City Council Meeting Date: April 18, 2017
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Deb Little, City Clerk
Monte Nelson, Chief of Police
Title
Consider Approval of Liquor Licenses for SMOQEHOUSE LLC - 212 Division Street S.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is being asked to consider approval of On-sale Wine and 3.2 % Liquor Licenses for SMOQEHOUSE LLC located at 212 Division Str. S, Northfield.
Summary Report:
SMOQEHOUSE LLC, dba SMOQEHOUSE, has applied for On-sale Wine and 3.2 % Liquor Licenses for 212 Division Str. S, Northfield. SMOQEHOUSE LLC meets the qualifications necessary for these licenses. The application for liquor license has been checked for compliance, which covers the provisions of Minnesota State law and City Code. Staff has met with the licensee and conducted a walk-through of their facility. Staff recommends approval of the licenses. A public hearing was held at the April 18, 2017 City Council meeting.
There are currently a total of 33* liquor licenses issued in the City of Northfield in the following categories:
• 1 - Club license
• 16 - On-Sale Intoxicating licenses
• 9 - On-Sale Wine/3.2 licenses
• 5 - Off-sale 3.2 licenses
• 1 - Cocktail Room license
• 1 - Taproom license *
*plus one additional taproom license under consideration at the April 18 meeting.
Periodically questions are raised regarding statutory restrictions on the number of on-sale intoxicating liquor licenses that may be issued in Northfield. Currently Northfield has 16 on-sale intoxicating liquor license holders. Northfield is a city of the second class and therefore may issue not more than 18 on-sale intoxicating liquor licenses, subject to very broad exclusions. The applicable statute is 340A.413, Subd. 1 (3). However, 340A.413, Subd. 4, excludes the following from the restrictions stated in Subd. 1:
• clubs
• restaurants
• establishments that are licensed to sell wine under section 340A.404, Subd. 5
• theaters that are issued licenses under section 340A.404
• hotels, and
• bowling centers
The existing on-sale intoxicating liquor licenses in Northfield all fall into those categories that are noted above. Therefore, they are excluded from the restriction.
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
The City receives $1,010 for the licenses and background check fees.
Tentative Timelines:
If approved, certification and wine license applications will be sent to the Department of Public Safety Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement (AGE) Division for review and approval. Once the AGE Wine license and approvals are received, the liquor licenses will be issued.