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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />FEBRUARY 14, 2001 <br />Fahey felt it was a matter of control over which businesses dispense liquor. He <br />noted that the City has been very restrictive on the issuance of liquor licenses, <br />and felt that wine sales should not be expanded to other retail outlets unless <br />there is some evidence that compliance problems do not result from this action. <br />Fahey again pointed out the impact that expanding the sale of wine will have <br />on local off-sale liquor stores. <br />Anderson stated that he could not support the expansion of wine sales without <br />statistics and stated that common sense tells him that a small convenience store <br />will have an easier time educating its employees on the issues related to liquor <br />sales than will a large grocery store. Anderson felt if the issue was the ability <br />to buy wine on a Sunday, than off-sale liquor stores should be allowed to be <br />open on Sundays. <br />Scalze pointed out that this is aone-stop society and people would like to buy <br />their wine at the same time they are buying groceries. She also noted that <br />some women may feel more comfortable buying wine at a grocery store than <br />going into a liquor store. Scalze suggested that Senator Reiter be informed that <br />there is a division on the Council over this issue. <br />Fahey felt the issue should be put to a vote with Senator Reiter being informed <br />of the results. He noted that Reiter indicated that she is being lobbied on this <br />issue and would like to know the positions of the cities that she serves. Fahey <br />suggested that allowing the sale of wine in grocery stores would not be the best <br />situation for the Little Canada business environment. <br />Scalze pointed out that the City's liquor ordinance is in line with State Statutes, <br />and the City has never gone out of the way to be more restrictive. Scalze felt if <br />was not the Council's job to make decisions for the State and that the City <br />should not do it with this issue because of the potential for impact on local <br />businesses. Scalze pointed out the League's position and the fact that they <br />may be looking to protect municipal liquor stores. <br />Fahey disagreed with Scalze's comments and felt that the Council should try to <br />influence the State on issues that are of importance to Little Canada. <br />Montour asked if the term "grocery store" had been defined. It was noted that <br />the proposed resolution in the agenda includes outlets such as convenience <br />stores, grocery stores, gas stations, and other associated retail outlets for off <br />premise consumption of 3.2 beer currently allowed under Minnesota law. <br />Mr. Anderson introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption <br />