02-14-01 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 14, 2001 *APPROVING THE RENEWAI.OF CONSUMPTION AND DISPLAY LICENSE FOR MY LE HOA CHINESE RESTAURANT FOR THE LICENSE PERIOD APRIL 1, 2001 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2002; *APPROVING THE VOUCHERS The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by LaValle. Ayes (5) Scalze, LaValle, Montour, Fahey, Anderson. Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. WINE SALES The City Administrator reported that Senator Mady Reiter has asked for AT OTHER the Council's position on the issue of allowing wine sales for ofl=premise THAN consumption at other than liquor stores. The Administrator reported that LIQUOR he serves on the League of Minnesota Cities Service Delivery Committee STORES and given the issue with youth access to alcohol. It was the committee's recommendation that the law not be broadened to allow for the sale of wine in grocery stores and other retail outlets that possess 3.2 liquor licenses. He also stated this would seem consistent with other restrictions to limit youth access such as keg registration legislation. Scalze pointed out that 33 other states allow wine to be sold in grocery stores. She also noted that there are no statistics that show that allowing these sales results in an increase in youth access. Scalze did not feel it was in the City's best interests to not allow grocery stores to sell wine on Sundays. LaValle agreed. Anderson pointed out that the first item on this evening's agenda related to the sale of alcohol to a minor at a gas station convenience store. Anderson felt that allowing the sale of wine at grocery stores make compliance efforts more difficult and more costly, and perhaps less effective. Anderson also pointed out that there are currently no grocery stores in the City, although one may be opening soon. However, the City does have three off-sale liquor stores that this legislation would have a negative impact on. Fahey agreed with Anderson's comments and indicated that he sees no reason to support the legislation given the impact it will have on existing Little Canada businesses. Scalze pointed out that there are taxpayers in the City who may want the option of purchasing wine from a grocery store on Sundays. In the absence of any statistics relating to youth access issues, Scalze stated that she saw no reason not to support the sale of wine in grocery stores. Scalze noted that all the City's liquor outlets passed compliance checking except for one. Scalze felt the compliance issue was one of education.