The owner of the Copper Kettle in Lyle is seeking to purchase the city community center to expand his business.

But a clause in the deed states if the city ever sells it, the Lions Club, the former owner of the building, gets first dibs.

Owner Craig Stark said some Lions members have told him they're OK with it. But the city has to formally ask the club about the sale, said Mayor Ron Frank.

Another part of the deed states the building is to be used as a community center.

Stark would like to turn part of the building into a game room, including a pool table and snacks, for teenagers to hang out.

"It would give the kids some place to go," Stark said.

He also said he if expanded, he would apply for a liquor license so that he can attract more customers.

"I can't compete with just food alone," he said. Two other Lyle establishments have liquor licenses.

Council member Harold Rohne said he has heard some people are against the idea. Stark has tried to purchase the building previously.

But Stark said he is close to deciding if he should close the restaurant after four years in business.

"I've got to have something else," Stark said.

The council decided to submit a formal request to the Lions Club leaders before making a decision.

In other business, the council:

n Decided to repair a new sewer line from John and Sandy King's residence. The sewer has been backing up every month for the four months they have lived there. Wayne Frank, city maintenance director, agreed to clean the line out every two weeks until they city is able to repair the leak.

n Discussed a proposal from Shawn Davis to build a storage garage near the house Riverland Community College is building, in the southeast part of town. He thinks some Lyle citizens would like to store some of their property instead of leaving it outside on their lawns.

That area, however, is slated for housing development, Ron Frank said. He instead suggested Davis look into buying property further south in town for the storage garage.

n Set a deadline for estimated costs of water main repair on Locust and Fourth streets. Wayne Frank will return to the council with estimates at its April meeting

n Drafted a resolution to the Fifth Street sewer connection agreements. Residents on Fifth Street who have not developed their land in 10 years were asked to pay a sewer hook up fee of $5,150. But some properties extend from Fourth Street to Fifth Street and already have sewer hookups to their houses on Fourth Street.

The council decided that residents would not be charged a hook up fee unless they developed the land. The cost of that fee would increase by $1,250 every five years starting in 2005.

The resolution will be put before the council for approval at its next meeting March 12.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com