BROOKINGS – The newly re-elected members of the Brookings City Council were sworn in Tuesday and then tackled malt/wine licenses with some dissension.

Mayor Keith Corbett was sworn in by City Attorney Steve Britzman, then Corbett swore in councilors Nick Wendell, Patty Bacon and Holly Tilton Byrne.

The council then discussed five malt/wine licenses. 

First up was a malt license for Jokers Casino, at 517 Sixth St.; owner is Randy Clifford. 

Councilor Ope Niemeyer was concerned about the lack of parking and asked if anybody had addressed that.

“Gotta have more than two parking spots,” he said.

Mike Struck, community development director, said his office has not been contacted about parking. He explained requirements for parking space as it pertained to footage of the business, and how that applies to the building’s old use as a law office and the new use.

Councilor Dan Hansen asked if the council would have another opportunity to ask them to conform to parking regulations.

Struck confirmed that Jokers Casino would not have to come before the city council again; if it went before any governing body for the issue, it would be the board of adjustment.

The vote to approve the malt license was approved 6-1 with Niemeyer being the dissenting vote.

Commonwealth Gaming & Holding Co. was seeking two malt licenses and two wine licenses for Deuces Casino at 223 Sixth St.; owners are Bryant Soberg and Kirby Muilenburg.

City Clerk Shari Thornes explained the different licenses were required because the business was being divided to increase the number of video lottery machines and separate action was needed for the licenses on the new space. She showed an overview of the building with the existing suite for Deuces, the proposed suite, and common areas marked on it. The map is available as an attachment to the agenda on the city’s website.

Drew Duncan, attorney for Commonwealth Gaming, said Soberg and Muilenburg are experienced operators in gaming.

“These are folks that have been through the wars of video lottery,” Duncan said.

They take security very seriously, he added, with numerous cameras, locks and controlled access. It’s set up to keep minors out and cut down on crime. Neighboring establishments will maintain their businesses, and Deuces isn’t close to other businesses, kids or residential areas.

The purpose of a gaming establishment isn’t to serve drinks.

“We offer drinks. We give away our drinks. Nobody comes in to drink in a typical bar fashion,” Duncan said.

Bacon said she’d heard from members of the community that there were enough gambling opportunities in this community and doubling space for this establishment wasn’t a good idea.

Bacon voted no on all four of the alcohol licenses, while the other councilors voted in favor, so each license passed by a vote of 6-1.

Contact Jodelle Greiner at jgreiner@brookingsregister.com.

Register photo: Patty Bacon listens as Mayor Keith Corbett reads the Brookings City Council oath of office Tuesday night to swear her in again as a councilor. In addition to Bacon and Corbett, who was sworn in again as mayor, Nick Wendell and Holly Tilton Byrne were also sworn in again as councilors.