DANVILLE — The issue of a liquor license at Harrison Park Golf Course was last seriously discussed five years ago.

The public works committee previously recommended approval of the license, but the full city council postponed action due to further questions.

Now the issue has popped up again on the public works committee agenda for action Tuesday night.

Public Works Director Doug Ahrens said the liquor license would eliminate the property tax support from Harrison Park.

“The 2010 budget has that amount as $27,000 to $28,000…,” Ahrens said.

Also having been discussed is the desire by some guests and members to be able to purchase alcoholic beverages at the facility, he said.

The liquor license, although unknown in how much revenue it would generate, would offset some of the loss in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund and property tax support, Ahrens added.

A liquor license would allow Harrison Park Golf Course to sell beer, wine coolers and other malt beverages.

Ahrens said it’s not creating a bar-type atmosphere.

“It allows folks to purchase beverages for the time they are playing golf. The hours would be limited,” he said, adding that some summer events would end around 9 p.m.

However, alcohol has been sold on the property through special permits the sponsoring agency obtains for special events.

The golf course’s liquor license holder would not be the city, but golf pro John Smith. He would receive the revenue.

Ahrens said other reductions have been made in Harrison Park’s budget, and the agreement with Smith shows a reduction in the level of other fees.

Also with the license approval, the golf shop would be leased to J&L; (John and Lori Smith) Golf Pro Shop for $1,150 a year starting in fiscal year 2011, Ahrens said.

Ahrens said J&L; pays sales, food and beverage and other taxes as other businesses do.

Opponents, largely the owners of Turtle Run Golf Course, have previously said Harrison Park’s liquor license will hurt other businesses.

“We believe (alcohol) would probably not be the deciding factor in people choosing to go to Harrison,” Ahrens said.

When golfers choose a location, it has to do with the facility offerings, their level of skill and challenge they’re interested in and the setting and comfort level, he added.

“I don’t see this increasing or decreasing level of play,” Ahrens said.

Ward 2 Alderman Rick Strebing previously said he supports the convenience of offering alcohol at the golf course and making sure it’s self-sustaining.

Harrison Park’s annual budget is around $517,000.

Also Tuesday, the city council will continue budget discussions, including the enterprise funds such as Harrison Park Golf Course.

In other business, the committee will consider:

-- Authorizing professional services for the Carver Park renovation project. The amount was still in negotiations as of Friday.

Ahrens said this begins the design phase for architectural and engineering work.

Construction is expected this summer and fall. The work must be completed by December under the grant requirements.

Carver Park improvements were postponed for a year, last year.

The city received $373,500 in grant funding through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Open Spaces Land Acquisition and Development Program to renovate and add new facilities to the park on East Williams Street.

Initial projections showed the city will match the grant with about $136,000 in in-house labor and $237,000 in city funding, for the total project cost of about $700,000 to $800,000.

Mayor Scott Eisenhauer said funding will come from the capital fund (telecommunications tax).

The local match will be off-set by some work to be performed in-house.

The project includes: adding a new picnic shelter; replacing the existing restroom/concession-stand building and playground; making the softball field bigger; creating a lighted multipurpose field for baseball, youth football and soccer; moving the bas-ketball and tennis courts; and upgrading parking.

-- Authorizing the vacation of an alleyway in the 100 block of Jackson Street for Danville Mass Transit improvements.

-- Approving the 2010 overlay program; and authorizing motor fuel tax funds for the Main Street improvement already completed from Buchanan to Gilbert streets.

-- Authorizing MFT funds for lighting and landscaping improvements on International Drive and International Place for ThyssenKrupp.

-- Authorizing an engineering agreement with CSXT, Inc. and authorizing funding applications for the Fairchild Subway replacement project.

The second resolution is to show the city’s commitment and support for the project in pursuing funding such as through the Illinois Commerce Commission.

-- Approving golf professional agreement.

COMING UP

The city council’s Public Works Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Robert E. Jones Municipal Building, 17 W. Main St.