06-10-81 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MzNUr~s City Council June 10, 19Q7 Mr. Cossack also pointed out to the Council that Council amended Ordinance ~kII7 so that no additional off-sale liquor licenses could be issued until the City's population reached 10,000. Cossack asked if this could be done for the City's on-sa1e 1icenses. The City Attorney rep1ied that the City is allowed 7 on-sale 1icenses and presently has issued 6, There is nothing to preclude the City's limiting its on-sale licenses to 6. Mrs. Nardini pointed out that the present Council could deny the issuance of the seventh license, but a subsequent Counci7 could go ahead and issue it. Mr. Jim Tulgren, owner oP Bracly's, informed the Counc9l that he feels a 25% increase in the liquor license fee would be more appropriate. Mr. Joseph Vitale a1so was disappointed in the 100% increase in the license fee. Vitale pointed out that the City of Rosevi1le charges $10,000 for a liquor 1icense fee and is driving businesses out of that city. Mr. Vitale stated that he hoped the City oF Litt7e Canada did not make the same mistake. Mrs. Scalze informed the audience that the Couuncil is trying to keep its permit fees in line with cities of similar s~ze. Sca1ze pointed out that the newspaper made comparisons of Little Ca,natla's Pees with cities that were not the size of Little Canada. Mrs. Scalze stated that it was not the intention of the Counci1 to be unfair to the City's businesses. Scalze also stated that if the license fees had been reviewed regularly in the past, the increase would not have been such a jolt to the businesses. The owner of the Saxon informed the Council that the State of Minnesota has some of the highest taxes in the country. The State has finally decided to back off on tax increases to the State's business. This gentleman stated that he hoped the City would fol1ow the example of the State on this issue. Mayor Hanson informed the audience that he did not support the 100% increase in the on-sale liquor license fee. Hanson felt the increase was too hasty and should have been something that was cons~clered at budget time. Councilman Fahey stated that there was no objection by Counci7members about implementing an increase in the fee, the on7y objection was that it was too high. Counci1man Fahey commented that perhaps a~1,500 increase in the fee was not fair. Councilman Forsberg suggested that the Counci1 come up with an amount that would be more reasonable. Mr. Vitale stated that the Council shou1d not punish the bar owners because the fee has not been increased in the past 10 years. It was the City Council that did not take action on increasing the fee in these past years. Page -71-