(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved five special designated liquor license requests during Monday evenings meeting.  One at Prichard Auditorium, one for an Elk’s Lodge beer garden during Cobblestone, two for the new Harkendorf Events Center and one for an adult co-ed softball tournament at the Fiedler Family Ball Complex September 19th and 20th.  

Mayor Jerry Oliver cast the deciding vote to allowing the Tanner Shelby Merz Foundation to host a co-ed softball tournament for adults at the Fiedler complex and allow alcohol to be sold in a beer garden during the tournament. Council members Judy Murphy, John Vaughn and Jim Wisdom cast nay votes; Council members Don Ferguson, Anthony Nussbaum and Angie Nolte cast yes votes.  Council members Steve Scholl and Mike Dougherty were absent. 

Rhett Blakely with the sponsoring group explained they want a controlled atmosphere for the drinking. Blakely said he witnessed a significant amount of non-policed, hidden drinking during the recent State Softball Tournament. He said he wants permission to have the drinking in a designated area with no alcohol in the dugouts or in the stands. 

The Council did require that wrist bands be worn by adults in the beer garden area and the Council indicated they intend to require adults to wear wrist bands whenever a special designated liquor license is approved. In addition, a $200 deposit must be paid, it will be refunded in there is no damage and no cleanup is required by city staff.

On 4-2 votes the Council approved two special designated liquor licenses for Eric Froeschl doing business as “The Would Eye” at the Harkendorf Events Center in August.  

Froeschl explained that he is applying for a permanent liquor license for the facility owned by Mark and Pam Harkendorf but the State Liquor Commission advised him to pursue special designated liquor licenses until a permanent license is approved.  

Council members Judy Murphy and John Vaughn cast the dissenting votes.