HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 08101982 Meeting Sheet
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BOX: 21
Folder: CC MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1982
Document: CC MINUTES 08101982
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CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
COUNCIL MINUTES
• August 10 , 1982
Mayor Pro Tem Ranallo opened the meeting .with the Pledge of Allegiance
at 7 : 30 P.M.
Present for .roll call: . Marks , Ranallo, Letourneau, and Enrooth.
Absent: Sundland.
Also present: David Childs , City Manager; William Soth, City Attorney;
Carol Johnson, Finance Director; Larry Hamer, Director
of Public Works ; and Don .Hickerson, Chief of Police.
The Council minutes for the meeting held July 27th were amended to
correct the spelling of "Marks" in the fifth paragraph and to change
the number of persons who were in attendance from "100" to "60" on
the first page.
Motion by Councilman Letourneau and seconded by Councilman Marks to
approve as amended the minutes for the Council meeting held July
27 , 1982 .
Motion carried unanimously.
• Motion by Councilman Marks and seconded by Councilman Letourneau to
grant heating licenses to Maple Grove Heating and Air Conditioning , Inc. ,
and Riccar Heating and Air Conditioning , as well as a service station
license to St. Anthony Mobil.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Councilman Letourneau and seconded by Councilman Enrooth to
table action .on-.the temporary beer license requested for the 49 'ers
picnic until such time as the date of the picnic is provided by staff
(-acted on later in the meeting) .
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Councilman Marks and seconded .by Councilman Letourneau to.
approve payment of $1, 711.90 . to the Dorsey firm for legal services
in June , 1982 .
Motion carried unanimously .
Mr. Hamer confirmed that the billing from the contractor on the
St. Anthony Boulevard Bridge project had been verified by the Con-
sulting Engineer.
Motion by Councilman Marks and seconded by Councilman Letourneau to
• approve payment of $98,777 .01 to the Matheny Construction Company.
Motion carried unanimously.
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Motion by Councilman .Plarks and seconded by Councilman Enrooth to
approve payment of all verified claims listed in the Ausust 10 , 1982
Council agenda for July 11th and August 10th, 1982 .
Motion carried unanimously..
Chief Hickerson discussed his. department's June report and his recom-
mendation that the three Police Reserve applicants be approved. He
said Sergeant Puffer has .been able to .g.ive Crime Watch presentations
to from 25 to 30 residents .and ten people have consented to become
watch captains for the program. The Mayor Pro Tem reminded the Council
that, since the reserve applicants .are all from outside the City ,
their appointments have to .be confirmed by the Council. Chief Hickerson
verified that the ..required investigation of all three had been made
by his department and noted that all candidates have -already had some
law enforcement training. Judy Makowske questioned why persons who
are so well trained would want to serve in the reserves and the -Chief
told herthey are- probably looking for-- exposure and experience which
will aid them in obtaining permanent employment.
Motion .by Councilman Marks and seconded by Councilman Enrooth to
approve the applications of Frank Roth, 720 E. Co. Rd. "B" , St. Paul;
Carver Isabell, 2776 Asbury , Roseville; and Dominic Cotroneo,. 1847
Pierce N.E. , Minneapolis to serve .as . new members of the St. Anthony
Police Reserve.
• Motion carried unanimously.
The July Fire Department Report was. accepted as informational.
Mr. Childs explained that, because. the fees charged to City residents
serving. time in the Work House had risen .to $45 a day , and the new
DWI laws have resulted in an increase in the -number. of. prisoners , this
expense has- exceeded the amount budgeted for 1982 . However, an
increase in- court fines will .off-set these expenditures if a modifi-
cation of the budget is approved.
Motion. by Councilman .Marks and seconded .by Councilman Letourneau to
adopt the resolution which authorizes the budget transfer requested
by the Finance Director.
RESOLUTION 82-039
A RESOLUTION MODIFYING THE 1982 BUDGET
Motion carried unanimously.
Carol Johnson assured Councilman Marks that the- number of voting machines
proposed for the first precincts in both Hennepin and Ramsey - County
should beadequate for the Primary Election, but it would probably be
necessary to have more -for the General Election.
• Motion. by Mayor Pro Tem Ranallo and seconded by Councilman Enrooth to
approve the listing of election judges for the Primary Election, Sept-
ember 14 , 1982 , in the Council's August 10 , 1982 agenda.
Motion carried unanimously.
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The Manager confirmed that the changes in construction plans for a new
• road for Sunset Memorial Cemetery had been requested by. the cemetery
association and would be paid by them.
Motion by Councilman- Marks and -seconded .by Mayor. Pro Tem Ranallo to
approve Change- Order #1 in the - amount of $5 ,512 . 60 for the- St. Anthony
Boulevard Bridge Project.
Motion carried unanimously .
There were approximately 80 people present for thecontinuation of the
discussion related to the .opening .of Chick ' s Billiards- in, the.- vacant
store at 2529 Harding Street N.E. The Mayor Pro Tem announced the
procedure which would be followed for the hearing .
At the July 27th Council meeting,- Mr. Childs had been requested to
check the authenticity of the - references Mr. Springfield had submitted
with his application for cigarette and amusement devices licenses
which had been granted July 14th. He told the Council all five adjoin-
ing business establishment managers have indicated they have exper-
ienced no major problems with Mr. Springfield's operation of Chick 's
Billiards in the Springbrook Mall in Coon Rapids and- the manager of
this property , Mike Swenson of Kraus Anderson, told the .Manager the
only problem he has is with the litter the younger clientele leave in
the parking lot where they gather after they leave Chick's . Jerry
Nelson, Coon Rapids Police Chief , told Mr. Childs that none of the
problems anticipated for a beer establishment, which would be open
24 hours a day, have materialized and there have been less problems
• with Chick 's than with some other operations- in his city. Chief Nelson
has had no complaints from parents and reports no drug problems
associated with the. business . There have been two holdups reported,
one when employees were robbed in Chick 's at 3 :00 A.M. and another when
an employee was taking receipts to the bank, but the Police Chief
perceives these to be characteristic of any all-night operation, and
not just one which serves beer. Chief- Nelson believes Chick's is "a
good, clean operation" .
The Manager said he had, .as directed by the Council , tried to negotiate
shorter hours of operation with Por. Springfield-citing the signed
petition from the Minneapolis and St. Anthony residents and their
concerns with the traffic and .late hour disturbances generated by an
all-night operation so close to their homes . He. said Mr. Springfield
had indicated to him that he would not be either willing , or able, to
honor that request because most of his business is generated between
9 :00 P.M. and: 12 : 30 .A.M. and again between 1 :00 ,A.M. and 4 :00 A.M. ' but
he intends to .enforce the same curfew hours for those under 18 as he
does in Coon. -Rapids . Mr. Springfield contends :he would .anticipate the
same family oriented clientele which should minimize the potential for
problems .
Mary Ann Kuharski ,, 2709 Pahl Avenue N.E. , told Mr. Springfield she lives
just a couple of blocks away from his establishment and her children
• frequent the shopping center. She reiterated the problems the neighbors
experience with other nighttime activities in the shopping center and
said she "can't imagine what it will be like now" . She objects to hav-
ing this "enticement for little kids" so close and believes her taxes
may raise because of the additional police it would require to handle
the ongoing problems associated with a business like this one.
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Judy Makowske said, as a Planning Commission member who served on the
Kenzie Terrace Study Committee , she is very concerned that a business
• of ,this type might jeopardize the revitalization program begun for this
area.
Mark Kozlak,. 2612 Murray Avenue N.E. , asked whether a..business like
this one had been construed to be a "nuisance" by other municipalities .
Mr. Soth -indicated- he does not believe the business could be considered
as. such, although -P4inneapolis .Alderman Dziedzic. had stated during the
last Council .meeting -that all .seven operations of this type in his
city did generate police problems .
When questioned, Chief. Hickerson indicated he would not anticipate
any more problems with this type of operation- than the police have now
with the Stonehouse or the two bowling alleys and-.foresees the same
type of police surveillance may be required for the new business .
How much surveillance is required will depend on how "Mr. Springfield-
conducts his business" the Police Chief - concluded.
Ron Yates , 2816 Coolidge Street N.E. , said he had trouble equating the
brawl reported in. Chick' s in Coon Rapids with the "squeaky clean"
picture Mr. Childs had drawn. The Manager said he has asked about that
altercation and was told the police were not called to Chick's that
night because it was only a case of a brother hitting another brother,
which Mr-. Childs believes could have happened in any restaurant as well.
Mr. Yates questioned how an operation "which makes most of its revenues
from 9 :00..P.M. to 4 : 30 A.M. could be -characterized as a family oriented
business" , wondering "what kind of a family plays pool at 4 :30 in the
morning?" .
Doug Jones , 2505 Silver Lane , Chairman of the Planning Commission,
wondered if a restriction of hours of operation by the Council for a
liquor business , which admits it caters to a clientele comprising from
50 to 75 percent minors , would be sustained .by the courts and was told
the applicant is no longer seeking a beer license , . a fact Mr. Jones
indicated he had not been aware of.
Adolph Saja., 3213 - 32nd Avenue ,N.E. asked everybody present to "think
about what type of youngster would be hanging around a business which
stays open all night" , and said he would .like to see the closing time
set for 11 :00 P.M.
Adrienne Johnson, 3109 Stinson Boulevard, related the number of
incidents of burglary and vandalism .she and her family have experienced
in this area and asked, "whatchance are we .going to -have now, with
bringing more of that type of people into the Village?" .
The Mayor Pro Tem confirmed for Glen Puncochar, 3104 Townview that the
property Mr. .Springfield is remodeling is part of the Kenzie Terrace
Redevelopment Project and the resident- said he could see there would
have to be "good, rational justifications" for acquiring only part of
the property to keep this operation out" . Mr. Puncochar then speculated
that, "itis only because the Saliterman shopping- center is in such
• poor economic shape, that a billiards hall would even be considered for -
that space" . However, he said ,he could see where -the owner would
welcome the opportunity to sign a long term lease for a business which
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is legal under the City ordinance, and-, if he were the owner, Mr. Pun-.
• cochar said, he was certain "I 'd sue the Council if they denied me the
right to lease my property and collect as much rental as I could get
for it" . He agreed the City would have to have very defensible reasons
for not granting the licenses .
. Gen Lane, a Minneapolis resident, asked' Mr. Springfield to estimate .how
much .money a fourteen year old couldspend in his establishment in an
evening. The billiards hall proprietor indicated. .he preferred to respond
to this question and -others put to him by those present at the conclusion
of their testimony .
Jack Weinstock, 3209 .- 31st Avenue N.E. , asked whether there was any
reason why the issue couldn' t be. tabled and. put to a vote of the City.
Mr. Soth told him- there are no provisions for. a referendum of this
type , since it has been established that only the City Council has the
right to make this type of decision. When some of those present
indicated disbelief in this statement, the Attorney told them, "this
isn' t unique to St. Anthony, but applies to all statuatory municipalities
in the State" .
Steve Kuzma, 1818 Arthur Street N.E. , told Mr. Springfield that he would
be wrong to assume that because Mr. Kuzma is fairly young and single ,
he might be, a .good candidate for a customer of his pool hall, because
he is opposed to this kind of business being mostly concerned with the
welfare of the children and the elderly in the area. He foresees "an
operation of this type will provide lots of opportunity for trouble" .
• Carol Elson, 2331 Wilson Street N.E. , speculated the Coon Rapids
operation "was not right in the..middle of a quiet neighborhood as it
would be in St. Anthony" . She was told it was in a shopping mall.
Mary Melchild, 2243 Taft Street N.E. , told the Council she lives right
behind the shopping center where "the kids will pass my home on their
way to and from the billiards hall" . She speculated, "when they run
out of money, and with no jobs to be had , they ' ll break into our
homes" . -
Dorothy Dotola, 2616 Chest Armour Terrace, has been a resident of
St. Anthony for 22 years and she- fears , "bringing in a low element
from all over, could increase the number of burglaries in the City" ,
and, "next year, there may be more than just the two rapes reported in
the City last year" . She is convinced "an all night pool hall is not
the type of business St. Anthony residents want" .
Diane Studt, 77 Oakwood Drive, New Brighton, said she graduated from
St. Anthony .High School and her parents have lived in the City for 18
years and she can' t believe "-a business like this could fit into a
quiet community like St. Anthony or would be good for the young people
in the City" .
Virginia Kieffer, 2613 - 27th Avenue N.E.. believes , "this is the last
• type of business the City needs" , and -that "video games are just as
addictive for children as alcohol and drugs" .
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Susan Michalov -told Mr. Springfield she lives at 2319 Harding Street
N.E. , which is the street which opens . up .right behind his establish-
ment, 'and since the last meeting her neighbor's home was broken into
sometime after 4 : 30 A.M. She asked.him if .it is not true that his
Coon Rapids operation is surrounded by a wooded area and is isolated
from any residential development. Mr. Springfield told her "there are
homes just a few blocks away" .
Marie Schl.uender, 2708 - 27th Avenue N.E. , recounted her recent experi-
ence of being almost killed by a young driver .when she was walking
home from .church and is concerned that "if-.billiards and beer are
permitted so close to her home , there will just be more trouble" .
Pat Archambault, 2716 Pahl Avenue N.E. , said she has lived in her
present home , just a block away from the shopping center, for two
years , .but has -heard- all the- troubles her neighbors. had_for years with
-the "young people who loitered around -the Three Circles restaurant at
the end of her block, including vandalism of homes , vehicles and
garages and the inability of any .of the residents in that area to park
in front of their homes . She believes the City would just be asking
for the same, type of troubles if a .business which will be open seven
days a week and 24 hours a day is -permitted to operate in the same area.
Mr. Sarja interjected that he believes "the Council still works for
the public" and wanted them to "consider holding a .City vote on the
question" . He also asked the City Attorney "when did we vote you in?" .
Jim Cassidy, 3529 Coolidge Street N.E. , reported his friend from
• St. Paul had told him his neighbors had to form a vigilante group to
protect their neighborhood from some of the - types of businesses which
would not be operating in St. .Anthony.
Naomi Balke, 2616 - 31st Avenue N.E. , told the Council she has lived
in St. Anthony for 28 years. and ."is proud of the City , the schools and
the Police Department" . She was concernedwith the added burden this
type of business can be expected to put on the police . She told
Mr. Springfield she knows from experience how difficult it is to
supervise children who get together to play pool , having had a pool
table in her basement when her children were younger. She specifically
mentioned cigarette smoking as one of the problems she was able to
avoid but wondered if he would .have the same success .
At that point-.Mr.* Springfield attempted to respond to some of the
comments .made and questions raised - about his operation. He said his
Coon Rapids operation is not "squeaky .clean" , but "very good" and
believes the number of problems he has had "have been minimal consider-
ing the number. of people we get" . He calls the police occasionally to
see if .they have any problems with the way he runs his business , and
is "trying to -change the image of billiards" which he believes he has
pretty much. succeeded in doing, since many of his clients "bring their
kids with them to play pool" . He reiterated what he had said during
_the last meeting that the percentage of minors in his establishment
goes from around 50 to 20 percent after school starts , .because no one
• under .18 is allowed in Chick ' s during school hours or after 9 :00 P.M.
Although he has senior citizens and handicapped persons for customers ,
he makes no claim that they constitute the majority of his clientele
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who
7-who are , rather, "mostly from 19 to 25 years of age . Mr. Springfield
insisted he could never make a .go of- it if he had to close at 9 :00 P.M.
He also said, that since he anticipates he will draw the same type of
customers to his St. Anthony establishment, .he resents the inference
they would be "riff raff" . He operateson the principle that "people
will hang out where they feel comfortable,, and .if you don' t want them,
it's easy to make them uncomfortable" . Mr. Springfield said bowling
alleys used to have the. same type. of reputation pool halls have now and
he 's .doing :his best to change .this . He reiterated that Chief Nelson
has never. indicated he has any problem with the Coon Rapids establish-
ment and is certain. the police would let him know if people reported
any complaints . Instead, ..many .people have made favorable comments about
his business in the sixteen months he has been in Coon Rapids , accord-
ing to the billiard/bar owner.
Mrs . Lane' s question about how much a fourteen year old would spend
was "a tough one" -for Mr. Springfield -because he said it would all
depend on "how good the boy was . at playing the games" . However, he
insisted most of his customers are young working .adults since most
kids and people who are unemployed would not be able to afford the fees
he has to charge for his games because of his high overhead. Other
smaller operations , like the one in the St. Anthony shopping center,
with more amusement devices , can probably charge less . The owner said
a young man and his date could have -an enjoyable evening in the Coon
Rapids Chick' s for around $6 . 00 . Mr. Springfield responded to one of
the questions put to him by saying, "it is true , I don 't live near a
• pool hall , but, I am very comfortable having my own children working
in my business , even the late hours , although, of course , they are
both college age" . This type of operation should generate less traffic
than 'a grocery store,. and Mr. Springfield refutes the conclusion that,
"it has to cause trouble" . He is convinced that the neighbors ' con-
cerns "will go away once he is in operation" , and they will come to see
his business as an asset, rather than a detriment, in the long run,
because they will see for themselves he is not just a "quick buck
operator" .
Accompanying Mr. Springfield were his =attorney, Mark Gehan, West 1100 ,
First National Bank Building, St. Paul; Bob Rhodes ; William Miller; Dave
Stahl; and Dick Schillinger. Mr. Miller said he operates the- Coon
Rapids Karate Association .from the store next to Chick's and "would
never have advertised cooperatively with Mr. Springfield if Chick' s had
a bad reputation or was a hangout for ruffians" . He said he is usually
at his school from .10 :00 A.M. to 10 :00 P .M. and has yet to 'see a brawl
in Chick 's.. The. karate instructor then told about .the community
oriented promotions- in which he and Mr. Springfield .have been involved.
Mr. Stahl told .the Council he has been a bartender in Chick ' s since it
opened. He works most of the late evening and weekend shifts and he
has yet to have to "raise a fist" since he came to work there. He was
anxious to clear up the misunderstanding about the "brawl" reported
by a St. Anthony resident, which he assumes, was the family argument
• between two brothers which occurred at 3 :20 A.M. one Saturday morning.
He had observed that the two gentlemen sitting at the bar drinking
coffee seemed to have had a death in the family and started discussing
about some of the details . Mr. Stahl said five other gentlemen who
knew one of the two walked in, and that brother punched the other; said,
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"now that ' s settled" , and walked out- with. his friends . The remaining
man apologized to the bartender and left as well. Mr.. Stahl insisted
• he has never seen a brawl with. a pool..cue in Chick 's and said it is his
Job to keep minors out of the place when they aren 't supposed to be
there.
Mr. Schillinger, who lives at 240 Rice Creek Boulevard, identified him-
self as a. parent of a college-age son who enjoys playing pool at
Chick 's . He has been in Chick's himself and, from his own observations ,
and from.What liis son!%has reported wabout�- the;; b,ar, can see no resemblance
with the activities warned about by Harold Hill in the Music Man, but
rather has gotten nothing but a good impression of the establishment.
Mr. Gehan said he .would not respond to the St. Anthony residents '
objections in legalistic terms but would rather appeal to their
"fundamental sense of fair play" . He believes phrases like "people
like that. . . " and "businesses like that." are not fair to .his client
and he strenuously objected to the reference to "forged references" .
The attorney said "Mr. Springfield has already spent $50,000 on his
St. Anthony establishment and, now, you want to pull the rug out from
under him" .
Mrs . Kieffer doesn 't believe it is possible to keep liquor away from
kids in a billiards . hall since she knows they get liquor in the City
liquor stores . She doesn' t believe St.. Anthony "needs another place
like this one to draw the kids after the places on Central Avenue have
closed" . Mr. Springfield explained his policy regarding carding
customers and assured her, "if a customer doesn' t have a driver 's
• license, he doesn' t get a beer, and, if a minor tries to buy a beer,
he doesn' t get back in .my place, and .neither does any of-age friend
who tries to buy one for him" .
Mr. Kuharski responded to the references to the residents ' prejudices
against pool by saying "the problem is not 'with the pool per se , but,
rather, that the homeowners believe they should be able to decide what
types of businesses go into their back yards" . She told Mr. Springfield
the "Chick of the Month" pictures in his Coon "Rapids bar "don't .do much
to create a family oriented image .for his operation" . - She indicated
she believes the parents .have a right to be concerned for their children
and to make decisions. as to what they will be exposed to. She also
asked "what about people who want to sleep at night, do they have
rights?" .
The St. Anthony resident believes the residents ' fears are substantiated
by recent incidents where a housewife was .shot and killed in her own
home by youthful joyriders , and the .fact that, after a .man was shot in
Riverside Park early in the morning, the Minneapolis police indicated
they have a problem with people who congregate in the city parks after
the bars close . She foresees there ,might be "many .of the same type of
people who will be dropped into our neighborhood after the St. Anthony
and Central Avenue bars are closed" .
Mrs . Joe Donna, 2351 N.E. Harding Str.eet, expressed her concerns as
• to who would protect her home and those of her neighbors , or will
regulate the increase in traffic from the pool hall. Mr. Kozlak told
Mr. Gehan he and his family have been in the restaurant and bar business -
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for many -years and .he perceives the State Legislature had good reasons
for making the bars close at 1:00 .A.M. He also pointed out that
• St. Paul now restricts the hours of operation- for video games as well.
Mr. Jones wondered .why Mr. Springfield would .sign a ten year lease on
a property which is going- to be torn down within a year or two. He
"can 't understand why the billiards parlor proprietor would put $50 ,000
into such an operation. unless he is looking for HRA benefits . He
speculated that the only reason the billiard hall is going in that
area is that the stropping center has become so run down, because "good
shopping centers don't usually have this type of-business" . Mr. Spring-
field' told him .he didn' t know about the redevelopment plans for the
area because "Mr. Saliterman didn't tell me" .
Jim Kirk, 2352 Coolidge Street N.E .., said he doubted "Mr. Springfield's
motives are to change the image of pool halls , but rather, to make
money" . He reported the Coon- Rapids billiards bards adjacent to a
nature center and only -two blocks east of the Northtown Mall and he
doubts there are any homes anywhere near the establishment, where the
Minneapolis residents will be only a half a block away from the business
in St. Anthony. tie asked how many people Mr. Springfield has working
during the all night operation.
Mr. Springfield conceded his Coon Rapids establishment is not in a
residential area and that the- closest homes are on East River Road.
He said the number .of employees he has on duty vary with the need,
since in the summer he only needs one bartender from midnight to
• 5 :00 A.M. ,.'but in the winter, he usually employees both a bartender
and a bouncer; plus a waitress , for those hours .
Councilman Ranallo agreed "the Coon Rapids Chick's is completely
isolated from the residential development and there can be no similarity
drawn between that operation and- the -operation in St. Anthony" .
Darlene Gerber, 2243 N.E. Roosevelt,. said she had been the. one who had
personally gone throughout her neighborhood, which is immediately
adjacent .to the shopping center, seeking signatures on the petition
against the pool hall. Although a few people had refused to sign , she
had gotten 409 signatures , and was confident she could have gotten
many more if she had known about what was happening sooner. She
described hers as a quiet community where her neighbors are very con-
cerned about the influx of people this operation would bring into
the neighborhood. Mrs . Gerber noted Mr. Springfield had gotten mostly
business references and that "there is a big difference between having
a business of this type in a commercial area as compared to a resi-
dential area like ours" . She also has no prejudices against pool , hoping
to have a table in her own home some day, but, she is concerned with
"the exploitation of young people by video games" , and guessed, "a
youngster could spend -a bundle in an afternoon! " . Her own children
"will not be allowed to go to the shopping center any more if they
have to pass a pool hall" . Mrs . Gerber announced to her neighbors that
Alderman Dziedzic, when he had called her to tell her he would be
unable to attend the meeting that night, had assured her he was going
• to see that at least the Minneapolis area would be well patrolled.
Mr. Childs .told Mrs . Gerber the City. Attorney would be prepared to -
discuss all the legal ramifications of Mr. Springfield's application
Just as soon as the resident input was completed. This would include
the possibility. of misrepresentation regarding the 24 hour operation .
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Mr. Kuzma brought up another distinction he saw between the Coon, Rapids
and St. Anthony operations which was the fact that St. Anthony is so
• much closer to downtown Minneapolis and .could be expected to "draw a
different element that would be willing to drive to Coon Rapids" .
Mr. Kuharski told Mr. Springfield she would like to respect his rights
to operate in a commercial district but would also like him to respect
her rights to a "quiet, safe , neighborhood" . She was disappointed the
Mayor was not present and was "shocked the Council had not checked on
the references - and found out Chick 's would be open 24 hours a day
before they had granted the video game licenses" . She would not
characterize her neighbors concerns as "prejudices" , but, rather "amaze-
ment that their interests had not been better protected
Mrs . Michalov asked whether' a thorough check of the references had been
made yet. 11r. .Childs stated that he had checked all seven businesses
in the Springbrook' Mall, including the package furniture company for
whom Mr. Springfield had failed to submit a letter of reference , and
all reported having no problems with the operation of Chick 's .
Councilman Ranallo .questioned whether Mr. Springfield had not intended
to mislead the Council with his reference to "continuous operation" in
his application for the licenses , since the applicant had never
mentioned keeping -his 'St. Anthony operation open 24 hours a day when he '
was before the Council July 13th . Mr. Springfield agreed that the
letter "had been carefully done" since he- "is not a good writer
himself" , but. indicated he believed the. next sentence in the letter re-
ferring to "discontinuing the sale of beer at the times set by law"
• should have adequately indicated his- intentions . He could not recall
the Council discussing the redevelopment program for that area with
him that evening.
Councilman Marks indicated he is not personally acquainted with pool
halls or their hours of operation but felt the crux of the whole
discussion. should be that the pool hall itself could have opened up
without the Council knowing anything about it, if the owner had not
wanted cigarette and amusement devices licenses . The Councilman would
definitely have opposed granting a beer license for a business , half
of whose customers. would be too young to drink. Mr. Springfield
responded that he°only uses about a keg .of beer in his Coon Rapids
establishment every week during the summer and said he "will not be
running a game room" because he only plans to. have ten games, "where
the Fun Center has 19" .
Councilman Ranallo said he was "pleading with Mr. Springfield to con-
sider the concerns the neighbors have about an all night operation and
to shorten his hours" . Mr. Springfield told him he doesn ' t believe
he .could profitably do so because "he really needs the late night
business" , but disputed his establishment would be a hangout for
drunks" and expects , rather, his customers would be people coming off
the second shift who want a place to go before they go home from work.
Mr. Springfield is "confident the people in St. Anthony , just as they
did in Coon Rapids , will feel differently about my business once I 'm
open and running" .
•
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Mrs . Kuharski appealed to Mr. Springfield' s sense of..fairness , asking
• whether his home is situated near .a game room where his neighbors have
to clean all kinds of 'litter off their yards every morning. Mr. Kirk
wondered if the billiards hall proprietor might be willing to start
out with short hours and then, if no -problems were experienced, there
might be no objections to a 24 hour operation.
Dick .Taylor, 2641 Fillmore Street, said he had worked at Paper Cal-
menson for. 17 years where there were three shifts and most of the time
he had worked at night. He doubted "Mr. Springfield is eyeing the good
working class , but, rather knows full well he will draw the younger
crowd who have nothing else to do'.' .
Pirs . Michael Ondrey , 2904 - 32nd Avenue N.E. , wondered how ,Mr. Spring-
field could be sure the kids who were in his place during the day
weren 't supposed to be in school and he told her he doesn' t let anyone
under 18 in his Coon Rapids establishment until after school closes
at 2 : 30 P.M. unless there is a legal holiday , or a school holiday which
he has verified with the school. Mrs . Ondrey informed him that the
St. Anthony schools close at 3 : 30 P.M.
The Mayor Pro Tem introduced Por. Soth who he said .had researched the
City ordinances , as requested by Council, and -would give his recom-
-mendations. as to what can be legally done about the problems .
The Attorney indicated he perceives the legal issues had been lost in
the shuffle during the discussions . - He told those present a vote of
• the Council had made it clear there would be strong opposition to grant-
ing a beer license for this establishment and the applicant has already
withdrawn that application. Because pool halls are accepted uses under
the City Zoning Ordinance, the Council has nothing to say about that
aspect of this business , and even if they might want to change the
existing ordinance to forbid any more pool halls (and there is some
question whether such an amendment would. be valid) ., this particular
establishment would have to be permitted to continue. When it comes
to revoking the video games license , .it is Dir. Soth 's opinion that
there would .have to be a good, valid reason for doing so which could
face a challenge in the courts . He added, "if it were that easy to
get ride of activities that anyone considers objectionable, you wouldn' t
see a sauna or- rap parlor, or an rated movie theatre anywhere in the
metropolitan area, or, for that matter, anywhere in the nation" .
He concluded by saying "every city just wishes it were that easy to
get rid of some of these types of activities" .
The City Attorney indicated he believes the 'City staff had rechecked
enough of the references to ascertain "all the applicant said in his
application was true" , and the applicant and his partner have now been
rechecked by the Police Department to confirm that neither had a criminal
record and the St. Anthony Police had based its recommendation for
granting the license on the report from the Coon Rapids Police Depart-
ment that there had been no serious problems with Chick 's in that
municipality .
• In reference to whether or not the applicant had intentionally .deceived
the Council with the wording in his application, Mr. Soth said "he has
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denied .th.at" . ., However, the Attorney, added, whether or not the Council
realized that "continuous operation" meant "24 hours a day" would not
provide sufficient reason for revoking the video game .licenses , since
• . the hours of operation don 't have a direct relationship to the video
games themselves . If pool hall licenses had been previously granted
in the City with the understanding that they would be only 10 hour
operations , Mr. Soth said, that might be a different matter, but as the
ordinancestands , pool halls can .operate 24 hours a day.
Mr. Soth. told the residents there are many video games licenses in
St. Anthony now, including those in the same shopping--center as Chick 's ,
and the only basis for revoking . Chick 's licenses would .have to be that
the City finds something about them that makes them different from-.the
existing licenses . If a violation of the City 's ordinances or a sub-
stantial record of police problems could be proved, that might be a
good reason for revocation of.. .the .licenses which have been granted, but,
since the business is not even in operation, no such:' claims are probable
at this time. • Mr. Soth said the Council might be able to. make an
ordinance change .related. .to the video games which. would be permitted
in the future but he doubted an amendment to limit pool halls would be
valid. He told a resident the .existing City ordinances do not limit
the hours for ' any business at the present.
Mrs . Kuharski commended both Councilmen Ranallo and Marks for working
with the residents on this matter and- then inquired what actions they
intended to take .to limit the number of video games licenses to those
already granted in .the City. The Mayor -Pro Tem told. her he intended
to ask staff .and the Planning Commission to see what can be done to
regulate the hours of operation for all entertainment/amusement, but .
not commercial , businesses in. the City and to limit all video games
and beer licenses to those already granted with the stipulation the
existing licenses could not be transferred if an establishment went
out of business .
He is going to ask the -Planning Commission to -hold a special public
hearing on these changes the first week in September so the Council
can act on them at its first September meeting.
Mr. Jones reported Mayor Sundland had called him and asked him to tell
the residents that he would be unable- to be present for the meeting
because he and his wife would be away on vacation they had planned for
a long time but the Mayor believed he had done everything he could to
be effective before he left. The .Mayor Pro .Tem said he had .been waiting
to make the same. announcement until after the discussion was closed.
The Planning Commission Chairman said the Commission tries to keep ahead
of these issues before they become. problems but needs constant com-
munication with the residents and Council to do so. He said he is
"very upset that a .business could come into the community without
talking to the City Manager first to find out what the City 's plans
are for the area he is planning .to move to" , and Mr. Jones repeated his
suspicions that Por. Springfield "has his eyes on the golden egg" .
• When Mr. Cassidy asked what the Council could -do to see to it that there
would never be beer served in this establishment, and wanted a. vote
taken on the question, he was told by the Mayor Pro Tem that the vote
had already been taken and all had said "NO" , however he was also
convinced that the Council would have to abide by the legal advice from
the City Attorney on the matter and "wouldn ' t want to put the City
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into deep jeopardy by taking illegal action .on the issue" . Mr. Cassidy
was informed that ' the Council had formed an HRA who are working, as
fast as legally permitted, to acquire the buildings in that redevelop-
ment area.
Mr. Cassidy suggested the citizens might instigate their own suit.
Jim Zellmer, 3414 Downers- Drive, recalled the City had..acted to keep
pornographic materials .from being sold in the City . He also speculated
why , if Mr. Springfield has just found out he had. signed a ten year
lease on a building which is going to be. torn down, he "isn 't pounding
on Mr. Saliterman'.s door right now" .. Mr. Zellmer said his years of
experience .in correctional work enabled him to "see a con coming" , and
he hopes "Mr. Springfield isn' t hoping to hold St. Anthony responsible
for providing the golden egg" .
Mayor. Pro Tem Ranallo told the resident- the landlord could sue the City
for not letting him lease his .property and collect rentals from it but
agreed probably can't be utilized for all ten years of .his lease , he
would most certainly have gone after the landlord. Mr. Jones ques-
tioned "what .kind of a business would sign a ten year lease in these
times of economic uncertainties" .
When Mrs . Kuharski asked hwy residents hadn' t known anything about the
business coming into the - City until after the fact, Councilman Enrooth
told her the Council itself knew nothing about the applications for
the three licenses until they picked up their agenda packets the weekend
before the July 13th meeting and the Mayor and Councilman Ranallo
• started working on the matter right away when. the questions related to
the beer license were raised. He assured her. "nobody tried to do
anything shady" . Councilman Letourneau told her he did not see that
this was a particularly unique proposal since it involved a nationally
recognized business which was already in the City and" we were very
concerned that our actions would not invite a law suit" .
Mayor Pro Tem Ranallo told Mrs . Kuharski there is not usually this
much interest in Council meetings , with only two or- three people
showing up, at best. IIe understood this , however, because before he
became a .Councilman, he only came to a meeting himself if an issue had
a direct affect on him personally. He said he has requested the publisher
of the St. Anthony Bulletin to try to carry at least a tentative agenda
in his paper at least a week in advance of each Council meeting. Council-
man Marks urged those present to read the Bulletin because he believes
".'the paper has made an -honest attempt to carry news about the City and
the school district" , and, "it is the official paper for the City" .
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Ranallo and seconded by Councilman Marks to
direct the City Manager and Attorney to prepare drafts of the following
proposed amendments to the existing City Ordinance to be considered
during a special public hearing to be conducted- by the Planning Com-
mission , September 7 , 1982 .
(1) An amendment to the City Zoning Ordinance which would make enter-
tainment/amusement establishments a Conditional Use within a
• Commercial District.
(2) An ordinance which would limit the hours of operation of enter-
tainment establishments within the City.
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(3) An ordinance which would limit the number of video games licenses
in the City at their existing level with. the stipulation that,
when an amusement/entertainmen.t, establishment goes out of
business those licenses could.. not be transferred.
(4) An ordinance which would limit the number of beer licenses in the
City at their existing level -and to. stipulate that, when the
amusement/entertainment establishment goes out of business ,
those. licenses could not be transferred.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Ranallo and seconded by Councilman P-larks to
direct that a tentative agenda for each Council meeting be furnished
the St. Anthony Bulletin in time for it to be published the week before
each meeting.
Motion carried unanimously .
The meeting was recessed at 10 :00 P.M.
When the meeting .was reconvened at 10 :10 P.M. , Mr. Childs said Carol
Johnson had been able . to find out- when the 49 'ers would be holding their
picnic and their beer license application was taken off the table.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Ranallo and seconded by Councilman Letourneau
to grant a temporary 3 . 2 beer license to Roger Carlson, 2829 Anthony
• Lane .South, for the 49 'ers picnic and softball tourneament to be held
in Central Park from 5 :30 P.M. until dark, August 26 , 1982 .
Voting on the motion:
Aye : Ranallo, Letourneau, and Enrooth.
Nay : Marks .
Motion carried.
The Manager said the July 27th letter from the Metropolitan Waste
Control Commission i-ndicated that the City ' s infiltration/inflow levels
are within acceptable limits and the MWCC urges the City to continue
good maintenance practices . He believes the Fire Department would be
able to -respond quicker to cardiac emergencies with the portable cardiac
arrest unit they are using a part of a research project at no cost to
the City . The notes for the August 4th staff meeting were then accepted
as informational.
Mr. Childs noted that, although the liquor operation' s six month report
shows that total sales were down , net profits are up , and that net
profit as a percentage of total sales increased by about 23-2% with , of
course , a decrease in insurance premiums , accounting for a portion of
the increase. He discussed the City 's strict policy regarding minors
who attempt to make a liquor sale and Mr. Jones related an incident in
• the Apache store which indicated to him this policy is being followed
closely.
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Mr. Hamer explained that the tWQ ,resolutions, related to parking are
required for federal/state participation in the rebuilding of County
Road D. Councilman Marks indicated he did not recall such parking
• restrictions being presented during the hearings on that project and
wanted to .know why the parking had to be restricted all the way to
36th Avenue N.E. on Silver Lake Road. Mr. Hamer will check it out and
report back to the Council at their next meeting.
Motion by Councilman Enrooth and seconded by - Councilman LetourneAu to
adopt Resolution 82-040 .
RESOLUTION 82-040
A RESOLUTION RESTRICTING PARKING OF MOTOR
VEHICLES 014 BOTH SIDES OF COUNTY ROAD D
FROM BELDEN DRIVE TO. HIGHCREST ROAD
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Councilman Marks and seconded by Councilman Enrooth to table
action on Resolution 82-041 to enable staff to determine -whether parking
on Silver Lake Road could be restricted only up to mid-block .between
36th and 37th Avenues N.E. and still meet the- standards set for federal
and state participation in the County Road reconstruction project.
Motion carried unanimously .
Motion by Councilman Marks and seconded by Councilman Letourneau to
adopt Resolution 82-042.
• RESOLUTIO14 82-042
A RESOLUTION ALLOCATING YEAR VIII CDBG MONIES
Motion carried unanimously.
The hearing to be conducted by the Planning Commission on -the amendment
changes moved by the Mayor Pro Tem .were discussed further with Mr.
Jones .
Motion by Councilman Marks and .seconded by Councilman Enrooth to adjourn
the meeting at 10 :25 P.M.
Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Helen Crowe , Secretary
�ayor
• ATTEST: %
City Clerk
�3 i3
CLTY OF ST. ANTHONY
COUNCIL AGENDA
August 24 , 1982
7 :30 P.M.
A. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance.
B. Roll Call.
C. Approval of August 10 ; 1982 Council Minutes .
D. Licenses/Permits/Petitions .
1. Minneapolis Bowl-O-Mat, Inc. - name change on beer license.
E. -Presentation of Claims .
. 1. Hennepin County Assessing - $14 , 800 .00 .
2 . Adrian S . Helgeson & Co. - a. $5 , 745 .00
b . $690 .00
C. $975 . 00 .
ACTION: Recommend approval.
F . Reports .
1. Council.
• a. Mayor Sundland d. Councilman Marks
b. Councilman Enrooth e. Councilman Ranallo
C. Councilman Letourneau
2. Commissions/Departments/Committees .
a. Hockey/Skating Rinks Report (Councilman Enrooth) .
b. Planning. Commission Minutes - August 17, 1982..
C. Liquor Operation Sales Summary - July, 1982 .
d. Financial Monthly Report - July , 1982 .
e. Finance Director - Council to set dates for future revenue
sharing and budget hearings .
3 . City Manager.
a. Notes on August 18, 1982 Staff Meeting.
b. Council to Change Starting Time for September 14th Meeting.
G. Public Hearings .
1. 8 :00 P.M. - Kenzie Terrace Redevelopment. Richard Krier,
Westwood Planning & Engineering, will be present.
H. New Business .
• 1. Consideration of Bids for Public Works Pickup.
I . Old Business .
1. Resolution 82-041, re: restricting parking on Silver Lake Road
from 36th to Sault St. Marie Railroad tracks .
J. Adjournment.