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RESOLUTION 87-015 <br /> • A RESOLUTION AGAINST LEGISLATIVE PASSAGE <br /> TO ALLOW THE SALE OF WINE IN GROCERY STORES <br /> WHEREAS, uncertainty regarding local government revenue sources <br /> is a tremendous problem and our City has struggled with this <br /> problem in our budgeting process as well as in the day to day <br /> financial monitoring of City finances ; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Legislature has left few stones unturned in the <br /> search for revenues and now is considering an action which would <br /> directly damage still another major revenue source for our City; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS, established nearly 40 years ago, the St. Anthony <br /> Municipal Liquor Operation has consistently generated a large <br /> percentage of. revenues received in the City' s General Fund. For <br /> the last several years, these revenues have accounted for nearly <br /> 20% of the budget. These are dollars that we cannot replace by <br /> raising local property taxes. Loss of these revenues would be <br /> disasterous to the financial stability of the City; and <br /> WHEREAS, during recent years, wine sales and the overall <br /> popularity of wines has grown tremendously. Wine is also one of <br /> • the highest profit items that our off-sale operation markets. It <br /> is not surprising then, that grocery stores would like the right <br /> to sell an item with such high profitability and mushrooming <br /> popularity; and <br /> WHEREAS, St. Anthony cannot afford to lose this major revenue <br /> source and we are very concerned about the proposed legislation <br /> that would allow sales of wine in grocery stores; and <br /> WHEREAS, in addition, wine is intoxicating (approximately five <br /> times the alcohol content of 3 . 2 beer) and it is more than just a <br /> beverage consumed with food ( arguments forwarded by the grocers) . <br /> The tradition of wine with food may be found to be the rule in <br /> Europe, but the case is not nearly so strong in the U.S. where it <br /> is also a "social beverage. " <br /> WHEREAS, the intent of liquor control laws in the State of <br /> Minnesota has historically provided for local control and <br /> management of issues regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages at <br /> on-sale establishments and beer, wine and spirits at off-sale <br /> establishments. Local jurisdictions have the ability through <br /> referenda to make critical decisions about the control of the <br /> sale of alcoholic beverages. Decision making at the local level <br /> should be promoted and enhanced by the Legislators rather than <br /> preempting these statutory abilities as proposed in this <br /> legislation; and <br />