6-27-13 fdl council approves retlaw alcohol and liquor licenses

After months of uncertainty and second chances an historic Fond du lac hotel and anchor of the city’s downtown appears to have smoothed things over with the city.  A day after the Retlaw Hotel owners paid a $39,000 bill in back taxes and utility fees the Fond du lac city council voted unanimously to renew the hotel’s alcohol and liquor licenses at their meeting Wednesday night.  City manager Joe Moore says he believes the council made the right decision.  "I'm really happy for the hotel, I'm happy for the people who work there," Moore said.  Council president Sam Meyer is pleased. " I think for the employees' sake, for the downtown's sake, and for the all the citizens and taxpayers its good to have it behind us,"  Meyer said.  Hotel manager Michael Cluff says it’s a relief.  "We're glad its over.  It hasn't been a fun ride but we're glad its over,"  Cluff said.  Cluff also says he has been assured by the owners that the hotel will be making its payments to the city on time from here on out.  Back in March when the hotel owed more than $200,000 city staff recommended the council not renew the hotel’s alcohol  licenses.  To prevent this from happening in the  future Moore is recommending changing city ordinance to read that no license would be granted if the applicant owes the city money and an existing license holder would receive 150 demerit points for delinquent taxes and or assessments.  The council will consider that change at their July 24th meeting.