The Mandan City Commission approved developer LeeRoy Mitzel's application for a Class A liquor license this week for an establishment he is planning for Lakewood Harbor.

Mandan has four such licenses, which provide for on-sale and off-sale of alcohol, in its possession. Commissioners have been discussing what they can expect for the licenses noting that other communities get a lot more for the licenses than the $2,500 annual fee Mandan charges.

Commissioner Dan Ulmer said it would be nice to get $65,000, which is reportedly what Grand Forks gets, but at $2,500 there hasn't been much interest in the licenses.

Over the past couple of years Mandan has seen the closing of Ratz, The Buckhorn Bar, Jokers and Tree City. Jokers, the original KC Club, is becoming a church. Buckhorn and Ratz have been razed. Tree City was bought and is being turned into an office building.

Commissioners are confident that interest in the Class A liquor licenses will develop. Commissioner Tim Helbling was asked to lead a committee to look at Mandan's policies and ordinances regarding alcohol sales.

Wild and woolly Morton

Sue Beehler and the State Historical Society's Walter Baily made their pitch encouraging Morton County to become a Certified Local Government.

Beehler described the designation as a revitalization tool allowing Morton to tap into federal funding to preserve the county's historical sites.

Baily noted that only seven Morton properties are on the National Historic Register, but added that two of those properties are districts, one which contains 48 buildings and all together, Morton has about 60 properties on the register.

"I would be willing to venture that less than 2 percent of Morton's land mass has been surveyed for historic properties," Baily told Morton commissioners. "There are many significant structures in Morton County, and if you would look into the country side you could find thousands. The romance of the wild and woolly West exists in Morton County."

Baily said that the Certified Local Government is more than a program about preservation, it is about economic development. Many of the old buildings can be revitalized and modernized for today's businesses.

But Baily added that the program isn't wealthy and there isn't necessarily a lot of money available. It also requires local sponsors to provide a 40 percent match which can be cash, materials or in-kind.

Currently there are only three other North Dakota counties that have a Certified Local Government designation - Grand Forks, Walsh and Pembina. The designation also is available to cities.

The commissioners were hesitant to jump on this bandwagon, asking for time to review the materials they were provided about the program.

Out at McDowell

There was more than a little concern shown by the Burleigh County Water Resource Board that the Bismarck Park District is requesting a 25 percent administration fee for management of the McDowell Dam Recreation Area.

Board members are worried the Burleigh County Commission, which controls the board's purse strings, won't provide the mills necessary to handle the extra expense.

On a more positive note, McDowell manager Forrest Ecklund reported McDowell's lake is up more than 3 feet.

Mandan grants

The Mandan City Commission approved the Mandan Progress Organization's recommendations for distribution of $15,000 in city funding grants.

Applicants and the amount they received (half in cash and half in Mandan Bucks) are: Mandan Rodeo $2,000, Fort Lincoln Foundation $2,000, Musicians Association $2,000, Rock the Lot $2,000, Five Nations $1,500, Cowboy Action Performers $1,500, Dakota Speedway $1,500, Mandan Horse and Saddle $600, Railroad Museum $500, West River Winds $500, Friends of Fort Lincoln $500, Junior Achievement $200, Revitalize and Promote Mandan $200.

For those of you wondering about "Rock The Lot," well it's a first year event being sponsored by the Medcenter One Foundation scheduled for Aug. 4 at Robert Dykshoorn Park.

"Rock the Lot is a one-night venue to consist of outdoor entertainment and live music," according to the application. "Along with the live entertainment, bids will be sent out to local alcohol distributors as alcoholic beverages will be involved. Food vendors also will be an attraction along with a night of excellent music and fun had by all."

Expectations are 1,000 people will attend and the revenue from the event will be used for Medcenter One programs.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 701-250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)