Reception approved for auditorium
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council approved a request from a McCook citizen to have a wedding reception that includes alcohol at the city auditorium, but one councilman didn't see the need for the vote.
Councilman Aaron Kircher abstained from voting on the request from Mark Friehe. Friehe wants to rent the auditorium in June for a reception, where alcohol would be served. The request passed 4 to 1.
Currently alcohol is not allowed at the auditorium. Two separate amended ordinances that raise damage deposits/rental fees and allows alcohol at the city auditorium are pending before the council. Both were approved by the council Monday night on the second of three required readings.
But they won't go into effect until after they are published, sometime in mid-May.
Councilman Kircher said Monday night a vote on Friehe's request was not needed, as the amended ordinance that allows alcohol at the auditorium would be in effect by mid-May, giving Friehe enough time to request the auditorium at that time.
Kircher also voted against this request when it came up the first time at the April 5 council meeting. At that time, the council was asked to approve it on the first reading, suspending the three-reading rule. Only four of the five council members were present at that meeting and without a super majority vote, the request failed.
McCook City Manager Kurt Fritsch said that alcohol has been allowed in the city auditorium in the past, for groups such as Buffalo Commons and the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce, with a special designated liquor license.
Friehe said he would pay the higher damage deposits/rental fees specified in the pending amended ordinances.