7.a Hearing on Meisters Bar and Grill Liquor License violationDIA
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: July 21, 2020
To: City Council
From: Brenda Eklund, City Clerk
Re: Hearing on Liquor License Violation at Meister's Bar & Grill
Background:
• On December 30, 2019, Meister's Bar & Grill failed an alcohol compliance check conducted
by the Washington County Sheriff's Office, when an employee completed a sale of alcohol
to a person under the age of 21. The police report stated that the server did not ask for
identification from the underage buyer.
• A complaint was filed with the District Court stating that there is probable cause to believe
the defendant committed the offense of sale of alcohol to a person under the age of 21.
• On February 18, 2020 the defendant appeared in court and entered a plea of guilty to the
charge of providing alcohol to a person under the age of 21. The agreed upon dispositions
was a fine of $387 including surcharge and 90 days in jail, with all 90 days suspended for
one year on the condition to be law abiding and have no same or similar offenses. This was
a permanent misdemeanor sentence, with the person placed on unsupervised probation for
one year. City Prosecutor Mike Welch noted that the employer, Scot Taylor, accompanied
his employee to the hearing and wrote "In the many years that I have been handling this type of
case, I don't remember any other cases where the employer has appeared with the charged
employee. Hopefully this is a sign that the establishments are taking it seriously and that it has been
a learning experience for all concerned."
• Scandia's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 110, Liquor Regulations, provides that the City
Council hold a hearing on a violation of the ordinance or applicable statutes, to consider the
violation and the proposed penalty, and hear any person who may wish to speak. On June
30, 2020 Meister's Bar & Grill owner was notified that the city would hold the hearing on
July 21, 2020.
• § 110.31 of the Ordinance specifies that for a first violation within any three-year period the
minimum suspension is at least one day in addition to any criminal or civil penalties which
may be imposed. A minimum civil penalty of $500 must be imposed in addition to any
suspension for a first violation unless the license is revoked.
Recommendation: The City Council should hold the hearing, allowing representatives of Meister's
Bar & Grill and any other persons to speak. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Council should
make findings regarding the violation and impose the appropriate penalties. A draft resolution has
been prepared for the Council's use. The minimum penalties have been included in the draft but
may be altered by the Council. The Council will need to determine the date on which any
suspension will be served.
r a i
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MAr
SCANDIA
June 30, 2020
Scot Taylor
Meisters Bar & Grill
14808 Oakhill Road North
Scandia, MN 55073
RE: Liquor License Violation
Notice of City Council Hearing
Dear Mr. Taylor:
This letter is your notice that the Scandia City Council will hold a hearing on a liquor license violation that
occurred at your business, as required by Scandia's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 110, Liquor Regulations
for the City of Scandia, at the following date and time:
Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
The alleged violation occurred on December 30, 2019 when a server in your employment was charged with
sale of alcohol to a person under the age of 21. The Council will hold a hearing on the violation and the
proposed penalty, and hear any person who wishes to speak.
I have enclosed the sections of the Ordinance that relate to Suspension and Revocation and Penalties.
Given social distancing regulations due to COVID-19, the Council will conduct a virtual meeting via Go to
Meeting. Please join the City Council meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone by entering
https:l/www. got o m eet. m e/C ityofSca n d i a
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 124-829-381
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
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Please contact me by telephone at 651.433.2274 or email (b.eklund@ci.scandia.mn.us) if you have any
questions.
Sincerely, 0'"
Brenda Eklund, City Clerk
14727 2091' St. N.. Scandia. Minnesota 55073
Phone (651 ) 433-2274 Fax (651) 433-51 12 http://NNwN+.ci.scandia.mn.us