Mike McAlpin's much talked about Rusty Spur Restaurant, behind the Heflin Police Department/City Hall, received their liquor license request Tuesday night during a meeting of the Heflin City Council.

In a work session prior to the regular meeting, Heflin Mayor Anna Berry told McAlpin that to her knowledge, "you have met the requirements for the ABC Board."

Mayor Berry noted that the council looks at several criteria to make their decision including the possibility of noise, the feelings of adjacent landowners, residents and businesses and character of the establishment's owner or owners among other items.

McAlpin noted that he had to purchase liability insurance on the property itself as well as liquor liability in the event someone might leave the business drunk and have or cause an accident.

He told the council that he will be serving drinks along with food out of his new stainless steel kitchen and that he intends to keep order among customers. "I cannot have my stuff destroyed. I cannot have any trouble," he said while noting that he has a vast collection of animal trophies on the walls. He said he also has an agreement worked out with the HPD that he will not have to take time getting a warrant but will only have to make a call for them to respond. "We are right behind the police department so I think everyone will be aware that they can get in trouble real quick, but that is not what we want. We want to have a nice, upscale place and expect a 30-60-year old clientele," McAlpin said.

Questioned by the mayor about possible noise, McAlpin said he has 14-inch thick walls with 14 inches of insulation, no windows and other noise reducing factors.

He said he has talked with surrounding residents and that the day care down the street expressed concern about beer bottles and cans being thrown out. "I have an on-premise license and those buying alcoholic drinks must consume them inside or we'll throw them away. There will be no 'to go's'. We are required to keep up with individual tabs. I cannot sell take out drinks," he said.

In other pre-council discussion, the council agreed to waive a recreation center rental fee for an upcoming benefit for HEARTS, heard a report from the mayor that the HPD is applying for another grant and briefly discussed the installation of a water meter at the dog pound area behind the HPD.

Heflin Councilman Curtis Turner said he could not understand why a water meter was installed if water was already available next to the dog pen in the old fire department building. He said he would like to see the water department stop "wasting so much money so that we have to go up on the rates." Heflin Councilman and water board member Ken DuHon said he was unaware of the meter installation and said he would check into the matter.

The mayor also brought up the subject of old water pipes in the Brimer Circle area and suggested the possibility of seeking federal stimulus funds to replace the worn pipes. She said the East Alabama Regional Planning Commission would help the city write a grant.

Government stimulus funds are expected to bring a little more work for NABI in Oxford. Three buses will be built with the funds.