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May 28,1996 <br /> To: Mounds View City Council <br /> Re: Ordinance 582 Adoption <br /> The Mounds View City Council's proposal to adopt Ordinance 582, which <br /> involves amending the City's code section relative to the granting of a liquor license <br /> within 500 feet of the property line of any school or church, impacts directly the Sunrise <br /> United Methodist Church and Day Care Center. Time and circumstances did not <br /> permit the church to hold an open meeting and vote of the congregation. Thus, the <br /> following remarks represent the thinking of the Executive Committee of the <br /> Administrative Council of the church, after consultation with a cross section of its <br /> membership. <br /> The proposed ordinance change was presented to the congregation at worship <br /> services on Sundays, May 12th and 26th. Those present were encouraged to express <br /> their opinions to the Executive Committee members and 1 or to attend the public <br /> hearing on the matter on May 28, 1996. There were several individuals and families <br /> which responded negatively to the proposed ordinance change. Particularly, there <br /> were those who felt it is bad public policy to allow hard liquor establishments near a <br /> church or school. <br /> Consultation with the City's Economic Development Coordinator suggested that <br /> the 60% of annual sales from food requirement, would attract a restaurant where food <br /> service was the major focus. Sports bar type operations would normally have difficulty <br /> meeting this requirement. <br /> Therefore, the lay members of the church's Executive Committee do not object <br /> to the adoption of Ordinance 582 by the City Council. <br /> However, the City of Mounds View should recognize that their future <br /> responsibility in this matter involves more than merely checking the proportion of food- <br /> to-liquor sales on an annual basis. The 500 foot requirement in the present code was <br /> likely designed to eliminate any attractive nuisances relative to children and youth <br /> involved with the church's program, as well as, the unwarranted use of said property. <br /> Thus, the city should feel obligated to work with the parties involved to resolve such <br /> issues as they may arise. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Executive Committee of the Administrative Council <br /> Sunrise Methodist Church, Mounds View <br />