Liquor & Gambling Control Committee

LIQUOR AND GAMBLING CONTROL COMMITTEE May 27, 2015 Page 1 Members Present: Berg, Connole, Shomento, Seymour Members Absent: Hatlelid Others Present: City Manager, City Clerk, City Attorney, City Assessor, Assistant City Assessor, Finance Director, City Comptroller, City Treasurer, City Engineer, Assistant City Engineer, City Planner, Building Official, Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, Police Chief, Captain White, Public Works Director, Assistant Public Works Director, Public Information Officer, Alderman Frantsvog, Alderman Hedberg, Alderman Jantzer, Alderman Lehner, Alderman Olson, Dave Schwengler, Jill Schramm, Mark Lyman To the Honorable Mayor and All Aldermen: Following are the minutes of the Liquor/Gambling Control Committee meeting called to order at 4:37p.m.on May 27, 2015: 1. The City Council authorize gaming site authorization extension of premises from MSU Alumni Association at the Grand Hotel – Grand Ball Room (1505 North Broadway) on May 21, 2015 through May 23, 2015 for a special event. ********** The above motion by Alderman Connole, seconded by Alderman Shomento and carried unanimously. 2. Pursuant to the Code of Ordinances, we are requesting Committee and Council ratification of the following administratively approved requests: a. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for a local permit to conduct a raffle on June 20, 2015 at the Magic City Harley Davidson (515 20th Ave SW, Suite 1). b. Sevens Bar and Restaurant for a special event permit on May 21, 2015 from 4:00pm to 9:00pm at Vendrye Electric (1225 Highway 2 East). c. Off the Vine for a special event permit on May 16, 2015 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Taube Museum of Art (2 North Main St.) d. Sevens Bar and Restaurant for a special event permit on May 28, 2015 from 2:00pm to 9:00pm at General Equipment (905 20th Ave NE) e. The Pour Farm for a special event permit on June 11, 2015 from 4:00pm to 9:00pm at Alliane Real Estate Office (1829 S. Broadway). ********** The above motion by Alderman Connole, seconded by Alderman Shomento and carried unanimously. 3. The City Council place and pass the most recent version of Ordinance No. 4970 -- Amending Chapter 5 (Alcoholic Beverages), Article I (In General) and Article II, of the Code of Ordinances Relating to Alcoholic Beverages, on Second Reading. LIQUOR AND GAMBLING CONTROL COMMITTEE May 27, 2015 Page 2 Alderman Connole commented the ordinance has gotten complicated and questioned if this is the way the City wanted it to go. He stated maybe it is time to have the City charge a straight $10,000 to all licenses of full liquor so as to eliminate market inflated price of current bar licenses and make pricing consistent for supper clubs and bars. The City Attorney stated the current version of the ordinance has been crafted from the memo provided in collaborative efforts by supper club and bar owners. She explained, the new version creates a separate license for the downtown business district and includes gaming restrictions for the current supper club license. Compliance officers will work to see the restrictions are followed. The other option of charging a larger consistent fee would be a policy issue discussion by Council. Alderman Connole would like to find a solution that would work for all. Alderman Berg received several emails and understands both sides have worked together and would still like to see less restrictions. Scott Knudsvig of Pringle Herigstad Law Firm appeared in representation of Dakota Dave’s. He stated his client would like to see gaming restrictions eliminated. He stated, in restricting gaming, you are only restricting contributions to charitable organizations. He continued, he does not believe there should be a different closing grace period for supper clubs and downtown business district licenses and would like to see the same grace period for both. The City Attorney mentioned the seating restriction for those in the Renaissance Zone was eliminated so there have already been different restrictions to the license based on area. Bob Napora of 817 Park St. pointed to concern of minimal food requirement and the need to certify this information. Shauna Downing representing the Landing Bar stated that bar owners’ major concern is about their initial investment and the ease of other establishments to gain a supper club license. Bar owners want to see a definite difference between bars and supper clubs. A change in the ordinance may require some to change their business model. ********** The above motion by Alderman Connole, seconded by Alderman Shomento and carried unanimously. There being no further business, the Liquor and Gambling Control Committee meeting was adjourned at 4:53p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lisa Jundt, City Clerk