12-14-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM 3H STAFF ORIGINATOR: Julie Bartell, City Clerk MEETING DATE: December 14, 2020 TOPIC: Pro Rata Fee Refund Plan for Liquor Licenses VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 BACKGROUND The City issues licenses for on-sale intoxicating beverages. The annual license period runs from July 1st through June 30th. Restaurants and bars in the City that hold these licenses have been greatly impacted by Governor Walz’s mandated closures related to the COVID 19 virus. First Refund - In recognition that these businesses were mostly unable to sell intoxicating beverages under the emergency mandate, the council authorized the following in May of this year: - Pro rata refund of license fees for months when establishments were not able to be open for a majority of days in the month due to the Governor’s emergency orders; - Due to uncertain timeframe of mandate, the refund was considered as a credit to future fees; - The refund applied only to On-Sale Liquor, On-Sale Wine, On-Sale Beer, On-Sale Club, On-Sale Taproom and Sunday Sales licenses. Investigation fees were not included; - The refund related only to the first emergency order. The amount of these first refunds is indicated on the attached list of licensed establishments. Second Proposed Refund - Since Governor Walz has reinstated an emergency order impacting bars and restaurants that is similar to earlier this year, staff is requesting that the council consider the same refund plan for months during the new order. If approved by the council, refunds would be applied as a credit to fees for the liquor license period commencing July 1, 2021. RECOMMENDATION Staff requests direction from the council on proceeding with proposed measures to address licensing in the current emergency situation. ATTACHMENTS List of On-Sale Intoxicating Beverage Licenses/Fee Refunds