4. Staff Report-Liquor License Ordinance AmendmentSCANDIA
Staff Repovt
Date of Meeting: June 4, 2014
To: City Council
From: Kristina Handt, Administrator
Re: Liquor License Ordinance Amendment
Background:
The City adopted its liquor license ordinance in January 2007. Previously, as New Scandia
Township liquor licenses were granted by Washington County. Under state statute, statutory cities of
2,500-5,000 population may issue not more than 5 on -sale licenses.
Ordinance No. 93 limits the number of liquor licenses to those in place at the time of adoption. At the
time there were three on -sale licenses-Meisters, Creamery and Prospects. Currently there are three
on -sale licenses approved-Meisters, Creamery and Chikos.
Pat Reicherts co-owner of the Big Marine Lake Store would like to apply for an on/off sale license.
The only way he would even be able to apply would be for the Council to amend Ordinance No. 93
to allow the additional on -sale license.
Issue:
Should Ordinance No. 93 be amended to allow another on/off sale liquor license?
Proposal Details:
Reicherts will be at the meeting to tell you more about his plans to offer on sale alcohol sales at
the Big Marine Store. Currently, the Big Marine Lake Liquor Store has only an off -sale license.
Reicherts would like to convert their license from an off sale to an on sale /off sale license.
They currently have a kitchen that they would serve food and beer/wine to patrons outside. This
would consist of using the area behind the store and in front of the liquor store and mostly in the
summer time. The liquor store inside would not change, but would maybe in the future be
changed to inside seating with full bar and on sale/off sale. They do not have any plans drawn
up, but are in the inquiring stage with Council.
Reicherts questioned if the ordinance only limited the aggregate number of licenses regardless of
type. The City Attorney gave an opinion that the ordinance limits each type of license to what
was in place at the time of adoption. State statute limits only on -sale licenses. Off sale licenses
are determined by the Council. Because of this distinction in state law, the City Attorney has said
we have to treat each type of license individually rather than in the aggregate.
Options:
1) Direct staff to prepare an amendment to Ord. No. 93 to allow 4 on -sale licenses (one
more than currently allowed)
2) Direct staff to amend Ord. No. 93 so number of on -sale licenses is consistent with state
statute.
3) Do not amend Ord. No. 93