HomeMy WebLinkAboutgr00090_000044_pg141- 6-
and then return to the Launching Pad in order to open the door for the fire chief.
Mr. Fagerstrom pointed out the strict rules which were enforced elsewhere, such as
at the Mounds View Shopping Center, regarding the number of doors and fire exits.
However, at the Launching Pad it was necessary for patrons to go through a storeage
area, then through the kitchen, before reaching the rear exit in case of an emergency.
Mr. Fagerstrom recommended that a sprinkler system be put in to insure the safety of
the patrons. He also suggested that if a liquor license was issued to the Launching
Pad that several stipulations should be made regarding improvements.
Attorney Meyers stated that Mr. Hartinger was not the original owner of the building
and did not want to put the improvements in himself, and that the owner did not want
to put them in either.
Mr. Fagerstrom outlined the escape route out of the lower level. Patrons must go
through a store room, up a flight of stairs, through the kitchen and cooler before
reaching the locked door.
Councilmember Baumgartner questioned if this was a permissible fire exit. Mr. Fagerstrom
replied that it was not!
Mayor Pickar stated that he did not feel the Council had received agreement from
Mr. Hartinger yet on any of the items the staff had recommended.
Mr. Diamond replied that he did not see any problem in accomplishing item (a) within
3 to 4 months, and that it would be done at the same time as item (e). Item (b) could
be done very quickly. Item (c) was not clear because Mr. Diamond was not certain of
what was meant by air conditioning or ventilation problems.
Administrator Achen replied that there had been numerous complaints on the back doors
being opened and the Staff felt that perhaps they were being opened because it was
too warm inside. Mr. Diamond replied that they would have someone out right away
to look at the situation.
Mr. Diamond stated that there was difficulty with items (d) and (e) as the owner did
not want to pay for the improvements, and also they felt that the improvements might
cost more than the estimates the staff listed. However, they would be willing to
see that the improvements were made, whether the owner paid for them or Mr. Hartinger.
Items (f) and (g) could be accomplished without any problem.
Mayor Pickar polled the Council members for their feelings.
Councilmember Baumgartner stated that all his questions had been answered during the
course of the discussion.
Councilmember Rowley stated that the back door had been questioned several times and
that several violations had been made by the Launching Pad, and she wondered what, if
anything, had been done about these problems?
Mr. Hartinger replied that there had been a problem with the back door one weekend and
that it was a battery operated door and that the battery had gone out. Once the
patrons knew this, they were able to use the door and kept opening it. The alcove door
is kept open for fire purposes and that drafts open it further. A panic bar was ordered
from 3M but was postponed when it looked like the Launching Pad would be sold, but now
that the sale did not go through, the bar was scheduled to be installed by 3M within
the next week.
Councilmember Rowley stated she was very concerned with the safety hazards involved.