WILLMAR -- The Willmar City Council will hold a public hearing on Aug. 20 to consider an ordinance that would prohibit the sale of alcohol at boxing, wrestling, Ultimate Fighting or other contests regulated by the Minnesota State Boxing Commission.
The council voted Monday to introduce the ordinance and set the hearing date. Both were recommended by the City Council's Public Works/Safety Committee.
The council had sent back to the committee an ordinance that would have banned Ultimate Fighting and mixed martial arts' contests in the city. The ordinance was returned to clarify the definition of martial arts.
Willmar Police Chief Jim Kulset had told the committee that he met with three individuals who had expressed concerns during the May council meeting about the unclear definition.
They were working on language to define martial arts when they learned that the Minnesota Legislature has passed a bill this year that gave the State Boxing Commission authority to regulate Ultimate Fighting and mixed martial arts contests.
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The committee discussed the possibility of doing nothing, banning the fights or regulating it. Concerns were discussed about the volatility of the crowd when alcohol is served at these types of events.
Staff pointed out that the city of Fridley prohibits boxing, wrestling and mixed martial arts contests in establishments where alcohol is served.
At the July 24 meeting, the committee voted to propose the city ban Ultimate Fighting and similar events at licensed liquor establishments.
Committee Chairman Doug Reese told the council that the committee has a concern regarding the crowds and the possible effects of alcohol being served at these events.
The proposed ordinance states: "No on-sale liquor licensee shall permit boxing, wrestling, Ultimate Fighting contests, tough person contests, mixed martial arts contests or any other contest regulated by the State Box Commission to be conducted on the licensed premises.''
In other business, the council:
- Voted 4-3 to have the Labor Relations Committee discuss whether Roberts Rules of Order should be the rules that govern council meetings. Voting in favor were Steve Gardner, Doug Reese, Denis Anderson and Bruce DeBlieck. Voting against were Ron Christianson, Rick Fagerlie and Jim Dokken.
- Approved a Public Works/Safety Committee recommendation to revise the budget for the city's share of the cost of the Kandiyohi County Road 47 construction project through the former airport between state Highway 40 and U.S. Highway 12. Because bids were less than the engineer's estimate, the city's share was reduced by $480,000.
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- Approved an off-sale liquor license for Wal-Mart Supercenter No. 1470 at 700 19th Ave. S.E.
- Approved revisions to the Police Civil Service Commission rules and regulations. The revisions conform to state law and had been recommended by the three-person commission and the council's Labor Relations Committee. The committee suggested it meet with the Police Commission to continue discussing the role of the commission in city business.
