06-24-2003 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Little eCd nd ad COPiP1UNIN PRIDE 1953 - 2003 A[/1X)R Michael I. Fahey COUNCIL Jim LaVatle Blatt Anderson Rick Montour Bill Blesener 515 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117 -1600 (651) 766 -4029 / FAX: (651) 766 -4048 ADMINISTRATOR www.ci.little- canada.mn.us Joel R. Hanson MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Fahey and Members of the City Council FROM: Kathy Glanzer, Deputy Clerk DATE: June 17, 2003 RE: 2 a.m. Bar Closing As you are aware, the State Legislature passed legislation allowing for a 2 a.m. closing time for on- sale liquor establishments effective July 1, 2003. Please see a copy of correspondence attached from Frank Ball, Department of Public Safety's Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division, regarding this new law. You will note from the attached correspondence, that it is at the option of each individual city whether or not to extend the closing time for on -sale liquor establishments. However, if cities do allow a 2 a.m. closing, these businesses will be required to obtain a special State license and pay an additional licensing fee to the State. City staff has surveyed the on -sale liquor businesses in Little Canada. Attached are copies of the survey forms we have received to date. Two of the five operators support the extension of the closing time to 2 a.m. I was informed by another operator that they would prefer to not to extend their hours but would do so to remain competitive if other operators were doing so. The status of neighboring cities is still unclear. It is my understanding that St. Paul is currently considering it. However, there has been discussion whether they would do it just for the downtown area or the entire city. Shoreview said they haven't officially considered it yet, but it didn't sound likely they would approve the extension. Roseville briefly discussed it at their last meeting due to a request from a bar owner, but made no decision. (I will update you on Tuesday if I receive more feedback.) I also talked to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department about the impact this change would have on their patrol activities. Undersheriff Altendorfer feels it would extend activity for an additional hour and likely result in more calls for service. He noted that with the current 1:00 a.rn. bar closing, activity associated with bars has dropped off by 2:00 a.m. He also commented that a neighboring community's enactment of this change would also have impacts to our patrol activity even if Little Canada did not authorize a later opening.