liquor facility can provide on-sale licenses to hotels, restaurants and clubs, but can not provide off-sale licensing to private off-sale facilities. State law requires the City to conduct a public hearing to question the continuation of liquor operations if such operations were unprofitable for two of the preceding three years. A public hearing would need to be held before the end of the year. Chet Glison, Lions Club, said the employees have been successful in raising the profit level by 7%, and feels multi-family housing would not be successful in this location. He noted that the amount of police calls to the Powerhouse has been very minimal. Special Order of Business Recognition of Stockyarc Days Volunteers Report 90-168 Council Business Future of Powerhouse Bar Report 90-177