Petition protests beer garden, Kalona council OKs licenses

By Mary Zielinski
Dennis Phares, representing the Kalona Optimist Club, asked,in a statement read by Mayor Jerry Kauffman, the council not grant two temporary liquor licenses for Tuscan Moon Grill on Fifth to operate an evening beer garden during Kalona Days June 19-20. Calling it a bad example for children, Phares’ statement noted other events, specifically Solon Beer Days’ beer tent, as leading to brawls and other problems with alcohol. Despite assurances of extra police, Phares said that has not prevented fights and injuries in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.
He also submitted a petition with about 100 signatures (he had not counted) that he had circulated at two churches. He noted the petition had not been allowed at at least one Kalona business.Phares added he believes if there were sufficient time, 90 percent of Kalona would reject the beer garden.
Sheriff Jerry Dunbar, who was present, was asked to comment and stressing that he was not giving his personal opinion, referred to Riverside’s Trek Fest, saying that there have sometimes been fights, but noted that many events do not have problems. “But it is always a possibility.”
Resident Greg Van Egdon asked “why not just limit it to their (Tuscan’s) patio” and objected to using the city street.
Tuscan Moon, which has arranged for insurance and security, asked to used part of the street block that fronts their building, and will fence off the area. No beer would be permitted outside of the marked area.
Some of the objections insisted that it was not the right event for Kalona Days. All spoke during the public forum.
“I think this has been misleading,” said council member Claudine Miller-Zahradnek when the issue came up for vote later in the meeting. “It will be at night, when Kalona Days events are over.” She said it would probably not open until 8 p.m. for both Friday and Saturday nights. She added that at the last council meeting, “We indicated that the council was behind them,” referring to Tuscan Moon owners who undertook the project and its expenses.
Resident Stuart Yoder suggested if appearances were a concern, that the beer be served in coffee cups.
Council member Steve Lafaurie said of Tuscan, “They have done a great job,” noting Tuscan, which serves alcohol, has “never had any trouble.”
When Van Egdon said Kalona has “never had anything like this,” Miller-Zahradnek replied, “Maybe it’s time to look to the future, like RAGBRAI and that “They should be given an opportunity, that there are other people in Kalona ( besides those opposing selling beer).”
Council member Dave Kempf who stressed “I have no doubt this will be under control, that there will be no trouble,” said he would vote no entirely for personal reasons.
Council member Ken Herington agreed, “we should give it a try,” but noted it will be “only one business that makes money.” He was then told that after costs are covered, a percentage will go to helping fund the next Kalona Days.
The two licenses were approved by a 3-1 vote.
In other business, the council:

• received a report from engineer Jack Pope of Garden & Associates, the city’s consulting engineers, regarding water infiltration into the city’s sanitary sewer system. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources already has told the city “there is lots of infiltration,” said City Administrator Doug Morgan. Initially, said Pope, there should be some testing to locate sources of the infiltration, a progress that would take three to four days, and if done by G & A, cost approximately $4,000. It would be followed by television the lines. Cost of cleaning and televising the sewer runs $1 per lineal foot, said Pope. Other world could involve lining the sewer and possible replacement of some lines. Funding could come from a number sources, including state and federal money. The council agreed to have the smoke testing, but Pope said not until August “when there should be drier conditions”;
• agreed the Farmers Market could return to the Community Center’s west parking next year, and removed the item from further agendas;
• have no further information regarding a connector sidewalk in the Kreekside subdivision;
• formally approved Greg Schmidt as a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission, despite criticism from P & Z Vice-Chairman Wes Rich that the city had missed a chance to have gender balance, which will be required by the state in 2012. Rich, who is also a county supervisors, stressed that “we are complying at the county level (for appointive boards).” The seven member P&Z board is all male. However, Schmidt’s appointment ends December 31, 2011. It is also likely, said City Clerk Karen Christner, that there will be other vacancies by then;
• approved purchasing materials to re-roof all shelters in the Kalona Municipal Park after Yoder virtually assured the council that local Amish will provide the labor without charge. “They use the park and see this as a way to contribute to the community,” he said;
• approved a $245,252.95 payment to C. L. Carroll for the lift station project;
• discussed, at length, possible repairs to the ditch that goes north under H Avenue, part of which is on Mid-Prairie School district land and which the district is in the process of repairing. Action was tabled pending firm costs figures for the work; and
• approved the regular liquor license for Tuscan Moon Grill on fifth.