HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_99Jan13CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES OF JANUARY 13, 1999
Mayor Gehrz convened the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
PRESENT
Gehrz, Hustad, Jacobs, and Kuettel. Also present was Hoyt and Asleson.
ABSENT
Gibson Talbot.
COMMUNITY FORUM
There was no one wishing to take advantage of the community forum.
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 16, 1998
Minutes were approved by unanimous consent.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Hustad moved approval of the following consent agenda. The motion passed
• unanimously.
1. Disbursements
2. Licenses
3. Designation of official newspaper
4. Appointments to city commissions
5. Review council standing rules
6. Designation of liaison assignments
7. Authorization to purchase Kubota F3060 tractor
8. Approval of change order for computer network system
9. Designation of official depositories
POLICY AGENDA
PROCLAMATION REGARDING CITY GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS TO
THE YEAR 2000 (Y2K) PROBLEM
Councilmember Jacobs read aloud Resolution 99-03, proclaiming four community goals
regarding preparation for the Y2K problem.
Councilmember Hustad moved approval of Resolution 99-03 with the word "disastrous"
removed from paragraph two. The motion passed unanimously.
•
City Council minutes
• January 13, 1999
Page 2
CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6 RELATED TO THE
REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF LIQUOR LICENSES
Administrator Hoyt summarized the proposed changes to the alcohol ordinance. The
ordinance establishes minimum administrative penalties for violations of the ordinance,
most notably for serving or selling alcohol to underage people.
Heather Britt, representing the University of Minnesota's "Complying with the Minimum
Drinking Age" program, explained that studies have found that two factors affect
deterrence of illegal behavior: the severity of the penalty and the probability of being
caught. Given that the city is guaranteeing four alcohol compliance checks in the next
two years, an overly severe penalty may not be necessary. Britt also gave background
on how alcohol compliance checks are performed and how compliance checkers are
selected and trained. The project also provides free training and risk assessment for
alcohol vendors in participating cities.
Mayor Gehrz explained that she and staff members from the University of Minnesota had
invited all of the city's liquor licensees to a meeting to discuss the proposed changes.
She stated that she believes that underage sales are not currently a significant problem
in Falcon Heights since most of the liquor sales are done in conjunction with food.
• Mayor Gehrz proposed revising the penalties since the city council always retains the
right to impose a fine of up to 52,000 and revocation for particularly egregious
violations. Gehrz also proposed shortening the progressive time frame to be consistent
with a similar ordinance in the City of Burnsville.
Kenn Roeckler, of the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association (Falcon Bowl is a
member), noted that most licensees and sellers don't want to serve to underage persons.
He also suggested that emphasis should also be placed upon penalties for the server of
the alcohol (not just the licensee) and for the underage buyer.
Following discussion, Councilmember Hustad moved approval of Ordinance 99-02,
amending Chapter 6 related to the revocation or suspension of liquor licenses, and of
Resolution 99-04, authorizing summary publication of the ordinance. The motion passed
unanimously.
CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 5 RELATED TO LICENSING
OF TOBACCO RELATED PRODUCTS
Administrative Assistant Asleson explained that the proposed changes to the tobacco
ordinance are designed to bring it into conformance with state laws. The most
substantial changes include a provision fora 550 administrative fine imposed on the
clerk selling tobacco to a minor and an extension of the time period under which a
vendor becomes subject to second and third administrative penalties. The penalties
• themselves are not proposed to be changed.
Councilmember Kuettel moved approval of Ordinance 99-01, amending Chapter 5 related
to licensing of tobacco related products, and Resolution 99-02, authorizing summary
publication. The motion passed unanimously.
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•
City Council minutes
January 13, 1999
Page 3
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
~Q~ Q~Qsa.~s~-,
Carla Asleson
Recording Secretary
Susan L. Gehrz, Mayor
•