Nate Sauvageau, of Shiners - a bar and dining establishment that recently opened near Veterans Park in Jenkins - approached the city council for recommendations on a “Runaway Retreat” event based out of his business Aug. 22 and 23.
The council on Monday, July 13, recommended Sauvageau talk to his neighbors and discussed creating a possible event permit for the future.
Sauvageau's primary concern was with the possibility of overflow parking. The event would be designed to be a family friendly car and motorcycle ride with routes going to Crosslake and Gull Lake, followed by entertainment in the evening and possibly limited overnight parking of campers for those who buy tickets at the highest tier, limited to approximately 50 people.
Council member Gary Hart asked if there would be alcohol served outside. Sauvageau said only if the crowd overflowed from the interior of the building, in which case there would be a sectioned off area.
Sauvageau said the goal is to eventually grow the event into an informal car show.
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Jenkins Clerk Krista Okerman said the city currently doesn't have anything on the books that would relate to the event, but recommended perhaps creating an event permit for the future that would act as a contract laying out the event host's responsibilities pertaining to parking, cleanup and noise, among other things.
Mayor Jon Lubke said he is very interested in ensuring that Sauvageau and his business are healthy and active in the community, but that they also have to make sure everyone involved behaves as good neighbors. The council recommended Sauvageau talk to the members of the neighborhood.
In other business Monday, the council:
Approved work on the city hall furnace to improve air exchange, and recommended that Okerman submit the project to Sourcewell for reimbursement through a new grant available for updates due to COVID-19.
Approved a COVID-19 expense policy and expenditure request policy. The city qualifies for approximately $34,000 in relief funds for documented, qualified expenses for COVID-19 mitigation purposes.
Agreed to reduce public contact hours to Mondays and Thursdays during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Travis Grimler may be reached at 218-855-5853 or travis.grimler@pineandlakes.com. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Travis.
