HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001.01.10 CC Minutes - End Zone Liquor LicenseMINUTES FOR THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 10, 2001
Acting Mayor Chuck Haas called the meeting to order at 10:10 am.
PRESENT: Haas, Petryk, Puleo, Mayor Miron arrived at 10:15 pm
City Administrator, Michael Ericson
City Attorney, Dave Snyder
City Clerk, Mary Ann Creager
ABSENT: Mike Granger
At its January 2, 2001 meeting, the Hugo City Council was informed by staff that an on sale liquor
license had not been issued to the owners of The End Zone Lounge because they had not paid their
property taxes to Washington County, and had not paid an outstanding utility bill to the City of
Hugo. Antonina Kramarczuk. appeared before the City. Council and informed Council that as of
that day, January 2, 2001, she had paid her property taxes to Washington County. She produced a
receipt indicating so. She told the City Council that she was unable to pay her $4,000 outstanding
utility bill payment, and requested an extension from the City Council to do so. The City Attorney
Dave Snyder informed Council that they had no discretion in the matter, the City ordinance is
explicitly clear, and that all fees must be paid before the City can issue a liquor license. Council
informed Ms. Kramarczuk that she could not sell alcohol in her establishment unless the City had
issued her a liquor license. Ms Kramarczuk indicated her clear understanding of this in a number
of ways, as the Council discussed it with her; but most importantly, when she repeated to the
Council that unless she was issued a liquor license, she had no way to raise the money to pay the.
outstanding utility bill. City Attorney Dave Snyder repeated to Ms. Kramarczuk that she could not
sell alcohol at The End Zone Lounge.
City'staff followed up on the Council decision the next day, and made a phone call to Ms.
Kramarczuk, as well as to the Washington County Sheriff's Department, that a liquor license had
not been issued to The End Zone Lounge, and they were not permitted to sell alcohol. On
Wednesday, January 3, 2001, the Washington County Sheriffs Department entered. the
establishment, and issued a; citation to Alexei Pachtechenko for the sale of alcohol. City Attorney
Dave Snyder informed City staff that the City Council cannot take any administrative action
against this citation. The prosecuting attorney has informed City staff that a Washington County
Judge will act on this citation at some time in the future, and the results of that prosecution will be
provided to the City Council for it to review. On Thursday, January 4, 2001, a check in the
amount of $3,963.06 was received by the City for payment of the outstanding utility bill. On
Friday, January 5, 2001, staff confirmed that sufficient funds were in the company's account to
cover the check.
t City Attorney Dave Snyder recommended issuing a 2001 on sale liquor license to The End Zone
Lounge as all fees due the City have been paid. The matter of the citation will be handled
independently of today's action through an administrative hearing at a regular Council meeting.
Councilman Haas reminded Mrs. Kramarczuk of the Council's decision to waive the special
meeting fee, as well as the salaries of the Mayor and City Council members, and expressed
concern of the alleged violation.
Timothy Oliver, attorney representing the Smirnove Corporation and respective parties, concurred
with issuance of the license and will work with the City Attorney regarding the citation and the
administrative hearing.
City Council meeting of January 10, 2001
Page 2
Puleo made motion, Miron seconded, to issue an on -sale liquor license to The End Zone Lounge
located at 13891 Forest Boulevard, effective January 10, 2001.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, directing staff to proceed with the violation hearing once a
decision has been made by Washington County regarding the alleged liquor license violation.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Mr. Oliver inquired when issuance of the liquor license would be effective, and he was informed
that the license would be effective immediately.
ADJOURNMENT
Haas made motion, Puleo seconded, to adjourn at 10:33 am.
All aye. Motion Carried.
Mary Ann Creager
City Clerk