06-07-2021 Council Work Session Packet

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WS – 4 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item No. 4 Date: June 7, 2021 To: City Council From: Julie Bartell, City Clerk Lisa Hogstad-Osterhues, Deputy City Clerk Re: Liquor License Fees Background The City issues licenses for on-sale intoxicating beverage sales on an annual basis, with the license period running from July 1 through June 30. City staff is in the process of receiving renewal applications for the upcoming license period. City staff has been looking at measures that could provide relief to impacted liquor license holders for the coming license period. Many cities have approved or are considering license fee waivers for the year ahead. Restaurants and bars in the City that hold these licenses have, for the past year, been impacted by Governor Walz’s emergency mandates related to the COVID 19 virus. From ordered closure to mandates requiring smaller operations, these establishments have been economically impacted. In an effort to provide support to these Lino Lakes’ businesses, the council previously authorized the refund of four months of license fees as liquor license holders were unable to be open to the public. At this point, license holders have received a two month refund. The additional two month credit is approved to be applied on the 2021-2022 renewals. The City Council is being asked to consider a waiver of an additional 10 months for the 2021-2022 annual license period. The refund would apply only to On-Sale Liquor, On- Sale Wine, On-Sale Beer, On-Sale Club, On-Sale Taproom and Sunday Sales licenses. Investigation fees are not included. Under recent guidance provided on the American Rescue Plan, it is expected that loss of revenue (such as license fees) will be reimbursable through the Plan. Attachments List of Business/License Fees Requested Council Direction