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