City Council Meeting Date: November 25, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Lynette Peterson, City Clerk
Jeff Schroepfer, Police Chief
Title
Consideration of Resolution for the revocation or suspension of all liquor licenses issued to Froggz L.L.C., aka Froggz LLC, for the licensed premises named Froggz, located at 307 Water Street South, Ste B, and 303 Water Street South, and other administrative penalties for failure to maintain proof of financial responsibility, including statutorily required liability insurance policies, and other violations of Minnesota State Statutes and Northfield City Code, including Sections 6-65, 6-66, and 6-69.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is asked to approve a Resolution “Alternative 1: Revocation” for the imposition of the immediate revocation of all liquor licenses issued to Froggz L.L.C., aka Froggz LLC, for the licensed premises named Froggz, located at 307 Water Street South, Ste B, and 303 Water Street South, for violations of City Code and Minnesota State Statutes on the licensed premises pursuant to Northfield City Code Section 6-69.
* The recommended action above does not include a fine in addition to the revocation. See “Alternative Options” section of the memo for more information and alternative actions.
Summary Report:
Froggz liquor license was suspended at the November 4, 2025 City Council meeting due to their liquor liability insurance for the establishment being cancelled in July of this year. Liability insurance is required for any establishment that holds a liquor license.
During the liquor license renewal process in 2025, Froggz L.L.C., aka Froggz LLC, for the licensed premises named Froggz located at 307 Water Street South, Ste B and 303 Water Street South, submitted a license renewal with one of the partners no longer representing the business.
Since that time, another member has informed the City that they are no longer affiliated with the Licensee and have not been so for some time. This notification was done through their “significant other” due to medical reasons. As a result, the only remaining member of the Froggz L.L.C. is Nicolas Erickson. This is directly contrary to the representation to the City Council that induced the City Council to initially grant a license to the licensee for the licensed premises. At the time of the public hearing on the issuance of the liquor license, concerns were raised regarding previous criminal citations and a pending felony matter for Nicolas Erickson. As Nicolas Erickson represented one of three members of the licensee, Froggz L.L.C., applying for the liquor license, the City Council approved the liquor license following statements made by the other members of the licensee. Further, the Police Chief has determined that Nicolas Erickson has since been charged with another felony-level offense, this time in the City of Northfield, and now has two pending felony offenses in the State of Minnesota.
In addition to the recent changes to the membership of the licensee, there have been approximately 38 police-related calls involving Froggz between March 2025 and November 2025, including five (5) incidents involving intoxicated patrons requiring transport to the hospital. According to the Northfield Police Department, Froggz demonstrates a higher-than-typical number of disorderly, disturbance, and substance-related incidents, including medical calls and suspected narcotics activity compared to similar businesses in the City.
In addition to the above-mentioned issues, on October 2, 2025, Northfield City Police Department conducted an unannounced compliance check at the licensed premises. According to a report from the Northfield Police Department, an employee of the licensee at Froggz did sell liquor to a minor in violation of Minn. Stat. 340A.503.2(1) and Northfield City Code, Sec. 6-100. The employee has been charged with a violation of Minn. Stat. 340A.503.2(1). This case remains pending at this time.
After receiving reports that individuals were residing in Froggz at 303 Water Street South in April 2025, an inspection revealed a mattress and other domestic household items in that location. An inspection revealed a number of violations and an Order to Correct was issued by the Building Official dated July 11, 2025 and served on the owner of the licensed premises. On reinspection, some issues had been addressed, but certain Fire Code violations remained. During an inspection conducted in July 2025 by the Building Official, it was determined that the basement of 303 Water Street South was still being used as a sleeping area. In addition, on October 30, 2025, the Building Official received a report from the Northfield Police Department that the tenants were found sleeping at 307 Water Street South, which is not designed to be used as a residential property. As the licensed premises is not designed for residential occupancy, this use is a violation of the Minnesota State Building Code, and the Building Official intends to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy.
Finally, the most recently published tax delinquency liquor posting list includes Froggz LLC, indicating that the taxpayer is ten (10) or more days delinquent in filing or payment of liquor, wine and beer sales taxes.
Pursuant to Northfield City Code, Sec. 6-69, the City Council may impose a civil fine, suspension or revocation of the liquor licenses issued to the Licensee for any of the following reasons:
(1) False or misleading statements made on a license application or renewal, or failure to abide by the commitments, promises or representations made to the city council.
(2) Violation of any special conditions under which the license was granted, including, but not limited to, the timely payment of real estate taxes, and all other charges.
(3) Violation of any federal, state, or local law regulating the sale of intoxicating liquor, 3.2 percent malt liquor, or controlled substances.
(4) Creation of a nuisance on the licensed premises or in the surrounding area.
(5) That the licensee suffered or permitted illegal acts upon the licensed premises or on property owned or controlled by the licensee adjacent to the licensed premises, unrelated to the sale of intoxicating liquor or 3.2 percent malt liquor.
(6) Expiration or cancellation of any required insurance, or failure to notify the city within a reasonable time of changes in the term of the insurance or the carriers.
Pursuant to Northfield City Code, Licensee has the right to a hearing before the City Council before the City Council can impose a suspension or revocation of the license.
No additional presentation will be given for this item.
Alternative Options:
Alternative 1: Revocation. That the on-sale intoxicating liquor license and the Sunday on-sale intoxicating liquor license issued to the licensee shall be revoted effective immediately upon passage of this resolution.
OR
Alternative 2: Suspension. That the on-sale intoxicating liquor license and the Sunday on-sale intoxicating liquor license issued to Licensee shall be suspended for a period of __ days (the “suspension period”) commencing immediately upon passage of this Resolution and ending at 12:01 a.m., ____________, 202_. At all times and days during the above liquor license suspension period, Licensee is prohibited from making all sales and allowing or permitting the consumption of alcohol, and all other intoxicating beverages covered by the referenced liquor licenses, on the Licensed Premises. Licensee shall return Licensee’s suspended liquor license to the City Clerk by no later than the first day of the liquor license suspension period and may retrieve said license on the last day of the suspension period. (The maximum number of days for suspension of a license is 60 days.)
Note 1: Should the Council choose this option the motion to approve the resolution should note “Alternative 2” and also include the length of days of suspension. Staff and the Assistant City Attorney would advise 30 days or more should this option be pursued.
AND/OR
Alternative 3. Fine. That a civil fine in the amount of $2,000.00 shall be imposed and shall be paid on or before December 3, 2025. (The maximum fine is $2,000.00 per violation.)
Note 2: Staff and the Assistant City Attorney are not recommending a fine if Alternative 1. This is due to the goal of more immediate ending staff time related to this liquor licensee and the anticipated extra expected time and effort to work to collect the fine.
Note 3: Should the City Council choose Alternative 2 there should be added in a the motion IF there is interest also in a fine to include that as well including an amount. If this is pursued staff would suggest using $2,000 as the total fine amount.
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
If revoked, license revocation will be sent to the Department of Public Safety, Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement Division (DPS-AGE) for their records.