Waite Park Denies Coratel Inn & Suites License Renewal

(KNSI) — The Coratel Inn and Suites had its license renewal denied at Monday’s Waite Park City Council meeting after a public hearing.

The primary concern was over the hotel allowing long-term occupancy to three different boarders and deliberately flaunting the law to do so. Police Chief Dave Bentrud explained how the scheme worked.

“Investigator Eggert was able to establish a pattern that could only be done through staff or ownership. The pattern is very clear of checking them out and then checking them back in [on] the very same date over and over and over again.”

One family has been at the facility for 15 months. City Administrator Shaunna Johnson says the problem came to light during November’s election.

“I happen to work the election of a gentleman that came to register for his residency to be at that [location] and he had established residency there since June. He was kind of taken aback a little bit thinking that, ‘What do you mean? I live here.’ Like it was no big deal. He had a rent statement for the period of time between June and currently.”

City officials had several other issues with the establishment, including progress on the western building. It was required to be remodeled or demolished over two years ago and is still not operational.

The vote against license renewal was unanimous. Its operations license expires on December 31st.

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