(Spirit Lake)– The Spirit Lake city council Tuesday took no action on a proposed ordinance that would regulate cage fighting in the city.
The council deferred action at the recommendation of City Attorney Earl Maahs, who said a full council should be present to act on a matter that has such importance. Councilman Jeff Thee was absent due to a personal emergency.
The council did discuss several items included and not included in the proposed ordinance. And there seems to be some dissension among council members when it comes to that.
For example, councilman Clyde Ihrke feels too many items were deleted from an original document and not included in the one presented to the council Tuesday.
Another councilman, Steve Balm, questioned the city’s ability to enforce some of the regulations Irhke wants included.
Ihrke also said he wants all those who are 18 and younger banned from attending such events in the city. The proposed ordinance would allow those 18 and under to attend only if they’re accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Another councilman, Jerry Harbst, sounded off over that, saying quote…”it’s way too much power for a city council to make that kind of decision.”…unquote.
Balm again said he would not support any ordinance that did not include a ban on the sale of alcohol at such events…another issue council members seem to disagree on.
The matter is expected to come back to the council at its next regular meeting April 14th.
The council again heard from a number of people at the end of Tuesday’s meeting who say cage fighting should be banned altogether from the city.
