City Council Meeting Date: February 19, 2019
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Deb Little, City Clerk
Monte Nelson, Chief of Police
Title
Consider Approval of Liquor Licenses for 5th & Division Street Partners LLC at 501-505 Division Str. S.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is being asked to consider approval of On-sale Intoxicating and Sunday Liquor Licenses for 5th & Division Street Partners LLC dba Reunion located at 501-505 Division Str. S., Northfield subject to:
• Department of Public Safety Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement Approval
• Submittal of all final documents
• Final inspection of premises
Summary Report:
5th & Division Street Partners LLC dba Reunion has applied for On-sale Intoxicating and Sunday Liquor Licenses for 501-505 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 will meet with the licensee and conduct a walk-through of their facility prior to license issuance. Staff recommends approval of the licenses with the conditions noted which include Department of Public Safety Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement approval, submittal of all final documents and final inspection of premises. This is the second of two items for this license. A public hearing was held on this license application.
Upon approval and issuance of this license, there will be a total of 37 liquor licenses issued in the City of Northfield in the following categories:
• 1 - Club license
• 19 - On-Sale Intoxicating licenses
• 9 - 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. If this license is approved, Northfield will have 19 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 will receive $3,010 for the licenses and background check fees for this license.
Tentative Timelines:
If approved, certification and 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 license, final documents are submitted, and the final inspection of premises has been completed, the liquor licenses will be issued.