The Laredo City Council heard concerns from area residents about the location of a bar and grill in town during a meeting Thursday night.
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The Laredo City Council heard concerns from area residents about the location of a bar and grill in town during a meeting Thursday night.
City Clerk Joyce Stimpson said 16 individuals were present to state their opposition to the bar and grill, which is proposed to be located across from the Granada Apartments. The group presented a petition with 55 names of individuals who are also against the proposed location. Mrs. Stimpson said the council had been asked last month to review a state statute in regard to location of such an establishment near a school. She said the council did do that, noting that the school is more than 300 feet away from the proposed facility, which is the maximum number of feet allowed under the statute.
Although the council has yet to seek a final interpretation from their attorney, Mrs. Stimpson said the council determined that a second state statute concerning the issuance of a liquor license must go to the vote of the people because of the size of the community. The council decided to go ahead and ask that an election be held, although the council will do more research and get more information in regard to election costs before a date is set.
D.J. and Darrell Hopkins of the Kansas City area visited with the council concerning establishment of “Perfect Light Ministries,” which would be located on the edge of town on property owned by a relative. A new building would be constructed on the property, which would also have an area on which vegetables would be grown. Mrs. Stimpson said the Hopkinses plan to bring homeless people from the inner city to Laredo, helping them obtain their GED, learn to read and improve their lives. She said this would be a not-for-profit and non-denominational organization.
Steve Tracy has moved from the area has submitted his resignation as north ward councilman. The council will be taking applications from residents of the north ward interested in serving out the remainder of the term, which ends in April. The council is expected to review the applications and fill the vacancy at the next meeting, which will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Laredo City Hall.