City Council Meeting Date: August 22, 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 The Reunion LLC - 314 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 The Reunion, LLC located at 314 Division Street S., Northfield subject to:
• Department of Public Safety Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement Approval
• Submittal of all final documents
• Final inspection of premises
Summary Report:
The Reunion LLC, dba The Reunion, has applied for On-sale Wine and 3.2 % Liquor Licenses for 314 Division Str. S, Northfield. 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 with the conditions noted which include Department of Public Safety Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement approval of the Wine License; submittal of all final documents, including, but not limited to insurance and food license documents, and final inspection of the premises. A public hearing was held at the July 18, 2017 City Council meeting. There were no comments received from the public.
Upon approval and issuance of this license, there will be a total of 35 liquor licenses issued in the City of Northfield in the following categories:
• 1 - Club license
• 16 - On-Sale Intoxicating licenses
• 10 - On-Sale Wine/3.2 licenses
• 5 - Off-sale 3.2 licenses
• 1 - Cocktail Room license
• 2 - Taproom licenses
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 application will be sent to the Department of Public Safety Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement Division for review and approval. Once the Alcohol & Gambling Division approves the Wine license and final documents are submitted, the liquor licenses will be issued.