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The Jasper Lions Club lost its ability to sell pull tabs at the end of March, cutting off a revenue source that it’s used to support community groups and projects for decades.
Jasper City Council members approved a resolution during their March 11 meeting allowing the Jasper Lions Club to sell pull tabs at the Jasper Bar, which has not yet opened. Councilor Deb Plahn said then that the Lions Club had to renew its gaming license each year and it had to be done before March 31, so that the Lions didn’t lose their gambling license.
During the April 8 Jasper City Council meeting, Don Plahn, the Lions Club gambling manager, told the council that the club was unable to renew its license because there was nowhere it could sell pull tabs after the Stonewall Bar & Grill closed.
“Because there was no premise, no place, we’re out,” he said.
Now that the Lions no longer have a gaming license, Plahn said they need to come up with a termination plan and spend all remaining funds from the sale of pull tabs. He said the Lions would be meeting to figure out how to disperse the funds, which he thought was around $10,000 or $12,000.
Plahn said that last year, the Lions donated around $10,000 from the sale of pull tabs to various groups. He said that in February, which was the last time the Lions made a profit from pull tabs, the club used the proceeds to provide funds to elementary teachers, softball, a prom party and Lions foundations. Plahn said bars in which pull tabs are sold also get a share of the profits.
Plahn said getting a new gaming license and other expenses to be able to sell pull tabs again once the Jasper Bar opens would likely be costly and the Lions might not have the funds to do it. He said it was possible some other group might, however.
“There are people who will probably do it because once you get in and get caught up, you can make $500 or $600 a month, so it really might be an investment,” Plahn said.
In other business, the City Council:
•Plans to hold a public hearing to take comments about a proposed amendment to city code regarding the sale of alcohol to allow alcohol sales until 2 a.m. Jasper City Council members during their March 11 meeting approved a 2 a.m. liquor license for the Jasper Bar, but city code prohibits the sale of beer, wine and liquor after 1 a.m. No date was set for the hearing.
•Approved a conditional use permit to allow the Jasper Bar to operate at 110 Wall St. W. The city’s zoning ordinance requires that a conditional use permit be obtained before a bar can be allowed. The target date for the opening of the Jasper Bar is Memorial Day weekend, according to those involved.
•Scheduled a spring clean up day for Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the city shop.
•Approved a request for a touch a truck event to be held May 17 at the ball park.
•Rescheduled its regular May meeting for Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m.