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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />APRIL 26, 2000 <br />Tom Duray, owner of the Hoggsbreath, appeared before the Council and <br />first apologized for the recent situation at the Hoggsbreath. Duray pointed <br />out that the liquor industry can be a fragile one noting the dramatic <br />decrease in his business over the past several days. Duray also pointed out <br />that the redevelopment of Little Canada Road this summer will be a <br />disruption to the businesses abutting that street. Based on these factors, <br />Duray asked that the Council delay any increase in license fees until next <br />year. <br />Fahey noted that during budget discussions last fall, the Council discussed <br />increasing the On -Sale Intoxicating Liquor License fee from 32,750 to <br />33,000. Scalze pointed out the letter from the Ramsey County Sheriffs <br />Department regarding police coverage at liquor businesses versus other <br />businesses in the City as well as the call information at each of the liquor <br />establishments. <br />LaValle did not feel the number of calls at a liquor establishment was <br />justification to increase the license fee, Scalze pointed out that liquor <br />businesses have a greater impact on police protection than do most other <br />businesses in the City. <br />Morelan agreed that liquor establishments do generate more calls for <br />service and this is one of the reasons for the increased license fee for this <br />type of business versus others in the City. Morelan stated that the <br />questions are when should the fee be increased and by how much. <br />Morelan agreed that the Hoggsbreath is having financial difficulty and that <br />the Little Canada Road project will impact The Venetian Inn as well as the <br />Saxon. He suggested that perhaps this is not the year to increase the fee. <br />Scalze suggested that the Council set a schedule for the fee increase, but <br />agreed this may not be the year to start the increase. <br />There was no one else from the general public present wishing to <br />comment on this matter. <br />Upon motion by LaValle, seconded by Fahey, the public hearing was <br />closed. <br />Fahey asked if the number of calls at Little Canada's liquor establishments <br />were out -of -line with those of surrounding cities. Lt. Shanley of the <br />Ramsey County Sheriff's Department felt the number of calls were <br />comparable. Lt. Shanley reported that the Sheriff's Department has a <br />good rapport with the liquor owners in the City. He indicated that <br />whenever a problem has occurred, they have worked together to get it <br />resolved. <br />PAGE 4 <br />