Council restricts alcohol-use at Municipal Building

The Sheboygan Falls Common Council revised the alcohol-use policy for events at the Municipal Building, during a Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday, Jan. 5.

The use of alcohol became an issue, after a handful of renters left the building in a state of disrepair.

During a Committee of the Whole meeting Sept. 15, City Clerk-Treasurer Joel Tauschek said large private parties have caused the most problems, citing instances of partygoers carrying in their own alcohol.

As a way to reduce the potential for problems, members of the council agreed to enact several new rules, including requiring a beer license for all events.

“We’ve had quite a few large family gatherings where they did not have a beer license, but there was beer that was brought in,” Tauschek said. “We are talking about large parties with 300 to 400 people. Those are the ones that have caused the majority of the problems.”

Mayor Randy Meyer when a beer license is obtained and the sale of beer is conducted, professional security is required.

“There aren’t many places where you can rent a building and bring in your own alcohol,” he said. “Requiring a beer license is a good idea for all groups. If a group doesn’t obtain a beer license, no alcohol will be permitted at the event.”

In addition to requiring a beer license for all gatherings at the Municipal Building, the council banned the distribution and consumption of hard liquor and established a 10 p.m. curfew for all events.

“This is an important thing to do to protect the building and to improve the level of safety and security,” Alderman Randy Messner said.

Council members also agreed not to grant waivers under any circumstance.

“When we get into considering waivers, it could appear like we are favoring a specific group or organization,” Meyer said. “We need this to be the same for everyone.”

During the regular meeting, the council approved Resolution No. 11, 2009-10 to accept jurisdictional transfer of a part of County C, from the town of Sheboygan Falls.

The portion of the road extends from State 32, approximately 2,923 feet west to Bluebird Lane.

The council also approved an operator-license application for Alyssa Marie Halbach, an electricalcontractor license renewal for Stephen Gilles and electrical-contractor applications for Greater Wisconsin Electric LLC and Arch Electric LLC. Tauschek announced that Mayor Randy Meyer 1st District Alderman Terry Van Engen, 2nd District Alderman Randy Messner and 3rd District Alderwoman Dawn Beimel have returned nomination papers, seeking re-election to two-year terms on the Common Council. Current Municipal Judge Dave Specht has also returned nomination papers for another four-year term in the judge’s seat. The 2010 spring election will be held Tuesday, April 6.

The Committee of the Whole met in closed session to discuss union bargaining status and an operatorlicense appeal.

The next Sheboygan Falls Common Council meeting is scheduled Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the City Hall Municipal Building.