Staff writer
Peabody City Council cleared the way Monday for a liquor store to open in the city by revising an ordinance and approving a license.
Peabody City Council approved changes Monday night to a city ordinance that governs beverages in the city. The ordinance previously made no provision for the sale of packaged liquor by “alcoholic liquor retailers.”
An alcoholic liquor retailer is a business with a license to sell alcoholic liquor, only in original and unopened containers, and not for consumption on the premises — in other words, a liquor store. Changes to the ordinance will allow a liquor store to operate in the city.
After approval of the ordinance, the council approved an application for a city license for E & J Liquor, owned by Rebekah Carter, which will open a liquor store at 127 N. Walnut St.
E & J Liquor has a license from the state and Carter passed all background inquiries.
In other business:
- Police Chief Bruce Burke told the council that Travis Davis graduated from Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center on Jan. 18. Davis ranked seventh in a class of 59.
- Burke also told the council that the inoperable vehicle belonging to Matt Garcia at 601 Maple St. had been removed per his agreement with the council.
- The council approved a two-day training session in Salina for new court clerk Leah Ottensmeier on March 21 and 22.
- A bid from Middlecreek Corp. to install a splashguard at the sewer lift station for $1,500 was approved.
- Council members learned that Waste Connections raised its user fees 25 cents on all residential trash and recycling bins effective Jan. 1.
- Public Works Superintendent Darren Pickens told the council that he and Ronnie Harms will attend the Kansas Rural Water Association conference in March in Wichita to complete education hours for water and waste water accreditation.
- Pickens encouraged the council to work on setting up funding for regular sewer line maintenance and service by Mayer Specialty Services record the city’s sewers to help anticipate future problems and emergencies. No action was taken, but the council agreed to look at the issue during budget talks.
- City Administrator Shane Marler told the council that on Monday, Mayor Larry Larsen administered the oath of office to City Clerk Stephanie Ax and she in turn administered the oath to Marler. Ottensmeier was to be sworn in on Tuesday.
- Marler reported Knudsen and Monroe completed the city audit during the past week. Former city administrator Mac Manning was present to help with the process.
- Marler announced that the inventory for the Public Works Department is complete and that Burke is in the process of completing the inventory for his department.
The next meeting of the Peabody City Council will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 in the Peabody City Building.