The quick May 20 Rushford Village Council meeting saw no official council action, beyond approval of minutes and financials. What was discussed again was the proposed alcohol and gambling ordinances.
There are currently no ordinances for either in the Village. While this hasn’t caused significant problems in the past, with no bars or restaurants within village limits, Clerk Mary Miner explained that the village must do something.
According to Miner, a local business hosted an event last year where a caterer was to provide alcohol. When the business learned the village had no ordinances for it, they were forced to seek a one-time, one-day license through Fillmore County. Miner states that the county was not willing to grant such allowances again and so the village must put something in place in order to issue its own licenses.
The village council first discussed the need for the ordinance in August of last year. City Attorney Joe O’Koren explained the process and noted the village never had a referendum, so it had never become a “dry city.” After reviewing League of Minnesota Cities information, the village has the option to move forward with an ordinance or officially become a “dry city.”
When the topic was discussed again in March of this year, O’Koren noted the concern with zoning is policing. But, there was information on how to regulate and control some of the issues through reasonable restrictions by the state. Another concern is confusion caused by a referendum and a decision to set up elsewhere for new businesses moving into the village who may wish to serve alcohol.
Also under consideration is a proposed gambling ordinance. According to Miner, the two ordinances seem to go hand-in-hand. The council opted to send the ordinances back to Planning and Zoning for further review
O’Koren provided information on the proposed ordinances at the May meeting and the council liked what they heard. The council will continue to review the proposals and will set a date for a public hearing at their next meeting.