(KLZA) -- On a 4-1 vote with two abstentions the Falls City Council gave favorable comment to a liquor license request for Dickey’s Barbecue Pit on East 17th Street when they met Monday night.  Rachel Witt, one of the owners said they want to sell beer, wine and distilled spirits but no hard liquor. The license will also covering catering which is anticipated to be a significant part of the companies business.  

Second Ward Council member Judy Murphy cast the nay vote and Council members Kirby Robidoux and Angie Nolte abstained.  Following the vote, Witt asked Murphy, who regularly casts nay votes on liquor license requests, why she voted against the application.  Murphy said voting yes on this application and no on to all the others might indicate something inappropriate had occurred.  She did not give another reason for the nay vote.  

Witt said that she had her employees conduct an unofficial poll around town earlier in the day of what people thought of the request. She said the results, particularly in Ward II were in favor of the request with just one person saying they were against it.  Witt told Murphy she thinks a Council representative should represent their constituents feelings rather than their personal opinion. 

Murphy responded by saying she has a lot of people that thank her for always voting no.

In other business Council members voted unanimously to have the City Attorney draft an ordinance to allow all terrain and utility type vehicles to operate within the city limits.  The idea was proposed by Terry Tisdel. 

Council members also approved the purchase of a 2015 Ford Explorer from Hullman’s Ford in Falls City for use as a police department patrol vehicle at a cost of $27,252 which is the state bid price. 

An ordinance passed on first reading to change the start time of the second meeting of each month to 7 p-m instead of the current 6 p-m.  The vote was 5-2 with Council members Angie Nolte and Jim Wisdom voting no.