City Council to Discuss King of Diamonds, While School Board Turns to Levy Referendum

Inver Grove Heights City Council

• City officials predict as many as 5,800 cars pass along Upper 55th St. from Hwy. 3 to Babcock Trail every day, but city planners say the road is too narrow with numerous driveways opening onto the street. On Monday, the council is expected to take the first step toward a complete reconstruction of that portion of the road, when it votes to approve a $9,950 contract with SRF Consulting Group, Inc. The architectural firm would help the city create a preliminary design layout for the new road.

• The council is expected to set a date for a public hearing to approve a new onsale intoxicating liquor license for an El Loro restaurant to be located at 5689 Blaine Ave. in Inver Grove Heights.

• A business owner who wants to open a used car dealership at 5645 Babcock Trl. is requesting a rezoning of the property from Limited Business District to General Business District. The council is expected to vote on the rezoning and a corresponding amendment to the city's Comprehensive Plan that would allow the business to move in at the property, if approved. City staff noted that the city has a "long-standing policy" to keep auto dealerships in one of two areas in the city: near the intersection of Hwy. 110 and South Robert Street and along Concord Boulevard.

• Local Boy Scout Ian Quinn collected hundreds of stuff animals to be distributed by local law enforcement agencies to children involved in traumatic incidents. On Monday, the council may vote to accept a donation of 112 stuffed animals from Quinn to the Inver Grove Heights Police Department.

• The council is expected to hold a public hearing on the transfer of the King of Diamond's liquor license. Under an amended Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan filed on April 18, all of the shares for Kladek, Inc. would be transferred from Susan Kladek to Larry Kladek, who would then sell the stock to his daughter, Debra Kalsbeck, for roughly $7.2 million. Kalsbeck would then become president of the company, and would take over the responsibility for management and business decisions for King of Diamonds. For more details, .

School District 199 School Board

• The school board is expected to discuss a proposed 2011 levy referendum at its work session on Monday night. The board will also hear end-of-the-year reports from school administrators from across the district. For details about the proposed levy referendum, .

Inver Grove Heights City Council meetings are held at 7:30pm on Monday evening at City Hall. The meetings are preceded by a work session, which begins at 5:30pm. The School District 199 meetings and work sessions begin at 7pm. This week's work session will be held at the district office attached to Simley High School.