Amended ordinance code gets city council approval

Members also heard a report from Andrea Westergard, Plymouth County Economic Development director, about the county conservation department's intent to build an Education Conservation Opportunities Center.

Westergard called on the council to support an application for a $100,000 Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant the conservation department is applying for.

Westergard said supporters would be appreciative for that along with any possible additional money the city council might see fit to provide.

In other business, council members heard from City Administrator Scott Langel indicating the arrival of the most recent annual report on the city's former coal gas plant.

The report, Langel said, showed continuing testing of the site with no new signs of harmful materials at the present time.

Requests for renewal of a Class C liquor license and outdoor service area from Louie's Place, and a Class C liquor license renewal from Archie's Waeside were approved along with that from Mr. P's Pizza for a Class C liquor license due to an ownership change.

Councilman Ken Nelson, meanwhile, said he was restating his opposition to the city's "being placed in the position" of issuing cigarette permits as the council acted on the granting of permits for some 10 local businesses.

"It's not a business we should be in," Nelson said.

Councilman John Leonard joined Nelson in casting no votes on the permits approved by the remainder of the council.

Among other consent items discussed at the meeting included a resolution reapproving the final plat of the HJK Addition, 1107 12th St. SE in Le Mars as requested by Janet Held.

Following those discussions, the council went into executive session to discuss possible litigation issues as well as performance review with the Langel and Bill Cole, assistant city administrator.