With numerous specific conditions, Sandbar Liquors could include an outdoor patio eating area.

The Casper City Council was split when it preliminarily voted to allow the bar and restaurant to open its doors to the outside in a Thursday work session.

Some council members worried that the Sandbar already regularly receives more police calls than other bars in town, and allowing outdoor eating and drinking will increase the possibility for problems.

Councilwoman Lynne Whalen asked owner Rodger Hessler why he allows the problems to continue when he said at a previous council meeting he knows there are issues with some of the patrons.

Hessler blames people coming to Casper from other states for the energy business on the increase in crime in Casper and the higher number of police calls to his bar. It will take time, he said, to sort through the people who are allowed to be in the bar and the people who aren't.

Whalen argued that Hessler has not been a responsible business owner thus far, and shouldn't be allowed to expand his business out farther, creating a possibility for more issues.

Councilman Maury Daubin doesn't see how an outdoor patio for eating will increase the problems that already exist. As a provision, he wants to see the Sandbar be responsible for monitoring litter and vandalism in nearby parking lots.

Other conditions for the eating area include two approved exists, that the area be staffed at all times and be illuminated at all times.

The council may also require the eating area close at 10 p.m. when the kitchen closes.

If the patio is approved and there are issues in the area, City Attorney Bill Luben said the council could close the outdoor area at any time.

In other council news, Whalen announced she will resign as of Aug. 5. She and her husband are selling their house and moving to Jackson.

She is one of three council members in Ward II and her term was scheduled to end Dec. 31.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com