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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 2 October 22, 2002 Page 2 1 V. FORUM ON LIQUOR REFERENDUM. 2 Mayor Hodson provided a presentation on the upcoming liquor referendum, noting that on 3 November 5th several questions will be posed regarding on-sale liquor in St. Anthony. He 4 explained that if approved, it would allow family restaurants to have on-sale liquor. He noted the 5 current restaurants do not have an ability to sell wine or beer with a meal. He explained that in 6 meetings with developers, Mr. Mornson has been asked about this option. Currently the City 7 does not have the ability to issue on-sale, consumption on-site, liquor licenses. State law requires 8 voters authorize the liquor licensing authority to the City. The referendum will ask the residents 9 to vote on this issue in two questions as follows: 10 11 "Shall the City of St. Anthony be authorized to issue on-sale liquor licenses to hotels and 12 restaurants as provided in Minnesota Statutes, Section 340A.601?" and 13 "Shall the City of St. Anthony be authorized to issue Sunday on-sale liquor licenses as provided 14 in Minnesota Statutes, Section 340A.504?" 15 16 Mayor Hodson stated that St. Anthony is currently one of two cities that do not have the authority 17 to issue on-sale liquor licenses. If approved, St. Anthony would have the ability to issue up to six 18 on-sale and Sunday on-sale liquor licenses but most likely less than that would be issued. The 19 City would also have the ability to define those guidelines and establish the regulations that 20 would be enforced and criteria used for these establishments. 21 22 Mayor Hodson reviewed the types of family restaurants that St. Anthony would be looking for 23 and stated he has received numerous resident requests for more unique restaurants. He stated he 24 believes the market will supply the demand as well as the demographics as the Northwest 25 Quadrant takes shape. 26 27 Mayor Hodson explained that if the referendum passes, it provides the City with an additional 28 option to operate at the Stonehouse Restaurant and Bar and in the dining community. He stated 29 the City may not.necessarily issue six liquor licenses but would have that ability as well as the 30 ability to look at the types of restaurants coming into St. Anthony. Currently without the ability 31 to issue an on-sale liquor license, the City does not have the ability to negotiate with that type of 32 restaurant. 33 34 Mayor Hodson stated these two questions will be on the ballot and a simple majority is all that is 35 needed to pass. He encouraged anyone who does not know of their polling location to call the 36 City Hall. 37 38 Mayor Hodson asked if there were any questions from the audience members. 39 40 An audience member asked if a no vote is counted. Mayor Hodson stated a simple majority of 41 the ballots cast is needed. 42 43 An audience member asked the-name of the other city that does not have on-sale liquor. 44