(Okoboji)– The stage is set for yet another legal showdown between the city of Okoboji and Butch Parks.
The Okoboji city council voted three-to-two Tuesday to deny renewal of a liquor license and outdoor service area at Okoboji Boats, owned by Parks. The establishment’s current license expires August 1st. That particular license application was also denied by the council but was approved by the state only after Parks appealed and won. Parks indicated he’ll do the same following the latest action. He’ll be able to continue selling and serving alcohol from the establishment while the appeal is pending.
City Attorney Mike Chozen told the council he had a discussion recently with a representative of the state’s Alcoholic Beverages Division. Chozen says he was told the agency made an error when it granted the current license, saying separate licenses should have been required: one for the Okoboji Boats building; another for the “Cove” building.
Chozen told the council three stipulations could be attached to any motion approving the license, including one that would designate a specific outdoor service area. Another would have allowed the city to rescind the license in the event the State Supreme Court rules in the city’s favor in an appeal of a judge’s ruling that allows liquor to be sold and served in the establishment in the first place. The other stipulation would require the “Cove” building be licensed separately for takeout sales.
Councilman Les Marousek said he wouldn’t have a problem with passing a motion with those conditions. But Parks expressed concern over the stipulations, especially the one limiting the outdoor service area.
Councilman Jim Delperdang questioned what it would like if the council would approve the latest request in light of the varous litigation that’s going on between the city and Parks.
With that, Delperdang made the motion to deny the license. It was seconded by council person Susan Larsen. Delperdang, Larsen and David Thoreson voted in favor while Marousek and Sharlene Eckard voted no.
