Leeds City Council approves Dollar General beverage license and Lils Coffee lease

The City of Lead Commission meeting on May 19, 2025, focused on several key issues, including the approval of bills, a public hearing for a new liquor license for Dollar General, and a proposed lease for a coffee hut at Manual Brothers Park.

The meeting began with the approval of bills totaling $107,292.92, which included $30,006.26 in bills and $76,006.66 in payroll. The commission unanimously agreed to pay these expenses.

Next, the commission held a public hearing regarding an on-off sale malt beverage and packaged wine license for Dollar General, located at 1.5 Glendale Drive. After confirming there were no objections from the audience, the commission approved the license.

The most significant discussion centered around a proposed lease for Lils Coffee, which aims to operate a coffee hut at Manual Brothers Park for six months at a rate of $200 per month. Robin, a city representative, provided background on the lease, noting that it had been reviewed by the planning and zoning commission, which recommended approval with some conditions. These included ensuring safety measures and maintaining the flexibility of the lease.

Several community members expressed concerns during the public hearing. Colin Greenfield, a local business owner, raised issues about potential preferential treatment and the ethics of leasing public land to a private business at a low rate. He argued that such actions could create an uneven playing field for existing businesses and called for a transparent bidding process for future leases.

Other residents echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for fair competition and questioning the long-term benefits of the lease for the community. They urged the commission to consider the implications of subsidizing one business over others and to ensure that any decisions made would serve the broader interests of the city.

In response, city officials highlighted the historical context of leasing city property to support local entrepreneurs and the importance of fostering economic development. They noted that the lease would not create a permanent transfer of land and that the city would maintain control over the property.

The commission ultimately decided to move forward with the lease for Lils Coffee, with plans to monitor its impact on traffic and business dynamics in the area. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue evaluating the effectiveness of such leases in supporting local businesses while ensuring fair competition in the community.