Gibbon Ballroom must repair septic systemBallroom operators say they are working to fix problem

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

GIBBON -- A local landmark could be forced to close its doors temporarily if it doesn't comply with Sibley County planning and zoning laws, authorities there said.

Recently, Sibley County commissioners voted to take legal action against the Gibbon Ballroom for failing to update its septic system.

The ballroom's owners say they're working on fixing the problem and hope to have it taken care of soon. They say they missed the county's two previous deadlines because of problems with getting a design approved by the state and then getting it installed in time.

County authorities say the ballroom's owners have already run out of time and now County Attorney David Schauer is in the process of preparing a civil injunction that could close the ballroom's doors until the system meets state and county requirements.

"They've had two extensions before and the board can't grant any more," Schauer said.

The problems first surfaced in May of 2001 when an excavating crew discovered one of the ballroom's five septic tanks had collapsed. The excavating company called Jeff Majeski, the planning and zoning administrator of Sibley County.

Majeski said the department inspected the property and asked the ballroom's owners to fix the system. However, one year later, a follow-up inspection revealed that nothing had been done.

The county extended the deadline to Oct. 15, 2002 and then to Dec. 15. Majeski said there are no other problems with the property.

The Sibley County board voted unanimously in favor of taking legal action this past Tuesday.

The ballroom operator "could've worked with the city of Gibbon and hooked into its sewer system, but he would've had to comply with the city ordinance that says he can't sell liquor on Sundays," said County Commissioner Leo Bauer, who represents the Gaylord area.

The ballroom was moved outside the city limits from the city park in 1933 and was the site of dances for decades. It still operates in between 40 and 50 days a year for weddings, dances and other ceremonial events.

Ballroom operator Steve Seeboth of Gibbon said he knew he wasn't going to be able to get the system upgraded by the county deadline.

"It's not a standard system. It's a commercial property with real sporadic usage," he said. "Gibbon wouldn't allow our first design so we had to do it over again. It'll be spring before we get it fixed."

Seeboth said he wasn't notified of the planning and zoning commission's decision, but said he's hired a contractor from Hutchinson to design a new septic system and is waiting on state approval of the designs.

He said he and his parents, Richard and Sharon Seeboth of New Ulm, have spent plenty of time and money bringing the ballroom up to code since purchasing it four years ago. Seeboth said any kind of legal action would have a negative impact on his business.

"It seems that every time we round a corner, we reach another obstacle," he said. "It's not unusual for a county to take action like this and if they did, it would take months."

The Seeboths must attend hearings once the legal action begins and will have 20 days to answer the county's complaint. Schauer said the county probably won't start proceedings until the end of February at the earliest.