St. Bernard council adopts emergency funding for Vine Street paving, bans engine braking and objects to liquor permit renewal

Council members on April 25 adopted a package of emergency measures to move forward on road repairs, update local codes and object to a liquor‑license renewal for a village business.

The council adopted Resolution No. 3 (objecting to issuance or renewal of retail liquor permit 0653205 D5 and D6 for Best Friends Management LLC, doing business as The Jester) after a motion to suspend further readings and a roll‑call adoption. Director of Law Van Valkenberg said the objection rests on the business’s failure to pay and withhold required taxes, which the resolution cites as the basis for asking the state for a hearing.

Council also approved Ordinance No. 10, authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with Naira Paving, and Ordinance No. 11, which provides additional appropriations related to master plan streets and sewers in the amount of $660,000. Auditor Brickweg told council the village received an OPWC grant of $245,700 toward the Vine Street work. Mayor Stel said the work—milling, repair of compromised pavement, resurfacing, crosswalk installation and speed cushions—will be scheduled as an emergency to take advantage of the summer construction window.

Ordinance No. 12 was adopted to add section 339.12 to the codified ordinances to prohibit engine braking (retarder braking) that creates loud noise and disturbs the peace; the measure includes exceptions for bona fide emergencies and emergency vehicles and directs the safety‑service director to post appropriate signage.

All motions to suspend the remaining readings and adopt the ordinances passed on roll call with council members recorded as voting in the affirmative. The council also adopted Ordinance No. 9, updating traffic and general offenses codes to comply with state law.

A resident asked about the Vine Street paving schedule and no‑parking signage; staff and the mayor said the final surface should be placed within about two weeks after compromised areas and a storm basin are repaired, and new signage will be posted before final paving.

Next steps: the mayor will execute the paving contract and staff will coordinate signage and summer scheduling; the objection to the liquor permit will be forwarded to the state for a hearing as described in Resolution No. 3.