By R. R. Branstrom

rbranstrom@dailypress.net

GLADSTONE — The class reunion to be held in Gladstone at Saunders Point Brewing and feature a food truck and band on 10th Street on June 28 is set to go ahead — the Gladstone City Commission approved a special event permit at Monday’s regular meeting after postposing a decision last month.

The Daily Press article published on Feb. 26 under the headline “special event decision would set precedent in Gladstone” contained incorrect information due to an apparent misunderstanding with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC). Although the MLCC Special Licenses department told the Press that alcohol could not be consumed beyond the borders of a business unless a nonprofit applies for a license, that is not always the case; an establishment that already has a license to serve alcohol may apply for a Temporary Outdoor Service Permit, and this is what Saunders Point is seeking.

During the previous meeting of Feb. 24, some commissioners were concerned with what the reunion and other events might look like, and with more questions than answers, they requested that Saunders Point proprietor Jake Mills appear before them to help them gain a clearer understanding of what future events at the new brewery might entail.

The application on the table was for 10th Street between Delta Avenue and the alley behind the Rialto Center to be closed to traffic the afternoon and evening of the reunion; setup would begin at 2 p.m., and the event would last from 4 to 9 p.m. Mills explained that he does not intend to use the whole street or encroach upon Dairy Flo at all, and he has been in communication with the owners of the ice cream parlor about the event.

“I plan on closing the whole street off, but I’m not going to use the whole thing. It just was cleaner that way, right, instead of saying, ‘hey, let’s block off just this lane or that lane,'” said Mills, again clarifying that it’s the organizers of the class reunion who are seeking to bring in the food truck. Saunders Point allows and encourages customers to patronize other downtown establishments and bring food in from nearby businesses.

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) may provide tables and chairs and perhaps a tent for the event, though Mills said that he would probably purchase some tents of his own. Several other parties have also reached out to Saunders Point about holding other events indoors and out like this.

Commissioner Brad Mantela and City Manager Eric Buckman noted that this was the first time the DDA tables and chairs would be loaned out for an event other than business after hours; they’re primarily for the farmers market.

O’Driscoll pointed out that the DDA is funded by taxes from downtown businesses, “so those tables really belong to the businesses of downtown Gladstone.”

Buckman and Mantela agreed.

Coming before the city commission to get their approval was one of the first steps for the brewery’s hosting, as obtaining the city’s permission is a prerequisite to submitting an Temporary Outdoor Service Permit application to the MLCC. With a Temporary Outdoor Service Permit, a business may apply it up to 12 events a year. Mills said that he’s trying to get a list of all the dates that people want to hold events so that he doesn’t have to pay the MLCC’s application fee each time.

Public Safety Director Ron Robinson, who was present at the meeting, said that he saw no issues with the event.

O’Driscoll made the motion to approve the closing of 10th Street and providing DDA furniture for the event. It passed unanimously.

During the reunion of June 28 and other events, Saunders Point will remain open for regular business. Only a portion will be made private for the event.