City to apply for liquor license for Tecumseh Center for the Arts

By DEB WUETHRICHWhile the city waits out a two-year eligibility period to sell beer and wine through a State of Michigan Club liquor license, application will be made to obtain a “Special Event” liquor license from the state for specific dates at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts. If successful, the permit could allow the sale of beer and wine as early as this fall. Tecumseh City Manager Kevin Welch reviewed for council on Monday night the fact that City Attorney Scott Baker has taken steps to create Club status for the TCA as directed.“But the state requires the Club be in existence for two years before we apply for the license,” said Welch. “In the meantime we can obtain a special event license and receive a special event permit to sell beer and wine at specific events, if we obtain it. We’ve selected events that are primarily adult in nature, and not geared toward children.”The city hopes to obtain the permit for use at events on October 8 and 23, 2011, November 4, 2011, January 21, 2012, February 11, 2012, March 3, 2012, and April 4, 2012. Shows on those dates include An Evening With Groucho, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, and Mom’s Let Loose, among others.A Public Hearing for Rare Tools, Inc. was also held at Monday night’s city council meeting, and council later approved an industrial facilities tax exemption for the Tecumseh company.“This is a 50 percent abatement for new personal property, in this case just under $36,000, for personal property invested into Rare Tool, Inc.,” said Welch. “We’re recommending that council approve the exemption for a full 11-year period.” He said it was consistent with what the council has approved for other companies in Tecumseh. The investment in a special lathe would create one new job, according to paperwork provided by the company.“It’s nice to see Rare Tool investing in the city,” said council member Gary Naugle. “We’ve had Glycon do the same recently. I think it says something for our city that people are investing in the community even though times are so hard. I think we’re quite fortunate to have that here.”In other business, the council members:• Approved a parade route for the Homecoming Parade on Sept. 23, from 1:30-2:45 p.m. The route will go from Brown to Union, to Chicago Boulevard, then east to Maumee, and north on Maumee, ending at Tecumseh Middle School.• Heard Welch outline a plan for the city to redo sidewalk and curbs at city expense when the state works on N. Occidental Hwy. from Brown Street to M-50 next year. He said the cost of the sidewalks is not covered in the grant, but the city prefers to finish the whole project at one time. Costs will be forthcoming once the project goes out to bid.• Tentatively scheduled a study session for 6:30 p.m. on July 18 to discuss moving the city’s pension plan to another provider.