The final step in the process of changing ownership of a Callaway business has been completed. At their regular monthly meeting on July 22, the Callaway Village Board unanimously approved a request for a liquor license for Sand Creek Bar, formerly Henry’s Bar.

Sand Creek Bar owners Clint and Jenny Robinson were present at the meeting, and Village Clerk Lori Bonde confirmed that all of the paperwork was in order for the request, which has been approved by the state. The license allows the Robinsons the option of catering the bar at events, including outdoor beer garden type venues.

New Chamber member Holly Brohman was on the board agenda and explained that she is looking at preliminary ideas for next year’s Pioneer Picnic, and possibly bringing a carnival to town in conjunction with the community event. “Before we got too far with the planning, I just wanted to make sure you guys would be ok with us blocking off streets for a carnival,” Brohman explained. “It’s kind of a price factor right now, so it’s not a for-sure deal.”

She also questioned a city ordinance regarding food trucks and vendors, wanting to ensure that they would be permitted at the park. Board Chairman Mark Kimball explained that as long as the vendors fill out the proper paperwork, they should be fine.

“I made a survey for the Chamber and went around through the parade and asked people to fill it out, and it was really interesting to see how people answered where they ate and the activities they participated in,” said Brohman. “I also got their opinions on the different activities. The younger kids feel like things have improved, but the older people were less satisfied. We are just trying to think of ways to keep people in the park, in town, and involved.”

The discussion was for informational purposes only and required no action from the board.

TJ Elliott and Justin Mason of M&T Rentals had questions for the board regarding their role and the Village's role for the housing development project planned for the southeast corner of town. In particular, Elliott and Mason wanted to make sure they are only expected to handle the plotting of the lots, while the Village plans to take care of providing the water, sewer, and electrical infrastructure to the property.

There was also some discussion on the lot size Elliott and Mason are planning, so that everyone is on the same page. “Hopefully, by next month, we will have all of the information we need,” said Elliott.

Following the housing discussion, the board turned its sights to downtown sidewalk repairs. A new sidewalk is being installed from the alley between Callaway Market and Shotgun Annie’s on the north side of the store, around the corner, and the full length of the block on the east.

Newest board member Darwin Mast voiced his disagreement with expecting business owners to pay a portion of the sidewalk cost. “But they are the ones who applied for it, not us,” Kimball countered. “And we’re paying for our half that’s on Village property.”

The cost to the city for the new sidewalks will be approximately $33,000. With the majority of the new sidewalk located on the Callaway Market property, store owner Lawrence Paulsen filed an application with the Village for a loan to cover his half of the $16,350 cost. The request was approved with Paulsen abstaining from the vote. Discussion on hiring a Village ordinance officer was tabled to the next meeting.

The final item on the agenda was the 2025-25 agreement with Callaway Public Schools for use of the Community Center. Kimball noted that the rent on the facility was last increased in 2020, and shared his frustration with not being able to get a schedule from the school outlining when they plan to use the building.

Bonde noted that she has already been contacted about two weddings in December, wanting to use the Community Center. The board all agreed that without a schedule, if someone books the center which results in a conflict with the school, the party who booked would have priority.

The next meeting of the Callaway Village Board was set for Aug. 12 at 7 p.m.