By Michael S. Hoey
Correspondent
Lake Lawn Resort received a liquor license modification from the Delavan Common Council on July 18 that will allow the resort to sell liquor at its airport property across Highway 50.
The modification will allow the resort to host more big events that will benefit neighboring businesses, according to General Manager Dave Sekeres.
Sekeres said the resort already hosts events like the car show, circus, and Sky Circus on Ice, but some events are not conducive to the property along the lake. Sekeres said events like that are a good reflection on the city and helps other businesses in the area.
While an event like the circus does fine without selling alcohol, Sekeres said the overall key to successful events is the ability to sell food and beverages and liquor sales make up a large portion of that.
Sekeres said next year will be the 140th year in business for Lake Lawn and the resort is looking to put together some commemorative events. Sekeres said events like a return of the Warbirds, a hot air balloon festival, an obstacle course/mud run, and snowmobile races could come to the resort in the next few years. Sekeres said other area resorts host events like this already and most are free for the public to attend.
“It is all about bringing more events to the area,” Sekeres said.
Alderman Jeff Johnson had one concern. Johnson asked what amount of liability the city might have if a resort worker or guest got hit by a car crossing Highway 50. The city’s attorney said there would most likely be a lawsuit involving the city if that were to happen, but the city has taken as much into account as possible short of requiring an overpass over Highway 50.
Sekeres said Lake Lawn’s number one concern is safety. The resort has an emergency plan in place that includes meeting with the police department before and after an event to evaluate how it went.
In other business at the July 18 council meeting:
Andes gets $22,000 billing adjustment
The council approved a $22,000 billing adjustment to Andes Candies for water and sewer services. The city billed Andes Candies $51,352 for the fourth quarter and the company did not believe that was accurate.
City Administrator Denise Pieroni said inaccurate billing has been a problem several times in the past. Pieroni said the city tests the discharged water from Andes Candies quarterly while Walcomet tests monthly. Sometimes the numbers don’t match up. Pieroni said the city started testing quarterly rather than monthly because testing costs $3,000 each time it is done.
Alderman Bruce DeWitt said the city is looking at coming up with a fairer billing system in which both sides can be equally rewarded. He said he hopes such a system can be in place by the end of 2017. Alderman Gary Stebnitz said the city looked at five years of data and this bill really stood out as being off.
City to raze two houses
The council authorized the razing of two houses at 215 N. Fourth St. and 329 S. Fourth St. with the expense to be billed to the property owners. DeWitt said neither house is habitable and the owners have had ample time to raze them themselves and have not done so.
According to a memo to the council from Public Works Director Mark Wendorf, the house at 215 N. Fourth St. suffered a catastrophic basement wall collapse over the Memorial Day weekend making the structure unfit for human occupancy. The house at 329 S. Fourth St. has been vacant and disconnected from utilities for several years, also making it unfit for human occupancy.
Wendorf said the owners had the opportunity to repair the houses or raze them using a private contractor. As of July 3, no permits for any work on the houses had been applied for by either owner.
Odling Construction of Delavan was the low bidder for the demolition project at $17,380.
Mayor looking to fill positions
Clyde Pence was appointed by Mayor Mel Nieuwenhuis to the Board of Appeals and Elle DeBow was appointed to another term on the Library Board. Nieuwenhuis said he is still looking to fill an open position on the Communications Commission and another seat on the Library Board. Anyone interested can contact the city.
