Rhoda Keller-Theaker had applied for a conditional use permit to operate the older motel at 925 Broadway in October after the city found that she had long-term lodgers at the motel. The commission tabled the request in October, but not before Theaker and her partner related how they had done work on the motel including replacing plumbing, new piping, some electrical work and winterizing some rooms without permits.

After the request was tabled, Assistant Public Works Director Chris Tollaksen returned to the motel. In his report to the commission, he said now the main concern was temporary plugged in heaters and "another issue was the overall appearance of the facility." In his report he said his office had stated that such a facility on Broadway ought to be meticulously maintained." When he returned, he had to point out items not cleaned up until he pointed them out.

At the meeting, Theaker said she had tried to operate the facility as a motel, but she did not have a pool or Jacuzzis as other motels did and people wanted to stay more than 30 days. She said she did not want long-term renters, and people pay week to week, but people were staying at the motel until they can get deposits together for apartments.

With the money invested in the motel and repairs, she said she had to keep four units, ones that had been winterized, open in the winter. She said she had spent a "tremendous amount" of money this summer on repairs and "I don’t have any money left."

Commissioner Mike Freel said Theaker basically was renting to long-term people, and that is a problem if the motel is not up to code. He said the motel needed to be brought up to code for apartments.

Public Works Director Mike Horkan said the motel would be OK if it were open from April 1 to Dec. 1. Being open in the winter with the plug in heaters and no permanent furnace was the problem.

Theaker, who is a native of England, said when she first arrived she stayed in motels that had plug in heaters.

At the October meeting, Fire Chief Tory Wolfram said he was concerned about fire safety at the motel with its old wiring.

"I empathize with your position," said Mayor Eric Helland, however he continued that the city could not take the risk. Helland called for a motion to either deny or approve the request for the permit and the motion made was to deny it, which passed unanimously.

In a telephone call Thursday, Theaker said she had calmed down and may operate the facility as a motel this winter, allowing people to stay no more than 30 days.

She said she had found out that permanent heating meant a furnace and four of the units were connected to an oil boiler, that also heated water. However, water to those units freezes in the winter, so four other units were winterized.

In other action, the commission approved rezoning and site plans for St. Clare Health Care to add on to the Dells Clinic. The commission again raised concerned about the entrance to the clinic, and Scott Anderson, of General Engineering, engineer for the project, said only one driveway would be made and he would see about having a turn lane for it. The turn lane and driveway must be approved by the state’s Department of Transportation.

Anderson said the addition will add 17,000 square feet to the facility to house more physicians, the urgent care clinic and the Davis/Duehr/Dean Eye Clinic.