Agenda Packets - 2003/07/28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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38. My preference would be to have the bars stay open until 2 am but stop serving alcohol at 1 am. This giving patrons an opportunity to 'sober up'. Not sure if alcohol is correlated with the number of crime incidents around The Mermaid. It is concerning that there is under age drinking, thefts and other crimes. As a resident I don't see rewarding the Maid or others by granting an extension to serve alcohol. (Against.) 39. I would say if our surrounding communities are open until 2 am, we should conform. If New Brighton, Spring Lake Park, Blaine, Shoreview, etc, are closing at 1 am, we should do the same. I think that 1 hour difference between communities creates a false urgency for the already drinking-impaired driver. I'm sure that our establishment owners fear loss of sales to surrounding communities if they can stay open later than Mounds View. If we were to adopt the 2 am closing, I think the establishment owners would discover the sales made during that last extra hour won't pay for the added expense of staying open... I think our Police Dept. does a good job trying to keep impaired drivers off the street. The later closing will spread out their busiest time of the night to 2:30 or 3 am. The City might want to consider adding another officer if the time changes, especially if our neighboring communities have a 1 am closing. (Depends.) 40. In regards to the three alcohol establishments remaining open until 2:00 am I see no reason why not to make the change. I am a new home owner in Mounds View and I feel that we should remain consistent with Mpls and St Paul. (For.) 41. To allow this later time, there should be no net cost to the city and a tangible benefit for businesses. It should not cost the city additional police coverage. The businesses must convince the city they will receive additional revenue. A slight increase in license fee should be required. If the above is shown, then it the later hours should not be mandatory. The business should be able to make the call. The ability of a business to stay open later, should be reviewed every time the liquor license is applied for using additional enforcement/noise complaint issues as criteria. (Depends.) 42. I do not support changing the bar closing time to 2 am. (Against.) 43. I would approve of the 2:00 AM closing time for bars. (For.) 44. No. (Against.) 45. I don't have a strong opinion on keeping bars open the extra hour. Everything I hear whether from public radio or the Star Tribune is that law enforcement is still waiting to see how this shakes out. As long as the city of Mounds View would be able to devote sufficient policing resources to deal with any extra problems resulting in drunker drivers out on the streets at 2 rather than 1, then I have no problem with this. If however, the police department budget is already strained and couldn't devote additional man-hours if necessary, then I would be against this proposal. (Depends.) 46. Yes, I agree with allowing bars to stay open til 2AM as long as the fees go towards extra police enforcement both state and local. (For.)