Highlighted in yellow is the area in Gladstone that will be inaccessible to traffic Dec. 12 to allow for overflow from a Youth Empowering Services fundraising party at Saunders Point Brewing. (Contributed photo)

GLADSTONE — The Gladstone City Commission on Monday approved a special event to use a small portion of downtown space — specifically, Saunders Point Brewing and 10th Street from Delta Avenue to the alley — on Dec. 12 to benefit Youth Empowering Services.

Youth Empowering Services, or Y.E.S., is a nonprofit organization that provides in-school mentoring to youth in Delta and Menominee counties. It plans to host an Ugly Sweater Holiday Bash fundraiser at the brewery from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 12. Ticket went on sale online earlier this month.

As Y.E.S. expects as many as 150 to attend and Saunders Point intends to remain open to other patrons that night, they want to utilize outdoor space as well. Since it will likely be cold, the idea of burn barrels like those used during Old-Fashioned Christmas was brought up.

Saunders Point Brewing owner Jake Mills submitted an application to the city with a request to block off the angled parking along 10th Street’s west side, right near the garage doors of the brewery, that eventgoers can use as overflow space.

In November 2023, before the brewery even opened for business, Saunders Point applied for and was granted outdoor seating space on the sidewalk. It wasn’t much room, because legally 3 feet of sidewalk space must remain available to passersby. And now, Mills noted, there is even less space because this year the city chose to plant a tree on that corner of Delta and 10th.

Although the only area asked to be blocked off was parking spaces — Mills said he didn’t want to hurt other businesses by closing the street — City Manager Eric Buckman said the insurance company generally preferred a street closure rather than a partial area, so that was what the commission ultimately agreed upon. But it will only be the space between the brewery and Dairy Flo — Tenth Street, not Delta.

As for the burn barrels, which belong to the Gladstone Downtown Development Authority, Director Patricia West said the DDA has been trying to get out of the practice of loaning their materials out, but no rule against it is yet in the books. It was agreed that City of Gladstone Parks and Recreation staff will help get the burn barrels to and from the event, and Mills said he would arrange for volunteer firefighters to maintain them that evening. The barrels are to be placed on bricks so they do not damage the pavement.

The motion approving the special event with the stipulations passed, with Commissioner Robert Pontius the only no vote.

In other business at Monday’s Gladstone City Commission meeting:

– Brittany Levesque was sworn in as Gladstone’s newest Public Safety Officer. Levesque comes into the role with police and fire experience, having worked for Escanaba Public Safety Department and most recently the Northern Michigan University Police Department.

– Commissioners congratulated Robert Spreitzer, currently city water superintendent, on being selected as interim city manager and authorized the subcommittee of Commissioner Judy Akkala and Mayor Joe Thompson to begin contract negotiations with him.

– The city entered into an agreement with Curcio Law firm for services associated with applying for USDA financing of water treatment plant improvements.

– Guidelines were updated for property exemptions, such as for libraries and churches.

– Poverty exemption guidelines and application were amended.

– The commission approved payments of $6,158.19 to Chemtrade Chemicals; $11,271.55 to Hawkins Inc.; $10,057 to Norther Nursery; and $9,036.91 to Iverson’s Home Center.

– The commission tabled appointing a subcommittee to look into options for the assessor position.