Bar owner wants to relocate to Moose building

The owner of Yesterday's Gone bar in downtown Brainerd wants to move his business into the Moose Lodge, which has closed its doors on 219 S. Ninth St.

To move his bar to the former Moose Lodge, however, Steven Zelinske would have to have at least 51 percent building be for food service because it lies outside of the city's downtown liquor zone.

Or, as Zelinske sought Tuesday from the Brainerd City Council, have the city's liquor zone amended to include the South Ninth Street building shared by the Elks Club. Currently the liquor zone stops at South Ninth Street, across the street from the Moose Lodge.

The council will hold a public hearing on Zelinske's request at its Sept. 20 meeting.

Zelinske said he wants to move Yesterday's Gone from 612 Front St. to 219 S. Ninth St. to accommodate more pool tables and dart boards. His business was built to host pool and dart leagues, he said.

If the city requires Yesterday's Gone to be more restaurant than bar, Zelinske said he's prepared to do that.

Speaking against expanding the liquor zone was Dale Kuhn, owner of 612 Front St., where Yesterday's Gone is located, and the former owner of the bar. Kuhn questioned whether granting Zelinske's request opened the door for other bars to move and whether there was adequate parking at the Moose Lodge. He also said he doesn't know what would go into his building if the bar left and Brainerd didn't need more empty spaces in downtown.

In other action, the council:

Heard a presentation from Tim Flaherty of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. Much of his discussion focused on local government aid and the discussions on cuts to the aid during the last legislative session. He said LGA has had bipartisan support in the Legislature, was really the only equitable alternative for cities to keep property taxes lower but needed more stability from year to year so cities aren't trying to guess at how much aid they will get.

Directed staff to contact real estate professionals to determine what their fee would be to market lots in the city's industrial parks. The discussion came out of an idea council President Kevin Goedker had to offer a few industrial park lots, which sell for an average of $55,000 per acre, for the costs of assessments only. The council also directed staff and Economic and Development Authority members to give a report at the council's first meeting in October concerning marketing strategies.

Adopted by a 6-1 vote an ordinance allowing commercial uses in light industrial zones. Council member Anne Nelson Fisher was against.

Heard during the open forum from council candidates Jeff Czeczok and Guy Green. Czeczok said the council has been taking liberties with taxpayer's money when it comes to employees kept versus the ones the council has proposed to cut.

Green asked how a private citizen could start a process for a referendum concerning the city's charter. City Attorney Tom Fitzpatrick said a petition was needed with a percentage of voters from the last general election. Later in Tuesday's meeting, Fitzpatrick asked the council how he should handle legal inquiries from citizens who happen to be candidates.

Fitzpatrick wanted to know if it was the expectation of the council that he be providing advice to all residents of the city. All council members but Bob Olson said he shouldn't be doing so. Olson said the candidates are taxpayers and citizens. Council member Mary Koep said unless Fitzpatrick's services are provided to every citizen it shouldn't be done.

Approved by a 6-1 vote up to $3,000 for costs exceeding $10,000 for work Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association wants to do on doors at the Brainerd Area Civic Center. Olson voted against.

Approved applying for a SAFER grant to hire a staffer at the fire department. Koep voted against.

Approved sending a letter to the owner of the motocross track in Northtown to ask him to discontinue using the track.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.