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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 4,2013 <br /> APPROVED <br /> 91 location of off-sale establishments in the city. An updated map was reviewed that had <br /> 92 been amended to include off-sale licenses near the city and to exclude 3.2, combination <br /> 93 and brewery off-sale locations. In response to the council's inquiry about what other <br /> 94 cities are doing in the area of limiting, Ms. Bartell provided a chart indicating what cities <br /> 95 in the metro area have restrictions and what they are. Another chart listed metro cities <br /> 96 that do not restrict the number of off-sale and cities that have a municipal off-sale <br /> 97 store(s). Also included was a per capita chart indicating how cities in the immediate <br /> 98 vicinity with and without restrictions fall according to the number of residents per license. <br /> 99 The mayor suggested that in this city the kind of area where the licensing is allowed is <br /> 100 somewhat limited because of the large park area and neighborhood areas. Because of that <br /> 101 it would make more sense to him to consider a geographic restriction. Council Member <br /> 102 Roeser remarked that a clustered commercial development in the future could possibly <br /> 103 have difficulty getting licensed with such a restriction. The council discussed the <br /> 104 possibility of a half mile restriction. Off-sale liquor store owners that were present <br /> 105 pointed out their support for restrictions that would provide some support for established <br /> 106 businesses in the city. The council discussed restrictions that would target only liquor <br /> 107 stores and that would allow new stores to buy out existing stores or transfer licenses. A <br /> 108 council member warned against allowing license holders to hold their license for sale and <br /> 109 not actually continue their operations. When a council member suggested including an <br /> 110 end date,the mayor responded that he'd prefer to work with current knowledge rather <br /> 111 than guessing what will happen in the future. Council Member Roeser remarked that the <br /> 112 city may have to think about something like an assisted relocation plan if a situation such <br /> 113 as a large development were to arise. <br /> 114 <br /> 115 The city clerk will prepare an ordinance reflecting the council's directions and return to <br /> 116 the next work session for review. <br /> 117 <br /> 118 4. Blue Heron Days-Economic Development Coordinator Divine reviewed her years of <br /> 119 involvement with the city's annual festival, Blue Heron Days. While there have been <br /> 120 many volunteers for the festival, it reached a point where it was easier for her to <br /> 121 coordinate rather than manage volunteers. Past that, she has worked to grow the festival, <br /> 122 in one way by bringing events together at one site. She feels that outside funding for the <br /> 123 festival is at a good point, noting an annual contribution from the area tourism group and <br /> 124 the Blaine Jaycees continuing involvement. It is already the time of year when planning <br /> 125 for this year's events should begin. <br /> 126 <br /> 127 Administrator Karlson noted the importance of the event to the city and suggested that the <br /> 128 coordinating functions continue to grow and it could be difficult for the city's pared down <br /> 129 staff to undertake that additional duty. The mayor suggested that Ms. Divine put <br /> 130 together a list of responsibilities associated with the festival as well as take a look at what <br /> 131 other cities do for their festival. The council will discuss the situation again at the next <br /> 132 work session. <br /> 133 <br /> 3 <br />