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This has been debated several times. They have looked at the option of staying open after 1 a.m. <br />without liquor ibeirtg served, however that can be done now according to the ordinance. Each <br />Councilmembei' will have to look at this. His feeling is unless some of the Council has changed <br />their mind, thei2 a.m. closing will not come about in Ramsey at this time. This can be discussed <br />in a worksessio'n. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated he would like to see this discussed, as there are new things that have <br />been brought tO light. It is worth having a worksession to discuss the impact of this. They have <br />looked at what other communities are doing rather than what Ramsey should do, but Ramsey <br />should be a leader and stand on its own two feet. <br /> <br />The consensus of the Council was to discuss the 2 a.m. bar closing at an upcoming worksession. <br /> <br />City .Attorney iGoodrich advised staff is working on a revision to the entire on-sale liquor <br />ordinance and planned on bringing it for discussion at the first worksession in March. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman explained the first worksession of the month would normally be held <br />on the first Tuesday. However, staff will be asking the Council to move the March worksession <br />up to Monday, March 1st due to precinct caucuses. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec :informed the public this issue will be on the agenda of the March 1st Council <br />worksession at i5:30 pm. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman noted the topic for discussion will be the on-sale liquor ordinance. <br />He explained :although worksessions are open to the public, policy is for the Council not to take <br />comments fi'om the public. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamee indicated he would like to have a couple of business representatives present at the <br />worksession that could speak about this issue if the Council has any questions. <br /> <br />Councihnember Strommen suggested any comments regarding this issue be written down and <br />forwarded to the Council prior to the meeting, to allow time for the Council to review them. <br /> <br />Lisa Stahlbergei', 15020 Xkimo Street, stated she is employed by Diamonds. She presented the <br />Council with a petition signed by Ramsey citizens in favor of the 2 a.m. closing. <br /> <br />William Young stated he is the supervisor of 12 Holiday StationStores in the north area. He <br />stated it is not just the bars and people associated with the bar industry that are affected by the <br />closing time. At the Holiday StationStore on Ramsey Boulevard and Highway 10 they have seen <br />a trend down i[ibusiness at night. This is the only store he manages that this has happened with. <br />Mr. Young stated he has found being in a competitive industry like gas stations it is usually better <br />for the busine8si to be a leader, rather than one of the last followers. He stated once you have lost <br />the customer to[a different area it is a lot harder to get them back, than it is to maintain them. If <br />the customers are going farther away than the Elk River, Champlin, Coon Rapids area that is <br />even worse for them as a community. <br /> <br />City Council/February 10, 2004 <br /> Page 5 of 18 <br /> <br /> <br />